It is tough to design an all-around board that excels in most water conditions. The Red 10’6” Ride succeeds in many ways.
It is designed for cruising and playing in the surf. Although not super stable it is agile and quick to turn and maneuver.
It’s not my personal choice for flat water paddling but if you live around surf or want a fun travel board, the Ride is fantastic.
There’s not a lot of extra fancy features on the Ride but what is there is excellent quality.
SPECS
| Ride 9'8" | Ride 10'6" | Ride 10'8" | |
| L x W x T | 9'8" x 31" x 4" | 10'6" x 32" x 4.72 | 10'8" X 32" X 4.72" |
| WEIGHT / MAX LOAD | 19 LBS / 150 LBS | 20 LBS / 220 LBS | 21 LBS / 265 LBS |
| STABILITY |  |  |  |
| PERFORMANCE |  | | |
| WARRANTY | 5 YEARS | 5 YEARS | 5 YEARS |
| PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
MORE INFO
The Ride is 120mm thick (4.72”). It’s thicker than a standard 4” board but not too thick that it affects the maneuverability.
The little bit of extra thickness helps with stability and allows the board to hold more weight with no flex.
It’s the only inflatable SUP I know of with this exact thickness (4.72”) and I have to say I like it a lot.
It is stable and rigid but still keeps your center of gravity lower, which allows for better performance and control.
The design of the board allows it to glide smoothly through the water but also handle surf and whitewater as well.
I found the 32” width to be wide enough to provide good stability even for a beginner.
There was really nothing bad that stood out with this board, it was just easy, comfortable and performed as it should.
FEATURES
FINS
New for 2021 the Ride has a twin fin setup with two side fixed 4.5″ fins as opposed to the tri-fin setup in previous models.
The fins are very durable and not easily bent. The fins really help this board to maneuver easily and hep with performance in surf.
FLAT BUNGEES
The flat bungee cargo system is unique to Red Paddle Co this year. They are self-closing making it really easy to secure your gear.
The Ride has three flat bungee straps on the nose of the board so that your gear is always within arms reach.
TRACTION PAD
The extra long traction pad has the Red logo embossed on it and is very comfortable to stand on.
The tail end of the traction is diamond grooved, which provides extra stability and grip for performing pivot turns and for riding larger waves.
ACTION MOUNT
Attached to the handle at the nose of the board is an action mount to secure your action cam to record your SUP adventures.
HANDLES
There are three tubular ergonomic handles including the center carry handle and a handle at the nose and tail.
All three Red Paddle Co Ride’s are very lightweight. If you need a lightweight board these ones are so easy to carry.
CONSTRUCTION
The Red Paddle Co inflatable stand-up paddle boards have a great reputation for strength, durability and excellent quality.
Red Paddle Co is one of the only inflatable paddle board companies that own their own manufacturing facility. Because of this they are able to control every minute detail of the construction process.
To make their boards they use what they have coined MSL technology, which means that the outer layer of high-density drop stitch material is fused to the inner layer.
The boards are rigid, strong and come with one of the best warranties in the industry.
PERFORMANCE
The Ride is one of the most popular Red Paddle Co inflatable SUP’s because of its versatility.
It handles well in just about any water condition making it easy to use anywhere.
It’s an all-around board so like most others it’s a jack of all trades but master at none. It glides well but takes a little effort to keep tracking straight and smoothly.
However what it does extremely well is maneuver and turn quickly. It’s very responsive.
With the lightweight design it doesn’t take a lot of effort to paddle although you may feel the need to focus slightly more with the leaner thickness.
As you probably already noticed the Red Ride is only between 4 and 4.72″ thick as compared to 6″ thick like the majority of other inflatable SUP’s.
BACKPACK
I’ve always like the Red Paddle Co backpack. The streamlined and clean design matches the look of their boards.
This bag is durable and strong and ideal for traveling. It has padded shoulder straps and a waist strap that can be tucked away when not in use.
The board can hold the board, paddle and pump and rolls easily with the integrated wheels.
WHERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
Click Here For The Best Deal On The Red Paddle Co Ride At PumpedUpSUP.com.
