If you were only allowed to spend an extra 100 euros on equipment tuning once in your sporting career, you should probably invest it in SUP paddles. The money is better invested there than in telecoms shares or in Riester funds and more serious than in Panama. A good mid-range paddle, as tested in this group, costs about a hundred euros more than the very cheap aluminium models. When buying a board, even a few hundred euros more - for a touring hardboard, for example - is often hardly noticeable on the water. With a paddle, on the other hand, you can feel the difference with every stroke. And even during a leisurely after-work session, you can easily make two to three thousand paddle strokes. Add 400 grams to the weight of the cheap paddle - it's easy to calculate how many extra kilos or even tonnes have been added. And the good thing is that a paddle will not break even after many years on the water - the investment really pays off in the long term. Most paddles are therefore bought in the price range between 150 and 200 euros, which is why we selected this test group.
Nevertheless, the group is anything but homogeneous. From very robust-looking, somewhat heavier paddles for tough use on the river, in hire or in large families to feather-light paddles with a significant carbon content, there is a suitable paddle for every purpose, taste and area of use.
In addition to the lowest possible weight - which has no disadvantages - the second check for many is the question of stiffness. Stiffness is less important for leisurely tours, but it's worth taking a look at the measurement and test results, especially if you're really pulling hard with every stroke. The softest paddles in this group are really quite elastic. The stiffest mid-range paddles, on the other hand, are almost in the same league as real race paddles, even if the SupR Ergologic Race (page 96), which was also tested, is 50 per cent stiffer than the hardest paddle in this test group.
Light + stiff + cheap = no such thing! The faster and sportier you paddle, the higher the paddling frequency, the more important the weight becomes, especially the perceived "swing weight". Like a pendulum, the paddle swings forwards again after each stroke; a light paddle such as the Fanatic Carbon 35 can be paddled with a higher frequency than the Bic paddle, which is very solid in the hand. Even weight differences of 150 grams are clearly noticeable on the water. An inexpensive paddle made of fibreglass instead of carbon can only be made thick-walled - and therefore stiff, but heavier - or thin-walled - and therefore light, but also softer. The inexpensive Fanatic paddle is therefore quite stiff, but also weighs a lot, while the NoveNove Glass weighs little, but also flexes noticeably.
For the test, paddles with a medium blade size were requested, which, according to the subjective impression, was mostly suitable. Unfortunately, manufacturers specify the blade size very differently, either in square inches (in2) or in square centimetres (cm2) and, in the worst case, only the blade width in inches. Square inches and square centimetres can still be converted (100 in2 corresponds to 645 cm2; conversion factor 6.45). The sheet width, on the other hand, says little: Depending on the shape and length, paddles of the same width can be very different in size. The test therefore also emphasises the subjective "pressure feeling" of the paddles in the water, which ultimately appears to be more important than the actual size on paper. In terms of size, almost all of the paddles presented here represent a healthy average that everyone can cope with. Only the Bic paddle, the Fanatic Carbon 35 and the Starboard Bolt M seem a shade smaller.
Fortunately, the paddle length of the vario paddles presented here can be approached slowly. As a rule of thumb, your shoulder, elbow and hand should be at about the same height when the paddle blade is fully submerged at the front. Depending on your posture (bent/stretched) and the thickness of the board, the paddle should be set between ten and 20 centimetres above your body height.
The following small preselection could help in the search for the paddle that is ideally suited to you. Type 1: Sporty rider looking for a light, rather stiff paddle. The Croslake, two Starboards and the Naish paddle are likely to be at the top of the wish list. "The Croslake and the Starboard are as if you had nothing in your hand," praised tester Julian enthusiastically. Close behind are the Fanatic paddle, the Vandal, the Sup-Monsters and the NoveNove Bamboo. If you accept the stronger flex, even the NoveNove Basic Glass is easy to manoeuvre at a very sporty pace. In terms of weight feel, the Croslake alone is right at the front, with the Starboards close behind, which also score points with a good fastening system and robust material. Type 2: Should it be stiff and robust? JP-Australia, Mistral and Siren combine this very successfully in their paddle designs. These paddles are not among the lightest, but they are well-balanced and have good flexural rigidity. The paddle blades are made of indestructible polypropylene plastic (Sigma, Mistral) or equally robust GRP (JP-Australia). With the exception of Vandal and NoveNove, all paddles are protected against minor damage around the blade tip with integrated edge protection. The Bic paddle and the Fanatic Carbon 25 can also be classed as "indestructible", which are recommended for quieter tours due to their higher weight - or for river use.
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PADDLE KNOW-HOW
No off-the-shelf products:Here you won't find the mega-sellers, but pre-tasted specialities for connoisseurs and experts.
