ISLE’s new Pro series line of inflatable stand-up paddleboards have gained a massive leap in rigidity. ISLE says its new iSUPs, which the company is calling Inflatable Hardboards, are now 200-300% more rigid than typical inflatables.
The new Pro series includes five models of ISLE’s best-selling Pioneer and Explorer models:
- Pioneer Pro — 3 models, 9’ 6”, 10’ 6”, 11’ 6”
- Explorer Pro — 2 models, 12’, 14’
Hardboard Performance?
The Pro series uses ISLE’s patent-pending InfinityFiber to produce much stiffer inflatable paddle boards.The goal of the new Pro series is to chase the performance you get from rigid hardboards . . . but still maintain the ease of portability and storage you get in inflatable iSUPs. Typical iSUPs tend to bend in the middle when you stand on them. This flex robs you of paddling efficiency and stability. Even if you’re not out exploring miles of shoreline over long days on your iSUP, too much flex is harder to handle on choppy water days, particularly for beginners.
To gain such a big boost in rigidity, ISLE’s Pro boards use InfinityFiber, which is a patented ISLE-exclusive fiber reinforced thermoplastic that becomes super rigid when it’s under tension.
We achieved a dramatic increase in rigidity that gives you improved glide, letting you go faster on the water with less effort.
When ISLE was prototyping its new boards with InfinityFiber, the real ah-ha moment came, says Jimmy Blakeney, ISLE vice president of Product, when ISLE applied InfinityFiber to the rail. “That’s when we achieved a dramatic increase in rigidity that gives you improved glide, letting you go faster on the water with less effort,” he explains.
ISLE adds its Infinity Fiber to the center and sides of its Pro iSUPs to reduce flex.Along with InfinityFiber, the new Pro boards also use ISLE’s PowerFuse tech, which is a mechanically fused rail structure for the sides of ISLE’s iSUPs. This increases the overall durability and lifespan of the Pro boards, so much so that ISLE has doubled its 2-year warranty to a 4-year warranty in its new Pro models.
New Deflection Metric on the Way?
Increased rigidity gives you more stability and better paddling efficiency.Meanwhile, there isn’t a current standard for measuring deflection that iSUP manufacturers can use to report their iSUP rigidity to discerning customers. ISLE has been working with a third-party lab to create a standard deflection test and rating system to generate an easy-to-understand rigidity ‘R-Factor’ metric. While a true industry standard is still a ways out in the future, ISLE’s deflection measurements — think ‘the bend in the center of the board when under a load’ — show the rigidity increases in the Pro models.
For instance, in testing maximum deflection at 15 psi with a 100kg load over a span of 2 meters, the new 10’6″ Pioneer Pro had a deflection measurement of 2.6cm.
How does this compare to the non-Pro Pioneer 2.o of the same size? The non-Pro ISLE 10’6″ Pioneer 2.0 has a deflection measurement of 4.1cm. ISLE says typical industry inflatables have a baseline deflection of 5.8 cm.
The new 12′ Explorer Pro is even better: Its deflection measurement is just 2.2cm, making it about 263% more rigid than what ISLE considers to be the baseline flex for typical inflatables.
Made for Enthusiasts, Great for Beginners
The do-it-all Pioneer Pro (left) and the fast new Explorer Pro (right).Even though the Pro iSUPs are aimed at more discerning, experienced paddlers, beginners can benefit from the increased stability and paddling efficiency. Larger, heavier paddlers in particular should feel the biggest improvements. What does this mean? If you’re a heavier guy who has struggled with smaller, bendier iSUPs, you could likely get a great boost by going with the new 11’6″ Pioneer Pro. It’s 36″ wide and boasts a 450-pound weight capacity — and it’s pretty darn stiff.
The versatile Pioneer shape is also great if you want to use it as a fishing kayak or even double-up with a partner. We’ve previously tested and reviewed the excellent Pioneer 2.0, as well as the awesome ISLE Megalodon, and we expect overall quality to be fantastic in these new Pro models as well.
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Accessory Options
ISLE’s accessories let you transform your iSUP into a sit-on-top kayak.It’s important to note that ISLE does not include iSUP pumps or paddles with its new Pro series boards. Obviously, many iSUP enthusiasts will already have pumps and paddles, so this isn’t surprising with a pro-grade iSUP — but for beginners looking to start out with an awesome board, it does require more attention and planning during the buying process.
ISLE’s new iSUPs are also designed to function as sit-on-top kayaks. ISLE’s inflatable Cloud Kayak Seat and footrest let you paddle like a kayak in a comfortable and efficient body position. To let you add accessories and seats easily, ISLE has a cargo and accessory management system that places connections along the perimeter of the deck.
The ISLE-LINK cargo and accessory connection system is super versatile.One benefit of the system is that you get much better bungies. Instead of round bungie’s built onto the deck, ISLE offers adjustable — and removable — flat bungies for strapping down gear or coolers. It’s nice to be able to remove cargo bungies when you want a flat, clear deck. For example, for iSUP yoga, play, or just lounging around.
All that said, if you think you might want to use an ISLE Pro iSUP as a kayak, take a look at the Hybrid 4-Piece SUP-Kayak Paddle. You can configure it as a kayak paddle with two blades or as a traditional single-blade iSUP paddle. It’s particularly useful if you have beginners around who just want to sit or kneel on your iSUP.