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Just a word of caution for those looking at a RedPaddleCo Board and it’s associated premium price point. I bought a 10’6″x32″ back in 2019 in Australia, granted some time ago. We stored it on our sailing yaght in Thailand where it was used sparingly, and when not used was stored inside the bag that it came with, inside the yacht. The majority of the time was over Covid lockdowns so spent about 2 years rolled up sinde the bag completely unused
During a recent visit to the yacht, we decided to take the board out and put it to some use. Just about all attachments had come free and the ankle rope had disintegrated.
I had bought this to the attention of Messrs RedPaddleCo who, despite the evidence if offered, stand by the quality of their product, in particular the adhesives they use. They did say that sunlight, heat and humidity serve as a potent cocktail for the adhesive and plastics.
So, a word of warning, if you intend purchasing their product and using in the heat and humidity, you might want to consider looking for a cheaper product where the adhesives are just as “good” and wont break the bank as quickly as this board has done for me.
I’m not able to post pictures here, but all appendages have fallen away, fins, handles, storage net fix points. The ankle strap rope has disintegrated into no fewer than 6 pieces.
For the price they charge for their boards, i’d have expected this not to happen, irrespective of the conditions the board were stored.
I have owned a Red Paddle 12’6″ Race for 5 years now. The first one was replaced after 1 year because the air escaped in several places. I still thought the service was good. On the second one, the seams are now coming apart everywhere within the last 4 years. The board was used a maximum of 5-6 times a year. I never inflated it to 1.5 bar and never left it in the sun. The glue is coming loose on the sides and at the bottom of the attachments. When I asked the service if they could at least provide me with the glue so that I could repair it myself, I didn’t even get an answer. Unfortunately, the glue supplied is not nearly enough for all the spots.
For the price of the board, the quality is not even close to acceptable. At the same time, we bought a Mistral board for my wife that was only half the price, and it still looks as good as new after being used and treated in exactly the same way.
Poor quality and poor service together make me advise you to stay away from Red Paddle boards.
Would appreciate any views feedback on the Red 8’10” WHIP MSL SUP SURF BOARD
Hi Anwar, Super nice board but really small so unless you have the skills it’s going to feel really unstable. However that being said it’s quick and easy to maneuver and ideal for surf. It’s extremely light weight and portable so easy to take anywhere. Perfect for surf vacations.
I am looking at both the Red Paddle 10’6 Ride and the Earth River 10’7. Any preference between these two boards?
Both are really good quality boards! I have always loved the Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride and it has been super popular. However Earth River has been really growing over the last couple years and their boards are awesome. Those two boards are extremely similar in shape and design. The Red board comes with slightly higher-end accessories but performance wise I think you’d find them very similar. It’s a tough call, you really can’t go wrong either way. 🙂
Help my fin came off of my Red Paddle Company inflatable board. How do I repair
Hi, i am making up my mind between 10.6 and the 12.6 board. I want to use it on canals, lakes and sea. I want a stable board which stay on track. Not a nervous one who is going every direction. On the other side it is handy when the board turns quick. Iam a beginner, what would you suggest to buy? Thanks
Hi Bettina, Sorry I’m a little late answering your question. The 10’6″ Ride is more versatile in that it can be used for cruising on flat water or on surf or down rivers. It is easy and quick to maneuver and turn and super portable. The 12’6″ Explorer feels bigger for sure, takes a little more effort to paddle but once you get moving it is capable of going faster and tracking straighter than the 10’6″ Ride. I would say the 12’6″ board is a little more stable but you’d be fine with either. They’re both great so it just depends what your priorities are. I lean more towards the 12’6″ SUP as I paddle mostly on calm water and I like to go faster further. However the Ride is super popular and it is definitely fun to use. Hope that helps and didn’t just confuse you more 🙂 Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi,
I love your site and all the great information! I have been looking at the red 10 6 and the Isle explorer 11 and can’t decide which would suit my needs better. I am 5’7″ 132 and would like to use it for working out, cruising, maybe a little yoga, and some small chop or surfing depending on conditions when I travel. Never know if some overnight trips down the line. I also wouldn’t mind it being big enough for another person to ride along occasionally since we will only have one while living in Mexico this winter. I am not concerned with cost as much as quality since I know it will last a longtime. I know it is a lot to ask of one board but main thing for me is that it tracks nicely. Thanks ahead of time for all your expert advice.
