Touring SUP boards have become surprisingly popular due to their wide variety of uses – whether it is camping, fishing or ocean-crossing exploration trips to nearby islands – they can take it all.
It is also something that many SUP brands are working on the most to test out their latest technologies. Many other SUP types have borrowed some of the design used on the touring SUP – so here we have the list of 10 best brands that have a selection of touring SUPs in their list.
Hopefully this post gives you an insight to the world of touring SUPs! Have a look
Adventure & touring – sturdy yet sporty!
#10. Aqua Marina
Founded in – 1991
Shanghai, China
Number one on this, and many other SUP brand lists due to their large variation of inflatable boards for literally anyone. On their touring series there’s two solid boards that would work great as a step-up board, or simply do what they were originally designed for – multi day trips with camping gear! With up to 374lbs / 170kg weight capacity at a total weight of 26.5lbs / 12kg, it truly packs a bunch.
Besides SUPs, they’ve got you covered on other closely related disciplines as well – inflatable boating and kayaking. They’ve got all the accessories one could think of – and the whole package price is focused on the mid-range users.
- Inflatable
- Coral Touring 11’6″ (NEW!)
- Hyper 11’6″ / 12’6″
#9. Starboard SUP
Bangkok, Thailand
Another advanced mass-producer with a more specific size selection. Available in models Touring, Touring S, Touring M and Touring L – StarBoard’s sporty yet sturdy touring SUPs are all inflatable, available in two ZEN or Deluxe construction – either for recreational or for an advanced paddler.
What makes Starboard to have the top position on this post is their super wide availability of boards for all the possible disciplines.
- Inflatable
- 11’6″ x 29″
- 12’6″ x 30″
- 14’0″ x 28″
- 14’0″ x 30″
- 14’0″ x 32″
#8. Hala Gear
Founded in – 2011
Yampa River, Colorado
When you see Carbon in the name – you know it’s serious. They’ve got five boards on most popular sizes, all equipped with a carbon stringer for added rigidity and better speed. You’ll also be getting a light and durable carbon paddle among with all the essentials. That’s not as common to get a premium board at under 1.5k USD!
Hala Gear might have done the choice easier or harder for you – all their touring boards have the same price, and categorized as racing/touring boards. If one thing is for sure – it’s they are sporty and sturdy!
- Inflatable
- 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″
- 10’11” x 30″ x 4.75″
- 12’6″ x 30″ x 6″
- 12’6″ x 30″ x 6″
- 14′ x 28″ x 4.75″
#7. NRS
Founded in – 1972
Moscow, Idaho
Adventure/touring boards by NRS & Star all have an inviting price tag and plenty of selection.
Their Escape boards feature an Axis Technology™ acrylic stiffener, and all NRS boards have a 3-year retail and 1-year manufacturer warranty. Unlike most boards with a max pressure of 15PSI, NRS recommends inflating their boards up to 20PSI (1.4bar) for best possible performance. That’s quite a lot, and no wonder since there’s enough done on the tech part.
All NRS and Star (different brands) have user manuals available online as well for those who’d like to get into more detail before the purchase.
- Inflatable
NRS Escape
- 11’6″ x 32″ x 6″
- 12’6″ x 30″ x 6″
- 14′ x 29″ x 6″T
NRS Thrive
- 9’10” x 30″ x 5″
- 10’3″ x 32″ x 5″
- 10’8″ x 34″ x 6″
- 11′ x 36″ x 6″
Star Photon
11′ 6″ x 32″ x 6″
Star Phase
- 10’2″ x 32″ x 5″
10’6″ x 34″ x 5″
10’8″ x 35″ x 6″
#6. Pau Hana
Founded in – 2006
Santa Clarita, California
Pau Hana is the first brand in this list with both inflatable and rigid touring SUPs. Their Endurance series with the beginner’s Malibu paddle board are definitely great mid-range products with decent preformance capabilities.
Pau Hana has made life easy for the buyer – the main touring SUP comes in the most classic 12’0″ length and bullet-shaped outline. Both inflatable and hardboards have plenty of interesting quirks and features packed in the boards.
You’ll also get premium accessories in the package. Pau Hana is a premium brand who designs boards that perform as good as they look. The wooden finish imitation is definitely a great touch on their touring boards.
- Inflatable
- Hardboards
Hardboards
- 12’0″ x 30″ x 6.5″ Endurance, Endurance VFT, Endurance XL
- 11’6″ x 30″ x 6″ Malibu
Inflatable
- 12’0″ x 30″ x6″ Endurance Air
#5. BadFish
Founded in – 2009
Colorado, US
BadFish is a mid-range iSUP-specific brand with all the main disciplines represented. Their touring series is categorized as adventure – meaning there are several features borrowed from fishing and all-around boards to choose from. All at around the $1,000 range – slightly above and below, what’s great that there are smaller boards for smaller paddlers alike.
