The O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float is an inflatable swim dock platform. It features a relatively rigid drop-stitch construction, but its biggest feature is its bright USA flag design.
To get us a closer look, O’Brien sent Man Makes Fire a prototype review unit late last summer before the new flag edition was on the market. Man Makes Fire outdoor gear reviewer Chris Maxcer tested the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float over a long weekend camping trip on an Idaho lake. This is what he learned before we had to return the review unit to O’Brien:
Review: O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float (Dock!)
The O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float evokes a playful vibe!O’Brien is a water sports company that’s most known for its waterskiing and wakeboarding gear and heritage. When it comes to waterskiing and related boating sports, “docks” are immovable platforms attached to shore. Consequently, O’Brien seems reluctant to give its floating swim dock platforms official names that include the word ‘dock’ in them . . . even though many competitive inflatable swim dock manufacturers are using the term for their products.
So, in the interest of accuracy, the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float is a party float . . . but we’ll call it a dock here, too. Anyone looking for and reading this review is likely interested in floating swim docks.
Moving on, the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition dock is surprisingly awesome. At first glance, the USA flag design might seem a bit much if you’re only mildly patriotic, but in person, I have to say, it evokes a great vibe on the water. The imaging is crisp, bright and vibrant. I’m a big fan.
In fact, the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float is so good, it’s in our guide to the 15 Best Inflatable Swim Docks & Floating Mats for 2024.
Design & Size Considerations
At 10′ x 6′ x 4″, the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float delivers a great play surface — but remains easily packable.When I first started testing the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float, I was concerned about the size. I liked that it was 10′ long and the 6′ width was ok . . . but the 4″ thickness had me concerned about buoyancy. Would it hold up to multiple teenagers? Would it be large enough for multiple teenagers?
Would it offer enough above-water float for adults who just want to chill on a lake?
Fortunately, the internal drop-stitch construction — which is the same construction used to make inflatable stand-up paddle boards so rigid — results in a surprisingly stable design in this form factor as well.
I’ve tested inflatable docks that are 6″ thick, and while thicker docks do offer higher float, the 4″ O’Brien Runway was pretty darn good.
Durability
The O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float is built tough. O’Brien doesn’t report the material used, but it’s likely a heavy-duty PVC. It’s durable against typical beach rocks, sand and sticks. It’s obviously not totally impervious to sharp objects, but I would trust it to hold up easily under typical family use on lakes over multiple seasons.
Weight and Packability
One benefit of 4″ thick inflatable swim docks is that they tend to be lighter and easier to pack than thicker docks. The O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float is relatively lightweight. O’Brien doesn’t report the weight of its floating swim docks, but our review unit weighed about 39 pounds.
This is relatively light and packable.
The Flag Edition also comes with a dual-action high-pressure pump and a storage bag; however, our prototype review unit didn’t have those accessories to test.
On-the-Water Stability
Teenager approved!The biggest benefit to drop-stitch inflatable docks is their rigidity on the water. Floating foam mats and standard inflatables are floppy. The O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float is so stable that I can easily stand on it. As for kids and teenagers, odds are there will be a lot of standing, jumping, sliding, rolling and laughing.
Meanwhile, for sunning and lounging around, this O’Brien dock is fantastic.
No Foam Deck?
With a little ingenuity, a cup of hot coffee on a cool morning takes on a moment of serene awesomeness. Such is the power of inflatable swim docks!Some of the best floating docks include foam decks and lots of cooler tie-down rings. If you plan to sit on your dock on an inflatable chair or folding kayak chair, along with a cooler full of cold drinks, the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float isn’t your best option — but it is doable.
If you expect a lot of water play, the lack of a foam deck makes it easier for kids to slide around on the dock and play. So, for kid play, the O’Brien Runway design is a winner.
Overall, O’Brien keeps the design simple, which I appreciate. It also cuts down on weight, makes the dock more packable, and it dries out much faster than docks that have foam decks.
Competitive Options & Alternatives
There are several high-quality competitive inflatable docks in multiple sizes and shapes (and quite a few cheap ones to avoid). If the playful American Flag depiction isn’t enough to trigger a buy, you might also be interested in checking out our guide to the best inflatable swim docks and mats for more detail — or check out this shortlist here:
O’Brien Runway Inflatable Floats — O’Brien makes two additional larger versions of its Runway swim dock series. For a bit more space, you get a 12′ x 6′ x 4″ platform to play on, as well as a longer 18′ x 6′ x 4″ option.
Mission Reef Mat Lite — This lightweight inflatable dock shares the same dimensions as the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float and has a similar no-frills design. The key difference is the muted color option vs the bright American Flag design.
L.L.Bean Inflatable Swim Dock — The L.L.Bean Inflatable Swim Dock is a bit smaller in length and width, but at 6″ thick, it delivers a higher float. Better yet, it weighs just 28 lbs 9 oz and rolls down to a super packable 23″ x 14″. If you don’t have a lot of vehicle or storage space, this is a great option.
The Bottom Line
All-in-all, the O’Brien Runway Flag Edition Inflatable Float is a simple and playful floating dock. The USA flag graphic is bright and looks fantastic in person. Overall quality is excellent, and the price-to-value ratio is outstanding. Very highly recommended.
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Our Gear Review and Tester’s Specific Related Experience:
Chris Maxcer has tested and reviewed dozens of inflatables for lakes and rivers, including iSUPs, kayaks, rafts, and swim dock/party platforms. In addition to his own real-world testing involving materials and design quality, swim docks are great for multi-person evaluations — and there’s nothing better than turning a swim dock loose with a pack of wild teenagers to see what they do and how the docks hold up under duress. Of course, Maxcer has also written hundreds of in-depth outdoor gear reviews, including independent, first-hand reviews of fly fishing gear, camping gear, hunting gear, backpacking gear, and beach and water play gear. He believes the best way to understand a product is to use it in the real world for the kind of activity it was designed for.
Man Makes Fire publishes independent gear reviews, unencumbered by any requirements from any gear brand or manufacturer.
