This photo shows the Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard floating on a lake.

Bass Pro Shops Ascend iSUP Review

- Water-tested -

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The Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Package includes a beginner-friendly paddleboard, a paddle, a high-pressure pump, and a backpack carrying case.

To get us a closer look, Bass Pro Shops sent Man Makes Fire a review unit for in-person testing. After taking the Ascend iSUP to the beach for hot-summer paddling, this is what we learned:

Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Review

The Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Paddleboard Package is an affordable, entry-level paddleboard package that’s great for beginners.

First, let’s start with the board itself.

The Ascend iSUP uses an industry-standard inflatable drop-stitch construction. The result, once you inflate the board with the high-pressure pump, is a very stable platform you can stand on.

This photo shows the author paddling the Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Package on a lake.
The Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is stable yet lightweight and maneuverable.

For standing, sitting, and playing, the Ascend uses a grippy EVA deck pad that is soft, yet grippy on your feet.

So far, so good. The real key to a good beginner board is its overall size and shape. The Ascend iSUP is 10’6″ long x 32″ wide x 5″ thick.

For beginners, we recommend paddleboards in the 10-12′ long range that are also 32-34″ wide. This size tends to offer a great blend of stability with decent tracking.

 

 

At 5″ thick, you have enough volume to handle a maximum weight capacity of 350 lbs. However, if you’re a 250+ pound beginner paddler, we think you would be better off with a thicker, wider board. For example, I weigh in at about 225 lbs, and while the board performs well for me, I would still recommend a thicker, wider board for heavier beginners.

Performance and Tracking

This photo shows the author testing the Ascend iSUP paddleboard on the water.
Beginners will appreciate the stable shape of the Ascend iSUP.

Bass Pro Shops includes a single, removable 9″ SUP fin. The fin is big enough to help keep you going straight, but it’s also narrow enough to make it easy to turn.

Some more expensive competitive boards will include multiple fin sizes, letting you choose smaller fins for turning performance vs larger fins for long-distance tracking. At this price point, a single fin is on-par with the competition — and better than some boards that don’t have removable fins at all.

I felt that tracking was good — and better than I expected. The single large fin does a good job. Still, the Ascend iSUP turns well, too.

Tips for Better Performance

This photo shows the single removable fin on the Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard.
The removable fin is long enough to provide surprisingly good tracking to a 10’6″ iSUP.

It’s usually easier to install iSUP fins before you completely inflate the board — and all-too-easy to forget them in your haste to get on the water. I personally forgot to install the fin during my first test run and I was surprised at how squirreling the iSUP handled . . . and then realized my error. Once I installed the fin, the Acend iSUP settled down.

So, be sure to install the fin first and you won’t have this problem.

Next, make sure you inflate the Ascend iSUP to at least 12 PSI. The Ascend’s recommended pressure is 15 PSI, but I felt that performance was good at 12-13 PSI. At less than 12 PSI, heavy paddlers like myself will experience a bend to the board that will affect performance — but it’s possible that kids or lightweight adults won’t notice.

This photo shows the nose of the Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard.
The nose has a stout grab handle with cargo bungie straps.

Why not pump it up to 15 PSI? You certainly can, but I tend to run most entry-level paddleboards at slightly under recommended pressures to give me a bit of futz room if I or friends and family leave the iSUP on a hot beach to bake in direct sunlight. The increase in temperature can increase the internal PSI and possibly lead to a failure. (If you’re on the board in the water, this isn’t much of a risk.)

 

Package Components

This photo shows the included backpack carry case with the Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Package components inside.
The paddleboard, pump, paddle and repair kit easily fit into the roomy backpack case.

The included three-piece stand-up paddleboarding paddle is on-par with similar iSUP packages. It’s not bad, but it’s also not fantastic. It’ll get the job done. (If you get serious, you can always upgrade to a carbon paddle.)

The included high-pressure pump is also a no-frills entry-level iSUP pump. It works well. Like the paddle, you can always upgrade to an electric iSUP pump like the O’Brien Drop Stitch Electric Pump.

The carry bag is a super-roomy backpack that makes hauling the Ascend Stand-Up Paddleboard Package down to the water relatively easy. What I appreciate most about the backpack is that it’s a bit oversized — you have extra room for additional gear like a lifejacket or two.

All-in-all, the Bass Pro Shops Ascend iSUP Package is a winner for beginners on a budget.

