Overview: Bote vs Isle Paddle Boards
Isle and Bote are both long-time leaders in the paddle boarding world. Both brands started out making hard boards before adding inflatable SUPs to their lineups. Both have a wide range of products for different paddlers. Both tend to err on the side of making wider paddle boards that are more beginner friendly. However, the similarities don’t go on forever. Isle and Bote have very different shape and design styles, very different constructions, and very different feature sets. However one final similarity these two brands do have is high praise from their customers, and from us here at InflatableBoarder.
Why We Like Isle
Isle has been making surfboards and paddle boards for a long time now, and their designs have been classic and functional. Their inflatable paddle boards provide excellent performance to a range of paddler sizes and budgets. The new Isle Pro series iSUPs have some of the most advanced construction in the industry for incredible rigidity, durability, and functionality. Isle has also recently introduced a line of other inflatable products including docks and tubes.
Why We Like Bote
Bote and fishing go together like peanut butter and jelly. While not all of Bote’s paddle boards are specifically for fishing, this core functionality is the centerpiece for many of Bote’s iSUP designs. In addition to multiple fishing-specific models, Bote also has a range of entry-level paddle boards, inflatable kayaks, docks, chairs, and more.
— Isle vs Bote Quick Compare —
| section-hd | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
Isle and Bote iSUPs
Below is a summary of the inflatable paddle board models available from both Isle and Bote. This list is organized by length overall for each brand, and is not meant to be a direct comparison between boards.
Isle | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Explorer Pro 14’
| 14’0” x 31” x 6” Touring MSRP: $1266* Check Best Price | Traveller Aero
| 12’6” x 30” x 6” Touring MSRP: $1100 Check Best Price |
|
Explorer Pro 12’
| 12’0” x 31.5” x 6” Touring MSRP: $1166* Check Best Price | Rackham Aero 12’4”
| 12’4” x 38” x 7” Fishing MSRP: $1550 Check Best Price |
|
Pioneer Pro 11’6”
| 11’6” x 36” x 6” Large All Around MSRP: $1266* Check Best Price | HD Aero
| 11’6” x 34” x 6” Large All Around / Fishing MSRP: $1100 Check Best Price |
|
Switch 2-in-1
| 11’6” x 35.5” x 6” Large All Around/Kayak MSRP: $995 Check Best Price | Rackham Aero Full Trax 11’
| 11’0” x 36” x 7” Fishing MSRP: $1300 Check Best Price |
|
Sportsman | 11’6” x 36” x 6” Large All Around/Fishing MSRP: $945 Check Best Price | Flood Aero Full Trax
| 11’0” x 32” x 6” All Around MSRP: $900 Check Best Price |
|
Explorer 2.0
| 11’6” x 32” x 6” Large All Around/Touring MSRP: $895 Check Best Price | Breeze Aero 10’8”
| 10’8” x 33” x 6” All Around MSRP: $700 Check Best Price |
|
Pioneer Pro 10’6”
| 11’6” x 34” x 6” Large All Around MSRP: $1166* Check Best Price | Breeze Aero 11’6”
| 11’6” x 33” x 6” All Around MSRP: $800 Check Best Price |
|
Pioneer 2.0
| 10’6” x 34” x 6” Cruiser All Around MSRP: $795 Check Best Price | Wulf Aero
| 10’4” x 34” x 6” Budget All Around MSRP: $500 Check Best Price |
|
Pioneer Pro 9’6”
| 9’6” x 32” x 6” Small All Around/Kids/Kayak MSRP: $1066* Check Best Price | Flow Aero
| 8’0” x 30” x 4.5” Kids MSRP: $480 Check Best Price |
|
Grom
| 8’6” x 28” x 6” Large All Around MSRP: $595 Check Best Price | |||
Megalodon 2.0
| 12’0” x 45” x 8” 15’ x 56” x 8” Multi Person MSRP: $1245/$1495 Check Best Price |
*Isle “Pro”-series iSUPs use a kit building feature to select your exact accessories, changing the price accordingly. These prices reflect a standard kit similar to the other iSUPs.
iSUP Constructions
Every inflatable paddle board has the same basic structure. There is an internal fabric material on the top and bottom joined together with thousands of drop stitch threads to give the board its flat shape and rigidity. One or more layers of PVC material are bonded to the fabric layer, and then one or more layers of PVC material are used to join the top and bottom together to make the board air tight. While this same general construction is used in all iSUPs, how it’s actually done can be extremely different from brand to brand.