1 Ladies' choice: The "Venus 60'' from JP-Australia is one price category above the tested Glass (page 92) and impresses with the same stiffness at a noticeably lower weight and a lighter paddle blade for a very pleasant "swing". The colour scheme signals "Ladies only". In the test, the paddle was more popular with the ladies than the "Glass" and the men also liked it - apart from the colour scheme. So if women want to do something good for themselves - 778 grams, 299 euros. www.jp-australia.com
2 journeys First Class: A three-piece? The astonished realisation is guaranteed with the GTS paddle "Full 3K Carbon 9.0''. The paddle is light, stiff and made from a single mould, like a high-quality one-piece. It swings as light as a feather and has plenty of grip. The mix of carbon fibre and Kevlar ensures a light weight with solid durability, especially on the blade and handle. For so many extras, your travel budget will be burdened with 319 euros. Weight 705 grams. www.grandtoursports.de
3 Wave scalpel: Compared to bulky race paddles, the particularly slim shaft sits in the hand like a scalpel to a bone saw. With the Naish Wave LE 8.0 you can fillet the waves, the paddle can be controlled with millimetre precision using the ergonomic handle. The shaft is surprisingly stiff for its thin diameter, carbon Kevlar instead of pure carbon ensures impact resistance, as does the blade. The edge is reinforced with an all-round, elegantly integrated ABS impact guard. Conclusion: A classy paddle that looks super extravagant, lies delicately in the hand, but can withstand a lot. Unfortunately very expensive. Weight 599 grams, 499 euros. www.naishsurfing.com
4 men's paddles: A powerful handle with a solid carbon-kevlar shaft - the SupR Race Ergologic Carbon with an extremely stiff carbon blade doesn't bend a bit, even under the greatest effort. The kink is not a faulty design, but increases the reach by around 30 centimetres towards the front - where paddling is known to be most efficient. A slight S-shaped bend in the upper tube provides a slightly better wrist angle. A paddle that takes some getting used to, but one that will find lovers and fans, but it makes sense to try it out - a "special" as it is written in the book. 653 grams, 469 euros. www.supr-paddles.com
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Bic SUP Paddle Original
Price 149 EuroLength 172 - 210 cmPipe diameter 26.5 mmAvailable in Sizes oneWeight 946 grammesAdjustment system PinHandle size S-MWeb www.bicshop.de
You can even use it to dig for lugworms if necessary, the Bic paddle looks indestructible at first glance and still does at second glance. The shaft made of robust fibreglass and the polycarbonate blade should be able to take a beating. The paddle flexes the most on the test bench and this is clearly noticeable on the water, but not quite as much as you would expect because the smallest blade in the test field also builds up a little less pressure. The shaft is less grippy when wet, but the small handle is very non-slip and commendable for slightly smaller hands. Robust, anti-twist vario system.
ConclusionInexpensive and very robust, but also very soft and not exactly lightweight. Well suited for rough use - even in rivers.
Croslake C2
Price 199 EuroLength 175 - 230 cmPipe diameter 26 mmAvailable in Sizes oneWeight 562 grammesAdjustment system ClampHandle size M-LWeb www.croslake.com
At 562 grams, the direct supplier Croslake has by far the lightest carbon paddle on offer in the specified price range. The paddle really flies forwards, builds up pressure well and is simply great fun in any paddling situation. Thanks to the carbon construction, not only the shaft but also the blade is particularly stiff right up to the tip. Although the blade edge has an integrated protective strip, the lightweight carbon paddle still seems too good for rough white water use. The "C2" offers a very large adjustment range, which can also be utilised well due to its high rigidity. A paddle blade cover is included in the scope of delivery.
ConclusionSuper light, stiff and extremely agile in the hand. More is not possible for the price.
Fanatic Carbon 25
Price 169 EuroLength 167 - 226 cmPipe diameter 27 mmAvailable in Sizes 7.25 inch / 580 cm²Weight 1010 grammesAdjustment system PinHandle size MWeb www.fanatic.com
The cheaper of the two Fanatic paddles is characterised above all by its extremely robust design. The already very stable blade made of ABS plastic is additionally edged with a red rubber protection strip, so you can poke around in the Isar riverbed with impunity. The medium-sized handle sits comfortably in the hand. However, the actual and subjectively perceived weight of the two Fanatic paddles is more than the ten per cent carbon that doesn't sound like much. At 1010 grams, it is the heaviest paddle, but can also be paddled powerfully thanks to its decent stiffness. The clamp fasteners on both Fanatic paddles are nicely rounded.
ConclusionVery robust, but not particularly light.
