The Red Paddle Co Compact SUP is a potentially revolutionary new concept in the construction of inflatable SUPs. This board packs up much, much smaller than all other inflatable paddleboards, into a small and easily transportable backpack. But will the Compact really be the game-changer that Red Paddle Co claim it will be?
The Red Paddle Co Compact Inflatable SUP is due to be available for customers to purchase around late October / early November. As yet, we haven’t had a chance to take the Compact on the water so are not yet able to vouch for it’s on-water capabilities, but we have had eyes on the board whilst working alongside Red Paddle Co at the 2018 Southampton Boat Show, so do know a thing or two about it!
Firstly, here’s a few photos from Red Paddle Co so that you can see what it’s looking like.
The Compact has a few key features which enable it to pack down so small. A new weaving process offers a strong but malleable layer that can roll up very tight. The pump valve and leash d-ring are offset and the deck pad is split into two separate pieces so that the board can be folded down the middle before rolling. The fins are removable with a simple click-in system, and the package includes a 5-piece paddle as opposed to the usual 3-piece, so that the whole lot can fit into the compact bag.
The board itself is a 9’8 x 32″ allround shape, so it’s going to be good for general paddling and dabbling in waves. Length: 9’6” | Width: 32“/813mm | Thickness: 4.7”/120mm | Volume: 222 litres | Rider Weight: up to 95kg/209lb | Full package weight: 12.7Kg.
What’s hot… The Red Paddle Co Compact SUP does pack down to a ridiculously small size when compared to all other inflatable paddleboards. This makes it perfect for travel, checking in to flights and anybody looking for the ultimate in easy-of-transportation and storage.
What’s not… This new SUP comes with a pretty hefty price tag. £1,299! The standard Red Paddle Co 9’8 Ride is £849, so you are paying a lot for the small package. The Compact is only available in 9’8 and not in the ever popular 10’6 size, which we think is a shame. The 9’8 would of course be able to pack down smaller than if they made a 10’6 version, which is why they haven’t, but we do think a 10’6 version would possibly suit a wider range of paddlers.
So, initial thoughts on the Red Paddle Co Compact SUP are that it looks great and the tiny package size is pretty amazing. If you want a SUP to travel with, and money is no object, then this is going to be a great buy.