NIXY 3-Piece 100% Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle Review

If you haven’t tried a 100% carbon fiber SUP paddle yet then you truly don’t know what you are missing.

When you first start stand up paddle boarding you may not realize how your paddle can directly affect your paddling experience.

The paddle connects you to the water and transfers your power and energy through the water to propel you forward.

An average paddle boarder takes 30-40 strokes per minute. Just think how many strokes you have taken after 30 minutes, 60 minutes or even longer.  That’s a lot of repetitive motion!

As your muscles begin to fatigue, every little ounce of weight in your paddle is going to count.

Having a good quality lightweight SUP paddle can make all the difference in how efficient and how far you can comfortably paddle.

If you have a good performance board yet have settled for a mediocre paddle that came with your iSUP package then it might be time for an upgrade.

The NIXY 3-Piece 100% Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle combines:

• A lightweight design
• Functional 3-piece breakdown for easy storage and transport
• Strong adjustable shaft with an anti-twist system
• And 3 blade sizes to choose from to suit your size and your needs

DETAILS

ADVANTAGES OF CARBON FIBER

There are several advantages to using an all carbon fiber SUP paddle and if you are doing a lot of paddling or looking to improve the efficiency of your stroke then there is no better way than to invest in a good 100% carbon fiber SUP paddle.

LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN

The most obvious advantage is the fact that a carbon fiber paddle is going to be very lightweight.

The weight can vary slightly depending on the brand and the design of the paddle but in general it’s going to be a whole lot lighter than what you are used to.

I find that even just holding an ultra lightweight carbon paddle feels good right off the bat. It feels effortless compared to a heavier aluminum or fiberglass paddle.

In fact a carbon fiber paddle is on average about 30% lighter than a fiberglass paddle.  Once you have used one it’s really hard to go back to using a heavier option.

This NIXY carbon paddle weigh between 20.5 oz and 22 oz depending the size option.

PADDLE FURTHER WITH LESS FATIGUE

A SUP stroke is a very repetitive motion that can easily cause strain on your body.

With a lighter paddle there is less strain on your muscles and joints, which I think just about anyone whether you are an athlete or not can greatly appreciate.

I have been using this NIXY paddle for several months now and can attest to the fact that the lightweight design puts much less pressure on my body during longer sessions on the water.

MORE RIGID = MORE EFFICIENT STROKE

Although carbon fiber is not known to be as tough as fiberglass it is more rigid as it has a superior tensile strength.

A more rigid paddle means a more efficient transfer of energy into the water movement from your paddle.

Even with the 3-piece design this paddle is very rigid and stays strong even during power strokes.

WARMER TO THE TOUCH

Carbon happens to be warmer to the touch compared to aluminum or fiberglass.

This may not make a difference on hot summer days but it sure feels nice when paddling in colder temperatures.  There’s nothing worse than holding a paddle that feels like ice.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?

The most obvious reason why everyone doesn’t already use a carbon fiber paddle is cost.  A full carbon paddle is definitely going to cost more.

It is something you’ll want to invest in if you are paddling a lot, especially if you are using a performance board and want more of a performance paddle.

In my experience however it is often a one time purchase.  A good carbon fiber paddle will last for years and years.

The nice thing about this NIXY paddle is that it comes with a padded bag for added protection.  So with a little care it will last you a really long time.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

The NIXY 100% Carbon Fiber Paddle has all the bases covered for a lightweight performance paddle that is also very portable.

100% CARBON FIBER :  Whereas some paddles have some carbon fiber parts but still have a nylon blade, these NIXY paddles are made entirely with carbon fiber making them ultra lightweight.

ANTI-TWIST SYSTEM:  The anti-twist system keeps the shaft lined up correctly with the handle and blade so that your handle will never twist or move while you are paddling.

ADJUSTABLE 3-PIECE DESIGN:  The paddle comes apart into 3-pieces making it very portable and easy to transport.  It is ideal for storing in your inflatable SUP backpack.

BLADE WITH ABS EDGE:  What this means is that the blade has ABS material internally laminated along the edge.  This helps eliminate damage along the edge of the blade.

3 BLADE SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM:  You can choose from an 86 square inch blade, an 88 square inch blade or a larger 94 square inch blade.  More on which blade size will suit you best below.

WHY DOES BLADE SIZE MATTER?

Blade size, shape and angle can differ.  So which size is right for you?

In general a mid size blade such as a 90 to 95 square inch blade is going to fit the widest range of paddlers.  A smaller blade such as the 86 square inch blade is going to fit a paddler with a smaller stature.

With a company that specifically sells and focuses on paddles you can sometimes get a more customized blade.

HOWEVER for recreational use and fitness touring you don’t necessarily need to shell out the mega bucks for a specialty blade.

A company like NIXYsports.com is offering an excellent paddle with a standard shaped blade that comes in a few different size options.

Going with a company like NIXY will save you a lot of money compared to a specialty paddle shop and you still end up with a quality lightweight SUP paddle that feels great to use.

Take a look at the blade sizes below to choose the right blade for your size.

• 86 SQ IN BLADE – Ideal for paddlers under 145 lbs.  This is the lightest option weighing only 20.5 oz. The smaller 26 mm shaft is also great for smaller hands.

• 88 SQ IN BLADE – Ideal for paddlers between 140 and 190 lbs. This mid range size has a 28.5 mm shaft and weighs 21 oz.

• 90 SQ IN BLADE – Ideal for paddlers who weight 190 lbs and up.  This one also has a 28.5 mm shaft and weighs 22 oz.

IN SUMMARY

It can take years to master a proper paddle stroke where you use your whole body to transfer power into your blade and not just your shoulders and arms.

If you are wanting to perfect your stroke and improve efficiency it just makes since to get a lightweight performance paddle.  You will be amazed at the difference it can make.

If you’re still using the basic SUP paddle that came with your board package you’ll really appreciate how good a pro carbon paddle feels. It’s a big upgrade.

You can count on this paddle to feel lightweight and durable.  Plus in my opinion it’s a really sharp looking paddle and I love the fact that it comes with it’s own padded paddle bag.

In the past with other carbon paddles I have tried, I have had to purchase a paddle bag separately.

For the price I am definitely impressed with what you get with this NIXY 3-Piece Carbon Fiber paddle.  I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of it.

WHERE TO BUY

Go straight to the Nixysports.com website for the best deal on the NIXY 3-Piece 100% Carbon Fiber Paddle.

Did You Know?
By clicking on any of the above seller links you can help keep ISUPworld.com growing. When you make a purchase after clicking on our links, the retailer will contribute a portion of the sale to help support this site. It won’t cost you anything extra and it’s a simple way to help us fund our gear reviews. Thanks!