Tower Paddle Boards is the undisputed king of paddle board sales.  With their wide selection of paddle boards to their massive online and media presence, there is no doubt that that they are the first company you find when you are introduced to the sport.  One of their inflatable paddle boards has over 450 reviews on Amazon, far surpassing the next closest competitor.

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So, how did Tower Paddle Boards come to rule the space?  Where are Tower Paddle Boards made?  And are Tower paddle boards any good?  There is no shortage of questions to ask when you are planning to plop down many hundreds of dollars on a paddle board.  Have no fear, in this article I hope to answer any and all questions about Tower inflatable paddle boards so that you will know exactly what to expect.

About Tower Paddle Boards

Tower Paddle Boards was an idea dreamt up in the summer of 2010 by a marketer named Stephan Aarstol who saw the growing popularity of paddle boards, as well as their high prices.  Stephan figured that he could cut down on the sale price of paddle boards, without sacrificing quality, by streamlining the distribution process.  They don’t sell in big box stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods or REI.  They were able to achieve quick success by pricing their product to almost half the price of other boards of the same quality.

Tower got a big boost of publicity (and cash) when it appeared on the popular show Shark Tank in 2012.  Billionaire Mark Cuban ended up investing $150,000 dollars into Tower Paddle Boards and continues to help run the company today.  That infusion of cold hard cash, as well as massive public exposure on ABC’s hit show, helped rocket Tower Paddle Boards to massive success and massive market share.  Tower is now one of the most successful companies that has ever appeared on Shark Tank.

Where are Tower Paddle Boards Made?

China, basically.  A lot of the drop stitch fabric for the Tower inflatable paddle boards are manufactured in South Korea or Taiwan, but all of Towers’ paddle boards are assembled in china as well as nearly all inflatable SUPs on the market.

If you are dead set on getting a handcrafted American paddle board then you will want to look somewhere else, and inflatable SUPs are definitely not for you.

But let’s keep an open mind here.  Tower is a good company that stands behind their boards and their prices are right where we want them.

About Tower Inflatable Paddle Boards

Solid paddle boards are very fun and versatile but they don’t come without downsides.  The hardness of a fiberglass paddle board can hurt under your feet after a few hours of supping.  Fiberglass boards are also really big and can be a pain to store and to transport from place to place, especially if you are just a casual weekender or only paddle board a few times every summer.  Fiberglass can also be fragile, nicks and dings can cause serious damage to a board, causing it to get waterlogged and rot.  Not to mention that hard boards are…well…hard.  Falling off your board and hitting your elbow on the way down can seriously hurt, and ruin an otherwise peaceful and relaxing sport.

Fortunately there is a solution to all of these problems and it’s called the inflatable paddle board or iSUP.

Tower inflatable paddle boards are lightweight, durable, portable and when compared to hardboards, a relatively cheap paddle board option.

The skin of the Tower inflatable paddle boards are multiple layers thick and are made of an extremely durable military grade PVC fabric called Hypalon.  They’re basically made of the same material that white water rafts are made from.  This durability means that you can deal these boards some serious abuse, including running over them with a truck or throwing them off a building.  Tower inflatable paddle boards are up to nearly any abuse that a couple of 14 year old boys can throw at them.  The sun can wash out the colors over time and you should store your inflatable sup in a dry area out of direct sunlight.  It’s not something you need to obsess over though.  Leaving the board on the beach for the day is fine.

After you have fully inflated your board it shouldn’t lose much air.  The most common cause of air loss is not tightening the valve enough.  If your board is losing air, try and tighten your valve a bit more and that should take care of it.  If that doesn’t fix the problem, Tower Paddle Boards has excellent customer service that you should reach out to and a very generous 2 year warranty.

Another advantage is that Tower inflatable SUPs are soft.  Your feet and knees will thank you for for choosing an iSUP over a hard board.  Inflatable paddle boards are also great for yoga because their soft surface is easier on your elbows, head, knees, and just about any body part that contacts the board.