What’s not included? A lifejacket isn’t included, of course, and that’s something you probably want to get in case you don’t have one. Many state boating laws require paddle boarders to have lifejackets on board their iSUPs or to wear them. And some also require you to have a safety whistle.

If you’re going to take your paddleboard out alone, you should also invest in a paddleboard leash in case you fall off. If there’s a bit of wind, even a light breeze can blow your paddleboard away from you and out of your reach before you can swim to it.

 

A Kayak Paddle Recommendation

This photo shows the author sitting on the Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard with a kayak paddle while testing the iSUP on a lake.
Beginners can extend their iSUP fun with a kayak paddle — which is especially nice to have in choppy/wavy water conditions that are hard for beginners to stand on.

If you’re reading this Ascend iSUP review, you’re likely a beginner stand-up paddle boarder. If that’s the case, you might consider also buying an affordable breakdown kayak paddle like the Ascend Trek Kayak Paddle. Why? Inflatable stand-up paddleboards are also a lot of fun when you use them like sit-on-top kayaks. You can cover more distance faster and sitting down is far easier for friends and family who don’t quite have the balance skills to stand immediately. A kayak paddle for iSUPing can bring you additional water play options and more fun for more people.

Competitive Alternatives & Options

There are many inflatable paddleboard options to choose from these days, most of which come in at significantly higher price points . . . which makes the under-$400 Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Package particularly compelling. Still, there are a few options in the $400~ price range that might also work well for you and your family:

O’Brien Kona Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Package — Coming in at about $429, the O’Brien Kona Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Package is an iSUP that looks remarkably like the Ascend version. In fact, it has the same overall specifications, EVA deck, bungies, and D-ring placements. In addition, our Bass Pro Shops-branded Ascend version actually shipped inside of a brown cardboard box with the O’Brien logo on it. What’s this mean? It most likely means that O’Brien is manufacturing the Ascend iSUP for Bass Pro Shops. Is this a problem? Not at all. It’s a common practice among large retailers. What it really means is that Bass Pro Shops gets to use O’Brien’s expertise and supply chain rather than reinventing the wheel. One drawback to the O’Brien Kona compared to the Bass Pro Shops Ascend is the carry bag — The Ascend iSUP comes with a large backpack bag while the Kona iSUP comes in a simple bag.

Body Glove Peformer 11′ 2021 iSUP — Last year’s Body Glove Performer 11′ iSUP is currently on a closeout sale of $399. On sale, it competes on price with the Bass Pro Shops Ascend iSUP. While the Peformer 11′ doesn’t have a removable fin, overall performance and quality is excellent — read our 2021 Performer 11′ review for more detail.

ISLE Pioneer iSUP Package — Like the Body Glover Performer, last year’s ISLE Pioneer iSUP package is on sale. While it’s a bit more costly than the Performer and Ascend iSUPs, the quality is fantastic. Larger or less experienced paddle boarders might also appreciate the increased width of 34″ and 6″ thickness.

iRocker Nautical 10’6″ — The iRocker Nautical 10’6″ iSUP package comes with three removable fins and an ankle leash, in addition to a high-pressure pump, three-piece paddle and backpack carry bag. Size and shape is very similar to the Ascend iSUP, but the Nautical 10’6″ is an inch thicker. One benefit is that the Nautical 10’6″ has bungie storage options at both the nose and tail, as well as more grab handles and D-rings for securing coolers or dry bags if you want to go exploring.

The Bottom Line

The Bass Pro Shops Ascend Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Package offers an excellent price-to-value ratio — and it’s particularly great for beginners on a budget or families who need to buy two iSUPs. We like the large fin for straight tracking — and we appreciate that it’s removable for better packability. The extra-large backpack carry case is also a great benefit. All-in-all, the Bass Pro Shops Ascend iSUP Package is a winner for beginners on a budget. Highly recommended.

Get the Gear:

Ascend iSUP Package
Benefits
Size and shape offers solid tracking and maneuverability
Price-to-value ratio is hard to beat
Roomy backpack carry case
Drawbacks
Could be wider and thicker for paddlers weighing more than 250 lbs
4.6

Shop lifejackets at Bass Pro Shops and get FREE Shipping on orders over $50!

 

This image shows a YETI Roadie 48 wheeled cooler on a beach with a lake in the background.


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