7 Best Touring Paddle Boards In 2023
Our writers and editors look for the best Touring Paddle Boards available. We test, research, and review the best products in different categories with a focus on quality, performance, and the overall value for the price.
Touring around a lake or coastline with a paddle board can be an extremely fun experience. We recommend touring paddle boards for intermediate to advanced paddle boarders who want to cover long distances.
If you’re reading this, you’ve got some experience and the basics down.
The best touring paddle board is easy to find as long as you know what you want. Balance is not necessarily a factor. It’s speed, tracking and cargo that interests you.
Read these reviews and you’ll easily figure out how to choose the best touring SUP.
The Top 7 Touring Paddle Boards in 2023
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1
Best Touring Performance: Bluefin Sprint Carbon 14’ -
2
Lightweight Touring: Sea Gods Carta Marina 12′ -
3
Great Touring: Gili Meno 12’6″ -
4
Best Overall Performance: Bluefin Cruise Carbon -
5
Good Touring board: Starboard 12’6 Touring Deluxe -
6
Ideal for touring: Blackfin V 12’6” -
7
Intermediate Performance: Isle Explorer 11’6
All the Touring Paddle Boards we've reviewed
The Sprint Carbon 14’ has a lot going on for it–more than a typical, touring inflatable. It shares components we’re used to seeing from other Bluefin Carbon Series boards like the dual-inflation chambers, carbon rails, quality seams, cargo straps, and deck pad, but there is an effort to up the ante on performance.
On the water, the Sprint Carbon continues Bluefin’s pattern of offering a well-design board with a very good paddle. Mostly positives here with only one or two sticking points against it.
Specs & Features
- Material: 500 denier PVC + carbon rails
- Board Length: 14’
- Board Width: 30.3”
- Thickness: 6.3”
- Board Weight: 24 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Great speed and tracking -
Dual inflation chambers and carbon rails give it rigidity
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2+1 smart lock (2) and box-fin (1) system accommodates wide variety of fin types
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A tree gets planted for every product sold from Bluefin’s site.
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Quality accessories
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Extra D-rings for seat or cooler attachments
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Cool design and colors
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At $800-$900, it’s a fair price for a touring/racing longboard.
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Five-year warranty
Things we don't like:
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On the heavier side for portability (34lbs in backpack) -
Small backpack requires smart packing after use
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More than is needed for just casual paddling
Where to buy:
The Carta Marina ULF iSUP is a beautiful board with a focus on comfort and longevity. With Sea Gods’ lifetime warranty, it may be the only board a casual paddler ever has to buy. Its reinforcing taping creates rigidity and stability that benefits new-to-touring paddle boarders.
Its strength and cargo space accommodates ample gear for long trips or additional passengers. Performance-wise, it tracks wonderfully, yet it’s still maneuverable enough to make quick turns when needed.
The board is colorful without being gaudy. The unique deck pad and aboriginal artwork illustrate a maritime folk story worth knowing and pay tribute to the heritage of Sea Gods’ company birthplace. It also includes high-quality paddle, fin, and pack accessories.
Ranging in price from $905-$1,069.00, it may, however, be flashier than some shoppers want to pay for. Let’s dive into what makes the Carta Marian ULF iSUP worth it.
Specs & Features
- Material: 7mm Ultra-Light Fusion 12,800 M2 Dropstitch + seam strips and UV glaze
- Board Height: 12’
- Board Width: 32”
- Thickness: 6”
- Board Weight: 25.5 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think of this SUP package:
Things we like:
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Beautiful artwork and deck design
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Lifetime warranty
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Easy to transport and carry gear with wheels
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Great stability and tracking for new touring paddlers
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Impressive rigidity and durability
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Kumano System click-in fin is quick and pretty
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Carbon fiber paddle is one of the better package pieces
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Touring nose and rocker slice through and over small waves nicely
Things we don't like:
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Only Sea Gods' more advanced CX SUPs have double-chamber pumps
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With iSUP and all accessories loaded, the backpack is heavy to carry
Where to buy:
The Gili Meno 12’6” Touring inflatable paddle board is a relatively long board for a 31-inch SUP. That’s for speedier tracking that touring is good for.
But it has a good weight capacity, along with surprising stability.
This board is suited for almost anyone from beginners who’ve tried SUP boarding a couple of times to advanced paddlers.
The Gili Meno 12’6” comes with 4 action mounts, cargo areas at the front and rear of the board, side paddle holder, carbon fiber side rails, 3 center fin options, and 14 D-rings. And lots of handles.