Don’t think that this softness means that your board is going to fold in half when you try and stand on it though.  Tower inflatable SUPs are extremely rigid because of their drop stitch construction and their minimum 6 inch thickness.  Having drop stitch fabric means that strong nylon thread runs from the bottom of the board to the top so that the board holds it’s shape.  These boards are so stiff that they can be rated to carry up to 800 pounds!

Finally, you can take your horse paddle boarding!

The best reason to buy a Tower inflatable sup is convenience.  Where a hard board is big and awkward to carry, an iSUP can be tucked under your arm or thrown in a bag.  Where hard boards need to be strapped to the roof or your car, an inflatable board can be hidden away in the trunk.  And where an 11 foot long hard board takes up so much room in your living space that it should be paying rent, a Tower inflatable paddle board can be tucked under a bed or put in a closet.

The inflatable paddle board has really left no excuse for the casual user not to get into the sport.
Now that we have some context, it’s time to look at the different models of Tower inflatable paddle boards and which board is best for whom.

The Tower Paddle Boards Adventurer Inflatable 9’10” SUP Package

The Tower Adventurer SUP is Tower’s entry level inflatable paddle board.  At 9 feet 10 inches long it’s a bit shorter than the 10+ foot standard paddle board length.  Being shorter means that, because of some very boring hydrodynamic reasons, it will be slower in the water than the longer inflatable sups.  Even though it might be slower, this board still tracks pretty well in the water.  The shorter length also means that it can’t carry as much weight as the other Tower inflatable sups.

Buy The Tower Adventurer Here

But don’t think that this thing can’t carry heavy loads.  The Tower Adventurer inflatable paddle board is rated to be able to carry 350 pounds.  That is the same as the 10 foot 6 inch Wavestorm paddleboard.

Just because the weight limit on the Tower Adventurer SUP says 350, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work well for heavier riders.  The board seems to work great for people up to about 230 or 240 pounds.  So if you are lower than that than you are golden.  But people weighing more may want to upgrade, especially if you want to carry equipment or other passengers.

The Adventurer 9’ 10” is 32 inches wide and 6 inches thick.  The standard thickness for inflatable paddle boards used to be 4 inches thick but Tower changed the game and now most quality inflatable sups are 6 inches thick or greater.  Under no circumstances should you consider buying a 4 inch thick inflatable paddle board!  Companies may try to lure you in with cheap prices for a 4 inch board but mark my words, 4 inch boards are unstable, bendy, and even a person of average weight will have their feet constantly under water.  The 6 inch thickness is a non negotiable feature in my opinion.

When deflated and rolled up, the board is 32 inches long by about 1 foot tall and weighs about 25 pounds.  This could easily fit in the trunk of most any car or on the top shelf of your closet.  The board has a convenient strap so that you can cinch it in a nice tight roll.  The strap is also easy to grab onto for carrying, but if you really want to make transport easy you should get a carrying bag that fits the board, pump and paddle.

All three together should weigh in at about 31 pounds and be able to be included with checked baggage on a flight easily.

When you are finally at the water with the Tower Adventurer, using the hand pump will take about 5-10 minutes to pump up to 12 psi.  If you want to add a bit of rigidity to board pump up an extra 2-3 psi on top of that.

The board has a 3 fins underneath.  Two smaller fins on each side that are built in to the board and a center fin that is detachable.  The center fin comes with the board and is made of abs plastic and is 9 inches long.  It used to be that you had to attach the center fin with a screw, which meant you always need to keep a screwdriver with your board.  No longer is this the case.  Tower changed their design recently and now the fin easily attaches with a pin that doesn’t need any tools.

Some people wonder if you can surf with this board.  The answer is…kinda.  The Tower Adventurer Inflatable SUP is stiff enough to surf with on maybe a 4 foot wave, but inflatables just don’t have a hard edge where you can dig in and ride the wall.

