The subtleties lie in finding the right balance between tipping stability and a sporty ride. Do you mainly ride on smooth water, are you perhaps no heavier than 85 kilos and already have SUP experience? You will hardly have any problems on any of these boards. If you want a little more safety, then choose one of the more stable models. The test will show you that it's not just the width that matters. For example, the Lite Venture is much more stable than the wider Fit Ocean.
If available, we have also listed alternative sizes. Everyone will find what they are looking for. And the bad news? There isn't really any. Except "no time to paddle". We wish you a happy choice of board and as much time as possible on the water.
We tested these 16 sporty 12'6" touring boards:
(Click on the board to see the test results).
- Fanatic Ray Air Enduro Premium 13'0'' x 30,0''
- Fit Ocean Force 12'6'' x 32.0''
- GTS RST BRB 12'6'' x 29.5''
- I-99 Corsa 12'6'' x 32.0''
- Indiana Touring S 12'6'' x 29.0''
- JP-Australia SportsAir 12'6'' x 30,0''
- Lite Venture Ultra 12'6'' x 30.0''
- Makaio Touring SP 12'6'' x 30.0''
- Naish S26 One 12'6'' x 30.0' '
- Paddleboard Allround Touring 12'8'' x 31,0''
- Red Paddle Voyager 12'0'' x 28,0''
- RRD Air Evo Cruiser 12'0'' x 31,0''
- Sic TAO Air Tour 12'6'' x 30,0''
- Sport Vibrations SV 12'6'' x 31.0''
- Starboard The Wall 12'6'' x 28,0''
- Starboard Touring M ZEN DC 12'6'' x 30,0''
Fanatic Ray Air Enduro Premium 13'0" x 30"
Fanatic has given its sports tourer an unusual length of 13 feet, a full 15 centimetres more than is usual in the touring board class. And thus a little more carrying capacity and even more stable tracking. In our test, the slightly raised nose not only ensures that the board glides well over smaller waves, but also provides decent turning characteristics despite the long length - during crosbow turns and also for smaller changes of direction "on the track". Underfoot, the board is not quite as firm as the models with additional stiffening straps, but it is certainly stiff and with loading options at the front and rear, the board can be loaded evenly with plenty of luggage. But the fast board is also fun on short jaunts without luggage, the pad goes far back, so sporty pivot turns are also possible.
Conclusion: Very well-balanced board shape with a good mix of stability and sporty feel, plus plenty of directional stability and loading options.
PLUS:On track, fast travelling and stable.
Technical data and test result of the Fanatic Ray Air Enduro Premium 13'0"
- Price: 999 Euro >> available here
- Length: 396.0 cm
- Width: 76.0 cm
- Weight: 12.2 kg
- Volume: 349 litres
- Other size: 11'0'' x 29,0''
- www.fanatic.com
Fit Ocean Force 12'6" x 32.0"
The Fit Ocean Force could actually be called the Fit Flatwater. This is because no other touring board cuts through smooth water with its nose as sleekly as the Fit Ocean with its brilliantly finished carbon nose. The generous 32 inch wide centre section merges into the narrowest front section of the entire test group - which reduces the stability to the perceived level of a 29 to 30 inch wide standard shape, but with outstandingly light riding resistance. You can effortlessly get the board up to high speeds, subjectively and also measurably, the board is once again particularly fast within this group. The carbon nose produces incredibly beautiful images when it splits the water against the light, but should also be handled with care on land. The board is stiff when paddling, the pivot turn - when you go backwards to turn - requires a little more practice, and here the board is also more wobbly than the 32 inch rating would suggest. The pointed nose leads straight ahead very well, but also lies in the water during crosbow turns.
Conclusion: With the unusual technology of the glued-on carbon nose, Fit Ocean achieves a particularly sporty feel in this group. The board is very suitable for flat water and light chop, but perhaps less so for ocean tours.
PLUS:Stiff, fast, very sporty on the move.