Due to their dedication for river & whitewater SUPs – they definitely know what they are doing with their touring boards!
- Inflatable
Monarch
11′ x 34″ x 5″
iShape
12’6” x 28″ x 5″
WayFarer
11’6” x 31″ x 5.6″
Selfie 14
14’ x 30” x 6”
FlyWeight
10’6” x 30″ x 5″
BadFisher
11’ 6” x 36” x 6”
#4. SOL
Telluride, Colorado
Reasonably priced, ultra durable and vibrant color schemes are the three main factors that speak for SOL. They are the whitewater paddleboarding specialists, and have done a great job on their SUPS for touring. Their two boards feature all the nitty-gritty both beginner and advanced paddlers find useful and all at a attractive price tag.
While the SOLsonic comes in one size, and indeed in a mixture shape of touring and race board, the SOLtrain series comes in three different versions – the small upgrades cost $100 each.
- 7-year seam warranty!
- Inflatable
While the SOLtrain is more suitable for touring due to the 33.5″ width and double bungee cords, the SOLsonic is ideal for ocean crossings and sportier rides! SOL is definitely worth a higher position in this list!
- Inflatable
SOLsonic
12’6” x 30” x 6” | 28 LBS | 350 L
SOLtrain
10’7” x 33.5” x 6” | 27 LBS | 300 L
#3. RED Paddle Co
Founded in – 2008
South Devon, UK
RED Paddle Co once decided to ride over their inflated iSUP with a tractor – and it didn’t break! That is a good flex that’s hard to forget.
Just like Starboard and Aqua Marina – RED is also focused on the iSUP department only with no hardboards in their listing. They are a premium (in-house) brand with 3 touring-specific boards available in most popular touring sizes.
Yeah, a sharp nose and flat tail – but there’s much more going on with the technologies which they’ve used. Premium price – premium customer service – premium boards – RED has got you covered for sure when it comes to adventures with extra technology in mind.
- Inflatable
- 11’0″ Sport MSL / Sport Purple MSL
- 11’3″ Sport MSL / Sport Purple MSL
- 12’0″ Voyager MSL
- 12’6″ Sport MSL
- 12’6″ Voyager MSL
- 13’2″ Voyager MSL
- 15’0″ Tandem MSL
#2. Naish
Founded in – 1979
Maui, Hawaii
The grandfather of paddleboarding and surf equipment – Naish is the tech expert when it comes to performance paddleboarding.
Their current range consists of two boards – both feature an epoxy core with wooden stringer and many more technical construction elements. The brand is preferred by athletic individuals who are up for all kinds of touring, and know the importance of the right gear. Since all of their boards have been tested in the waters of Hawaii for many decades, they are definitely one of the top brands to turn for!
Touring GTW
- 14’0″ x 30″ x 6″
Touring
- 11’0″ x 29″ x 6 1/4″ (242L)
- 12’0″ x 32″ x 6 1/4″ (290L)
- 14’0″ x 30″ 6 1/4″ (320L)
#1. Sic Maui
Maui, Hawaii
Sic Maui & Naish are two of the top names in the SUP scene – both have early surfing backgrounds in Hawaii. Sic Maui is most definitely the #1 touring SUP brands to consider when you are after some serious boards.
Their boards have a more racing discipline to their construction which means they are great for athletic individuals.
- Inflatable
- Hardboards
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Head over to see all the 45 Best SUP Brands
Race vs Touring SUP – what’s the difference?
What’s interesting is that some SUP brands categorize touring and race SUPs in the same group. Although these two board types are designed for different disciplines, they do share some commonalities alike. Two two main similarities are the bullet-shaped outline, and the availability to cross choppy waters.
The main difference is that touring boards are not designed for speed, but for endurance (with loaded gear). Touring boards have larger outlines and often heigher weight capacities. Also the overall length, where the 12’6″ is almost always the highest, while true race boards can go all the up to 22′.
To conclude
The touring SUP is believed to be one of the most durable SUP type that stands the choppy sea with extra gear loaded on the board. Larger dimensions and higher weight capacities make it way more stable on moving seas. The sharp nose with flat tail are a great combination addition to its dimesions.
Touring is also one of the most best choice for the adventurous paddler as one can use it for so many different occasions where the board literally becomes a tool. Unlike any other SUP type there – touring boards excel well as a freediving or fishing platform, camping gear hauler for island exploration trips, and many more occasions.
This type is suitable for beginners and advanced paddleboarders alike – strong construction, stable paddling and better stability – the touring SUP is the SUV, and luckily many brands have something great to offer. Hopefully this guide helped you to give some insights!
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I created Nulltuul to share my experience, research and analysis with other surf enthusiasts out there. If I'm not surfing on my travels - I like to photograph waves, surfers, and the surf lifestyle in general.