Specs & Features
- Best Suited For: Beginners/Intermediate/Touring/Advanced
- Material: Fusion Dual Layer Technology with Carbontech side rails
- Volume: 265 l
- Capacity: 300 lbs (up to 360 lbs for advanced riders)
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 31” x 6”
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Light and portable
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One of the best at tracking straight
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Lots of handles come in handy
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Stable and sturdy
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Smaller width for increased speed and efficient paddling
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Removable bungees
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Paddle holder for when board is inflated
Things we don't like:
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IVA trackpad could have deeper grooves for better grip
The Carbon Cruise is a favorite of many paddle boarders. Bluefin’s double chamber SUPs do almost everything right, from the package of included accessories to the portability profile and, especially, the performance of these inflatables.
In 10’6 and 12-foot variants, the double chamber, along with the rails, makes for a rigid, stable board. The 2 chambers also make inflating a much easier process with a very functional double chamber pump.
As for the performance, the 12-footer feels like a touring board with the maneuverability and full set of features found in premium all rounders. This board costs more than average inflatable stand up paddle boards, but it’s also way better than most.
A great paddle, cool aesthetics and a solid backpack round out this very versatile SUP package.
Specs & Features
- Best Suited For: Cruising through calm waters/touring/kayaking
- Material: 1000 Denier Exo Surface Laminate w/ Pro-Weave Drop Stitch Technology
- Volume: 330 liters
- Capacity: 309 lbs.
- Dimensions: 12’ x 32” x 6”
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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It’s bonded with heat welding that gives it an aerodynamic finish for smooth gliding
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It’s fast and track really well
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The two-chambers increase rigidity and make it easier/faster to inflate
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Travel strap plus 5 handles makes transport easier
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Sweet colors
Things we don't like:
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It’s a tad heavier than some other touring SUPs
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Relatively low weight capacity
Where to buy:
The Starboard Touring Deluxe Double Chamber SUP Board is a fast and maneuverable inflatable paddle board. It’s for paddlers that are at an intermediate level, looking to advance their skill level. One of the reasons we like this one is that it is very fast, picking up speed quickly, and being easily maneuverable.
With a highly innovative design and winning 8 out of the 10 gold medals at ISA SUP Worlds in the last 5 years, there’s no doubt that this board is high quality and worth the slightly higher price.
One of the factors that make this Starboard iSUP stand out amongst the competitors is the double-chamber technology used in its design. This guarantees durability, stability, buoyancy, and most importantly safety when venturing out further from shore.
An ideal choice for intermediate to advanced paddlers this board can handle all types of water and is excellent for both short and long distances. The added accessories make this board an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their paddle boarding skills or those after a more high-end paddle board.
Specs & Features
- Best Suited For: Intermediate, experienced, touring, and travelers
- Material: 3K Carbon compression with woven drop stitching
- Volume: 328 liters
- Capacity: 240 lbs
- Dimensions: 12’ 6” x 30” x 6”
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Handles all water conditions
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State of the art, sustainable materials used in production of board
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Ideal for intermediate and advanced paddle boarders
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Great for practicing balance and control on the water
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Top of the range brand
Things we don't like:
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Weight capacity only up to 240lbs
The Blackfin V 12’6” inflatable paddle board is a fantastic and intuitive touring board. The new model of this board is designed and constructed for providing riders with a consistently comfortable and controlled paddling experience across different water conditions.
The board does this by being very stable, especially for a touring board (even beginners can get a feel for touring using this paddle board). The Blackfin V is great for covering large distances quickly as it excels in picking up speed and offers great tracking and easy maneuverability for making corrections to the direction of the board.
We recommend the Blackfin V inflatable paddle board for paddle boarders who want a great all-round recreational touring paddle board. It is especially perfect for paddlers who want to buy their first touring paddle board as the extra stability that this board provides helps beginners balance and creates an overall more enjoyable experience for them.
Specs & Features
- Best Suited For: Any level/touring
- Material: Triple layer composite PVC with drop stitched inner core layer
- Volume: 380 liters
- Capacity: 485 lbs
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 32” x 6”
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Provides a good level of speed
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Great level of stability
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Great maneuverability
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Fantastic carbon fiber paddle
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All the right accessories and more
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19 D-rings for attaching equipment
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2 Action mounts for attachments
Things we don't like:
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Wider than most touring boards on the market
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Center fin box is no longer the standard US fin box
Where to buy:
A comfortable, robust and steady high quality board, the Isle Explorer is an excellent board for those looking to get into touring. This board is stable, tracking well in water, especially good in waves and on the sea. Built for long distances the Isle Explorer is great for adventuring out onto the sea.
