Best Inflatable Touring Paddleboards | 2023

Do you like to explore your waters or go on adventures? Or do you like to go fast and feel like you are flying above the water with near-effortless paddling? If any of these sound good to you, then a touring iSUP is exactly what you need.

Where all-around iSUPs are relatively wide and focus on maximum versatility and easy stability, touring paddleboards trade off a little bit of width for some added length in order to paddle farther and faster with each stroke.

Just like other types of paddleboards, you can get different widths, lengths, and shapes in a touring board to meet your needs. Speed freaks will want the longest and narrowest boards they can stand on while adventure seekers will want a bit more width to carry a week’s worth of equipment. And of course there are boards in between for those of us who enjoy the experience of efficient paddling and getting a workout

Best Inflatable Touring SUPs Comparison Chart

section-hd	Best Inflatable Touring SUPs
	BOARD	DIMENSIONS	CAPACITY	WARRANTY	PRICE
Hydrus Paradise	Hydrus Paradise Save	12'6” x 30" x 6" 29 pounds	335 lbs	Lifetime, 30-day money back	Read Full ReviewCheck Best Price
Honu Sorrento	Honu Sorrento Save	12'6” x 30" x 6" 22.9 pounds	300 lbs	4 years, 30-day money back	Full Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price
Thurso Expedition 150	Thurso Expedition 150 Save	12’ 6” x 30" x 5" 26 pounds	400 lbs	2-years, 30-day money back	Read Full ReviewCheck Best Price
Gili 12’6” Meno Touring	Gili 12’6” Meno Touring Save	12’6” x 31" x 6" 26 pounds	300 lbs	2-years, 60-day money back	Read Review Check Best Price
Red Voyager	Red Voyager Save	13’2” x 30" x 5.9" 30 pounds	330 lbs	5-years, 30-day money back if unused	Full Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price
Nixy Manhattan Plus G4	Nixy Manhattan Plus G4 Save	12'6” x 30" x 6" 23 pounds	350 lbs	2 years, 30-day money back	Read Review Check Best Price
Bluefin Sprint 14’	Bluefin Sprint 14’ Save	14’ x 30" x 6" 30 pounds	425 lbs	5 years, 60-day money back	Read Full ReviewCheck Best Price

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Hydrus Paradise

12’6” x 30” x 6”
Availability: US, Canada
Read Full Review Here

The Hydrus Paradise brings speed, efficiency, stability, and durability together along with a rocker profile that is ready for any condition.

The first thing many will notice about the Hydrus Paradise is its rocker profile – or how the nose and tail turn up from the water. While many touring boards maintain a low rocker profile in an effort to increase efficiency, the Paradise’s higher nose keeps it riding high and dry in choppy conditions where flatter boards may plow through waves and chop, slowing them down and impacting stability. The Paradise also has a small amount of rocker in the tail to more easily lift the nose out of the water for downwind paddling and easier pivot turns.

On the water the Paradise keeps a very high cruising and sprinting speed and excellent glide ratio for efficient paddling over long distances. While it is a little on the heavy side, the board weight is not felt as a negative on the water though, as it increases the board’s stability and ability to carry momentum across the water. The extra weight in the board is due to the layer of aramid fiber (aka Kevlar) that is sandwiched between the layers of PVC to give it an incredibly durable and abrasion resistant shell. That durability is also backed by a lifetime warranty.

Bottom Line:The Hydrus Paradise is a stable and speedy choice for touring in all conditions, not just flat water.

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Honu Sorrento

10”6” x 33” x 6”
Availability: US
Full Review Coming Soon

The Honu Sorrento is the sleeper agent of speed. At 12’6” long and 30” wide, it doesn’t seem like it would be among the fastest overall, but oh buddy – she rips!

Honu is a relative newcomer to the US market, but has been around in Australia for years. The Sorrento is the proof in the pudding that their designers know what they are doing.

The Sorrento starts with a high quality construction using a woven fabric layer, x-woven drop stitching, carbon fiber rails and carbon fiber stringers on the top and bottom of the board. It’s incredibly stiff, even for large paddlers.

That stiffness, plus the 30” width, means that more of your energy goes into propelling the board forward with each stroke rather than being absorbed through board flex or spent keeping your balance. Outside of a dedicated racing iSUP (that’s 5” narrower!), the Sorrento is the fastest inflatable paddleboard I’ve tested to date.

Like Honu’s other iSUPs, the Sorrento takes on a paddling-first design aesthetic, but does keep enough cargo space to fit camping gear for an overnight excursion.

