Overview: Bote vs iRocker
iRocker and Bote are two well-known and prolific inflatable paddle board companies. Both have a long pedigree of board design and production. Both are headquartered along the beaches of Florida. And Both are commonly compared as excellent options for paddlers from complete beginners who may only use their paddleboard a few times a season to intermediate paddlers hitting the water every week. In this post we’ll be breaking down the differences and similarities between the two brands, their boards, accessories, and highlighting a few of our favorite iSUPs from each.
Why We Like iRocker
iRocker focuses their board design and development for the everyday paddler of any skill and budget level. Their iSUPs are feature-rich across their lineup and perform very well on the water. In all our years of reviewing inflatable paddle boards, we haven’t seen a brand more dedicated to updating and improving their products every year based on both their customers’ feedback and feedback we have given them as professional reviewers.
Why We Like Bote
Bote has their roots in SUP fishing, but has expanded their lineup to include everything from entry-level cruisers to dedicated touring boards. Their ingenuity in the fishing series of iSUPs is unparalleled, making them a chart-topper for SUP anglers. Along with their range of board models, Bote has a wide range of color trims that feature bold graphics with everything from flower motifs to camouflage and fish scales.
— iRocker vs Bote Quick Compare —
| section-hd | Bote |
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
iRocker and Bote iSUPs Compared
Below we’ve compared the various iSUP offerings from Bote and iRocker by most closely matching board sizes. This isn’t a perfect comparison, though. Rather than “apples to apples” think of it more like “red grapes vs white grapes.” They are very similar but there is still a difference between them with constructions, shapes, and features.
iRocker | Bote | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blackfin Model V | 12’6” x 32” x 6” Touring MSRP: $1215* Check Best Price | Traveller Aero
| 12’6” x 30” x 6” Touring MSRP: $1100 Check Best Price |
|
Rackham Aero 12’4”
| 12’4” x 38” x 7” Fishing MSRP: $1550 Check Best Price |
|||
Blackfin Model XL
| 11’0” x 32” x 6” Compact All Around MSRP: $800 Check Best Price | HD Aero
| 11’6” x 34” x 6” Large All Around / Fishing MSRP: $1100 Check Best Price |
|
Blackfin XL Ultra
| 11’6” x 34” x 6” Large Compact / Fishing MSRP: $1050 Check Best Price | |||
Blackfin Model X
| 10’6” x 35” x 6” Large All Around / Fishing MSRP: $965 Check Best Price | Rackham Aero Full Trax 11’
| 11’0” x 36” x 7” Fishing MSRP: $1300 Check Best Price |
|
Blackfin CX ULTRA
| 10’6” x 32.5” x 6” Compact / Fishing MSRP: $950 Check Best Price | |||
iRocker 11’ All Around ULTRA
| 11’0” x 32” x 6” Compact All Around MSRP: $800 Check Best Price | Flood Aero Full Trax
| 11’0” x 32” x 6” All Around MSRP: $900 Check Best Price |
|
iRocker CRUISER ULTRA
| 10’6” x 33” x 6” Compact All Around MSRP: $800 Check Best Price | Breeze Aero 10’8”
| 10’8” x 33” x 6” All Around MSRP: $700 Check Best Price |
|
iRocker 10’ All Around ULTRA
| 10’0” x 32” x 6” Compact All Around MSRP: $700 Check Best Price | |||
NAUTICAL 11'6"
| 11’6” x 32” x 6” Budget All Around MSRP: $570 Check Best Price | Breeze Aero 11’6”
| 11’6” x 33” x 6” All Around MSRP: $800 Check Best Price |
|
NAUTICAL 10'6"
| 10’6” x 32” x 6” Budget All Around MSRP: $550 Check Best Price | |||
Nautical GO Ten Six
| 10’6” x 32” x 6” Budget Compact All Around MSRP: $515* Check Best Price | |||
Nautical GO Cruiser
| 10’6” x 34” x 6” Budget Compact All Around MSRP: $565* Check Best Price | Wulf Aero
| 10’4” x 34” x 6” Budget All Around MSRP: $500 Check Best Price |
|
Nautical Kids
| 9’0” x 32” x 6” Kids MSRP: $450 Check Best Price | Flow Aero
| 8’0” x 30” x 4.5” Kids MSRP: $480 Check Best Price |
*Non-ULTRA Blackfin iSUPs and Nautical GO iSUPs use a kit building feature to select your exact accessories, changing the price accordingly. These prices reflect a standard kit similar to other iSUPs.
iSUP Constructions
All inflatable paddle boards have the same key components. Inside of the board there are two fabric layers separated by thousands of drop stitch yarns a set distance apart. This gives the board its flat shape and ability to inflate to high pressures. The outer shell of the iSUP is made of one or more layers of PVC material, and the entire board is sealed together around the edges by another piece of PVC material. It can be as simple as that, or brands can choose to add more materials, change material types, etc.
iRocker iSUP Construction
iRocker uses a variety of different materials in their iSUP constructions for different sub-brands and models.
