Inflatable boards (Inflatables) are still all the rage – this applies to SUPs as well as wingboards. According to a survey conducted by our magazine, over 80 per cent of all wingfoilers are open to the idea of inflatables in principle. 35 per cent even state that they own an inflatable wingboard and, if necessary, are willing to accept some compromises in performance in exchange for a small pack size.
However, anyone looking to buy their first wingboard is initially faced with the question: rigid or inflatable – which makes more sense? Below, we’d like to offer you some guidance and weigh up the key pros and cons. Further down, you’ll find a growing number of detailed reviews of inflatable wingboards currently on the market.
Inflatable wingboards – basic information & buying guide
The advantages and disadvantages of inflatable wingboards stem from their design, which differs fundamentally from that of rigid boards.
The key selling point: the pack size
The main argument in favour of inflatables is, of course, their smaller pack size. Standard hardboards are between 1.30 and 1.90 metres long, depending on their volume. Inflatables, on the other hand, usually pack down to just under a metre, regardless of their volume. The reason this cannot be any smaller is that a rigid board is required to mount the foil – and this, of course, cannot be folded. The bottom line is that with larger wingboards, the advantage in terms of pack size is more significant than with smaller models. For example: a typical 140-litre hardboard is just under 190 centimetres long, making it almost 90 centimetres longer than inflatable wingboards when transported. With a 90-litre hardboard measuring 150 centimetres in length, the advantage in terms of pack size shrinks to just 50 centimetres. It’s also worth bearing in mind that, at the end of the day, it can take just as long to mount a hardboard on the roof rack before setting off as it does to inflate an inflatable wingboard at the spot.
Florian Brunner, head of water sports sales at APM (Starboard, FreeWing), sees another advantage to inflatables, however: “When it comes to travelling, inflatables naturally offer significant benefits. You can usually fit the foil and two wings into the board’s bag as well. The packed size remains around one metre, which you can actually check in with almost any airline, even if they don’t officially carry surf luggage. It’s a different story with a hardboard. Even if you’re travelling in a campervan, for example, and perhaps carrying other water sports gear, a bag like this fits into the vehicle much more easily than a hardboard.”
The construction limits shape and performance
With rigid wingboards (“hardboards”), shapers have virtually limitless possibilities. The EPS core inside can be shaped into almost any form; layers of fibreglass, wood and/or carbon are then applied, and the whole thing is “baked” in a mould. Whether it’s voluminous tails, concave deck areas or bevelled edges – virtually anything the designers deem appropriate can be achieved with hardboards.
Inflatable wingboards are significantly more limited in terms of shape, as the construction method severely restricts the design options. This comes with certain drawbacks, as you can see in the following photo gallery.
In inflatable boards, the top and bottom are held together by internal threads (“drop-stitch”). For this reason, inflatable wingboards all have rounded edges, a flat deck and a simple hull without any concave. As a result, inflatables generally do not quite match the performance of hardboards:
Stability
Due to their rounded edges, inflatables are slightly more prone to tipping over than hardboards of the same volume, particularly around the longitudinal axis.
Approach/Take-off
During the launch phase, rounded edges create greater drag. Our testing has shown that the shorter and wider the board, the greater the disadvantages of inflatables when launching, as the wide bow pushes a lot of water in front of it. With slim, elongated mid-length boards, however, the disadvantages are quite minor; depending on your skill level and pumping technique, you need about one to three knots more wind to get going than with a hardboard.
Flight behaviour & touch-downs
Even when landing unintentionally on the water’s surface, inflatable wingboards are not quite as forgiving as hardboards with bevelled edges; this can sometimes result in slightly increased drag during touch-downs. Once in the air, however, the inflatable models feel just as rigid as a hardboard; the flight characteristics are then primarily determined by the foil used anyway, and the foils are fixed absolutely rigidly to the carbon plate. It is only in strong gusts that the comparatively thick bow of an inflatable offers a slightly larger surface area for the wind to catch, which can result in a more unstable flight.
Shelf life
First things first – a hole in a hardboard can usually be repaired quite easily, whereas a hole in an inflatable isn’t always so straightforward. However, hardboards are significantly more vulnerable to impacts or a boom hitting the deck than inflatables, which usually withstand such impacts unscathed. From this perspective, inflatable boards are therefore much more resilient. Caution is only required in hot weather and strong sunlight – under no circumstances should you store a fully inflated inflatable in a warm car or leave it lying in the blazing sun on the beach – doing so risks damaged seams or even the board bursting.
Inflatable wingboards – an overview of the pros and cons
For
- Compact pack size
- In some cases, slightly lighter
- Reduced risk of injury in the event of a fall
- Less prone to damage in the event of a fall
- Often significantly cheaper
Cons
- More unstable for the same volume
- Generally slightly poorer gliding performance
- Greater resistance on touchdowns
- Some models feature simpler fittings (carrying handle, loop plugs)
Inflatable wingboards – finding the right size
As already mentioned, the edges of inflatables are rounded by design. This means that an inflatable board is almost always significantly more prone to tipping over than a solid board of the same volume. When it comes to buying one, this means:
If you're switching from a hardboard to an inflatable, you should choose a size with about 20 litres more volume!
In fact, an inflatable board can have up to 20 litres – or, for beginners, up to 30 litres – more volume than a hardboard would need to achieve comparable stability.
Hardboard or inflatable wingboard – the verdict
In terms of performance, hardboards are the slightly better choice – so if you can live with the larger pack size of hardboards, you should opt for one. However, if you want something small and compact for storage and transport, you shouldn’t shy away from an inflatable wingboard, as many models offer solid performance. Just make sure you choose an inflatable wingboard that’s a bit larger to compensate for the lack of stability.
Inflatable Wingboards put to the test
We also regularly test inflatable designs, paying close attention to their features. This is precisely where there are significant differences that ultimately affect performance. For example, some inflatables have neither a carrying handle nor footstrap plugs, which can severely limit comfort and versatility. Other inflatable wingboards come with a full-length handle on the top and bottom, integrated plugs for the straps and a rubber edge at the tail, which can reduce drag when gliding. This means that the range of use and riding enjoyment can be almost on a par with that of hardboards.
You can read all about it in the review; the boards are Listed in alphabetical order; the list is regularly updated.
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
