If paddling excites you, soon you’ll find yourself seeking bigger challenges and testing your abilities. For extended trips, a standard inflatable or a simple all-around paddle board won’t quite cut it, you’ll need a sturdier, more capable setup.
This is where Touring paddle boards come in.
Touring boards are designed for those longer more adventurous hauls. Or, if you are a more athletic type, and want to push yourself in endurance and speed, Touring paddle boards will be better suited for what you’re looking for.
The Toursing SUPs are generally a bit longer, and have larger areas for storing gear for your longer jaunts.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
The Waterwalker stands out as an excellent choice for touring. It’s no surprise that it’s an inflatable, after all, inflatables are incredibly versatile and easy to transport. That convenience alone makes the newly redesigned Waterwalker our top pick.
Shaped in the classic touring style, the Thurso Waterwalker is ideal for a wide range of paddling activities and various water conditions, while still providing the comfort needed for longer adventures.
This board also breaks the mold of typical iSUPs with its stylish design. Its faux wood finish gives it the appearance of a rigid paddle board, or even a surfboard, while still offering all the benefits of an inflatable. Plus, it comes with a repair kit for peace of mind.
Comfort and grip are excellent thanks to the EVA foam padding, which also makes it a solid choice for yoga enthusiasts. Thurso has thought of the details, including Velcro straps along the rails to secure your paddle so it won’t float away during a session.
The Waterwalker is well-equipped for convenience and versatility: three grab handles at the front, center, and rear; a six-point bungee system at the front and a four-point setup at the back for storing gear; and four D-rings that allow you to securely attach larger items, like a cooler, for extended trips.
2. NSP – Cocoflax – Performance Touring
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
Surftech applies their E2 Technology to this paddle board series to maximize durability. The outcome? A board that stays highly buoyant while easily supporting larger paddlers.
The Coco Mat Technology incorporates coconut fibers into the construction, creating a lamination layer that is both lightweight and durable. The expansive traction pad, made from a smooth, corrugated material, offers excellent grip while remaining comfortable for long hours on the water.
The NSP Cocoflax Performance Touring features a long, curved, removable center fin. However, accessories are limited, meaning you’ll need to buy your paddle separately.
3. Pau Hana Endurance 12’
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
The Pau Hana Endurance is a standout touring board, designed to handle moderately windy conditions with impressive stability and smooth maneuverability.
The Endurance is made for extended tours, equipped with 35 anchor points so you can strap down virtually any gear. Even with 100 lbs of cargo, it still paddles smoothly and handles well on the water.
Nearly indestructible and featuring a stunning finish, the main downside of this board is its weight. Built for durability, it’s no surprise that the platform weighs 32 lbs even before adding any gear.
4. Boardworks Kraken
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
The Boardworks Kraken features a sleek, elegant design capable of handling nearly any water condition. Perfect for touring, its streamlined shape also makes it suitable for racing, gliding effortlessly through the water.
It’s clear that a great deal of skill and craftsmanship went into creating this exceptional board.
The Kraken comes in three sizes: 9’9”, 10’3”, and 11’0”. Unlike many paddleboards, it offers flexibility with fin setups, you can stick with a single center fin for smooth cruising and long-distance tours, or add side bite fins for enhanced stability in larger waves.
The hull features gentle contours, allowing smooth, effortless paddling, while the lower center of gravity enhances stability across different water conditions.
The Kraken is equipped with a vent plug that helps release heat and pressure that can build up when the board is stored in a shed or garage in hot weather.
5. Tower Xplorer Inflatable 14′
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
This board is incredibly durable, and at 8 inches thick, it ranks among the thickest paddle boards available, whether inflatable or rigid.
The Tower Xplorer moves through the water effortlessly, which is impressive considering its size. Its long, sleek nose features about 4 inches of rocker, helping it lift over small waves. This design also enables paddlers to glide faster and more efficiently with less effort.
The Xplorer is perfect for full-day tours. Built to support up to 800 lbs, it can handle all your gear, and yes, you can even bring your dog along. Its design ensures an extremely stable ride, and sitting 8 inches above the water keeps your feet dry, letting you paddle comfortably all day without “swamp foot.”
The Xplorer comes in at 36 lbs. While that’s on the heavier side for an inflatable, it’s larger than most boards in its category. Considering it’s built for durability, stability, and long hours of comfortable touring, the extra weight is a minor compromise.
If you’re looking for a more flexible, economical touring board, the Tower Xplorer is the one for you.
Bruce Paulson is the owner of PaddleboardSurf and an avid water sports enthusiast with a lifelong passion for all things aquatic. From stand-up paddleboarding and surfing to boating, kayaking, and canoeing, he thrives on the joy of being on the water. As an advocate for water conservation and environmental stewardship, Bruce shares his adventures and insights through his writing, inspiring others to embrace the beauty and excitement of life on the water.