Bottom Line:The Honu Sorrento is an incredible fitness and racing iSUP with enough stability to take you on overnight trips as well.

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Thurso Expedition 150

12’6” x 30” x 6”
Availability: US, Canada, UK, Europe
Read Full Review Here

The Thurso Expedition 150 blends classic looks with top-notch performance and features ready to take you into the unknown.

With a trim, but stable, 30” width, gently piercing nose, and low rocker the Thurso Expedition 150 excels as both a fitness and touring iSUP in calmer conditions. The carbon fiber reinforced rails and woven drop stitch keep the Expedition 150 very stiff and the embossed deckpad and raised kick pad grip well with both bare feet and shoes.

The US Fin box opens the door for users to select their favorite touring or racing fins, but the included hatchet-style touring fin does an excellent job of balancing both and uses the Kumano click-fin system for a tool-less installation.

A generous storage area up front can hold several large dry bags and additional d-rings in the middle and back of the board can be used for more equipment storage or to attach a kayak seat.

Bottom Line:The Thurso Expedition 150 not only performs incredibly well on the water, but includes a variety of excellent accessories at an incredible price.

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Gili 12’6” Meno Touring

12” x 31” x 6”
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Our Full Review Here

The Gili 12’6” Meno Touring is an inflatable touring SUP for those with an urge for angling.

The 12’6” Meno Touring sets itself apart from the rest of this list by adding a little bit of extra width (31”) along with a few key on-board features great for anglers and those who like to bring along a few extra items.
In addition to a large storage area on the front of the board, there are four threaded action mounts, three sets of handles (in addition to the standard three carrying handles) and another medium-sized storage area on the rear. This lets you evenly balance heavy loads for longer trips and provides location options to attach a few extra amenities like fishing rod holders, action cameras, and more where you want them.

The single flip-lock touring fin is easy to install and remove, and it keeps the 12’6” Meno Touring tracking straight and fast. More pronounced rocker in the nose also helps the 12’6” Meno Touring handle choppier conditions and more easily ride up and over waves rather than plunging into them.

Bottom Line: The 12’6” Meno Touring offers a very high carrying capacity, great construction, and options to suit whatever adventure you are up for.

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Red Voyager 13’2”

13”2” x 30” x 5.9”
Availability: Worldwide
Full Review Coming Soon

The Red Paddle Co. Voyager 13’2” is the most structurally advanced iSUP in our list. Red Paddle Co. (RPC) has pulled out all the stops for its flagship touring board.

The first thing many ask about the Voyager 13’2” is “Why 13’2”?” Well – why not? Longer paddleboards track straighter and have higher maximum speeds. The standard 12’6” and 14’ lengths of most touring boards are a trickle-down measurement from racing categories that only make a difference in elite racing. Plus, 13’2” just so happens to be 4 meters – a nice round number for the majority of the world!

Red kicks things off with its incredibly high-quality construction using MSL (Monocoque Structural Laminate) material, heat welded seams, and dual rail bands for a board that is light and stiff on its own. Then they add in their own unique RSS (Red Stiffening System) removable fiberglass battens to help increase stiffness even more.

At the front of the board, RPC has built in a V-hull utilizing both a plastic fin-like bumper and a special process to shape the hull to slice through the water better than a traditional flat hull. Lastly, the Voyager 13’2” gets twin fin boxes to further increase the Voyager’s straight-line tracking. On top there are three elastic-band cargo straps and over a dozen D-rings to customize your board’s payload placement and weight distribution.

Bottom Line: The Red Paddle Co. Voyager 13’2” is the Cadillac of touring iSUPs. It’s loaded with advanced designs and technology, and carries the price tag to match. But, if it’s in your budget, you won’t be disappointed.

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Nixy Manhattan Plus G4

12’6” x 30” x 6”
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Our Full Review Here

The original Nixy Manhattan is a speed demon for smaller paddlers. Now the new Nixy Manhattan Plus G4 offers that same nimble feel with better stability and higher carrying capacity.

The Nixy Manhattan Plus G4 gains an extra two inches in width and a wider tail outline compared to the original Manhattan G4. This greatly improves the stability and carrying capacity moving the Manhattan from a fitness or racing iSUP to a proper touring iSUP you can load up for a weekend of adventure. It’s also now a more comfortable option for average-size or larger paddlers where the original Manhattan G4 was best for smaller paddlers.

The Manhattan Plus boasts a woven fabric layer, x-woven drop stitching, fusion-laminated PVC, and carbon fiber reinforced rails for an incredibly light and stiff build. Stiffer boards reduce bobbing and power loss, so each paddle stroke can more efficiently propel the board.