Isle iSUP Construction
Isle currently uses two different types of construction for their inflatable paddle boards. The first is what Isle calls AirTech Fusion. This is found on all of the “2.0” series boards like the Pioneer 2.0, Explorer 2.0, and Megalodon 2.0. The knitted fabric base layer joined with two layers of PVC material through a fusion process (using heat and pressure to bond the layers). The rail is made of two layers. An inner layer is glued to the top and bottom of the board to make the air chamber, and then a second, larger layer is glued over top for increased durability. The result of this construction is a light-to-mid-weight iSUP with excellent rigidity.
Isle expands on this with their AirTech Fusion Light construction. First the fabric baselayer is upgraded to a woven material instead of knitted. Then a layer of reinforced PVC is fused directly to the fabric layer. On the Isle Switch there are additional PVC stringers built into the board to help further increase rigidity along with the double layer glued rails.
Isle’s new “Pro” series iSUPs use their new AirTech Fusion Light Construction with a twist. In addition to everything above, the Pro series boards have heat-welded interior rails and Infinity Fiber stringers on the deck, hull, and rail edges of the board. These stringers are made of composite fibers and a plastic matrix that allows the board to be rolled up when deflated but makes them the most rigid iSUPs we’ve ever tested once inflated.
Bote iSUP Construction
Like Isle, Bote also has two different iSUP constructions. The first is called AeroUltra. AeroUltra iSUPs start with a knitted fabric core and have a single layer of PVC material applied to the core. There are two rail layers that are heat-pressed onto the board. This process uses a heat-activated glue for a stronger bond than a traditional glue.
The AeroBote construction iSUPs start with the same knitted core, but have a double-layer PVC shell for the deck and hull. AeroBote rails are also made using a heat-pressed inner layer and additional outer layer.
The Bote Rackham Aero (both the 11’ and 12’4 versions) are made with AeroUltra construction, but also feature a second chamber on the deck of the board. This extra air chamber increases the overall thickness to 7” and gives these boards more volume for a higher carrying capacity.
iSUP Features and Kits
Both Isle and Bote have different feature sets and kits that come with different paddle board models. All of Bote’s boards include fins, repair kits, paddles, pumps, and bags. The Isle Pro iSUPs are available as stand-alone iSUPs (with fins and repair kit) or you can build your own kit by selecting pumps, bags, paddles, and more on the product page. The Isle 2.0 series and Isle Switch come as turnkey packages with everything you need to get started paddling.
Isle’s paddle boards focus on providing a clean, but usable feature set built into their boards. Rather than trying to fit every possible mounting point and D-ring they can onto every board, each board has just enough features to let you outfit your board for the day. The Isle 2.0 iSUPs have D-rings and cargo areas, kayak seat compatibility, and paddle holders. The Isle Sportsman also features Scotty-style mounting points for fishing rod holders or tackle racks.
Isle’s Pro series boards and the Isle Switch have a threaded accessory mounting point (for cameras, speakers, rod holders, etc.) and the Isle Link system for cargo management. The Isle Link system uses rows of polyethylene fabric loops built into the boards and cargo straps with G-hooks that let you customize exactly how many cargo straps you want to use and where they should be. They also are compatible with the Isle kayak seat and foot brace and the Isle fishing crate.
