What Is A Touring SUP?
A touring paddle board will typically offer a step up in performance, speed and tracking from the typical all-around board design.
They are often longer and leaner with a tapered pointy nose and slightly tapered tail.
If they are designed well they should have good tracking and glide smoothly making it easier to go long straight distances with less effort.
The difference between a touring and a performance iSUP is that a performance board will be leaner, faster and able to perform more efficiently.
Although many beginners will be fine with a touring board, a performance paddle board is best suited for those with some paddling experience already.
Often once people have spent time paddling an all around board they eventually want to upgrade to a more efficient touring or performance SUP.
You can’t beat the feeling of efficiently cutting through the water, wind in your hair as you pick up speed and knock off those miles. It’s exhilarating!
Inflatable SUP’s for Touring & Performance
These are some of our favourite inflatable stand up paddle boards designed for efficient touring and performance.
HERO SUP DYNAMO
VERSATILE SIZE, EFFICIENT GLIDE & EASY TO PADDLE
| L x W x T | 12'6" x 30" x 6" |
| WEIGHT / MAX LOAD | 24 LBS / 350 LBS |
| STABILITY |  |
| PERFORMANCE |  |
| FINS | 3 REMOVABLE FINS |
| WARRANTY | 2 YEARS |
| PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| REVIEW | CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW |
The Dynamo is a favourite of ours because it is quite simply everything you want a touring board to be… Efficient, fast, stable but not too stable, portable and durable.
The size is excellent as it will suit a wide range of people. It can hold a lot of weight but a smaller person will feel equally as comfortable taking the Dynamo out.
It glides well, rides smooth and allows you to go further with less effort.
With the 12’6″ length it can easily hold a dog or two (or three in my case!) and the side d-rings mean you can add a seat if you so desire.
It glides well, rides smooth and allows you to go further with less effort. The rolling backpack included in the deluxe accessory package makes it easy to take anywhere.
NIXY MONTEREY G5
ULTRA STABLE EXPEDITION BOARD, IDEAL FOR TALLER PEOPLE & HEAVY LOADS
| L x W x T | 11'6" x 34" x 6" |
| WEIGHT / MAX LOAD | 22 LBS / 400 LBS |
| STABILITY | |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| FINS | 1 REMOVABLE FIN |
| WARRANTY | 3 YEARS |
| PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| REVIEW | CLICK HERE |
The Nixy Monterey G5 is an awesome expedition-style paddle board that is not only a stable and fun ride but also a lightweight portable inflatable SUP that is perfect for any and all adventures.
With the 5 action mounts you can deck the board out with fishing rods, action cams or other gear. Nixy is a great company and the attention to detail on this board shows the pride they take in the quality of their products.
At 11’6″ long, 34″ wide and 6″ thick the Monterey is ideal for piling on the kids or the dogs and perfect for any expedition.
Weighing only 22 lbs. it’s still very portable and easy to take anywhere.
SEA EAGLE NEEDLENOSE
UNIQUE DESGIN CUTS THROUGH WATER SMOOTHLY
| 11'6" NEEDLENOSE | 12'6" NEEDLENOSE | 14' NEEDLENOSE | |
| L x W x T | 11'6" x 30" x 6" | 12'6" x 30" x 6" | 14' x 30" x 6" |
| WEIGHT / MAX LOAD | 29 LBS / 200 LBS | 30 LBS / 225 LBS | 34 LBS / 275 LBS |
| STABILITY |  | | |
| PERFORMANCE | | | |
| FINS | 2 ATTACHED SIDE FINS, 1 REMOVABLE TOURING FIN | 2 ATTACHED SIDE FINS, 1 REMOVABLE TOURING FIN | 2 ATTACHED SIDE FINS, 1 REMOVABLE TOURING FIN |
| WARRANTY | 3 YEARS | 3 YEARS | 3 YEARS |
| PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| REVIEW | CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW | CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW | CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW |
The Needlenose is a board that I have paddled a LOT over the years. I have always been impressed with the performance of this board and it has never let me down.
Not only is it one of the faster touring boards, it is also quite unique in that it has a patented hard tip nose design that helps it to cut through the water more smoothly and efficiently.
The downside however is that the hard tip nose does make for a slightly bulkier and more awkward package when rolled up and stored away but it sure helps it to perform well.
The Needlenose is well made and reliable and comes in three different length options… 11’, 12’6” or 14’ long.
NIXY MANHATTAN G4 PERFORMANCE
ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE ISUP TO TAKE YOUR PADDLING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
| L x W x T | 12'6" x 28" x 6" |
| WEIGHT / MAX LOAD | 23 LBS / 350 LBS |
| STABILITY |  |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| FINS | 1 9" REMOVABLE FIN |
| WARRANTY | 2 YEARS |
| PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| REVIEW | CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW |
The Manhattan G4 is a thrilling ride. It is extremely well designed and constructed with the latest in iSUP technology.
