Test 2020: Compact & Classic Touringboards 11'0" to 12'6"

Photo: Stephan Gölnitz

Significantly more manoeuvrable than the 14-foot long-distance boards, touring shapes between 11' and 12'6" offer the best compromise between straight-line stability, cruising speed and manoeuvrability - compact enough for a lot of fun in tight spaces and simply great for the middle distance.

The compact class

... with lengths between 11'0" and 11'8" offer good touring qualities and sometimes breathtaking packing dimensions and weights. These boards are also easy to turn.

Photo: Laura DuschekRed Paddle Compact Set 11'0" x 32,0''

A windsurfer

... as a touring SUP? If you can forget the windsurfing logo, the board paddles as fast as some comparable inflatables.

Photo: Stephan GölnitzI-99 Windsurfer LT Race

Starboard Touring

We also went through thick and thin when testing our boards. Here we compare the 12'6" Touring Starboards in 6 inch versus 4.75 inch thickness.

The board with a thicker construction is probably the better tourer. In case of doubt, the luggage lies higher and stays dry for longer - and the board can easily cope with a few kilos more or less load. Lightweight people often appreciate the more direct "surf feeling" of the thinner boards (left) - you are closer, more direct to the water. And they are usually easier to carry as well.

Photo: Stephan GölnitzThe board with a thicker construction is probably the better tourer. In case of doubt, the luggage lies higher and stays dry for longer - and the board can easily cope with a few kilos more or less load. Lightweight people often appreciate the more direct "surf feeling" of the thinner boards (left) - you are closer, more direct to the water. And they are usually easier to carry as well.

Fanatic Hardboard / Softboard

Hard shell, soft core. This also applies to the Fanatic hardboard, as it can also score points against the inflatable when it comes to "soft skills" such as straight-line stability or ease of paddling.

Photo: Stephan GölnitzThe decision for or against a hardboard is often easy in view of the storage options (old cellar or double garage).

North Touring

The Norden Touring 12'6" is available alongside the "Soft Top" in the length 11'0" (test in the SUP Magazine 1/2019 ) is the better alternative for paddlers between 75 and 85 kilos.

Photo: Stephan GölnitzThe Norden brand does not build large-volume SUP canoes, but rather surf-like, more delicate shapes.

One sprinter, two tourers and the colourful bird

TheIndiana Touring 12'6" is a model of a touring board. With theGTS Touring 12'6" the GTS brand provides the very dynamic sport tourer with an extremely stable, rigid and particularly stable board. TheSiren Pike 12'6" is now an old acquaintance in the test and a counterpart to the GTS. With theMakaio Touring 12'6" another comfortable, moderately sporty tourer joins the test field, for which the flat water sprint is less suitable than the long distance across the lake or along the coast.