Technical data and test results for the Fit Ocean Force 12'6"
- Price: 999 Euro
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 81.0 cm
- Weight: 8.96 kg
- Volume: 340 litres
- Other sizes: 13'2'' x 32.0''/14'0'' x 26.0''
- www.fitocean.com
GTS RST BRB 12'6" x 29.5"
Alongside the Fit Ocean, the GTS is another touring board with a particularly striking outline. The edges run relatively parallel up to the side handles and then rapidly converge to form a narrow bow section. When paddling, this provides a particularly sporty forward view with good tipping stability when stationary - like the bonnet of a Ford Mustang on an Audi A4 Avant. The featherweight in this group (8.7 kilos) is not only light in the hand when carried, but also provides great acceleration and goes through the water particularly easily even at higher speeds. However, this comes at the price of slightly less stability. Experienced 80-kilo paddlers will get home dry even in wavy conditions - but this requires a little concentration. The slightly raised nose goes well over the waves, the light hull works slightly more than the heavier chunks in the group. The nose doesn't slow you down when turning either and the light weight means that the board just shoots around in circles during pivot turns. Special features are the sliding fin (very streamlined, super easy to mount) and the valve cover. Four additional handles allow the board to be carried even when loaded. Includes top bag and fat double piston pump.
Conclusion: Very light and sporty looking board with little resistance, but also somewhat more demanding than an "average" 30 inch wide board.
PLUS:Very light and sporty ride
Technical data and test results for the GTS RST BRB 12'6"
- Price: 999 Euro
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 75.0 cm
- Weight: 8.7 kg
- Volume: 320 litres
- Other size: none
- www.grandtoursports.com
I-99 Corsa 12'6" x 32.0"
The Corsa combines high tipping stability thanks to the 32 mm width with good speed on downwind courses thanks to the narrower tail. The clearly raised nose also recommends the board for touring in rougher conditions. Even when surfing small waves, the board runs quite smoothly onto the next wave instead of slowing down. The net tensioning at the front is already quite economical. Another luggage area at the back? Nope. Instead, I-99 has given the board an additional tear-off edge, which should ensure a clean water tear-off at high speeds - in sprints or downwinders. The board looks very firm and stiff - naturally also due to the comparatively greater width and the solid material and additional reinforcement straps. Normal turning manoeuvres are smooth and safe because the nose can turn sideways, but if you go far back on the board, you will feel the downside of the narrow tail. The rucksack with wheels is very spacious.
Conclusion: A solid, stable all-round touring board. Not a specialised sprinter for flat water, rather a board for all occasions.
PLUS:Tilt-resistant and also suitable for the open ocean
Technical data and test results for the I-99 Corsa 12'6"
- Price: 959 Euro
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Weight: 12.0 kg
- Volume:335 litres
- Other size: none
- www.i-99.it
Indiana Touring S 12'6" x 29"
The Indiana takes the prize from the test team for the most elegantly shaped nose section of the touring boards. At 29 inches, it is already nice and slim, but with the only subtly narrow stern, it still offers a good level of stability for its overall width. For experienced paddlers between around 65 and 85 kilos, this is sufficient in all conditions and the fun of riding is not neglected either. It cuts through the water like a sleek yacht - perhaps the design also plays a part in this - is easy to paddle and makes good progress. Gimmicks are kept to a minimum, there is a large, firm pad, two generous nets and a particularly thick, robust rail. This makes the board comparatively light in weight. The fin box is split for easier packing, the fin is large and set at an angle to the rear for less draft and yet good directional stability. The solid and very roomy roller backpack includes a practical shoulder strap for the board (page 68). The Indiana is stiff and direct in the water, turns "normally" and is wide enough at the back and the pad is long enough for the pivot turn.
Conclusion: For many "intermediate" and "moderately experienced" paddlers, the Indiana offers a very successful mix of fast paddling and the necessary safety. The whole thing is very elegantly packaged.