Hi Melanie, So between these two boards I would say the Isle Explorer tracks slightly better but it’s not a huge difference. The Explorer is more ideal for paddling with another person. The 6″ thickness makes it more stable and able to hold a lot of weight. The two bungee systems at the nose and tail of the Explorer are ideal for securing gear for an overnight trip or even just for a small drybag and water bottle. The larger platform is also ideal for yoga as long as you don’t mind the bungee cords that might be in the way. The Red 10’6″ Ride is more responsive and faster to turn and a really well-made board. The Red boards are known to be some of the best quality wise and they also come with higher end accessories like the bag and pump – both top notch. I find a lot of the rental and guide companies are using the Red Paddle Boards because they are extremely durable. That being said the Isle Explorer is really lightweight and easy to travel with and I think really quite functional. Issues can happen with any ISUP but both of these have a great reputation. Hope that helps!
Hi Allison,
Thanks so much for all the info! I am still sitting here debating my sup choice! I have bounced between these two and now the seaboard as well. I did find a red paddle 10 6 on sale for under a 1000 which really interested me. I guess my last question would be the thickness and I see that the red board compared to the isle explorer is a bit thinner and would make this a bit more stable especially in wind and chop?
I would say the Isle board is definitely more stable in wind and chop, it feels very secure.
Thanks Allison
I’ve had a couple of 10’6 boards, the current is the slightly heavier 2015 board (than the 2016 model) which I prefer.
The earlier Mark 1 10’6 board had less freeboard and a little less volume but again was truly great as I think I prefer in general a lower centre of gravity. This is a very subjective issue. I personally feel 6″ thickness/freeboard is too much; althought might suit beginers to the sport. The Red Paddle boards are tough as hell. You might be paying a little more than some but I think worth the buck. The two points I will make are:- inflate the board to 20 plus psi and when deflating be careful initially when depressing the valve. Let air out gradually initially, when under high pressure. If you can afford the price tag then this is probably the all round board to go for. Whatever you do, try the board before a purchase!
Thank you so much for the quick response!
Dear Allison,
First, your site is awesome, incredibly helpful. I’m considering the 2016 Red Paddle isups, and wanted to get your opinion on the 9’8″ vs. the 10’6″ Ride. I am 5’3, 129 lbs, and a beginner to intermediate (more the latter) paddleboarder. I want to use this board on a lake near my house as well as on the ocean, including trying to catch waves in small surf. Do you have any recommendations or thoughts on which might be better given my size and interests? Would the 9’8 be noticeably more maneuverable than the 10’6 in the surf? Conversely, would it be noticeably slower on the lake, which is usually flat, though not glassy, and occasionally a bit windy? I’m not looking to race, just to get some exercise and cool off in the summer.
I’m also considering getting the Isle Airtech 11 foot as a second board, mainly for my boyfriend who is 6’2 and 195 lbs, though I would also use that board including with a kayak seat.
Lastly, I have also toyed with getting the Red 10’6 inflatable WindSUP, or one by Starboard or RDD Designs, not that I have windsurfed in 20 years. Though I think I am getting ahead of myself.
Whatever advice or recommendations you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Susan (Rhode Island)
Hi Susan, Personally I’d say go for the 10’6″ Ride over the 9’8″. I don’t think there’s a huge difference in maneuverability and the longer board will definitely perform better on flat water. It’ll be a little more versatile for you. The Isle Airtech is an overall good touring ISUP, it’s a good choice. It’ll work well for your boyfriend and be fun with a kayak seat.
The WindSup boards are so cool. I paddled one by Naish but never actually wind surfed with it. If you go that route I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
Thank you both.
Keith, I thought about the fact that maybe if I had got it to 20-25 it might have been enough, but he seems to have a better comfort level with the 10.8 , so I think that is what I am going to go with.
Hi again,
I got the Red board and the electric pump you recommended and we inflated the board yesterday. I wanted to see how my husband felt on it. We only inflated it to 15lbs and he tried it in the swimming pool. He weighs 215 . The board rode pretty low in the water, and he wants me to order him the 10.8. I looked at other top options you reviewed but he seems to like the length. What do you think? By the way, I love the board and will be taking it to Hawaii next month. I think it is a great package. The board is really light (20 lbs), easy to carry, has bungees, roller bag is quality, there is a new hand pump . I can’t wait.
