Soopotay Inflatable Paddle Board Review

Getting into a unique sport such as paddle boarding requires a strong sense of curiosity and the will to do enough research before buying your first board. A lot of people tend to rush things because they just want to get into the water which is always fun but picking an inadequate board is the wrong way to get started.

SOOPOTAY is a fresh name in the industry but it has already accumulated more than a few positive reviews. Now, SOOPOTAY might not compare to Airhead or Red but with only two boards, the brand managed to create enough waves for our editors to notice it.

So, in order to figure the hype around these two boards, we had our team inspect SOOPOTAY boards and this is our full review!

Soopotay iSUP Review — Features & Specs

Measurements

One of the first elements we inspect is the size of a board because it defines performance, compatibility and practicality to a great extent. In that respect, SOOPOTAY delivers three models with plenty of potential:

The first thing that hooks your attention when looking at a board is its length and that’s exactly what we loved most about these three boards. Hence, the Touring SOOPOTAY comes at 11 feet and 6 inches, the All-around stands at 10 feet and the Racing giant which breaks the brand’s record by 12 feet 6”, which guarantees a match for everyone out there.

More importantly, at these sizes, all three boards are guaranteed to cut through water with ease and maintain a steady track. Also, with 10 to 12 feet of space, you get to relax, move around or even do Yoga. On the other hand, because they are so long, the boards are limited to adult paddlers.

Creating a balanced board is easy but the degree of balance is what truly matters. Most paddle boards out there measure 30 inches in width but since the SOOPOTAY iSUPs are oriented towards beginners, it pushes the bar up to 32 inches (except for the racing board which is 30 inches wide).

At this width, the three inflatable paddle boards are guaranteed to exhibit exemplary stability, giving you plenty of room to move around and adjust yourself comfortably. Also, because they are super wide, the boards are far less likely to capsize and much easier to climb.

Finally, thickness is the underdog of dimensions and just like the movies, the underdog always ends up playing a major role. Hence, SOOPOTAY boards measure an astounding 6 inches in thickness, which is always a sign of quality. In fact, most entry-level boards at this price range rarely reach the same thickness, granting SOOPOTAY boards a huge advantage. Accordingly, you can rest assured that these boards will not bend under excessive weight.

Speaking of which, the Touring SOOPOTAY can handle up to 370 pounds, the All-around model is limited to 280lbs and the racing giant can hold up as much as 375lbs at once.

Quality

Quality is a rather critical topic in the industry of inflatables and there’s no surprise why. Thus, anything inflatable is bound to get punctured one way or another, or is it?

SOOPOTAY is one of many high-end iSUP manufacturers that make quality a priority for evident reasons. In that respect, SOOPOTAY boards manifest the extent to which inflatable paddle boards have developed.

In detail, the three boards in question are bound to MSL construction, which is an approach that focuses on simplicity, stiffness, lightweight and durability instead of stacking layer on top of layer for no obvious reason.

Speaking of which, the brand commits to a common PVC base that can also be found in Zodiac boats, deep diving suits and other marine equipment. Hence, you can expect some phenomenal rigidity from these two boards, especially if you’re planning to take on the shallows or any rocky environment.

Finally, all SOOPOTAY boards are reinforced via an industrial drop-stitch construction with really tight seams that pull the hull together tightly. So, forget about accidental punctures because it’s literally impossible with these formidable seams. Also, because they are packed and consistence, the seams will be able to take an intense 15 PSI of air pressure.

Features

As far as the paddler is concerned, features are definitely a priority since they are the first thing we interact with and SOOPOTAY is fully aware of that. So, in order to grant you the best experience possible, the brand in question introduces the following features on both boards:

• One of the most essential aspects of an inflatable paddle board has got to be the gripping pad. Indeed, the grippy substance, covering most of board’s surface is indispensable because it will help you maintain your balance and gain better command over your board. Also, once tired of standing tall, you can always get on your knees or sit comfortably on the pad.

 

• In addition to the pad, both boards come with a highly practical cargo net. On the nose of the board, there are four stainless steel D-rings connected via a bungee cord, granting you a little pocket to secure your paddle, shoes, bag or pretty much any of your belongings that you do not want to leave at bay.

 

• In terms of transportability, SOOPOTAY boards come with a simple yet highly efficient central carry handle. While most beginner boards come with extra handles, SOOPOTAY seems to be satisfied with one single handle although it is important to keep in mind that it is possible to carry the board individually as it is both balanced and light.

Performance

Performance is evidently a big deal for paddlers but it really depends on which of the two boards you’re going with. The Touring SOOPOTAY iSUP is more of a spontaneous / Adventurous board with touring qualities while the All-around model is more mellow, stable and versatile. Last but definitely not least, SOOPOTAY has recently reinforced its collection by the racing giant which is slender, sharp, responsive and pointy enough to cut through water like a hot knife through butter.

Accordingly, the first board comes with a pointy lifting nose and a narrow tail with the intention to appeal to outgoing people, to those who are looking to spice things up and cut through water with might while the latter is for those who favor balance and serenity, which can be seen in its long round ends and smooth edges.

Therefore, performance truly depends on you and your preferences. So, pick wisely!

 

Packaging

In terms of packaging SOOPOTAY goes above and beyond. Truly, most brands will keep their packaging to bare minimum whereas the one at hand includes pretty much everything you’ll need to get your journey started:

• Inflatable stand up paddle board
• 2 in 1 paddle for iSUP and Kayak
• Coil leash
• Center fin
• Backpack
• High pressure hand pump
• Dry bag
• Eye-glass rope
• Waterproof phone-case