The SUP pumps in the test:
Starting an SUP pump is not a violin concerto, more like a category of annoying leaf vacuum. Nevertheless, it can make sense to get yourself a little electric helper. For example, if you are unable to achieve the desired pressure by hand due to a lack of strength, weight or back and shoulder problems. Three pumps achieve a pressure of 20 psi and more, which can only be reached by the fittest athletes when used manually. All the pumps tested were in use for weeks and were systematically used on a medium-sized reference board (Naish Alana 11'6") to determine the inflation time up to 15 psi, which corresponds to a normal pressure.
For smaller or larger boards, more or less time is needed accordingly. A Red Paddle 9'6" was ready with the Indiana pump after just 7 minutes and correspondingly less juice from the battery. An RRD 12'0" x 23" took a good 12 minutes with the same pump. This can be roughly transferred to the other pumps. Three pumps manage more than 15 psi - those from Indiana (20 psi), Sport Vibrations (21.7 psi) and Starboard (20 psi). We had the impression that some pumps now require a little longer than previous models in favour of less heat development - and therefore better durability.
Indiana uses a Li-battery with a short charging time, the lead battery from Sport Vibrations has to be fully charged again and again for battery maintenance, which also takes longer than with Li-ion batteries. Our tip: Inflate the board at the car park, experience has shown that you won't get any applause on the beach after 15 to 30 minutes of pumping. In the subjective hearing test and decibel measurement via app (63 to 76 db at a distance of one metre), Sevylor and Decathlon took first place, followed by Starboard and Indiana, with the pump from Sport Vibrations coming a clear last. The simplest remedy is often seen: the iSUP remains inflated throughout the summer and travels to the beach on the roof of the car.
The SUP pump connections
Decathlon - Leisurely lightweight
The small, handy pump is supplied in an equally airy bag made of mesh material. The flexible, rubber-like pump hose (90 centimetres) makes a very solid impression, the bayonet connection on the pump is not bombproof, but it looks neat. On the board side, various adapters are connected using a bayonet. Caution: When connecting to the board, turn the bayonet between the hose and adapter in the "off" direction. The cable with connection for the cigarette lighter is usually sufficient at 3 metres. The compressor pump hums like a small enduro at a moderate volume and takes 4 minutes to completely fill our reference board with air. Only after 14 minutes 30 seconds does the pressure display jump from 14.7 to 15 psi and switch off. With two boards in a row, the hose attachment becomes comparatively warmer.
SUP magazine tip: Extremely light and inexpensive. Good pressure hose, long pumping time. For savers with time.
- Reference time: 14min 30s
- Weight: 1.3 kilos
- Maximum pressure: 15 psi
Sport Vibrations - Power pack with battery
At 4.5 kilos including the integrated lead-acid battery, the power pack doesn't exactly carry itself like a lady's handbag, and with the massive pressure hose you can even tow a lorry. This makes the set look extremely robust - it is also designed for 21.7 psi. The hose is connected simply and securely using a quick-release coupling. The rich humming sound is accompanied by an additional clacking noise; acoustically, this is no masterpiece. However, the pump impresses with the highest maximum pressure. After three and a half minutes the board is full - not bad for a compressor pump without an additional blower and after 11 minutes 30 seconds there is a full 15 psi. The quick-release coupling and the robust hose are great; the desired pressure can be set quickly using the manual dial and is also "saved" for the next time. The equipment includes the bag, the charger for at home and a connection cable for the car.
SUP magazine tip: Powerhouse with almost 22 psi, heavy, again somewhat louder, very solid connection and pressure hose.
- Reference time: 11min 30s
- Weight: 4.5 kilos
- Maximum pressure: 21.7 psi
Indiana - Athlete's heart with pacemaker
Whistling like a steam engine, the Indiana blows the reference board into shape without creases in one and a half minutes. The first stage works as a blower with a large volume of air. Then the built-in compressor takes over, not exactly quietly, but with a quite acceptable sound colour. The rather bulky hose made of hard plastic should first be connected to the board, then the very good flange can be screwed to the pump without tension. At 10 minutes 4 seconds, the pump is the turbo in the test and a tip for those in a hurry. The supplied lithium battery (700 grams) has a socket like a cigarette lighter - the 2.90 metre long cable can be connected here and two USB sockets with power bank function. With the battery, we managed two large 12'6" boards with a good reserve, which is probably enough for three small SUPs.
SUP magazine tip: The absolute sprinter. Somewhat bulky hose, good bag, adapter for direct battery connection included.
- Reference time: 10min 4s
- Weight: 1.6 kilos
- Maximum pressure: 20 psi
Indiana - 309,00 Euro
Sevylor - Flotter Mini
The rather rigid hose (similar to Starboard and Indiana) is rather short at 80 centimetres, which can be partially compensated for with the almost 5 metre long electric cable when handling the pump. The bayonet connection on the pump looks quite simple. The compressor pump starts with a tolerable sound, unfortunately the supplied sealing ring for the connection to the Naish board was not completely tight. After replacing the sealing ring, the little blue one inflates the cheeks and has the board in shape after 2 minutes 20 seconds. After just 9 minutes 40 seconds the pumping work is done - best time. If it weren't for the small flaw that the actual filling pressure is more like 14 to 14.5 psi, just below the specification.
SUP magazine tipMinimally less pressure, but fast, light, quiet and attractively priced.
- Reference time: 9min 40s (target pressure of 14.5 psi just not reached)
- Weight: 1.5 kilos
- Maximum pressure: 15 psi
Starboard - lean engine with endurance
The Starboard pump comes from the same production as Indiana, but only contains a compressor unit and therefore starts with little restraint and rather high speed, at least acoustically. After 14 minutes - at 11.7 psi - the pump sounds a little tired, but then continues to run for 16 minutes and 50 seconds, at which point it reaches 15 psi. The heat test shows that the throttled performance pays off elsewhere, as the flange has only become a little more than lukewarm. The good connection flange and the bulky hose (1.1 metres) are identical to Indiana. The three metre long cable for the cigarette lighter is split with a plug and thus also prepared for a direct battery connection.
SUP magazine tip: Flyweight with staying power. Good flange connection, high maximum pressure of 20 psi!
- Reference time*: 16min 50s
- Weight**: 1.2 kilos
- Maximum pressure: 20 psi
Starboard - 154,00 Euro
The alternative
No electric pump can compete with it. With the air bed blower (regularly available for less than 10 euros from discount stores), it's not just air bed dreams that come true. A medium-sized SUP can be filled in a minute, but without any real pressure. However, it saves you the first hundred or so pump strokes. The rest is then done by hand. With a good pump, trained people need a good five minutes - without a breather.