With the carbon fiber reinforced side rails and center top and bottom carbon fiber stringer it is very rigid and durable.
The Manhattan is the least stable of the bunch here with a lean 28″ width so this board will best suit those who already have some paddle boarding experience and want a fast performance board for fitness and racing.
It is extremely fun to ride and will not disappoint in any way. This board paddles better than most others on the market.
Best All-Around Inflatable Paddle Boards
Atoll 11’ Inflatable Paddle Board In-Depth Review
Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard FAQ
Common Issues For Inflatable Paddle Boards
Hi,
I have been paddleboarding for over 3 years now using rentals when I go camping at various places, and I would like to purchase an iSUP for my own. I would consider myself an intermediate paddler, and I can do some basic tricks such as pivots.
I am under 5ft and have been looking at touring boards, particularly one that is stable enough to feel comfortable, yet also fast glides through the water and makes easy turns.
I have been looking at the Nixy Manhattan G4, but unsure if it will be wide enough to fit my medium sized dog, Amber. Because of that reason, I have also been looking at the Gili Meno Touring because it is still a decent touring board, but it’s wider so Amber can fit on there.
Let me know which one would be better, or if you have a better iSUP suggestion.
Thank you!
Hi Yana! Okay so the Nixy Manhattan is definitely going to be a little unstable with your dog on board. It’s a fast ride but not quick to turn and probably a little narrow with Amber along for the ride. On the other hand the Gili Meno is way too wide for you. You’ll find it slowwwww and although very stable I’m guessing you’ll get bored of it. If I can suggest another option take a look at the Hero SUP Hybrid Crusader. It has more of a hybrid design – between a touring and an all-around design. It’s wide enough to add some stability for your pup but not so wide to become a slug in the water. The tapered nose and tail keep it gliding smoothly and it’s quick to turn and maneuver. It’s one of my faves to paddle right now and it comes with a great package. It’s not as fast as the Manhattan but it’s far more efficient than the Gili Meno. Hope this helps!
Hi
I bought a sea eagle 12’6” needle nose 6 yrs ago per your review and have loved it. I’m looking to get a new board and want a lighter one so thinking of the Hero Dynamo 12’6”. Do you think I will be happy with this swap over? Thanks for all your reviews. Super helpful.
Hey Connie, Perfect question for me as I did the exact same thing. I paddled the Needlenose for years and always loved it but eventually boards were made with newer technology that made them lighter and so much easier to carry and transport so I switched over to the Hero SUP Dynamo. It’s the touring board I use most often now and I really like it. That hard tip nose on the Needlenose is hard to beat as it cuts through the water so well but I would say that the Dynamo is very close in performance. I also have another friend I paddle with who had a Needlenose as well but after several years switched to the Dynamo because it is so much lighter. So I think it’s a really good swap. Plus I have found the Hero crew to be extremely helpful and responsive. If you end up trying it I’d love to hear what you think!
Also just a heads up Hero SUP usually has a July 4th sale. I just checked, hasn’t started yet but check their website this week.
Thanks for the feed back. I’m also looking at the Honu Sorrento. Are you familiar with these at all. The reviews look great. It looks like they keep selling out though. Happy Paddling!
I have tried one of the Honu all-around boards before but not the Sorrento touring board unfortunately.
Liked the reviews given here. The Nixy Manhattan G4 review caused me to put one in my “cart”. Haven’t pulled the trigger on it looking to get a comparison to Red Padde’s 12’6″ X 28″ ELITE MSL board. Both seem comparable in terms of size and target user.(The Red Paddle may be more pure race) but any sense of rigidity or run during paddling? Is the Forward Flex Control a gimmick or does Nixy’s batons offer similar stiffening?
The Nixy would probably work better for us as the future board does double duty – SUP for me and oarboard rower attachment for my wife. This latter part is what concerns me about placement with the FFC rod running back to mid-board.
Any experience with Blueifn SUPs? Currently using their 12′ Cruise and enjoying it but looking for more performance and efficiency as we’ve come up the learning curve. Thanks
Hey Larry, I’m a little late responding.. Did you end up pulling the trigger on the Nixy Manhattan? I actually prefer it over the Red Elite. I find the batons in the red boards a little annoying to use and prefer the ease of the Nixy board. However both paddle great, I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either but I’d personally go for the Nixy.
I haven’t had the chance to try the Bluefin boards yet but they look great. The 12′ Cruise seems like a good all-around board but I can totally understand wanting more performance after a while. Hope it all worked out for you!