Blackfin iSUPs
iRocker’s line of premium, Blackfin, iSUPs use what iRocker refers to as a Triple Layer Composite shell composed of the inner fabric layer and two layers of PVC. The rail is sealed with an inner layer of glued PVC. That inner layer is then protected with an outer rail band that covers the entire rail, two narrow strips of PVC to cover the top and bottom edges of the outer rail, and then a strip of carbon fiber fabric sandwiched by another layer of PVC at the middle of the board. This carbon fiber fabric adds a super durable layer of protection to the highest impact area of the board and aids in rigidity.
Ultra Series iSUPs
The iRocker Ultra iSUPs use a woven fabric base layer and X-woven drop stitch threads to reduce weight without sacrificing stiffness. The shell is made of a layer of reinforced PVC material, and the seams are sealed with another layer of reinforced PVC glued to the body of the board. Another outer rail layer protects the inner seam, and twin strips of PVC cover the top and bottom edges of the outer rail. The Blackfin Ultra models (CX Ultra and XL Ultra) also have a carbon fiber fabric rail reinforcement.
Nautical iSUPs have a standard knitted drop stitch core and a single layer of PVC for the body of the board. They also have inner and outer rail layers along with reinforcement strips along the top and bottom of the rail.
Bote iSUP Construction
AeroBOTE Construction
Bote has two different iSUP constructions for their paddle boards. The first is called AeroBote construction. This is Bote’s premium inflatable SUP construction that utilizes a knitted drop stitch core and two layers of fusion PVC material to create the deck and hull of the board. The top and bottom are joined together with a heat-pressed inner rail. The heat pressing process uses a heat-activated, high temperature glue for better durability in warmer climates. The inner rail layer is covered with an outer rail layer for additional protection.
AeroBote construction is designed to be heavy duty to help handle the rigors of SUP angling and paddling with heavier payloads. This tough construction does come at the cost of weight, though, with AeroBote iSUPs weighing noticeably more than similar size boards with different constructions.
AeroUltra Construction
The second construction type is called AeroUltra. AeroUltra is a lighter build that uses the same internal drop stitch core with a single layer of PVC material for the deck and hull. The seams are sealed with the same heat-pressed inner layer and outer protective rail layer as the AeroBote construction.
Over the years Bote has tweaked their construction and shifted some boards from AeroBote (double layer) to AeroUltra (single layer). Notably the Breeze Aero and Flood Aero. Some of Bote’s iSUPs, regardless of their construction type, have an additional PVC reinforcement strip along the top edge of the outer rail layer, but not all Bote iSUPs have this (it is not found on the Wulf or the Breeze). This strip is added simply to provide additional abrasion protection for the outer rail layer.
The Rackham Aero 11’ and 12’4” iSUPs have an extra air chamber on the deck of the board to create a higher side wall, provide more volume, and raise the overall thickness to 7”. They also have an additional PVC cover that goes from the top of the board around the rail to visually cover the joint of these two sections (though they are mechanically sound without it) and to provide a better attachment point for the sand spear loops on the side of the board.
iSUP Features and Kits
Inflatable paddle boards from both Bote and iRocker come with a variety of features and accessories depending on the model. Both companies offer multiple color options and package options for their iSUPs.
iRocker Features and Kits
Most of iRocker’s iSUPs have a versatile feature set that allows for any number of uses from casual cruising to fishing to multi-day trips. All of iRocker’s iSUPs are compatible with kayak seat attachments and use a toolless fliplock fin box.
The new Nautical GO series compact boards have a simple core set of features with a single cargo area and threaded accessory mount. These boards come with fins, leash, carry strap and repair kit, but paddles, pumps, and bags are . The other Nautical iSUPs include all of those features plus an additional cargo area, passenger handles, fiberglass paddle, and a storage/transportation backpack.
iRocker’s Ultra series paddle boards have a robust set of features including dual cargo areas, threaded accessory mounts, and passenger handles. They are designed to fold in half prior to folding which lets them fit into a much smaller backpack that is just over half the size of a regular iSUP bag. They include a five-piece carbon fiber paddle and electric pump with the board kit.