PLUS:Successful mix of sport and stability
Technical data and test results for the Indiana Touring S 12'6"
- Price: 1139 Euro >> available here
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 73.7 cm
- Weight: 9.2 kg
- Volume: 325 litres
- Other sizes: 11'6'' x 31.0'' / 14'0'' x 31.0''
- www.indiana-paddlesurf.com
JP-Australia Sportsair 12'6" x 30,0"
The JP board comes in a very suitably cut rucksack bag for the board and pump. The sidewalls of the board are very solidly reinforced in the centre section above the welded seams with an additional stiff tape ("3-D stringer"), which also contributes to the good feeling of stiffness - in a group of boards where there are no "tape noodles" to be found anyway. The shape - i.e. the outline and curve of the boards - is very harmonious. The moderately tapered bow glides half through and half over the water, which works well both on glassy seas and in wavy conditions. The tail is also a compromise between sufficient standing area and width for a sporty pivot turn and yet narrow enough for fast speeds. The board in our test (photo page 70) is identical in construction to the 2022 model, but still in the 2021 design. Due to the overall very good tipping stability, light, sporty paddlers can also opt for the 28'' width that is also available for this model. The valve is installed on the bow of the JP, which makes it easier to roll in from the stern (fin box).
Conclusion: A balanced compromise between sport and touring suitability.
PLUS:All-rounder for sport and touring
Technical data and test results for the JP-Australia Sportsair 12'6"
- Price: 1299 Euro >> available here
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 76.0 cm
- Weight: 11.3 kg
- Volume: 336 litres
- Other sizes: 12'6'' x 28.0'' / 14'0'' x 30.0''
- www.jp-australia.com
Lite Venture Ultra 12'6" x 30.0"
The Lite Venture looks extremely solidly built, has huge nets at the front and rear on the particularly wide bow and stern - here comes the ultra-carrier in this group. The board is particularly stable and runs extremely straight. A classy carbon fin and the flat water position ensure directional stability - the bow of the board lies directly on the water. In wavy conditions, it can spill over a little, but this can be prevented with a small step behind the handle and the board still runs straight. Naturally, the wide bow requires a little more paddle pressure than the slim boards in this group, but you can really load a lot of luggage onto the board. Even heavy paddlers will feel very solid underfoot - there are additional carbon reinforcements here, as well as on the underside. Special treat: If you buy the paddle with the board, you get a high-quality carbon paddle for 195 instead of the normal 329 euros. The scope of delivery also includes a plastic fin - which is not shorter, but simpler - for use in shallow waters. The pump supplied is above standard, with two pistons and three gears, but also quite heavy. The whole thing comes in a high-quality, generously dimensioned rolling rucksack.
Conclusion: The stiffest, most stable board among the touring boards, which copes very well with heavy paddlers, lots of luggage and rough paddling conditions. For those who want to train in a sporty way, the Lite Venture is the narrower Ultra Fast 14' x 28''.
PLUS:Particularly strong, rigid and stable, suitable for touring
Technical data and test results for the Lite Venture Ultra 12'6"
- Price: 1145 Euro
- Length: 380.0 cm
- Width: 76.0 cm
- Weight: 12.8 kg
- Volume: 320 litres
- Other sizes: 11'6'' x 30.0'' / 14'0'' x 28.0''
- www.liteventure.de
Makaio Touring SP 12'6" x 30.0"
The Makaio board has a very harmonious outline and a particularly even, gentle curve of the bow. This means that the board can be trimmed very nicely by changing the foot position: from a slightly raised nose for wavy ocean conditions or choppy water on the lake, to a water position where the nose almost splits the water at the front, with a standing position just a foot's length further forwards. The board is stiff, accelerates very well, always remains quite easy to paddle and is a very good compromise between stability and a fast ride in the group of sporty tourers. The nets brace plenty of luggage, and four additional carrying handles make transport ashore easier. The wheeled rucksack is robust and well thought out. With its eye-catching design, the Makaio is a real eye-catcher.
Conclusion: A sporty feel with sufficient tipping stability ensure a wide range of use for the board. The choice of materials looks robust, the equipment with well-padded handles and stainless steel rings on the net is impressive. The price is very attractive.
