The Coolest Pieces of Gear We Tested This Week

One of the most frustrating parts of standup paddleboarding, is simply transporting your standup paddleboard (SUP) to the location where you can actively enjoy it. Boards are large, heavy, cumbersome, and simply cannot fit in (or on) many vehicles. This is where inflatable SUPs come in clutch for all of your aquatic pursuits. And our favorite inflatable SUP this season is most definitely the Restrospec Weekender 10-foot Inflatable SUP.

Coming straight from the brand that pairs handsome, retro styling with impeccable performance, the Weekender SUP was the breath of fresh air we never knew we’d appreciate so much when it comes to our casual paddles. It’s built from ArmorStrength PVC, it feels so-damn sturdy when pumped up to recommended specs, and this badboy weighs in at a mere 17 pounds when full inflated. (Any water-safe kid—or two—can haul this thing down the beach and into the water for a no-fuss, impromptu expedition.)

It comes with a foldable paddle, pump, leash, removable fins, and even waterproof containers for things like your keys and phone. And the best part? The whole package rolls up into a manageable backpack for easy-peasy transport and storage. It takes up almost no space in the garage, and even when we brought it on a boat out to Catalina Island for the weekend, it took up very minimal space on board.

But how’s the performance on the water? It is superb. When inflated to the recommended PSI, it stands sturdy with an ultra-grippy deck, durable and stable, and smooth on the water—and it’s 100-percent inflated with the included pump within minutes of unpacking on the beach. The operation is smooth as silk, and the performance is impeccable—and we really dig the retro colorway. This is a handsome SUP at a very attractive price point. We can’t think of a reason why any paddle enthusiast shouldn’t have this SUP in their kit.—Jon Perino, senior editor

[$349.99; retrospec.com]

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