The iRocker Cruiser Ultra iSUP is a stable, lightweight inflatable standup paddle board that packs into a relatively small backpack. The Cruiser Ultra is an all-around iSUP aimed at beginner standup paddle boarders.
To get us a closer look, iRocker sent Man Makes Fire a review unit. After getting the board out on the water on a brilliant autumn day for some testing and evaluation, this is what we learned:
iRocker Cruiser Ultra iSUP: Lightweight & Packable
The iRocker Cruiser Ultra is a stable, beginner friendly iSUP. It is also lighter and more packable than most of its competition.Like most iSUPs available these days, the iRocker Cruiser Ultra comes in a package that includes a paddle, leash, backpack carrying case, and a pump. What sets the Cruiser Ultra apart from most other stable, beginner-focused paddle boards is its weight: The iRocker Cruiser Ultra weighs just 21 pounds. The total weight of the package, including the well-made backpack, is a bit over 33 pounds.
Better yet, iRocker designed the Cruiser Ultra to pack down into a smaller package than most entry-level paddle boards. Why is this important? Two key reasons: First, a lighter, more packable iSUP is easier to carry on your back on the way to the beach or launch point. Second, the iRocker Cruiser is easier to pack in your vehicle — and it takes up less space to store at home. If you’re looking to buy more than one iSUP and packability and storage is important, the iRocker Cruiser Ultra is very compact compared to most all-around iSUP packages.
Key Cruiser Ultra Specifications
Length: 10’6″
Width: 33″
Thickness: 6″
Weight: 21 pounds
Volume: 322.5 liters
Lightweight Stiffness
High-quality inflatable standup paddleboard manufacturers have been able to increase stiffness and drop weight by changing how the internal drop-stitches are constructed or aligned.
In the Cruiser Ultra, iRocker uses a drop-stitch construction where internal threads are attached together in an X-shape. iRocker says this improves board rigidity and stiffness while also cutting down on the material needed.
On the water, I was surprised by the Cruiser Ultra’s stiffness. I initially test every iSUP I review at an under-inflated 12 PSI to get a read on how it might perform if a beginner doesn’t inflate it properly. The iRocker Cruiser Ultra was surprisingly good at just 12 PSI. At 15 PSI, which is a commonly recommended pressure for many iSUPs, it was even better.
The Packable Design
The iRocker Cruiser Ultra iSUP — and accessories — fits into a smaller backpack than most iSUPs.To pack up most iSUPs, you simply fold and roll them from nose to tail. This means the width of the folded/rolled board is at least as wide as the board when inflated. That typically requires a very long backpack carrying case, which can be awkward to haul around.
The iRocker Cruiser Ultra, on the other hand, packs down much smaller. To achieve this, you first fold the Cruiser Ultra lengthwise then roll it up.
Folding an iSUP lengthwise requires a few design changes. First, iRocker splits the deck pad in two with a gap down the middle. The carry handle is also offset. Meanwhile, the inflation/deflation valve gets moved to the side. Last of all, you can’t use a center fin if you’re folding your iSUP lengthwise down the center, so iRocker switched the Cruiser Ultra to a dual-fin design.
In order to fold the Cruiser Ultra lengthwise, iRocker created a center gap in the foam deck pad and moved the center carry handle to one side.Then there is the paddle. The included paddle has four sections, which makes the paddle more packable than typical three-section SUP paddles.
The result is a package that fits into a smaller backpack that’s easier to haul.
Handling: Stable Yet Fun
At 33″ wide and 6″ thick, the iRocker Cruiser Ultra has plenty of volume for heavier paddlers.But how does the iRocker Cruiser Ultra handle? Does it sacrifice good handling or stability in favor of a lighter weight?
The iRocker Cruiser Ultra handles very well for a beginner-oriented, entry-level iSUP. At 33″ wide, the Cruiser Ultra errors toward stability over speed. That width is also carried far down toward the tail, which eventually tapers to 20.25″ which is relatively wide. That tail width also helps with stability.
At the same time, the Cruiser Ultra holds a large volume of air: The 10’6″ length with 6″ of thickness give it 322.5 liters of volume. If you’re a larger paddler like me, you’ll appreciate higher-volume boards.
Similarly, if you have kids, you’ll appreciate the extra float for passengers — or a dog.
Outstanding Tracking
The twin-fin design delivers very good tracking — and makes the Cruiser Ultra more packable.While the Cruiser Ultra is similarly stable compared to other wide iSUPs with similar lengths and volume, the iRocker Cruiser Ultra excels at tracking.
The two large fins are surprisingly good on the water. I could paddle on one side of the Cruiser Ultra for several strokes without needed to switch sides for course correction. Obviously there are a lot of variables here based on your position on the board and paddle stroke, but wow, I was impressed. I think beginners will especially appreciate how easily the iRocker Cruiser Ultra tracks.
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Is the iRocker Cruiser Ultra slow?
