Isle Explorer 11’6 - Review 2023

The Isle Explore is a robust and dynamic board that is built for covering long distances. The additional stability and pointed nose of the board ensure a smooth ride in most aquatic environments. The positive touring qualities of this paddleboard come at the expense of some maneuverability.

The board is slightly less maneuverable than some other Isle boards, however, the Explorer was designed for a smooth and stable paddling experience over long distances.

Furthermore, the board tracks well in the water and with the use of the Isle hybrid paddle, the paddler can conserve energy and as such guarantee a longer and more enjoyable paddle session. Being an inflatable board, the Explorer is very portable and convenient. The board also features a super comfortable traction pad that adds to the board’s appearance and ensures a comfortable paddling experience.

Overall, the Isle Explorer is the perfect choice for paddlers looking to try out touring and that want a board that provides a comfortable and smooth ride out on the water.

Features

• Grooved EVA traction pad with superior grip, that provides comfort for kneeling or standing.
• The handles are rounded and comfortable for transporting the board once inflated and can be found at the nose, tail and center of the board. 
• D-rings in the center of the board allows for more bungees to secure more equipment.
• Large bungee system on both the front (6 point system) and back (4 point system) of the paddle board for attaching gear. 
• Velcro strap paddle holder to attach paddle to the rail of the board for easy transportation. 

Accessories

The Isle Explorer package includes all the basic accessories that go together with the paddle board. Included is a Isle hybrid 3 piece adjustable paddle which breaks down into three travel friendly pieces that fit inside the travel bag. Additionally, there is a robust coiled leash and a manual dual action pump that all fit inside the included Isle Travel Bag.

• Paddle: The Isle Hybrid 3 Piece Adjustable SUP is included in the package and is the perfect fit for the travel bag. It is also a very affordable paddle considering the exponential quality. The paddle is designed to make strokes effortless and conserve the paddlers energy by avoiding twists and jerks. The downside of this paddle is that it only floats until it has been inundated with water, at which point it sinks. Additionally, the anti-twist locks need regular maintenance and tightening.
• Leash: The Isle 8′ Coil Leash has a comfortable strap and is included in the package. Provided is a velcro holder for a small valuable item such as your keys.
• Pump: Isle have improved their pump from last year and now offer the Isle Manual iSUP Hand Pump. This is a dual action pump that allows you to inflate your board in just under 10 mins.
• Backpack: The Isle travel bag is perfect and can fit all the Explorer’s accessories and even some of your own valuables. It is easy to carry, comfortable and convenient. This travel bag is of high quality and can also function as a protective casing for storing your paddle board and equipment.

Stability

The Isle Explorer is extremely stable on flat water to the point that it can even be used for yoga. Isle’s focus on stability adds to this paddle board’s ability to deliver on providing a board that can be used to traverse long distances. The pointed nose helps the board cut through choppy waves and ensures stability on the water. This allows the board to glide across the water in virtually any environment.

Maneuverability

The Isle Explorer’s achilles heel is its maneuverability. Although it has the same fin setup as other Isle board models (i.e. the Pioneer) the extra length and shape of the Explorer hinders its ability to make quick and tight turns. Instead, it delivers smooth, slow turns making this board better positioned for making changes to your course rather than changes to your direction. Nevertheless, this board was designed to provide a smooth ride over long distances, in which it would not be required to make sharp turns and as such the lack of maneuverability isn’t so bad. 

Portability

As an iSUP, the Isle Explorer is relatively portable and folds up into the travel bag that is included in the package. The included travel bag is spacious and can fit all the included accessories and any valuables you have on your person. When inflated the Explorer is very easy to transport as it only weighs 24lbs. There are the conveniently placed nose, center and tail handle that make it easy to move the board to the water The non-removable side fins are perhaps the only minus on the subject of portability when packing the deflated board, rolling it together, and stuffing it into the otherwise spacious backpack.

Price/Quality Ratio

Given the high-quality materials and the innovative construction method used to create the  Isle Explorer, the package is available for quite an affordable price. The material used in the production of the Explorer is military-grade, making the board very durable and robust. Furthermore, the materials on the Isle Explorer are guaranteed for up to 2 years after purchase. Being a higher-than-average reputable company, this counts for something.

Optional Accessories from Isle

• Isle carbon adjustable paddle 
• Isle iSUP hand pump 
• Isle 12V electric pump
• Isle nylon touring center fin
• Isle iSUP travel bag
• Isle car rack/straps

Do we recommend it?

We recommend the Isle Explorer for any paddler who wants a stable touring board built for exploring. The Explorer provides a smooth and enjoyable paddleboarding experience in almost any environment (sea, lake, river) and is an invaluable aquatic vehicle for adventuring. Ultimately this is the perfect inflatable paddle board for paddlers looking for a reliable and intuitive board that can allow them to traverse long distances with ease.