PLUS:Very good equipment at a fair price. Suitable for sport and touring.
Technical data and test results for the Makaio Touring SP 12'6"
- Price: 729 Euro
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 76.5 cm
- Weight: 11.0 kg
- Volume: 280 litres
- Other size: none
- www.makaio-sup.de
Naish S26 One 12'6" x 30,0"
The Naish One is actually a (very) old acquaintance. The shape has been a board for world championship titles in the international race class, but has also proven itself as a sporty tourer. The very light and compact rolling design also recommends the One as a travelling board. Reinforcements, grips and mounts have been consistently saved here, so the "One" with8,2 kilos in the featherweight class. The thin roll-backpack also looks rather light and airy. Naish uses the quick-to-fit sliding fin. With its narrow tail, the board is one of the more demanding candidates despite its maximum width of 30 inches, but it looks very sporty. The lightweight hull is easy to accelerate, and the small net at the front also shows this: The focus here is on brisk day trips, although at least experienced paddlers should also be able to cope with the board on the open sea. Despite its low weight, it is sufficiently stiff in the standing area and always keeps the bow slightly above the water. Just enough so that you can easily pass waves and it still runs well in flat water and doesn't push.
Conclusion: Low weight in front of a robust shell. Performance before payload. That's the Naish board. And even after many years, it is still a versatile guarantee of fun for sporty paddlers.
PLUS:Lightweight and sporty and fast
Technical data and test result of the Naish S26 One 12'6"
- Price: 949 Euro
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 76.2 cm
- Weight: 8.2 kg
- Volume: 301 litres
- Other size: none
- www.naishsurfing.com
Paddleboard Allround Touring 12'8" x 31.0"
The Paddleboard brand represents minimalism with just two models in the board range, but "gluttony" in the equipment. In addition to the board and pump, the package price includes not only an additional handy double-stroke travel pump in the well-dimensioned roll rucksack, but also a high-quality hip belt for the leash with quick release, the leash, a foldable solar lantern, an additional fin for shallow water and an Opinel knife with two screw bits. On the board, the very clean gluing, the elegantly shaped bow and the split fin box, which makes it very easy to roll the board in and has no disadvantages on the water, are striking. The board offers the stability and stiffness of a 31-inch board, but can be paddled very smoothly thanks to the harmoniously tapered front section and low-set nose. The moderately narrower tail offers about average stability in pivot turns within the group. Two large nets and additional handles at the front and rear complete the picture.
Conclusion: A very nice all-rounder for long tours, but also with a fast ride feel for quick laps.
PLUS:Good all-rounder between sport and touring.
Technical data and test results for the Allround Touring 12'8" paddle board
- Price: 1069 Euro**
- Length: 386.0 cm
- Width: 78.7 cm
- Weight: 12.1 kg
- Volume: 345 litres
- Other size: none
- www.paddelbrett.de
= package price
Red Paddle Voyager 12'0" x 28,0"
With a width of just 28 inches, the Voyager is positioned on the sporty side of touring boards. This is noticeable on the water due to its very fast speed with little resistance, but also due to the higher "wobble factor" as soon as you leave your ducky pond and find rougher seas. The bow of the board is rounded on the underside and almost has a displacement bow like many hard touring boards. On the one hand, this could result in a more sensitive water position, but on the other hand, the slightly raised nose ensures very good behaviour in wavy conditions. The board glides easily against the wave and even with the wave, the nose does not slow down and the board maintains good speed. The displacement nose and the two large fins next to each other keep the board on track very well. With a thickness of 4.7 inches, the board sits nicely on the water and, thanks to the solid choice of materials and presumably also due to the lateral stiffening struts, is only slightly less stiff than the stiffest boards in the group. The same model in 13'2''x30'' is also suitable for sporty but heavier paddlers; the shorter 12'6''x32'' proved to be particularly stable and rather good-natured in last year's test. The pannier is very elaborately designed but not the lightest. And there is hardly any room for the large double lift pump.
