What is a Touring Paddle Board?

By: James | Last update: 3 January 2023

We have already made a blog about what a race Paddle Board is. This time it’s the touring SUP Board’s turn. Because what exactly is a touring SUP Board and what can you do with it? We explain it in detail in this blog.

Don’t know what a SUP Board is? Then please look at our explanation of a race Stand Up Paddle Board.

What is a touring Paddle Board?

What exactly is a touring Paddle Board? Me (James) and my team of SUP experts explain: you have different Stand Up Paddle Boards for different purposes. For example, a race SUP is meant to be able to paddle board as quickly as possible (don’t know what paddle boarding is? Check out our explanation of stand up paddling) and a yoga SUP to practice yoga on. Just as the names speak for themselves with these boards, this is also the case with a touring SUP board. A touring SUP board is meant for touring. But what is meant by touring? By touring we mean; covering a long stretch of Stand Up Paddling with as much comfort as possible. In short, a touring sup board is intended to be used for a long stretch in the most comfortable way.

Characteristics of a touring SUP

• Nice wide and high volume (air content), so you can easily maintain your stability
• A pointy nose that faces up so that it cuts through the water
• An elastic band at the front and/or at the back, to take things with you
• Usually long, so you can easily maintain your speed

Types of touring boards

Touring SUPs are available in various shapes and sizes. Touring boards are available in both non-inflatable and inflatable variants. We also call these ‘inflatable’ and ‘hardboard’ variants. Are you in doubt between an inflatable or hardboard touring Stand Up Paddle Board? Then take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each variant below.

Inflatable or hardboard

Consider the questions below if you are in doubt between an inflatable or hardboard touring SUP:

1. How often do you go to a different location? In other words, do you want to inflate your SUP every day or tie the SUP to the roof?
2. Do you have roof racks on your car? If not, an inflatable SUP board will probably be a better choice
3. Can you bear the weight of a hardboard? If not, consider getting an inflatable SUP board.
4. Do I want to manually inflate my SUP every day? If not, take a hardboard or an electric SUP pump

Who is a touring board intended for?

A touring board is intended for the paddler who wants to make beautiful trips at a normal pace. Therefore, only buy a touring board if you plan to make long trips. For short stretches we recommend an all-round board and if you want to go purely fast a race SUP. Are you an advanced supper? Then consider purchasing a wider race board as a touring board. Race sups are often used by advanced suppers as a touring sup. Tip: take a wide(r) variant race board if you want to tour with a race sup, because this provides a lot more comfort. For novice suppers we recommend an all-round sup.

For which application(s) is a touring SUP Board intended?

As mentioned above, a touring Paddle Board is really only intended for long trips. So do not use a touring Stand Up Paddle Board as a race or all-round board. You will waste a lot of energy trying to be fast or agile on a touring board.

Interested in purchasing a touring SUP-Board after reading this blog? Then take a look at our research into the best touring paddle board.