The 3 piece paddle that comes in the package is pretty clever.  It breaks down into 3 pieces so that the longest piece is 34 inches, which is roughly the same length as the board when it is rolled up.  This means that you can keep the board and paddle in the same bag.

When the paddle is all put together it adjusts from 65 inches at its shortest, to 85 inches at its longest.  The paddle should work for people between 4 foot 10 and 6 foot 7, basically anyone.  The paddle is aluminum with a plastic blade and weighs in a 42 ounces, or just over 2 and half pounds.  I would prefer something lighter for sure but this is fine for starters.  The only problem is that the paddle sinks!  It doesn’t sink like a rock but still…  Be sure to have a good grip on this thing or find yourself a leash so that you don’t lose it.

Lastly, the hand pump.  This is probably the cheapest thing in the package.  A lot of people have broken the pump after only inflating the board a few times.  I’m not saying that it will break, only that it might break.  Many people prefer to use an electric pump that you can buy separately.

Conclusion on the Tower Adventurer Inflatable SUP

The 9’10” Tower Adventurer inflatable paddle board is a great choice for casual users and beginners who are looking for a cheap inflatable stand up paddle board to mess around with.
Experienced suppers who care more about speed and ease of paddle will want to look at longer and pointier models.  Also heavier people, 240+ pounds, will want to look at bigger boards.

If you think the Adventurer is for you then click the button below.

The Tower Paddle Boards Adventurer 2 10’4″ Package

The Tower Adventurer 2 is the sequel to the Tower Adventurer and has a bunch of great added features.  Just from looking at the Adventurer 2 you can tell that it has a different shape compared to the Adventurer and that it is a bit longer.

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The pointed nose is a better shape than the rounded nose on the Adventurer because it cuts through the water easier and tracks a bit better.  This board is also 6 inches longer than the Adventurer, which adds a couple of benefits.  Because of the extra length, the paddle board is faster and easier to paddle.  Also the board has a higher weight limit than the Adventurer.

As always, the 6 inch thickness is a big deal and you should not settle for one that is 4 inches thick just because it is a cheap inflatable paddle board.

This inflatable paddle board is rated to carry up to 400 pounds, which is 50 pounds more than the previous model.  This means you can fit more cargo on your board, or more passengers.  Still for much heavier people who are greater than 250 pounds, there are bigger boards that will be a better option.

One of the best new features on the Adventurer 2 inflatable sup is the the cargo straps.  This model board comes with 4 d-rings with a bungee strapped between them on the front of the board.  This can be used to strap down a life jacket, a dry bag or a lunchbox.  This was an important feature that a lot of people asked for on the first model.

Like the first Adventurer inflatable paddle board, the Adventurer 2 is 32 inches wide by 6 inches thick, though it is 6 inches longer than the original at 10 feet 4 inches.  The board rolls up when deflated to be about 32 inches long by 1 foot thick.  A strap comes with the board like all of Tower’s inflatable paddle boards to make it easier to carry and store rolled up.  

When the board is inflated and ready to go it has 2 carrying handles, one on the front and one on the back.  This makes it easier to carry if you have a partner, but you probably won’t need any help because the board only weighs 25 pounds and has the normal carrying strap in the middle of the board.

Just like the first model the Tower Adventurer 2 takes about 5-10 minutes to pump up.  To fully inflate the board you need to be at about 12 psi.
Underneath, the Adventurer has 3 fins.  Two smaller fins on the sides that are built into the construction of the board and one removable center fin. The center fin comes with the package and is made of abs plastic and is 9 inches long.  The fin attaches with a pin without using any tools, which is super convenient so that you don’t need to take a screwdriver with you to the beach or worry about stripping your screw.

The 3 piece paddle that comes with this board is different than the one that comes with the Adventurer 9’10”.  This paddle is made of fiberglass with a plastic blade.  It is lighter than before at 32 ounces (or 2 pounds) and thank heavens it floats!

