"Compact", "Feather", "Pocket", "ULTRA Light" - the names alone say it all. These lightweight and compact touring boards are designed to accompany you on city tours, when travelling by train or simply to fit into small cars.
TheIndiana- andFanatic board we actually dragged it halfway across Paris to paddle it on the Seine. For the test on Lake Garda (Photo above), we were also happy for every extra cubic centimetre of space in the car. The Fanatic and Indiana concepts are very similar,RED takes a completely different approach. We were also able toLite Venture ULTRA Light paddling.
How to saveFanatic, Lite Venture andIndiana For example, the large deck pad is (partially) covered, only the standing area is covered when paddling. The material thickness of the hull is also reduced. In our opinion, these are clever priorities if the board is carried frequently. For the demanding pivot turn, it does get quite slippery barefoot without a pad in the rear area - but how often do you actually turn around so sportily on a cosy city trip? Lite Venture has since (after our test) reintroduced the pad at the rear - at the customer's request
All touring boards also do without the heavy wheels on the rucksack, which still require reinforcements and increase the overall weight.RED reduces the bulky height of conventional panniers. To achieve this, the board is first folded lengthways and then rolled, resulting in very balanced proportions, rather like a small roll-up pug. Otherwise you will findREDall the usual features of the brand. The overall volume and weight are therefore not reduced, but one or more of these bags can be stowed away more easily thanks to their more compact dimensions.Lite Venture donated likeIndianaa waterproof bag (below), which then serves as a practical pannier on board. We didn't test the touring boards "against each other" because of their different orientations, but each one on its own.
The boards in the test
Fanatic Ray Air Pocket in detail
At theFanatic Ray Air Pocket handles, nets and other features have been reduced to the bare essentials. Together with a weight-optimised design, the board weighs less than eight kilos. The soft material is easy to roll and, in addition to the weight, the board has a small pack size, which is perfectly complemented by the customised pack sack. The slim rucksack virtually disappears even behind petite people. With the Air Pocket on your back, you can actually cover a good distance on foot.
On the water, the board impresses with good rigidity, great acceleration and low drag. It is easy to paddle, but the short fins mean you have to change sides a little more often. The low weight makes it slightly more wobbly than expected. With the slightly raised nose, it not only crosses smaller waves cleanly, but also offers little resistance when turning. The only point of criticism is the somewhat fiddly assembly of the fin; the small screws are not easy to reach with a screwdriver.
- RRP: 749 Euro
- Website->
- Length: 350.5 cm
- Width: 78.7 cm
- Weight*: 7.78 kg
- Volume: 299 litres
- Other sizes: none
PLUS: Very light and very compact to pack
Conclusion on the Fanatic Ray Air Pocket:
A fast, manoeuvrable, maximally compact and lightweight board. Ideal for SUP hiking.
The Indiana Feather 12'6" x 32" in detail
TheIndiana Feather is the second lightweight board in the test. Here, the deck pad has been trimmed even further and the 12'6" board weighs the same as the shorter Fanatic board. Slightly more width in the centre and also in the stern ensure very good tipping stability and plenty of carrying capacity, even for luggage - which can be distributed over two nets. The very elegant-looking bow lies quite flat on the water, but glides well through choppy waves and helps to achieve good speed, directional stability and rapid acceleration.
- The "Feather" is also very easy to paddle - and to transport. The highlight: the pack sack with rucksack straps (still offers some space for clothing and accessories) is also a waterproof SUP touring bag. This means you can walk to the river with your board on your back and, once set up, you can stow your hiking clothes, shoes, mobile phone and anything else you don't want to get wet in the bag. An additional bag is not required.
- RRP: 989 Euro
- Website->
- Length: 381.0 cm
- Width: 81.3 cm
- Weight*: 7.75 kg
- Volume: 351 litres
- Other available sizes: 11'6'' x 30.0''
PLUSVery light and compact to pack Backpack = waterproof pack sack
Conclusion on the Indiana Feather:
"Trekking SUP" also for heavyweights. A very light board for SUP tours that don't just take place on the water.