Conclusion: Sporty board for experienced or lighter paddlers. Particularly suitable for wavy water. A leash and a nylon paddle are already included in the package.
PLUS:Solid, true to track, sporty and fast even in undulating conditions.
Technical data and test results for the Red Paddle Voyager 12'0"
- Price: 1449 Euro**
- Length: 365.0 cm
- Width: 71.1 cm
- Weight: 12.3 kg
- Volume: 285 litres
- Other sizes: 12'6'' x 32.0'' / 13'2'' x 30.0''
- www.red-equipment.de
= package price
RRD Air Evo Cruiser 12'0" x 31.0"
A lightweight carry bag is really practical, but RRD should have added a zip. Simply stuffing the board into a gym bag is tedious. The RRD is one of the touring boards with a rather deep, pointed flat water nose. Nevertheless, the board with the slim nose also cuts through cable waves well, especially if you move half a foot back from the centre position. The RRD is one of the boards that feels particularly stiff and firm underfoot. This is due to the 31'' width and the very solid materials on the rail and additional reinforcement layers on the deck and underside. The weight of the RRD does not come from the many handles, but from the solid hull construction. 31 inches in the centre make the RRD the most stable board in the group, which can only be compared with the Lite Venture. Despite this, it doesn't seem lame, but - that's 50 per cent optics and 50 per cent hydrodynamics - it glides smoothly through the water with the rather pointed bow. Turns are also safe.
The deck pad has a good grip, but the second net has been omitted. Instead, RRD has provided a life buoy for emergencies and the repair kit is stowed in a small bag with a roll-top fastener, which can be useful for small items on SUP tours.
Conclusion: If you don't mind the mediocre bag, you get a stiff, stable top touring board in robust quality and with a good shape at a favourable price.
PLUS: Svery solid, stiff board at a top price.
Technical data and test results for the RRD Air Evo Cruiser 12'0"
- Price: 759 Euro
- Length: 365.0 cm
- Width: 78.7 cm
- Weight: 11.4 kg
- Volume: 310 litres
- Other size: none
- www.robertoriccidesigns.com
SIC Tao Air Tour 12'6" x 30,0"
The SIC can't hide its home in the Pacific Ocean and carries the slightly rounded bow at the highest point - just as you like to see when surfing real waves. On flat water, this gives away a few centimetres of waterline and requires a little more pull than with a pointed displacement nose. The board is therefore recommended for demanding areas where wind and waves are to be expected more frequently. This is also due to its good stability, as it is not only 30" wide, but extends this width far forwards and backwards with a fairly parallel outline. On the one hand, the high nose is more easily attacked by sideways wind, but on the other hand the board reacts particularly well to steering impulses with the paddle in a straight line and can be turned fastest in the crosbow turn and pivot turn. The construction is designed to be solid rather than to maximise weight savings, with thick material and additional stiffening straps on the deck and bottom. The generously dimensioned tensioning nets are held in place by solid stainless steel eyelets. The board comes in a rucksack without wheels, making it quite easy to carry. A simple, three-piece paddle (1100 grams) and leash are included in the set for an immediate start.
Conclusion: A stable, planing board even in difficult conditions. Less of a flat water sprinter for trainers, more of a good all-rounder for touring, with which you are equipped for all eventualities.
PLUS:Solid, stable and suitable for waves. Single paddle included.
Technical data and test result of the SIC Tao Air Tour 12'6"
- Price: 929 Euro**
- Length: 384.0 cm
- Width: 76.2 cm
- Weight: 11.7 kg
- Volume: 330 litres
- Other size: 11'0'' x 32.0'
- www.sicmaui.de
= package price
Sport Vibrations SV 12'6" x 31.0"
For 665 euros, the Sport Vibrations is delivered in a very neat and hugely spacious wheeled rucksack. Due to the price, the equipment is quickly listed with a cute packing net at the front of the bow and four additional stainless steel eyelets for attaching a kayak seat. The board is not too thick and weighs 8.9 kilos, making it very easy to handle on land. The deck pad extends to the stern and offers plenty of space, as the board certainly has the largest surface area - which leads to an even more favourable price per square metre - but above all to very stable handling characteristics. "The board may not look as high-quality as the others, but it rides well," was the verdict of our testers. Above all, "it is very easy to paddle". The board bounces a little more than the very stiff boards, but is easy to accelerate and the pivot turn - with a wide step to the tail - is the easiest to learn on this board. The Sport Vibrations with its wide nose, which also pushes a little more against the wave than the pointed noses, is no longer really a sports tourer, but a classic all-round tourer.