Even though it is a new and different paddle, it still has the same dimensions as the one packaged with the first Tower Adventurer.  It adjusts from 65 inches at the smallest to 85 inches at the longest.  The paddle is good for anyone between the heights of  4 foot 10 inches and 6 foot 7 inches.  When you are transporting the paddle it will break apart into 3 pieces with the longest piece being 34 inches.  This is super convenient for stuffing in your trunk or for fitting the paddle, board, and pump all in the same bag.

Again the pump that comes with this board is the same as the first generation and is no better.  Its very cheap and you might want to consider buying an electric pump to make getting ready faster and easier.

Conclusion on the Tower Adventurer 2 inflatable paddle board

The Tower Adventurer 2 inflatable stand up paddle board is a great choice for the more discerning inflatable paddle boarder.  This board is better for people who want more balance between features, performance and price than the first generation.
The Adventurer is not the cheapest inflatable paddle board on the market and it isn’t the best as far as performance, but it is a nice compromise.  People weighing over 250 pounds will still want to go bigger and people who really want speed have other options as well.

If you like the Adventurer 2 then click the button below.

Tower Paddle Boards iRace 12’6″ Inflatable SUP Package

The Tower iRace inflatable paddle board is the choice board for the paddle board enthusiast from Tower’s lineup of inflatable sups.  The exceptional 12 foot 6 inch length of this board means exceptional speed.  This paddle board is incredibly fast.  You really don’t think that you are supping on an inflatable. The iRace is 30 inches wide, 2 inches narrower than Tower’s other inflatable paddle boards which helps make this board as fast as it is.

Buy The iRace Here

Even though the board is skinnier than normal, the length of the board means that it has a weight capacity of 400 pounds.  The iRace paddle board should be able to handle people up to about 240 pounds.  No matter how much you weigh you will need good stability on this board because it is skinnier and will rock from side to side easier than wider inflatable boards.

With the 6 inch thickness you get the same incredible rigidity as Towers’ other inflatable paddle boards.

Because of the length this board is harder to maneuver than shorter boards.  Kids may have trouble steering this thing compared to shorter inflatable paddle boards.

When rolled up the iRace is the same size as the Adventurer series of boards.  About 32 inches long by 1 foot tall.  You also still get the strap to rope it all together and make transportation much easier.

The iRace takes at least 10 minutes to pump up completely to 12 psi.  It take about 3 minutes to deflate the board and roll it up.
This board has only one fin instead of three.  It doesn’t really need three fins because the board is so long it tracks really well by itself.  Having only one center fin also cuts down on water resistance and makes this board even faster.  The center fin is removable and installs with a simple pin, no need for tools.

The paddle that comes with the iRace is the same one that comes with the Adventurer 2.  It’s a 3 piece adjustable fiberglass paddle with a plastic blade.  Thankfully, this paddle floats so feel free to drop it in the water, it won’t sink.  The paddle adjusts from 65 inches to 85 inches in length.  This is great for anyone 4 foot 10 inches tall to 6 foot 7 inches tall.

The hand pump is the same one that comes with all of Towers’ inflatable stand up paddle boards.  It’s pretty cheap. It’s definitely the cheapest thing that comes in the package.  It will do, just don’t be careless with it or it may break on you.

Conclusion on the Tower iRace inflatable stand up paddle board.

This is a really great inflatable stand up paddle board for supping experts and paddle gurus everywhere.  If you want portability and convenience without sacrificing speed and performance, this board is for you.
If you are buying a paddle board for kids who may have trouble steering than you will want to look for a shorter board, probably from the Adventurer series.   Also because this board is skinnier, if you are over 250 pounds you will likely want to look at a bigger board.

If the iRace is what you are looking for then click the button below.

The Tower Xplorer 14′ Inflatable SUP Package

On the reviews of all the other inflatable stand up paddle boards I have been recommending that people weighing more than about 250 pounds should get a bigger board.  This is that board.

