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, in principle, open to inflatables. 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 compact 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 set out the key pros and cons. Further down, you’ll find a growing number of detailed reviews of inflatable wingboards currently available 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 decisive factor: the packed 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 have a pack size of just under one metre, regardless of their volume. The reason this cannot be any smaller is that a rigid board is required to attach 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 far 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 being 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 onto 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 argument in favour of inflatables, however: “When it comes to travelling, inflatables naturally offer significant advantages. You can usually fit the foil, plus two wings, into the board’s bag as well. The packed size remains at around one metre, which you can actually check in with virtually any airline, even if they don’t officially carry surf luggage. It’s a different story with a hardboard. Even if, for example, you’re travelling in a campervan and perhaps carrying other water sports equipment as well, a bag like that fits into the vehicle much more easily than a hardboard.”
The construction method limits shape and performance
Solid wingboards (“hardboards”) offer shapers virtually limitless possibilities. The EPS core inside can be moulded into almost any shape; layers of fibreglass, wood and/or carbon are then applied, and the whole thing is “cured” 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 their shapes, as the construction method severely restricts the design options. This brings with it certain disadvantages, as you can see in the following photo gallery.
In inflatables, the top and bottom layers are held together by internal threads (“drop-stitch”). For this reason, inflatable wingboards all have rounded edges, a flat deck and a simple underwater hull without any concavity. As a result, inflatables generally do not quite match the performance of hardboards:
Stability against tipping
Due to their rounded edges, inflatables are slightly more prone to tipping than hardboards of the same volume, particularly around the longitudinal axis.
Approach/Take-off
During the take-off phase, rounded edges create greater drag. Our testing experience shows that the shorter and wider the board, the greater the disadvantages of inflatables when taking off, as the wide bow then 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’ll need around 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; after all, the flight characteristics are primarily determined by the foil used, 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 slightly more surface area for the wind to catch, which can result in a slightly more unsettled flight behaviour.
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 damaging the seams or even causing the board to burst.
Inflatable wingboards – an overview of the pros and cons
Pro
- Smaller pack size
- In some cases, slightly lighter
- Lower risk of injury in the event of a fall
- Less prone to damage in the event of a fall
- Often considerably cheaper
Cons
- More unstable for the same volume
- Generally slightly poorer gliding performance
- Greater resistance during touchdowns
- Some models have simpler fittings (carrying handle, loop plugs)
Inflatable wingboards – finding the right size
As already mentioned, the edges of inflatables are rounded by design. As a result, 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!
That said, an inflatable board may well have 20 litres – or, for beginners, up to 30 litres – more volume than would be required for a hardboard 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 packed size of hardboards, you should opt for one. However, if you need 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, which ultimately affect performance. For example, some inflatables have neither a carrying handle nor footstrap plugs, which can severely limit comfort and the range of use. Other inflatable wingboards come with a full-length handle on both 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 their 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