Fanatic Carbon 35
Price 199 EuroLength 166 - 227 cmPipe diameter 27 mmAvailable in Sizes 7.25 inch (580 cm²)Weight 702 grammesAdjustment system ClampHandle size MWeb www.fanatic.com
Overall, the paddle is light, very agile when swinging forwards and very direct. This makes it very pleasant to paddle, especially against the wind and generally at medium speed. The narrow blade shoots forwards almost like a spear and dives in at lightning speed. Due to the smaller paddle surface area than all the others (comparable only with Bic), it doesn't build up quite as much pressure afterwards and therefore seems a little stiffer in a practical comparison than on the test bench. Very suitable for high paddle frequencies. The matt finish looks quite classy, the shaft remains grippy and the knob lies comfortably in the hand.
ConclusionAlmost filigree-looking, well-balanced paddle with less pressure build-up. With a slight flex and damping, a tip for light people too.
JP-Australia Glass
Price 209 EuroLength 170 - 226 cmPipe diameter 27.5 mmAvailable in Sizes 90 inchWeight 880 grammesAdjustment system ClampHandle size MWeb www.jp-australia.com
With its roughened shaft, the JP paddle is very non-slip in the hand, even when wet, and the rather small, rough nubbed plastic handle is also non-slip, but also somewhat simple, but stable. The GRP paddle blade is also robust and should be able to take a few hard knocks. When paddling, the paddle convinces with a lot of grip, it runs very stable through the water, does not seem super light, but very well balanced. In terms of weight, it is in the better mid-range. The paddle blade is in the centre in terms of size and is well suited to cruising paddling and also for sporty splashing tours.
ConclusionRobust, stiff and with balanced weight distribution. Well suited for training, touring and moderate river use.
Mistral Carbon Composite
Price 149 EuroLength 170-218 cmPipe diameter 26 mmAvailable in Sizes 7.8 / 8.5 inchWeight 843 grammesAdjustment system ClampHandle size MWeb www.sport-vibrations.com
Mistral combines a high-quality carbon shaft and a vario tube, also manufactured with a high carbon content, with a particularly robust paddle blade made of glass fibre-reinforced polypropylene, which is well reinforced by the rib on the upper side. The result is a powerful paddle that does not necessarily shine with outstanding lightness, but is stiff and powerful in the hand. Due to the rather large paddle blade, it provides good propulsion. Apart from the clamp, the Mistral appears to be identical to the Sigma A2. The paddle can also withstand powerful paddling and is suitable for good-natured touring as well as for rough river use.
ConclusionSuccessful combination of robust blade and stiff shaft with balanced weight distribution.
Naish Hele 8.5 Vario SDS
Price 219 EuroLength 172 - 235 cmPipe diameter 28 mmAvailable in Sizes 98 inches (632 cm²)Weight 721 grammesAdjustment system Clamp with grooveHandle size S-MWeb www.naishsurfing.com
The Naish Hele has also earned a test tip: great vario system, light weight, soft coated handle (soft and grippy, but please take care during transport to keep it that way). The paddle builds up pressure well, but is not too powerful, swings forward loosely and airily after each pull and simply conveys a lively, light-handed paddle feeling, the adjustment mechanism is wonderfully rounded, the length adjustment is super fast because the handle tube - with a groove similar to Starboard - cannot twist. However, Naish has had this for a long time.
ConclusionWell thought-out paddle that stands out with clever features, from the handle to the adjustment system.
NoveNove Basic Glass
Price 119 EuroLength 172 - 219 cmPipe diameter 26 mmAvailable in Sizes 8.1 inchWeight 704 grammesAdjustment system TwistHandle size MWeb www.99novenove.com
The matt-finished shaft surface ensures that the slip resistance is even improved when wet. The affordable NoveNove is extended with an adjustment mechanism that is unusual on the paddle market, but worked easily and safely during the tests. The "Basic" builds up pressure very softly and evenly during the pulling phase. This is certainly too much of a good thing for sporty fitness use, but lighter touring paddlers may find it pleasant. The shape of the handle also suits both larger and smaller hands. The paddle blade and handle stand out visually, but experience has shown that the surface is somewhat more sensitive to impact.
ConclusionInexpensive and yet light. If you like a soft paddle, you can get a bargain here.
NoveNove Allround Bamboo
Price 225 EuroLength 166 - 213 cmPipe diameter 26 mmAvailable in Sizes 8.25 (78 inches)Weight 726 grammesAdjustment system ClampHandle size M-LWeb www.99novenove.com
The NoveNove Allround Bamboo is not only one of the lighter paddles on the scales, but also impresses on the board with very good weight distribution. The paddle blade made of laminated bamboo veneer looks very classy, but should certainly not be used for hard white water use. The paddle is stiff enough, swings easily and dives in forgivingly and with a medium pressure build-up. Unfortunately, the paddle could not be fixed with the clamp fastener in the delivery state (see page 94), the size specification of 78 in2 is certainly not correct, the blade should be closer to 100.