Conclusion: A very light all-round tourer, very easy to paddle at a fair price.
PLUS:Light, easy to paddle, stable and very reasonably priced.
Technical data and test results for the Sport Vibrations SV 12'6"
- Price: 665 Euro
- Length: 380.0 cm
- Width: 79.0 cm
- Weight: 8.9 kg
- Volume: 350 litres
- Other sizes: 10'5'' x 31.0'' / 11'5'' x 31.0''
- www.sport-vibrations.com
Starboard The Wall 12'6" x 28.0"
Loading large luggage? Sunbathing? Yoga session? A contortionist might be able to do the "downward facing dog" in this cockpit, but for everyone else, "The Wall" is simply a genuine sports tourer. "The Wall" is a double-chamber design that imitates the shape of a hardboard with a lowered cockpit on an inflatable board. The hull, which is only 4.75 inches thick, is first inflated to 15 psi and then the "wall" is inflated to 10 psi - which is very quick.
The effect? A pleasantly low standing position, which also ensures a stability against tipping that you don't normally experience on a 28 inch wide board. We would estimate that it looks an inch wider in this respect. The stance area, on the other hand, is narrower, so if you're more of a woodchopper on the board, you'll have to find your feet first, but this shouldn't be a problem for the target group of sporty, experienced paddlers. The board runs very smoothly, even if the nose is not at maximum depth in the water, and thus offers the speed of a 28 inch wide board with the stability of a 29'' or almost 30'' touring board. The applied cockpit wall naturally increases the virtual overall thickness of the board in this important area to a level that surpasses all other iSUPs, which ensures very good overall rigidity. Pivot turns require some practice on the rather narrow tail, certainly more than on a Sport Vibrations or Lite Venture.
Conclusion: An extravagant touring board with a sharpened range of use. For sporty tours or training laps - without children doing gymnastics on the board and with manageable luggage.
PLUS:Narrow and yet stable and rigid.
Technical data and test result of the Starboard The Wall 12'6"
- Price: 1556 Euro
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 76.0 cm
- Weight: 11.6 kg
- Volume: 324 litres
- Other sizes: 14'0'' x 28.0'' / 14'' x 30.0''
- www.star-board-sup.de
Starboard Touring M ZEN DC 12'6" x 30.0"
"Zen DC" - this is the slightly cheaper equipment line, but with a double chamber. This ensures outstanding rigidity and, of course, a high level of safety. The outer chamber is first filled with 15 psi, then the inner chamber with 10 psi. Similar to the JP board, the Touring is not completely flat, but it is also not very bent up. "Super compromise" was the unanimous verdict of the testers. Almost as easy to paddle as the GTS with more reserves in wobbly conditions. The board runs well in flat water and also over smaller waves. It turns willingly and even when standing backwards - during a pivot turn - it is still stable. The (huge) lightweight but well thought-out bag comes with a board that is solidly reinforced around the rails with an additional tear-off edge at the back, a large pad with a wedge-shaped kick pad, GoPro mount and stainless steel rings for the optional shoulder strap.
Conclusion: Solid-looking, well-equipped double-chamber board with a successful mix of stability and easy progression.
PLUS:Very good all-rounder for touring and sport.
Technical data and test result of the Starboard Touring M ZEN DC 12'6"
- Price: 1129 Euro
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 76.2 cm
- Weight: 11.7 kg
- Volume: 355 litres
- Other sizes: 14'0'' x 32.0''
- www.star-board-sup.de
All weights = SUP magazine measurement, board inflated, without fin
