Touring paddle boards, or SUP Touring, is a growing discipline within the broader range of all SUP boards and activities. Touring paddleboards are designed for exploring, adventuring, and long-distance tripping on a paddle board.
If you are looking to paddleboard more than a few hours then a touring paddleboard is going to be something you want to consider. This is especially true if you are looking to travel a significant distance or haul a substantial amount of gear.
With the right gear, proper training and safety equipment you can paddle a long distance on a lake, river or the ocean.
Typical Characteristics of a Touring Paddle Board
Depending on the type of excursion, water type, and duration you plan on paddling, you might be fine on any SUP. But as you progress, extend, and experience more challenging conditions, you'll want a SUP that's designed specifically for touring. The typical characteristics of a touring paddle board will be:
- Longer length board - Touring boards typically are 11' and longer
- Narrower width - designed to improve the speed and efficiency of the board
- Hull shape - In general, touring boards will have a displacement hull that allows the board to cut through the water with its pointed nose. This is in contract to a planing hull, which is wider and more arched, is designed to ride and float the waves.
- Gear storage, tie downs
When a 17-year-old paddleboarder was swept out to sea, his survival depended on his cell phone and the voice on the other end of the line.
Best Touring Paddle Boards of 2021
- 11'6" Journey by Grey Duck
- 12'0" Endurance by Pau Hana Surf Supply
- NeedleNose™ 126 iSUP by Sea Eagle Inflatables
- 12'6" Raven by Boardworks
- ISLE Explorer Inflatable Paddle Board Package 11'6" by ISLE
- NRS Escape 12'6" Inflatable SUP Board by NRS
- Traveller 12'6" by BOTE Boards
- 12'6" x 31" Touring by Starboard SUP
- 13'2" Voyager+ MSL by Red Paddle Co.
- 14'0" x 30" Touring Inflatable by Starboard SUP
11'6" Journey
The 11’6” Journey is Grey Duck's smallest and lightest touring board. Built for paddlers who want to cover some distance while out on the water, this board has been fine tuned for great glide and increased speed with each paddle stroke. If you're looking for a board that is lightweight, efficient, and fun, you'll find your match in the Journey.
- More information about 11'6" Journey
- View all products from Grey Duck
- Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- 10” center fin
- GORE no maintenance vent
- Neoprene Grab Handle for easy carrying
- Six point tie down system on nose and four point tied down on tail for carrying accessories
11'6" Journey Reviews
I have been using the Journey…
Let’s talk about the Journey.…
I had an older board that…
12'0" Endurance
The Pau Hana Endurance is a rugged touring board built for off the grid adventures. The hull of the board is protected with Ricochet so that it can withstand contact with rocks, logs, or any other hard things that may come across it’s path. The board glides smoothly and is easy to paddle even when fully loaded with 90 lbs of equipment.
- More information about 12'0" Endurance
- View all products from Pau Hana Surf Supply
- Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Additional Attributes
- Ricochet Impact Resistant Technology
- Extra soft pad doubles as a sleeping platform
- Extra Handles Make board easier to carry
- Strategically placed SeaMounts means that you can spend more time out on the water and bring all your gear with you
12'0" Endurance Reviews
No one has submitted a review yet for the 12'0" Endurance. Please help out the community and share your experience!
NeedleNose™ 126 iSUP
Leveraging the patented NeedleNose™ design, the 12'6" inflatable SUP offers all of the convenience, rigidity, and tracking you could want in a touring board. Larger than its little sister the NeedleNose™ 116 iSUP but smaller than its big brother the NeedleNose™ 14 iSUP - the NN126 puts you right smack in the middle. So you get the best of both worlds!
- More information about NeedleNose™ 126 iSUP
- View all products from Sea Eagle Inflatables
- Structure: Inflatable
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- Patented NeedleNose™ design
- Straight-line hull design
- Large, removable, rear, center, skeg
- Two leading side skegs for better tracking
- Conveniently located front grab handle
- Elastic cords and multiple D-Ring attachments at bow
- Center seat D-Ring attachments
- Large rear D-ring attachment for leash, towing, etc...