ConclusionNoble look combined with low weight. A pleasant and easy to paddle luxury item.
Sigma A2
Price 149 EuroLength 170 - 220 cmPipe diameter 26 mmAvailable in Sizes 99 inchWeight 880 grammesAdjustment system ClampHandle size M Web www.i-sup.de
Sigma combines a high-quality carbon shaft and a vario tube, also manufactured with a high carbon content, with a particularly robust paddle blade made of glass fibre-reinforced polypropylene, which is well reinforced by the rib on the upper side. The result is a powerful paddle that does not necessarily shine with outstanding lightness, but is stiff and powerful in the hand. Thanks to the rather large paddle blade, it provides good propulsion. The Sigma appears to be identical to the Mistral paddle apart from the clamp. It can also withstand powerful paddling and is suitable for good-natured touring as well as for rough river use.
ConclusionSuccessful combination of robust blade and stiff shaft with balanced weight distribution.
Starboard Bolt Hybrid Carbon
Price 219 EuroLength 165 - 227 cmPipe diameter 27 mmAvailable in Sizes 480 - 540 - 600 cm²Weight 710 grammesAdjustment system Clamp w. grooveHandle size S - MWeb www.star-board.com
The Bolt is the slightly smaller size in the Starboard Twins test. It's very easy to paddle, never "splashes" when you push it in and also feels very light, with the same robust blade material as the Enduro and the good Starboard vario system. As with the Enduro, the paddle blade of the Bolt is also very light, which contributes to a particularly loose paddling feel. The slightly nubbed plastic handle is non-slip in the hand. Despite its unusual shape, we can also recommend the Bolt as an easy to paddle touring paddle. Overall, it seems a little lighter than the Enduro, but this is due to the slightly lower pressure build-up due to the smaller blade surface.
ConclusionRobust and stiff, light and easy to paddle.
Starboard Enduro Hybrid Carbon
Price 219 EuroLength 165 - 220 cmPipe diameter 27 mmAvailable in Sizes 430-475-525-575-650Weight 702 grammesAdjustment system Clamp with grooveHandle size S - MWeb www.star-board.com
The Starboard paddle convinces with solid pressure build-up as well as a stiff, direct and light feel, but needs to be used a little more precisely. The matt-finished carbon shaft remains grippy both wet and dry. The grip is also grippy and robust, but conveys a slight "plastic feel" that does not quite harmonise with the otherwise very high-quality impression. The Vario system appears to be the most sophisticated with Naish's and can be adjusted very quickly and with absolutely no twisting. The blade appears light (nice "swing weight") and is nevertheless hard-wearing.
ConclusionRobust, stiff and one of the lightest paddles. Very well-balanced all-round paddle, also very popular with experienced paddlers.
Sup-Monsters X-Cross
Price 199 EuroLength 186 - 234 cmPipe diameter 27 mmAvailable in Sizes 530 cm²Weight 815 grammesAdjustment system ClampHandle size MWeb www.sup-monsters.eu
Although the X-Cross weighs over 800 grams, it swings at least as easily as the Vandal, for example, due to the apparently quite light blade. The grip lies comfortably in the hand and the handle and shaft are polished to a shine. The slightly more heavily profiled blade builds up solid pressure, much more than you would expect from the comparatively smaller blade size. The paddle offers medium flex, but is not too soft, even with stronger paddle strokes. This makes the X-Cross just as suitable as a touring paddle as it is for sporty training laps.
ConclusionOnly available as a three-piece, but can hold its own among the vario paddles. Powerful pressure build-up, light paddle blade.
Vandal 2-Section Carbon
Price 219 EuroLength 181 - 221 cmPipe diameter 26 mmAvailable in Sizes n.a. Weight 743 grammesAdjustment system PinHandle size S - MWeb www.tabou-sup.eu
With its high carbon content, the Vandal 2-Section has a very low weight, achieves a high level of stiffness and therefore appears light and very direct on the water. The weight distribution between the apparently extremely light shaft and the somewhat thicker paddle blade is not 100% balanced, the centre of gravity is slightly further towards the blade. Nevertheless, the Vandal is very comfortable to paddle and is close to the lightest in its class. The blade, shaft and handle are shiny and polished, and the adjustment system locks it in place without twisting.
ConclusionLightweight paddle with a classy look and lots of visible carbon fibre.