Buy The Tower Xplorer Here

The Tower Xplorer inflatable paddle board is a massive 14 feet long, 32 inches wide, and 8 inches thick.  In the water, length means speed and this is the fasted inflatable paddle board in Towers line up.  It might even be the fastest inflatable sup on the market!

The massive 8 inch thickness is needed for this board to be rigid across its extra length, and this is the most rigid inflatable in the bunch.

With the Xplorers added length and thickness it is rated to carry up to a staggering 800 pounds.  People of any size can easily float this paddle board and you can carry just about any cargo you can think of.

The stability of this board is incredible.  The Xplorer easily handles choppy surf and rowdy kids.  This isup is also super easy to teach dogs of any size how to paddle board.

But this board isn’t just for carrying heavy loads.  People wanting real speed should look to this board if they are in the market for and inflatable paddle board.

One problem with the size is that the thickness makes it difficult to climb on the board from in the water.  If you are trying to climb onto the board in water that is too deep to stand some people may have a hard time.  It’s basically like trying to get out of a pool in the deep end and without the ladder.  Many people will need to swim the Xplorer to a place where they can stand.

Another downside to the size is that this board is hard to turn.  Kids (and some adults) will definitely have problems with maneuverability.  The Xplorer inflatable paddle board is built for speed in one direction only.

The Xplorer tracks so well because of its length that it only needs one center fin.  Like all the others, the fin is detachable and connects with a pin.  No screws or screwdriver.

When rolled up the Xplorer is 37 inches wide by 1 foot thick.  Like all Tower paddle boards the Xplorer comes with a strap for easy carrying and storing.  The board itself weighs 36 pounds which is much more than the Adventurer series.  When the board, paddle, and pump are bundled together you are looking at about 42 pounds.  Keep that in mind if you plan on flying with it.
When you to where you want to launch, plan at least 10 minutes for inflating this board.  Maybe even 15 minutes.  It might be a good idea to buy an electric pump because of how much volume The Xplorer has.  Like the other boards, 12 psi is considered fully inflated.

I’m disappointed that this board doesn’t come with Towers fiberglass paddle, but instead comes with the same aluminum paddle that you get with the Adventurer.  You would think that Towers’ most premium inflatable paddle board would come packaged with their more premium paddle.

Just like with the Adventurer, this paddle doesn’t float!  It won’t sink like a rock but you still need to make sure you know where it is at all times.

The paddle is 3 pieces and adjustable when it’s assembled.  It is 85 inches at its longest and 65 inches at its shortest.  Anyone between the heights of 4 foot 10 and 6 foot 7 should be able to use this paddle.  Although if you are 4 foot 10 you probably shouldn’t be getting this 14 foot inflatable paddle board.

Even though this is a much bigger board than any other Tower inflatable paddle board, it still comes with the same cheap hand pump.  Lots of people have said that this hand pump is built really cheaply and may break.  Consider getting a more robust pump to match this robust board, preferably an electric pump to make pumping go faster.

Conclusion on the Tower Xplorer Inflatable SUP

The Tower Xplorer inflatable stand up paddle board is the biggest, fastest, most heavy duty inflatable sup on the market.  This paddle board is for people who have stability problems on other boards and for people really want speed.

The Xplorer is well built and a relatively cheap inflatable paddle board when you look at what you are getting.
Kids and small adults will find it very difficult to steer this board and will most likely be happier with a smaller inflatable paddle board.  

If the Xplorer floats your boat then click the button below.

Overall conclusion about Tower inflatable stand up paddle boards

Tower inflatable paddle boards are very well made and well priced for the quality.  Although the paddles and pump bundled with the boards are relatively cheap, the bundle prices are great.  The Tower company is a well run company with excellent customer service who bend over backwards for their customers, all while providing some of the best prices out there for the quality.