- Proper carrying position balanced middle carry handle
- 15 PSI max air pressure capacity
- Deluxe recessed Halkey Roberts style air valve
- NEW EVA foam ELECTRIC PATTERN DIAMOND DECK PAD
- NEW EVA foam kick tail
- NEW built-in paddle saving PaddlePocket™ holder
NeedleNose™ 126 iSUP Reviews
I do not need a car top rack…
Easy to store, setup,…
We ordered 2 boards and it…
12'6" Raven
Much like the Great Bear, it was designed as the ultimate touring and expedition board, for long distance paddling and open water conditions. The new shape and volume allows for more speed and a more comfortable paddling experience in most conditions, coupled with multiple secure points for the gear that you need for a successful expedition. The shorter board allows for a more manageable touring board.
- Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child, Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child, Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- New shape & volume allows for more speed
- Superior glide & great tracking
- Liftsup™ handle for easy portage & locking
- Holds loads of gear, forward & aft
- Ultra comfortable honey comb deck pad
12'6" Raven Reviews
First of all, the Raven is a…
The Raven is my favorite…
Great for touring, exercise,…
ISLE Explorer Inflatable Paddle Board Package 11'6"
Adventurers meet your match. The Explorer was crafted for those who are constantly seeking new adventures. It has a pointed nose which is designed for longer, more fast-paced flat water paddle boarding. It’s great for all types of water conditions and paddlers of all skill levels. For the past few years, the Explorer has been the most popular stand up paddle board in our inflatable collection. Customers have ridden the Explorer across some of the most beautiful bodies of water on our planet. The Explorer will continue this legacy. The Explorer is constructed with military-grade PVC making this board rigid enough for optimal performance and durable enough to drag against rocky coastlines. This inflatable paddle board is six-inches thick keeping you and all your gear dry while paddling. The Explorer has a six-point bungee system on the nose and a four-point bungee system on the tail giving you ample room for everything you need for your adventure.
- Structure: Inflatable
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- Nose, center & tail grab handles
- Front & rear bungees
- Brushed EVA traction
- Center & tail-mounted D-rings
- Hish-pressure valve
- Snap-In fin
ISLE Explorer Inflatable Paddle Board Package 11'6" Reviews
SUPER STABLE, Tracks Super…
Very stable. Easy to inflate…
NRS Escape 12'6" Inflatable SUP Board
Built for going fast and going far, the NRS Escape Inflatable SUP Boards deliver the efficiency for after-work attainment paddles and the carrying capacity for overnight tours.
- Structure: Inflatable
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- With heavy-duty PVC drop-stitch construction and double sidewalls
- Inflates to 20 psi
- Escape SUPs feature a 6" wide stiffening band
- Removable, interchangeable, nylon-reinforced plastic fins
- Six D-rings on the nose and four D-rings on the tail
- Features two additional D-rings for attaching a water bottle and leash
- Top-quality Leafield D7 inflation/deflation valve for unsurpassed reliability
- Pressure relief valve prevents accidental over-inflation
- Three sturdy handles, one in the center of the deck for hauling solo, and one on both the nose and tail
- Includes a high-pressure pump with pressure gauge, one Touring fin, one Grass fin, carry bag and repair kit
- Three-year retail warranty, one-year commercial
NRS Escape 12'6" Inflatable SUP Board Reviews
No one has submitted a review yet for the NRS Escape 12'6" Inflatable SUP Board. Please help out the community and share your experience!
Traveller 12'6"
The Traveller 12'6" is a sup brought to you by BOTE Boards. Read Traveller 12'6" reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Check out a few other sup recommendations below or explore all sups to find the perfect one for you!