Blackfin iSUPs are designed with fishing in mind. In addition to the feature set found on the iRocker brand boards, there are even more threaded accessory mounts and Scotty-style mounts for attaching tackle racks or other accessories. The Blackfin CX Ultra and Blackfin XL Ultra are sold as a complete kit with paddle, leash, and pump. The Blackfin Models X, XL, and V are available as board+fins only or you can build your own kit with bags, paddles, pumps, and other accessories.
Bote Features and Kits
Bote’s iSUPs are highly varied in features and several models are available in different trims and pre-built packages. All of Bote’s iSUPs include a fin, paddle, and bag and use a tool-less slide-in fin box. Not all Bote iSUPs include a leash (which is a critical piece of SUP safety equipment) and a few models do not have dedicated leash attachment points.
Bote’s lower-cost iSUPs – the Wulf and Breeze – have a very basic set of features on the board. The Wulf is very minimalist with just a front cargo area and comes with an aluminum paddle. The Breeze has a large cargo area, is compatible with kayak seats, a Magnepod accessory mounting point, a fiberglass paddle, and Heavy-duty vinyl backpack.
The Flood Aero and HD Aero have an additional cargo area on the back of the board, slide-in mounting points for the Bote Tackle Rack feet, and both are available in a FullTrax model with a full-length deck pad from nose to tail. The Flood has velcro tab paddle holders on the side and the HD Aero has additional mounting points for and includes a Paddle Sheath.
The Rackham Aero once again has the above features, but with the addition of sand spear mounting points and tie downs and the 12’4” version has a port in the middle of the board to use with the Apex Pedal Drive system add-on. Both come with a heavy-duty rolling travel bag.
Accessories and Upgrades
You can get feature-rich iSUPs from both iRocker and Bote, and both companies also have a large variety of optional accessories and upgrades available. There are far too many available accessories to list here. Generally, Bote has a large focus on fishing accessories with multiple types of tackle racks, anchors, pedal drive systems, and coolers all designed to work specifically with Bote Boards. iRocker likewise has many similar fishing accessories (racks, rod holders, coolers, anchors, etc) designed to work with their Blackfin series iSUPs.
Both brands have a variety of other paddling and lifestyle accessories like cup holders, speakers, docks, floats, kayak seats, dry bags, fins, paddles, PFDs and more.
Bote offers several different “package” options for many of their board models that bundle together accessories like tackle racks, coolers, and PFDs. iRocker’s Blackfin series iSUPs allow you to build your own packages selecting different paddles, pumps, bags, and other accessories to bundle with your board.
Both iRocker and Bote offer paddle upgrade options as well.
Our Favorite iRocker and Bote iSUPs
Blackfin XL Ultra
The new Blackfin XL Ultra is a high performance iSUP that packs down into a surprisingly small package thanks to the split-fold board design. At 11’6” x 34” the XL Ultra is full-size with great stability, high weight capacity, rigid construction, and a full set of features for any adventure.
Bote HD Aero
The HD Aero is a fantastic crossover between a large all-around iSUP and a fishing-specific iSUP. The large size and wide tail make the HD extremely stable and easy to paddle while there are just enough accessory mounting points (including rack mounts, cooler tie down points, and a Magnepod mount) to bring along everything you need for a day of fishing.
iRocker 11’ All Around Ultra
Don’t let the excellent set of all-around iSUP features on the 11’ Ultra fool you, this board can also get up and go. The lightweight, rigid construction accelerates quickly, and moves fast across the water with superb tracking. And when you’re done paddling for the day, the entire kit packs into a package small enough to fit on the floor behind the front seat of a car.
Bote Flood Aero Full Trax
The Flood is a lightweight all-around iSUP that packs a lot of versatility into a wide open deck. The Full Trax version of the flood has a full-length deck pad to allow you maximum use of the board, tackle rack receivers, cooler tie downs, Magnepod mount, and more all while leaving enough room on the board for a little SUP yoga (or just a relaxing lay-down).
Final Thoughts: iRocker vs Bote
Both brands bring their own unique styles and shapes to the water, and it’s impossible to do a 100% comparison between their boards since no two of the brand’s boards are the same.
Generally speaking we recommend iRocker iSUPs to the more all-around paddler that enjoys a high quality cruise one evening, fitness paddling the next, and SUP fishing on the weekend. We also highly recommend iRocker Ultra series iSUPs for any paddler that is looking for a high quality and super compact paddle board for easy travel and storage.
We often recommend Bote iSUPs to dedicated SUP anglers, especially if you enjoy bringing along a lot of fishing-specific equipment or want the option to convert your iSUP to a pedal-drive kayak.
Both Bote and iRocker iSUPs can easily be used for any on-water activity, and you should always choose your board based on the appropriate size and shape for your preferred activity.