Bote’s paddle boards come in two basic feature sets: fishing and beginner all-around. The beginner-oriented all-around iSUPs (Wulf and Breeze Aero) have a core set of features with bungee-cord cargo systems and kayak seat compatible D-rings. The Breeze is also available with a Magnepod accessory mount for speakers, tumblers, and more that attach to the board magnetically.
Bote’s fishing iSUPs are stocked with fishing-specific features like sand-spear mounting points, paddle holders, Scotty mounts for tackle racks, and the Rackham Aero 12’4” even has the ability to use the Apex Pedal Drive system and rudder for fully-seated operation. If you are a SUP angler, then Bote offers one of the most complete SUP fishing ecosystems available.
Accessories and Upgrades
Both Isle and Bote have a large variety of accessories designed to work with their paddle boards and both offer upgraded versions of their paddles. While Isle’s accessory offerings are quite typical, though with specializations to match their boards, Bote has a more robust lineup of different items to use with your iSUP. Additionally, both companies offer a range of hard boards and other inflatable devices like docks and tubes. There are too many accessory and upgrade options to list individually, but we’ve highlighted a few items and categories from both Isle and Bote below.
Isle’s accessory lineup focuses primarily on the basic elements used by a majority of paddlers. In addition to small items like towels, dry bags, and coolers, Isle also offers life jackets, anchors, carry straps, roof racks, and electric pumps. They also have a high-quality inflatable kayak seat and foot brace, and a fishing equipment crate/rod holder that are designed to work with the Isle Link system found on several of their iSUPs.
Isle also has a set of paddle options as replacements or upgrades for your board. The Isle Remix convertible SUP/Kayak paddle is available in its base aluminum build or with a carbon fiber shaft upgrade. They also offer 2- and 3- piece full carbon fiber SUP paddles and breakdown kayak paddles.
Bote’s accessory range can only be described as massive. From apparel to carbon fiber paddles and everything in between you can get it all from Bote. Unique to Bote is their Magnepod accessory system. This system uses a powerful magnet built into the deck of the board to hold certain water bottles, speakers, tumblers and even small bags without any screws, bolts, clamps, or straps. Bote also offers many of their iSUPs as various packages bundled with a variety of different accessories from tackle racks to coolers, both, and more.
With Bote’s focus on fishing and leisure it’s no surprise that there are tons of dedicated accessories for both from multiple styles of tackle racks, multiple styles of coolers, inflatable docks, couches, chairs, and even inflatable corn hole boards. Bote also offers a large range of carbon fiber SUP paddles in 1-, 2-, and 3-piece configurations.
Our Favorite Isle and Bote iSUPs
Isle Explorer Pro 12’
The Isle Explorer Pro 12’ is one of the best crossover All-Around/Touring iSUPs I’ve paddled so far. The ultra-rigid construction combined with the slightly longer and narrower shape make the Explorer Pro 12’ fast and efficient on the water, but the wide tail, parallel standing area, and stiffness keep it extremely stable. The Isle Link system lets you customize the board however you like and it paddles very well when converted to a kayak.
Bote HD Aero
The Bote 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.
Isle Pioneer 2.0
The Pioneer 2.0 is a classic go-to cruiser recommendation for the paddler who wants a stable, clean platform for hanging around on the water, sharing a paddle with friends, family, or pets, and even some SUP yoga on occasion. The 34” width and wide tail make the board extremely stable, and the AirTech Fusion construction keeps it at a super reasonable weight.
Bote Flood Aero Full Trax
The Flood Aero 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: Isle vs Bote
Bote and Isle are some of the best known and largest brands in stand up paddle boarding, and for good reason. Not only have they been producing boards and more for nearly 20 years (each) but they both work to advance the sport by providing unique and thoughtful designs and shapes for use by paddlers of all skill levels and styles. With such a focus on fishing, Bote is an obvious choice to top the list of brands for SUP Anglers. Isle’s new Pro series iSUPs have made one of the biggest leaps in inflatable SUP technology in the last decade and offer the highest quality performance for adventure paddlers..