- View all products from BOTE Boards
- Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Traveller 12'6" Reviews
I’ve owned this board for 4…
12'6" x 31" Touring
Exceptional glide from a hull based on the world champion All Star design. The added rail volume provides a unique balance and floatation to carry gear and supplies. The board pops up nicely on downwind runs, providing great glide. This Touring paddle board is suited for all skill levels that want the fastest glide to paddle distances quickly with comfortable stability and the option to carry gear along the journey.
- More information about 12'6" x 31" Touring
- View all products from Starboard SUP
- Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- Low nose rocker
- Slight tray with recessed deck pad
- Boxy rail
- 2-i-1 shoulder carry strap
- Deep center channel
- Flat side plane
- Bungee tie-down
- FCS insert
- Single center fin for straight line tracking
12'6" x 31" Touring Reviews
No one has submitted a review yet for the 12'6" x 31" Touring. Please help out the community and share your experience!
13'2" Voyager+ MSL
Calling all life’s adventurers… The 13’2” Voyager+ inflatable SUP was created with epic adventures in mind and is the board of choice of many extreme explorers around the world. High sides, large volume and narrower width make it a high-speed cruiser, designed for competent paddlers. It’s got a 6 point cargo tie-down system at the front and 4 point cargo tie-down system at the back for all your gear and an extra-grippy traction pad to help keep your kit in place at the rear. Like the 12’6” Voyager, it has a RSS battens for increased stiffness and glide when loaded with gear, a removable fin from world leading surfboard fin creators FCS, which slots into the fin box easily by hand and are secured in place with a finger bolt. 5 embroidered carry handles on the board make portaging easy and comfortable while also being soft under foot. The Red embossed diamond cut deck pad offers unrivaled grip so you can focus on paddling.
- More information about 13'2" Voyager+ MSL
- View all products from Red Paddle Co.
- Structure: Inflatable
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
13'2" Voyager+ MSL Reviews
I tried this board out on…
5/5 Would buy another
Outstanding product & customer service
14'0" x 30" Touring Inflatable
The overall balanced glide experience and premium features are what put Starboard atop the list of best touring SUPs. The wider nose and squarer tail make the touring board more stable, especially for harsh conditions like side chop and moderate wind. These lightweight paddle boards feature the trademark Starboard shoulder carry strap which allows you to effortlessly carry it to the water, with both hands-free!
- More information about 14'0" x 30" Touring Inflatable
- View all products from Starboard SUP
- Structure: Inflatable
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- Heat welded rails
- Wider nose and squarer tail
- Outline shape
- 2-in-1 Shoulder carry strap
- Extra carry handle
- Rail edge technology
- Magnetic bottle holder
- Bungee tie-down
- FCS Insert
- Cover bag included
- Lightweight leash included
- Pump included
14'0" x 30" Touring Inflatable Reviews
16' x 32" Starboard ASTRO…
Only having ridden a few…
Great Touring ISUP that can…
Factors to Consider When Buying a Touring Paddle Board
Within touring paddle boards, you'll encounter a number of decisions that will help narrow down the right board for you.
- What water types do you plan on SUP touring?
Different water types present different challenges, so you may want a different hull type, length, or even material for your SUP. - Do you plan to do overnight touring?
If so, be sure you look at gear storage on your SUP. Tie-downs and lashing points are really helpful. - How far will you be transporting your SUP?
If you're within driving distance, you can take anything. But if you're jumping on an airplane or train, you may need to opt for an inflatable touring board. - Read these touring paddle board reviews - you'll get a sense for what type of paddling each board is being used for by your fellow paddlers.
- Try it before you buy it. Research is key, but nothing beats getting on water with a board. Talk to friends, borrow a board, and contact your local retailer for a demo.
Remember: the best touring SUP for you is going to be different than the next paddler. And that's okay. You have to factor in everything from your experience, planned water types, durations, budget, and preferences. So use this list as a starting point. Get some ideas, read some reviews, look through the entire touring paddle board gear guide, maybe browse the message boards, talk to your local paddlesports retailer or paddling groups, and get out and try it before you buy it! And, of course, when you're done, be sure to help the next paddler in their search by submitting a review!
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