· Wavefella Team · Guides · 5 min read
Which Inflatable SUP Touring Board Should You Buy?
Touring on a stand-up paddleboard can open you up to a new world of natural landscapes. Here's how to choose the right board.
Touring on a stand-up paddleboard can open you up to a new world of natural landscapes that can be experienced from an entirely different vantage point. Standing tall while paddling, you can see things you could not fully appreciate from the sitting position of a kayak or canoe while enjoying the otherworldly sensation of walking on water.
SUP touring is also a great way to stay fit, except that you’re getting a workout while exploring and savoring the outdoors, which can be more uplifting than a sweaty gym or studio.
If you are purchasing a SUP board with touring and fitness as your main objective, you’ll want to choose a board that gives you the most satisfying experience when covering distances on your board but also gives you a platform for your warm-ups, stretches, and even yoga which can transform your paddle outing into a complete fitness workout.
The Unique Benefits of Touring Boards
- Touring Boards excel at paddling in a straight line, which is how most people use their boards.
- Touring boards paddle faster with less effort than all-around boards.
- Turning a touring board is not hard once you know the technique —just step back a bit before turning.
- A longer board has more room for a passenger —human or canine —or gear for an excursion.
- Touring boards are excellent for covering distance.
- Weight and handling of a longer board are not problematic if you avoid hardboards and go with a high-performance inflatable model.
Know Your Touring Shape Options
The most common length for a touring SUP is 12’6”. The length became a standard for racing SUPs and has been largely carried over to touring boards, which sometimes also double as racing boards or race training boards.
Board width is what really distinguishes a touring SUP from a race board, though there is no fixed line between the two. A board that is 28 inches or less in width will normally be used as a race board. Similarly, a board of 30 inches or more width tends to fall into touring board territory. 32 inches of width can be a sweet spot for an inflatable touring board with plenty of glide but enough stability for carefree paddling and enough width for other fitness activities like stretching and yoga.
Choose The Right Fin Setup
For touring and fitness paddling on flat water in calm conditions, a single center fin at least 7-9 inches tall will be the simplest fin configuration and will enhance paddling speed.
A board equipped with a US standard fin box will often let you move the fin forward or backward to change the performance of the board. Pushing the fin to the back of the fin box will help the board to track straight with fewer corrective strokes while pushing the fin to the front of the box will make the board easier to turn.
A board with three removable fins can be advantageous for certain conditions. Adding side fins helps with board control in choppy or windy conditions, or on rivers with currents and turbulent waters.
Deck Pad and Rigging Points
For casual touring, a smooth deck pad surface with a shallow texture will be the most comfortable on your bare feet and on your body if you lie down to stretch or work in some yoga. If you’ll be paddling on rivers or choppy waters, a diamond groove deck pad provides extra traction which can help keep you on the board when things get rough.
A bungee tie down system at the front end of the deck pad is essential for touring, as you’ll need a water bottle at a minimum, and you really should paddle with a dry bag with first aid supplies on board for longer tours.
Inflatable vs. Hard Board For Touring
A board that is long enough to serve as a touring board can present challenges for storage and transport. This is why an inflatable can be an attractive option for a touring board. A 12’6” inflatable touring board is not much bulkier than a 10-foot all-around board once it is rolled up, so an inflatable can let you choose your board length based purely on performance considerations.
A hardboard of equal size and shape will have a bit more glide, so consider a hardboard only if small differences in paddling speed are a priority and you have a convenient spot near the water where you can keep it out all summer. The softer surface of an inflatable SUP will also be appreciated when the board is used for stretching or yoga.
Choose A Board That Fits Into Your Paddling Plans
Your choice of a touring board will really come down to how you plan to use it. If going fast is your priority and you don’t mind sacrificing some stability, choose a long and narrow board. If you care more about relaxing and taking in the scenery, or you want a fitness-oriented board that will be comfortable for stretching warm-ups and occasional yoga, go for an inflatable in the 32-inch width range. Finally, make sure the fin system gives you the options you need for the waters you’ll be exploring and you’ll be sure to make a great choice.
