Touring vs All Star: A Touring SUP and a Racing SUP

Once a board goes beyond twelve feet, specialisation begins. Here are two branches that look alike and behave differently on the water.

What we are comparing

Touring — inflatable from 799 € with paddle and 1 149 € without, hard at 1 399 €. Sizes 12'6"×30", 14'0"×28", 14'0"×30", 14'0"×32".

All Star — inflatable from 1 529 €, hard at 3 199 €. Sizes 14'0"×24.5", 14'0"×26", 14'0"×28".

A width gap of up to 7.5 inches — nearly twenty centimetres at identical length. That is the whole story.

Width decides everything

14'0" × 24.5" is 427 × 62 cm. A board as long as a small car and barely wider than your stance.

14'0" × 32" is the same 427 cm at 81 cm wide.

What narrowness gives: less wetted surface, less drag, more speed for the same effort.

What it costs: stability. On a narrow board your feet work constantly, and that tires you by itself.

The point people miss: over twenty kilometres the winner is not the fastest board but the one that leaves you fresh at kilometre ten. A race board is only faster under someone who stands on it relaxed.

Three differences beyond width

1. What you carry

A touring board is built for cargo: a bag, water, food, sometimes a tent. Hence the volume and deck attachment points.

A race board carries only you. Extra weight defeats its purpose.

2. How it handles chop

A narrow board buries its nose in short chop and demands technique.

A wide one rides over it. On a tour, where conditions change, that beats speed.

3. How long you stand on it

A race is one or two hours at maximum effort.

A tour is five to eight hours at steady pace, and comfort becomes the leading parameter.

Inflatable or hard in both branches

A telling detail: Starboard builds both the Touring and the All Star in both constructions, and the price gaps are instructive.

Touring: inflatable 1 149 €, hard 1 399 € — a gap of 250 €.

All Star: inflatable 1 529 €, hard 3 199 € — more than double.

Why the gaps differ so much. On a tour an inflatable barely hurts: speed is not the point and portability rescues you. In a race, losses to hull flex decide the result, so a hard race board means different materials and a different price.

The practical upshot: for touring an inflatable Touring is a strong choice. For racing an inflatable All Star only makes sense if you fly with the board.

Choosing in under a minute

Paddling lakes and coastlines for hours → Touring 12'6" or 14'0"×30".

Carrying the board in a boot or on a plane → inflatable Touring.

Racing → All Star, width to match your level.

A first long board after an all-rounder → Touring 14'0"×30", no narrower.

Over 90 kg → 14'0"×32" for touring, 14'0"×28" for racing.

Wanting speed without competing → Touring 14'0"×28": faster than an all-rounder and still stable.

On moving to a narrower board

Advice that saves money.

Do not jump from 33 inches to 24.5. Those are two different disciplines, and your first session on a race board will end with you swimming beside it.

Step down gradually: 33" → 30" → 28" → 26". Each step takes weeks, not days.

A good test: if on your current board you can calmly turn around, drink water and look at your phone without watching your feet, you are ready for the next step.

Common questions

How does a race board differ from a touring one?

In width at equal length: 24.5" against 30 to 32". Narrowness buys speed and costs stability.

Can I tour on a race board?

Technically yes, but it is not built for cargo and buries in chop. Over distance stability beats speed.

Is an inflatable touring board a compromise?

A small one. On tour speed is not the point and portability helps. In racing, construction decides.

What width after an all-rounder?

Thirty inches. Jumping from 33 straight to 24.5 is pointless — they are different disciplines.

How do I know I am ready for narrower?

When on your current board you turn, drink and check your phone without watching your feet.

Where to look

Touring inflatable, Touring hard, All Star. To read: how to read a size and our iGO review.