Hi Pam, I am so happy to hear you love the board. I think the 10’8″ Ride will be good for your husband. The extra little bit of length and width will suit him well and it is able to hold more weight. It may still ride a little low in the water but with the right air pressure in it, he should be fine. The boards will be perfect in Hawaii have a great time!!
I agree with Allison that the 10’8 ride might be a better fit.
With that said the 10’6 is rated for 220lbs. I can speak from experience (being 210lbs my self) that inflating it to at least 20psi makes the difference. Those last 5 are sometimes the hardest to pump, but worth it.
Hope that helps,
Enjoy Hawaii!
Hello
I am looking to purchase a board and I am leaning towards the Ride 10.6. I notice the 2016 is down to 20 lbs. I will be traveling with it and I like the wheeled case. I will be using it on lakes in CA , river and ocean in Hawaii, and ocean in Florida. (Mostly in Hawaii) I am a beginner and have only rented boards in Hawaii. My impression of the rental boards is they are big and bulky and rather difficult to maneuver. I don’t know how they compare to any of the board you review. I would like a board which is easy and enjoyable to use and that I can improve on. The water in Hawaii can get choppy in the wind. I don’t know if I will ever get to the point where I can actually surf, but I do want a board that can handle different conditions. Do you think this would be a good choice for me? Also, can you recommend a leash and electric pump? Thanks so much.
Hi Pam, I think the Red 10’6″ would actually be perfect for your needs. It is a very responsive board and versatile. It’s not the fastest board and it is not designed for long distance touring but overall it paddles nicely, tracks well and doesn’t take a lot of effort to get moving or turn quickly. I find the rental boards big and bulky as well. I find they usually offer the widest and biggest boards for extra stability considering many people that rent them are often beginners. I think you’ll like the feel of the Ride… it won’t feel like a rental board.
As far as a leash goes, I have tried a LOT of different ones and honestly they are all quite similar. I would recommend a coiled leash so it’s not dragging in the water. This is the electric pump I use most often. It is also the most expensive though. There is a single stage version of this same pump that works almost just as well and is priced a little lower. You could also look at the Airhead electric pump. It costs less and works well but takes longer to inflate the board. Hope that helps, good luck!
Thank you! I love your reviews (and your pup ) . I am going to order it tomorrow using the link above.
Thank-you Pam, I really appreciate it!! Happy paddling!
Hi!
I’ve got a question concerning that Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride board. I owe Red Paddle Surf Star, which is surf-dedicated Red Padlle board. However, I find it very unstable when the sea gets choppy and it’s pretty much most of the time here where I surf (Germany, Baltic Sea). It still catches the waves, but it’s extremely hard for me to get to them in unfriendly conditions. I was thinking about buying more stable board, considering Starboard Astro Whopper Zen or Red Paddle 10’6” Ride. Which one will perform best in your opinion? I’ll be grateful for your advice.
Hi Adam,Both the Starboard Whopper and the Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride will definitely be a little more stable. I tend to enjoy the Starboards a little more than the Red Paddle boards in general. However the Whopper is quite wide at 35″. This makes it very stable but also a little harder to turn and maneuver quickly. I like the light weight of the Whopper but the 32″ wide of the Ride and the 4.72″ thickness might be the slight upgrade in stability that you need while still maintaining a highly maneuverable board. You can’t really go wrong either way, they would both work for you. Even though I love the Whopper I think the Ride is probably going to be a little more versatile in surf. Hope that helps!
Bought this board largely on the info from this website. The 10’6 Ride is smooth and easy to maneuver. It’s better than a solid board I have. In addition, the durability video on the Redpaddleco website helped convince me this was the board to get.
Thank you for the comment Marcial. I am so glad the 10’6″ Ride worked out for you. It is an awesome ISUP. Happy Paddling!
Good review. You hit all the points and I have to agree I do enjoy this board a lot.
If I can update it by saying the 2015 model does have a bungee cord on the front which like you said makes easy work to hold down your water bottle or flip-flops. And this model comes with the new Titan Pump. In my experience the pump brings it to 5psi very quickly. Then it adjusts to a single pump to take it to 15psi-20psi in no time.