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Quick review of the 2022 Red Paddle Co 10’8″ x 34″ Ride inflatable paddle board
Save $590.00!
From: $859.00
The 2022 Red Paddle Co 10’8″ Ride inflatable stand up paddle boards are evolutions of the 2021 models. The 2022 10’8″ Ride board has an updated flat cargo bungee system where the nearest bungee is now threaded through an additional d-ring to give you a “pocket” or more narrow section which is great for shoes or a drinks bottle.
The major change for 2022 is the updated bag. The Red Paddle Ride 10’8″ inflatable paddle boards now come with the new ATB Transformer Bag. A convertible backpack and sling arrangement, a 2-in-1 style bag making board transport and carrying even easier and more convenient. Continued on from previous years are the twin iFins, extended deck pad, accessory mount and multiple padded carry handles. And we mustn’t forget, the industry’s best warranty – 5 years of coverage for free with product registration.
Note: This article is a quick review of the 2022 Red Paddle Ride 10’8″. For more info on how to set up and use the board, please see our knowledge base area or view the Red Paddle Co User Manual.
TL;DR: As we’ve mentioned in the past, the Red Paddle Co Ride 10’8″ x 34″ is one of the best all round inflatable stand up paddle boards for the unsteady beginner or heavier paddler. The 10’8″ Ride is better suited to paddlers above 200lbs than the popular 10’6″ Ride. Being nice and wide at 34″, it offers a good and stable platform for larger paddlers or paddlers who might like to paddle with passengers, fishing gear, coolers, or do SUP Yoga or other SUP based fitness activities.
The constant evolution by Red Paddle Co of not just the board, but the whole package, ensures the 10’8″ Ride is still the go to inflatable paddle board for the heavier paddler or those seeking or needing more stability.
Red Paddle Co in 2022
Red Paddle Co is at the forefront of inflatable SUP technology. From boards, to pumps, bags and even the fixtures and fittings, they have always lead the way. Mainstreaming double layer boards with their first models, then introducing MSL Fusion in 2016, Red Paddle are never ones to sit still. Aside from MSL, we’ve seen Rocker Stiffening System (RSS) battens and the Forward Flex Control (FFC) rod, the double barrel Titan Pump, wheeled bag with stowable back pack straps, RAM mounts, tool-less fins and an industry leading 5 year warranty.
The ATB Transformer Bag
After travelling thousands of miles with inflatable paddle boards, Red Paddle Co has a pretty good idea of what was needed from the ultimate inflatable paddle board bag. In 2022, Red Paddle Co introduced the all new ATB Transformer Bag. It the most significant developments seen so far with inflatable board bags. This bag truly is the ultimate solution for travel and storage.
Find out more about the ATB Transformer Bag here.
Using the new ATB Bag: when using the new bag as a regular backpack, it was straight forward. Much like the bags before this Transformer model, the back pack straps and waist belt are very comfortable and offer a good range of adjustability. The newly relocated wheels make it more comfortable. They are now on the front side of the bag where previously, they were on the same side as the back pack strap, meaning they now don’t get in the way around your butt.
When converting the new ATB Transformer bag to sling more, it’s a a bit of a spaghetti mess initially, but following the video instructions carefully, Alex proves it is quite useful and light weight for carrying the basics into your paddling spot. Using just the sling means there is no need to stow or stash a massive board bag somewhere, or on the board’s deck. If you’re going out for a paddle you can now take it with you for use on the other end if you’re doing an A to B style paddle trip, you can tuck it under the bungee and keep it close by. Some years ago, I would ride my bike to the beach and this sling mode would have been handy back then. A smaller bag to hide in the bushes or lock to my bike.
The pump
$199.00
The Titan 2 Pump by Red Paddle Co is the world’s first purpose-built, double chamber SUP pump. It’s designed to cut the amount of time and effort it takes to inflate your board by half. Constant innovation has led to us testing the absolute boundaries of inflation technology and as such, we’re confident that there’s nothing quite like the Titan II pump on the market.
Find out more about the Red Paddle Co Titan 2 Pump here.