RED Compact 12'0" x 32" in detail
At theRED Compact you get the maximum full equipment for a higher price. With two fins and a split deck pad, it can be folded lengthways before being rolled up. The elaborately designed pannier with the adjustable and very well padded carrying system is only 60 centimetres high. It comes with a four-piece carbon paddle (916 grams) with a small plastic blade and a high-quality leash. The pack is quite heavy on the back even without a pump, making it suitable for long journeys. The board is stiffened by struts in the side pockets, but due to its reduced thickness (4.7 inches), it bounces slightly more than the 6-inch boards. On the other hand, standing on the deck is almost like standing on a hardboard, as there are two wide, stiff laminate strips on the top and bottom, which gave a very direct, firm board feel on the soles of the feet during the test.
A width of 32 inches and the slightly reduced thickness (resulting in a lower standing position) ensure particularly high tipping stability, allowing you to safely explore rougher waters. The workmanship and solid choice of materials are also designed for rough touring use. The two fins (larger than Fanatic's, shorter than single fins) guide very well straight ahead and also open up shallow flowing waters as SUP territory. The board naturally requires a little more paddle pressure than the two lightweights, but provides even more safety in difficult conditions.
RRP: 1749 Euro
- Website->
- Length: 365.0 cm
- Width: 81.3 cm
- Weight*: 10.2 kg
- Volume: 302 litres
- Other sizes: 9'6'' x 32.0'' / 11'0'' x 32.0''
PLUSTop features and compact pack size
Conclusion on the RED Compact:
A robust, well-equipped board that can be stowed and transported very compactly for tough use.
Lite Venture ULTRA Light 12'2" x 30" in detail
The board is six inches thick and the gluing looks very neat. The cut edge on the rails is not always meticulously straight, but the corners are also glued cleanly and without creases. Overall, the board looks classy and well made. A large handle with soft padding is easy to grip and is well balanced.
The fin is simple "standard", but a carbon fin is available as an upgrade as an optional accessory. A spiral leash is included in the scope of delivery.
Two large nets offer plenty of storage space and even more eyelets. All lashing eyes are made of stainless steel and are very solidly attached to the board. The deck pad in the standing area is comparatively small - probably to save weight - and a narrow strip has even been left out between the feet. This makes it possible to save weight without cutting back on the actual board construction.
The (PVC-free) pack sack is not only light and stylish, but also particularly practical as a waterproof bag with a roll-top fastener. This means you don't need a separate bag for your luggage on a SUP tour. The associated pump was not available for testing.
On the water, the board was completely convincing. It lies straight as an arrow on the water from bow to stern, appears light and lively, accelerates quickly and can be propelled quickly with little effort. When the 80-kilo tester "rocks", it doesn't seem any softer than comparable, heavier boards, perhaps slightly softer under the heels. But the board, inflated to 15 psi and with a woven dropstitch inner, doesn't seem any softer, and the flat, straight water position is clearly visible in the photo. Even with very powerful paddling, the board only lifts slightly out of the water and does not bend noticeably in the centre, which speaks for a solid inner life.
In the turn, the board turns "normally" if you stay in the centre, in the pivot turn the rear net (which can also be removed if necessary) is a little in the way, the new rear pad now also offers the desired grip. The wide tail offers good stability in the turn.
Conclusion on the Lite Venture ULTRA Light 12'2'' x 30"
The board impresses as a sporty, fast tourer with good qualities as a training partner for quick fitness sessions. The light weight should also be of particular interest for tours with carrying passages. The combination of the 30-inch wide board's sufficient stability and sporty riding feel is sure to be fun in the long term!
- RRP: 995 Euro
- Website
- Length: 360 cm
- Width: 78 cm
- Weight*: 8.3 kg
- Volume: 320 litres
- Other sizes: none
* SUP magazine measurement