This question comes up surprisingly often, but I believe it only comes up due to how iRocker helps distinguish its many different iSUP models online. In general, narrower iSUP boards are slower than wider iSUPs. However, slow is a relative term. Most beginners will appreciate wider, more stable paddle boards — and they’ll learn faster on them, too, transforming themselves into faster, more confident paddlers.
If you really want to cruise shorelines for miles rather than play with family and friends near a spot on the beach, a slightly narrower paddle board like the iRocker All Around 11′ Ultra might be in order. Still, I recommend that beginners start with a wider, stable board . . . then when you feel confident and know exactly what kind of board you want most, you can upgrade. You can then always use the beginner iSUP to introduce friends and family to paddleboarding, too — and that’s a far better win than struggling to learn on a skinny board.
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Electric Pump Included
The included electric pump and battery packs into its own case that easily fits into the backpack.One major benefit to the iRocker Cruiser Ultra is in the inclusion of a portable electric pump with a portable rechargeable battery. This means you can pump up your iSUP at your vehicle in the parking lot . . . or better yet, use the portable rechargeable battery pack and pump it up somewhere far down the shoreline or beach.
In our initial testing, the included pump with the battery pack inflated the Cruiser Ultra in 11 minutes. The efficiency of batteries and electric pumps is affected by temperature and runtime, but you can likely inflate two boards with the included pump and portable battery. After that, you’ll likely need to let the pump cool down even if you have juice in the battery for more boards.
While electronic pumps are awesome, I always take along a spare manual pump just in case something breaks or goes wrong — and I recommend that you grab one, too, even if you just leave it in your vehicle for emergencies.
Overall Quality
The included backpack is well-made with internal slots for the 5-piece paddle and room for the electric pump.The overall build quality of the iRocker Cruiser Ultra iSUP and included components is very good. Fit and finish is also very good — seams are relatively smooth and straight, deck pads are symmetrical and perfectly placed.
The 5-piece paddle is stiffer than some 3-piece paddles we’ve tested this year. The included leash is comfortable.
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Competitive Alternatives & Options
Most iSUP manufacturers these days offer a variety of iSUP models and options. If you’re looking for a quality beginner-friendly iSUP, however, we recommend that you look for iSUPs that are at least 33″ wide and 10-11′ long with 5-6″ of thickness. This general size of iSUP will usually be stable and contain enough volume of air to handle heavier paddlers or parents with a small child or dog. Here are some additional competitive beginner iSUP options you might want to consider:
iRocker Nautical 10’6″ iSUP — The iRocker Nautical 10’6′ iSUP is iRocker’s most popular iSUP. The Nautical is a bit narrower than the Cruiser Ultra, but it’s still a relatively wide board throughout, giving it good stability for beginners. While it is 6″ thick, it has less volume than the Cruiser Ultra, so it’s not as good for family play or larger paddlers with canine companions. It’s also not as packable. One benefit of the Nautical over the Cruiser Ultra is its larger foam deck pad. Our recommendation comes down to this: If the Cruiser Ultra is on sale at a price point similar to the Nautical, nab the Cruiser Ultra. If the price point is quite a bit higher, the Nautical might be the better buy for beginners on a budget.
ISLE Pioneer 2.0 iSUP — The ISLE Pioneer 2.0 iSUP shares a similar beginner-friendly shape as the Cruiser Ultra. Like the Cruiser Ultra, the Pioneer 2.0 is 10’6″ long and 6″ thick. At 34″ wide, it is slightly wider, giving it excellent stability. Fit and finish are excellent. (For more detail, check out our full Pioneer 2.0 review.) If storage and packability are critical to you, the Cruiser Ultra has the edge here.
Bass Pro Shops Ascend iSUP Package — The Bass Pro Shops Ascend iSUP Package is a low-cost entry-level package aimed at beginners. It doesn’t have the same level of overall quality compared to the Cruiser Ultra, but it still offers a good price-to-value ratio for beginners. The biggest drawback compared to the Cruiser Ultra is that it is 32″ and only 5″ thick, which means it’s not as good for heavier paddlers — read our full Ascend iSUP review for details. (Note: When the Cruiser Ultra is on sale, it’s the better buy in this comparison.)
NRS Thrive Stand-Up Paddleboard — The NRS Thrive iSUP series isn’t a lightweight iSUP, but it is extremely durable and comes in four size options. It has a versatile all-around shape that’s very stable. The biggest benefit is the rugged build quality and the built in pressure-relief valve. This extra one-way valve stops you from over-inflating and releases pressure if you leave your board sitting out in the sun on hot sand, which can increase the internal air pressure, leading to broken drop stitches or blown seams. The only drawback is the higher price point.
The Bottom Line
All-in-all, the iRocker Cruiser Ultra takes a stable, versatile, beginner friendly shape and improves it by making it lighter and more packable. If you have little room in your vehicle and not enough storage space available at home, saving a bit of space might be important. If it is, the iRocker Cruiser Ultra delivers — and you won’t have to sacrifice performance to get it. Very highly recommended.
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