As we always write, the Titan 2 pump is still the pump against which all manual pumps are measured. With a removable handle and folding feet, it’s even easier to pack away in the bag, or roll the board around the pump for an efficient pack up. Inflating the 2022 10’8″ Ride Red Paddle Co is very quick and easy. Getting to 20 PSI with the Titan 2 Pump, it took me about 3 minutes and 30 seconds of pumping. The Titan 2 pump really pumps the air in quickly to start with, then at about 8-10PSI you switch the lever over and finish it off with the high pressure cylinder.
The board
The board is the same tried and true shape as the very first version, originally called the Mega. That means it is 10’8″ long, 34″ wide and 4.72″ thick. However over time, the construction has vastly improved with the MSL, the attention to detail and finishings are second to none.
Once again for 2022, thanks to the MSL Fusion construction, the board finish is amazing. Put a hard board and a Red Paddle Co board next to each other on the beach and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who can spot the difference on first glance. MSL, or Monocoque Structural Laminate Fusion, basically eliminates a lot of excess glue and human error. In previous years, the “board within a board” Red Paddle Co is famous for was primarily glued together, making a super durable board but adding extra weight and the potential for hand gluing or human errors.
More details about MSL over here. Red Paddle Co have constantly refined the MSL construction, tweaking materials, thickness and bond strength which means they’ve all but stopped batch inconsistencies and it allows them to make boards from the most advanced drop stitch available, without any unnecessary excess or errors. With this premium grade construction, Red Paddle Co recommend a pumping pressure of 18-22 PSI for most applications to make the most of these benefits and improve overall performance.
I’m 190lbs and I usually pump my Red Paddle 10’8″ Ride to 20 PSI. I find this is a good balance between time pumping and on water performance. It’s stiff enough for my weight and the slightly choppy ocean conditions I usually paddle on.
On the 2022 10’8″ Ride, the iFins are in a twin fin configuration with reinforced base. The current iteration are 4.5″ deep with a wide 6″ base so you get excellent tracking and grip, that are durable bomb proof fins which require no extra installation or removal steps. With the twin fin arrangement you get an easy roll up as the fins are just in one place, as compared to a thruster or 3 fin arrangement where you have to roll around fin in 2 places.
The only change to the 10’8″ Ride board itself is with the Flat Bungee Cargo System. Unique to Red Paddle Co, the flat bungee straps now feature an extra d-ring on the strap closest to the deck pad. This creates a short “pocket” section on bungee where you can stow a water bottle and shows easily. All Red Paddle Ride boards come with three bungee straps on the nose, setting you up perfectly for adventures.
Red Paddle Co have tested the durability and toughness of their inflatable paddle boards over the years, with hard core tests. Most recently you can watch a series of durability tests performed on a 10’6″ Ride model. Seeing the boards tested this way, you know that the Red Paddle Co MSL construction is strong!
So, the board is very tough and durable, but at what does that mean for weight? I put the 2022 Red Paddle Co 10’8″ Ride on the scales and it weighed in at 23lbs. For reference, other double layer, or so called military grade PVC boards on the market, weigh in at 30lbs or more. That’s a 25% weight saving. This is big deal and is something that’s immediately apparent when you lift the board out of the box. Then when you have it inflated and carry to the water, it’s much easier to carry a light weight board. On the water too, more responsive and easier to paddle.
To continue Red Paddle Co’s attention to detail, the 6 bungee d-rings are stainless steel with three heavy duty bungee straps. The center, nose and tail carry handles are padded making the board quite comfortable to carry and manoeuvre. Integrated into the tail handle is a leash d-ring. We strongly recommend all paddlers use the appropriate leash when paddling. (We never paddle without one).
Since 2017, almost all of the Red Paddle Co inflatable SUPs feature a Railblaza/RAM Mount, or two. These mounts use an M6 screw thread for which there are many compatible Railblaza/RAM Mount products, two of the world’s leading accessory bracket manufacturers. This mount enables you to securely attach a range of accessories, from GPS devices and cameras to fishing rods and cup holders.