The additional stability and pointed nose of the board ensure a smooth ride in most environments.
Designed for stability and to endure waves the board is slightly less maneuverable than other Isle boards, however, this does ensure a more balanced ride. Like other Isle boards, it comes as a full package, including the travel bag, making it convenient and transportable.
We recommend the Isle Explorer for any paddler who wants a stable touring board built for exploring. The Explorer provides a smooth and enjoyable paddle boarding experience in almost any environment (sea, lake, river).
It’s not as fast as the Starboard Deluxe, nor as good at tracking as the Xplorer, but it’s the lightest touring board on offer here and that makes it most portable and easy to maneuver. Hence, the comfort accolade.
Specs & Features
- Best Suited For: Beginners/long distances/yoga
- Material: Military grade PVC with an airtech fusion drop stitching core
- Volume: 336 liters
- Capacity: 300 lbs
- Dimensions: 11’ 6” x 32” x 6”
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Affordable and fair price
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Great for waves and sea
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Very durable and stable
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Tracks well in the water
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Convenient paddle holder at the side
Things we don't like:
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Maneuverability
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Sidefins aren’t removable
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The screw for removing the fin is very small and easily lost
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Paddle can fill up with water and potentially lose buoyancy
The Tower Xplorer 14’ inflatable paddle board was built for speed and stability. It’s length, thickness and lifted nose (rocker) provide the perfect shape for easily picking up speed while reinforcing the board’s stability. The result of these design components is a paddle board created for an impeccable touring experience.
The Tower Xplorer inflatable SUP board is an amazing touring paddle board for any level of paddler. Renown for being a fast board that can cover large distances at speed, this board is perfect for exploring coastal regions or lake areas. Thicker than most boards (8’’), the Tower Xplorer offers an unparalleled level of stability with a lot of capacity, allowing for heavier as well as multiple riders to join in on the fun.
We recommend the Tower Xplorer for paddle boarders who love touring and want a paddleboard they can use to effortlessly explore and go on adventures around large bodies of water. This is because this board makes it easy and efficient to traverse large distances.
Specs & Features
- Best Suited For: Any level/touring/fishing/heavier paddlers
- Material: Military grade PVC with Drop Stitching Technology
- Volume: 600 liters
- Capacity: up to 800 lbs
- Dimensions: 14’ x 32” x 8”
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Well balanced touring board
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Great maneuverability
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High capacity
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Rolls up very compact
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Offers great stability for activities
Things we don't like:
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Backpack not included
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Leash not included
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Difficult to use in harsh conditions
Related Reviews
Touring Paddle Board Buyers Guide
Paddle Board Hull
A touring paddle board should have a displacement hull. A displacement hull is differentiated by its pointy nose, the one often met in canoes and kayaks. This feature helps it cut through the water, thus pushing it to the sides and the nose itself.
As a result, you smoothly glide through the waves at a fast speed. If touring, camping and racing are your main priorities for the board, this is the hull to choose.
Check out the Blackfin Model XL. It’s a utility board that has extra width, but its rocker and pointed nose lifts it out of the water instead of forcing the SUP to push through it.
Paddle Board Material
Inflatable SUPs tend to be made using strong PVC with drop-stitch technology for reinforced, durable seams. The core is filled with air, the high pressure of the air in the center provides a strong core.
Some inflatable paddle boards will have more than one chamber to fill with air such as a double chamber. Paddle boards that feature double chamber construction have better stability and rigidity on the water making them better for touring.
All inflatables flex more than their solid brethren. But the more the SUP flexes, the more it sinks into the water and creates drag. So, the more rigid a board, the less drag and more speed.
Check out the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 Double Chamber Board!
Volume and Capacity
Volume and capacity are the main factors to consider and are determined by your size. To ensure your board is stable and provides the best buoyancy you will want to purchase a board made for your size.
This will also make it easier to maneuver the board once on the water too.
Volume and weight capacity are primarily influenced by your weight, however, the board width, height, and thickness will also influence these factors and will determine the board performance.
Volume: The volume is measured in liters. The higher the volume the higher the weight capacity of the board and the more stable and buoyant it will be on the water.
Weight Capacity: Measured in pounds, the weight capacity lets you know how much weight the board can take and remain efficient on the water. If you are heavier than the weight capacity the board won’t float as well and it will affect the performance of the board.