Nixy also has a line of high-quality 3-piece carbon fiber paddles that match the high-performance nature of the Manhattan.

Bottom Line: The Nixy Manhattan Plus G4 is a great choice for fitness paddling and light touring for average-size paddlers.

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Bluefin Sprint

14’ x 30” x 6”
Availability: US, UK, Europe, Australia
Full Review Coming Soon

The Bluefin Sprint is an entry-level touring and racing iSUP that’s ideal for the adventurer on a budget.

The Bluefin Sprint 14’ touring iSUP is a great option for those wanting to dip their toes into touring and racing, but not wanting to spend a lot to do it. The Triple layer PVC construction makes a stiff and durable board, but does add a good chunk of weight.

The front has a large 8 D-ring cargo area, and a smaller 4 D-ring section in the back. There are also two sets of D-rings in the middle of the board for a kayak seat conversion. Bluefin uses a pebbled and diamond-groove texture on their deck pads for excellent grip in all conditions, however it does stop short at the tail which can make pivot turning or catching a downwind bump difficult to control.

At 14’ long and 30” wide, the Sprint has enough volume to carry everything you need for a multi-day adventure.

Bottom Line: The Bluefin Sprint is a great budget-friendly option for paddlers wanting to try their hand at touring or racing.

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Touring Stand-up Paddleboard FAQs

What is a Touring SUP?

Touring Stand Up Paddleboards are designed for longer distance trips, more efficient paddling, and faster speeds. They are typically 12-14’ long and 28-32” wide. Their narrower widths help them glide more smoothly, but do have a steeper learning curve compared to all-around iSUPs. Their longer lengths also make them less maneuverable, but they gain better straight-line tracking. Touring SUPs are great for destination and adventure paddling where you are seeking to travel away from your starting point, overnight trips, fitness paddling, and even racing.

What to look for when choosing a Touring SUP?

You’ll want to match a touring SUP to your preferred use. Are you looking to do overnight or multi-day excursions? Then you will want a touring board that is a little wider (30-32”) and a little longer (12’6”-14’). Touring iSUPs with more nose rocker are better for choppier conditions and rivers, while flatter boards perform better in calmer waters. For racing, you’ll want to prioritize speed over carrying capacity. Longer (closer to 14’) and narrower (less than 30”) boards will give you faster top speeds, but require more body control and practice as they are less stable. For Fitness and Day trip paddling, most paddlers prefer the wider, more adventure-oriented, boards, but at the shorter lengths (under 13’).

Touring vs All-Around SUPs?

Touring boards will typically be longer (>12’)and narrower (<32”) than all-around boards in order to prioritize speed and paddling efficiency. All Around boards are normally shorter (10-12’) and wider (>32”) in order to prioritize stability and strike a balance between straight-line tracking and maneuverability. Beginners often prefer all-around boards because they are easier to balance on, and are a great option to learn the sport. Touring boards are more specialized and are usually a second board purchase for most paddlers after they gain some experience. However if you know you like to go fast and far, then starting off with a wider touring board could be just the thing for you.

Recommended Gear for Touring Stand-Up Paddleboards

Most touring iSUP kits include the essentials for paddling, but some – especially the higher-end models – don’t include a paddle. Here is a list of some recommended equipment to go along with your new touring board.

• PFD – A PFD (Personal Flotation Device), sometimes called a life jacket or buoyancy aid, is a critical piece of safety equipment while on your SUP and may be required by local law. There are thousands of options for PFDs, and it is important to choose one that not only fits you well, but is designed for paddling. A quality, well-fit PFD is not noticeable when being worn. See our Best SUP PFD reviews here.
• Dry Bag – Not everything we bring with us on our SUPs should get wet. Soggy sandwiches and waterlogged phones can ruin a good day out on the water. Dry bags come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes to fit your needs. See our Best SUP Dry Bag reviews here.
• Coolers – While some touring SUPs include a paddle, others do not. Choosing a touring paddle can be tricky with all of the options available. Our favorite stand-alone touring paddles are the Honu Evolution Bamboo and the Nixy Pro Carbon 88sq in.
• Electric Pumps – Using the hand pump that comes with your board is a great way to warm up for your day paddling. But every now and then it’s nice to relax while getting ready, too. Electric SUP pumps are easy to use and let you focus on other things while inflating your board. See our Best Electric SUP Pump reviews here.

Final Thoughts – Best Touring SUPs

Touring SUPs open a whole new world of adventure for Stand Up Paddleboarders. Covering large distances quickly, joining in a friendly race, and taking an overnight trip are such great experiences that every paddler should do at least once.