On the 2022 Red Paddle co 10’8″ Ride, the mount is integrated into the nose mounted handle and d-ring. For more info on the accessory mounts and parts view our inflatable paddle board accessory mount guide here.
The rest
The package includes a repair kit, a waterproof phone case, and a wrapping strap to keep the board rolled up.
On the water
The 10’8″ Ride is an exceptional all round board and best suited for paddlers 200lbs and up. It is very stable and forgiving meaning anyone can stand on this board and have a good time paddling, being a beginner or just a bit wobbly. The board is also very well suited to families who want to carry a child/passenger, a 4-legged friend or perhaps a cooler with some drinks and a snack, or even a few rods for fishing. Cruising and turning is pretty easy and the 10’8″ Ride has decent glide. Either standing or kneeling, paddling is comfortable and tracking from the iFin built in fins is straight. The 4.72″ thickness is a perfect match between rigidity, performance and manoeuvrability. Thick enough to be rigid and keeping your feet out of the water but not so thick that it feels like you’re riding a cork or feel disconnected from the board or the water.
This is an extremely easy and exceptionally stable paddle board for beginners to start on, or larger intermediate to advanced paddlers to use. Paddling the coast, paddling workouts, riding small surf, SUP Yoga, slow moving rivers, bays, inlets, intra-coastals, tropical islands, you name it! It is also a great choice for families as the 10’8″ Ride can be enjoyed by all ages, with acres of space for children or furry friends on the nose. The indestructible MSL construction is also paw friendly.
The updates in bungee system makes it easy to stow a pair of shoes or water bottle. The multiple handles are soft and comfortable and are easy to use getting the board to and from the water or climbing back on the board if you’ve taken a spill. The nose and tail handles are also great for pulling the board through waves, especially with a child or pet passenger.
The rail to rail, and all the way to the tail deck pad is extremely large and comfortable. A nice texture in the main area, with a diamond cut groove area near the tail. This change in texture helps you know where your feet are and gives you a bit more grip at the back if you’re surfing a wave or just stepping back for a turn.
Vitals
- Length: 10’8″
- Width: 34″
- Thickness: 120mm, 4.72 inches
- Volume: 270 liters
- Weight: 23 lbs board only, 32 lbs with backpack and pump
- Max payload: 265 lbs/120 kg
- Warranty: 1 year, 5 years with product registration
Likes
- Exceptionally stable board
- Improved MSL Fusion construction with top quality “hard-board-like” finish
- Quick inflation with the new compact and efficient Titan 2 Pump even if a bit fiddly with the removable handle and flip up feet.
- Multi-use style ATB Transformer bag that opens up many more exploring opportunities with super light sling mode
- Bomb proof twin iFins – same solid tracking but easier roll up
- Easy to use and secure flat bungee cargo system
- Quick inflation with the new compact and efficient Titan 2 Pump even if a bit fiddly with the removable handle and flip up feet.
- Nose handle for easy handling, with integrated accessories mount for things like GPS, camera or phone
- Rail to rail EVA deck pad with diamond texture towards the tail for better feeling and grip
- Five year warranty with board registration
Dislikes
- Wider boards are typically a bit harder to paddle as it interrupts technique but buyers of this board will be seeking stability over a fast paddling board
- The Titan 2 Pump, even with updates it’s still a bit bulky to travel with but it more than makes up for it with unmatched efficiency and performance
- ATB Transformer Bag in sling mode is a bit fiddly to set up
In conclusion
Save $590.00!
From: $859.00
The 2022 Red Paddle Ride 10’8″ is one of the best all round stand up paddle boards for the unsteady beginner or larger paddler. Better suited than the 10’6″ Ride for paddlers above 200lbs, it offers a large stable platform for paddlers and passengers, fishing or fitness activities.
See the 10’8″ Ride Red Paddle Co product page for more details, specs and images.
If you’re not sure which Red Paddle Co Ride board you should be buying, be sure to check out of giant comparison charts of all 2022 Red Paddle Ride models. If you’re still not sure, email us, or call us on 1-888-252-4983.
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About the author: Julian Kidd