With this in mind for a touring SUP, it follows that the more gear you have, the higher the weight capacity you’re going to want.
Paddle Board Length
The length of a board will affect the performance of the board and most notably the speed. The length also determines what water conditions the SUP can handle. Paddle board length is measured using feet and inches.
Touring paddle boards should be mainly long length but there are some exceptions where medium boards, like the Isle Explorer 116, can make good touring boards.
Long (12’ and above): Long-length boards are excellent for racing, long distance, and touring. These boards are the fastest thanks to their length and tend to track a lot straighter in the water. Long paddle boards often come with displacement hulls.
The longest board on this list, The Tower Xplorer, has 14 feet of length with a significant rocker. That makes this one the most impressive performance board for touring in terms of tracking.
Paddle Board Width
Generally the greater the width of the board the better the stability, and vice versa, a thinner board will be less stable. When choosing the correct width for a touring board you will want to consider your body type, weight, and ability but you will generally be looking for a narrow board.
Narrow boards: These boards will be best for speed, however, compromising on stability. If you are a more advanced paddle boarder looking for a challenge a narrow board will provide exactly this. A longer narrower board will be better for racing whereas a wider board will be better for stability.
The Starboard Deluxe has a width of only 30 inches, making it the narrowest here. It is also the fastest because of its slicing profile.
Paddle Board Thickness
You will also want to consider the thickness of the board as it relates to the capacity and volume. The thickness will also determine how well the board handles water, thinner boards will be better on flatter water surfaces, whilst thicker boards will handle chop and waves better.
Paddle Board Fins
Each paddle board comes with fins to provide stability and good tracking. When choosing a touring paddle board you want to consider a larger fin set up for better tracking over distances.
Paddle Board Accessories
Each SUP will come with its own added extras and accessories. There are a range of accessories available and most of the time you can purchase these extra accessories separately to add to your board like a leash or a D-ring, or add to the experience with water shoes for example. The most important accessories for paddle boarding are:
Paddle: The most important accessory to any paddle board is the paddle. SUP paddles are like kayak/canoe paddles, with an extended handle and blade. When choosing a paddle there are a few factors to consider, including whether it floats, the weight, and the handle of the paddle.
Most paddles will have adjustable handles which you can adjust to best suit the paddle boarder’s height. The length should reach your wrist when standing straight with your hand straight above your head.
Check out our list of best SUP paddles here!
Leash: A leash ensures you are attached to the board, this is important for when you fall into the water, to ensure you do not lose the board. Most leashes tend to be coiled, which means they do not get in the way when paddle boarding, however, there are specific leashes for other uses, i.e. paddle surfing, river paddle boarding. Leashes are sometimes sold separately.
Life Jacket: The importance of wearing a good quality life vest can not be understated. Every year people drown in water sport related activities because they were not wearing a life jacket. Make sure to be safe and wear a life jacket.
Check out our list of best Life Jackets here!
Attachment points/ D-rings: D-rings are an excellent extra when looking for a board. D-rings provide attachment areas where you can tie down personal belongings, add seats, an SUP wind sail, fishing rods and many more to your board. They provide the freedom to customize your board as you see fit.
Bungee systems: Bungee systems are a great added extras that often come included with the paddle board, however, you can also buy these separately. They allow you to secure personal belongings when on your board, making sure your cargo stays safe and secured and allowing you to bring more on your trips.
Frequently asked questions
There are many good touring paddle boards but to be the best they need to meet certain criteria.
See our top 5 touring paddle boards:
- Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12’ Paddle Board – Best Overall Performance
- Tower Xplorer 14’ Inflatable SUP Board – Great for every level
- Blackfin V 12’6” Inflatable Paddle Board – Ideal for touring
- Starboard 12’6 Touring Deluxe Double Chamber Board – Good Touring board
- Isle Explorer 11’6 Inflatable SUP Board – Best for Comfort
Read our review to see the best touring paddle boards.
Touring paddle boards generally have a pointed nose, like a kayak, designed in order to sustain longer, more fast-paced, flat-water paddles. Touring boards are best for speed, SUP racing, and covering long distances. Check out the Starboard 12’6 Touring Deluxe Double Chamber Board.
The ideal size for a touring paddle board is typically a longer board with a pointed nose is the shape of most touring paddle boards to allow for acceleration on flat waters.
Large bungee systems are used for storing equipment along with longer board shapes with pointed noses to allow the paddler to move faster on flat waters.
A good quality touring paddle board should cost anywhere between $750 and $1200.
If you already have a paddle board or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.
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