Bote Wulf Aero Review

With the Wulf, Bote has redefined what an all-around paddleboard can offer, merging the best aspects of their classic design into a more affordable and beginner-friendly model. Though designed with beginners in mind, the Wulf's versatility and performance won't disappoint experienced paddlers. This board masterfully combines high functionality while being easy to use, making it a standout choice for anyone, regardless of skill level.

Performance Comparison

Stability

The Wulf is one of the most stable stand up paddleboards we've tested, making it an excellent choice for beginner paddlers. It inspires confidence, even for those new to the sport. On choppy days, the board cuts through waves effortlessly, thanks to its pointed nose, which prevents it from having major bouncing over waves. This feature enhances stability and ensures a smooth ride in various water conditions.

Several of the times we took the Wulf out, we rocked back and forth as hard as we could to test its stability and had no worries about being thrown off the board. It took some extreme rocking for the boards edge to dip all the way under the water and only then did it feel like you could lose your balance.

Some of our test paddles were extremely windy and choppy. Both our advanced and new paddlers felt confident in their ability to stay standing even with waves coming from all directions. The pointed nose of the board really cuts through waves, making it much easier to stay upright when paddling in rough conditions. On calm water days, this board was incredibly fun to take out for a long paddle or just to hang out on with our friends. Having a dog or two people on board was no issue either.

Glide Performance

Given how wide the Wulf is and that it is a more beginner-focused board, we were surprised at its glide capabilities. Our testers were able to keep up relatively easily with other faster boards. Part of this is likely the quality of Bote's paddles. However, the large fin allows for great tracking, and we noticed minimal back-and-forth movement when paddling.

After we stopped paddling, the SUP continued gliding for a solid distance, much further than many of the other boards we tested. While paddling, we had to swap sides that we were paddling on about every five to six strokes, putting it a bit above average on its tracking capabilities. Other Bote boards seem to be similar, and the large fins that come with these boards are partially to thank. When facing waves, the Wulf Aero mostly cut through waves but had a little up-and-over bounce, too. But even with this bounce, the stability of the board is so excellent we had no issues, including on the choppiest of testing conditions. Broadside waves were not a problem either. Some boards feel like you'll get thrown off when a broadside wave comes your way, but not here. During testing, we had some large wake boats come by us and were able to stay standing as we passed over the waves they created.

Maneuverability

This is where we audible said “WOW” when we got on this board. The Wulf turns on a dime. Of all the hard shell SUPs and inflatables we have tried out, this one takes the cake for how quickly and easy you can turn it. Our testers were able to make a full 180 without much movement. This would be incredibly helpful in smaller paddling spaces like rivers or lake shores with rocks. While we mostly tested it out in open waters, being able to turn and navigate this board so easily was a stand-out highlight. You can see in the video below just how tight it turns and how easily it is.

For beginner users this just makes getting into paddle boarding that much easier. While this board is aimed more towards beginners, its quality will make it a winner for advanced paddlers, too. Even with another person on board, the Wulf is easy to navigate, although slightly slower with turns with the additional weight. No matter if we went out on a glassy morning or a choppy afternoon, this board is easy to navigate. Whether you're navigating tight spaces, avoiding obstacles, or simply making sharp turns for the fun of it, the Wulf's agility makes it an absolute joy to ride, setting it apart from anything else we've tested this season.

Ease of Use

A highlight of the Wulf is how user-friendly it is from start to finish. The Bote pumps are simple to use, inflating the board quickly and efficiently, so you're on the water in no time. The well-designed backpacks make transporting the Wulf effortless, and when it's time to pack up, the board rolls up easily and fits snugly into its carry case without any struggle. This thoughtful design ensures that your paddleboarding experience is smooth both on and off the water.

One of the things we really appreciate about the Bote boards are the handles. The handles are comfortable to use if you have to carry the board for a little while and most importantly there are ample straps. Having straps on the tip and tail of the board as well as the middle may seem like a small detail, but when putting the board into the water, pulling it onto shore or lifting it on and off a vehicle, they are extremely helpful.

The Wulf is light and easy to carry, coming in at just 16.5 pounds. Even on some of the windier days when we had to carry it, we didn't feel like we were fighting to keep from flying away. It is also incredible easy to roll back up and store back in its carry case. Some boards are an effort to get back in their carry case, but Bote has made it so their boards fit comfortably back in without a ton of effort.

The biggest knock on this board is how difficult the fin is to remove. We had hoped that maybe it was just the first time using it, but so far, during all of our tests, it has taken a bit of effort to get the fin to slide out.

Construction Quality

Bote is known for making quality boards, and the Wulf is no exception. This board is made of Bote's AeroULTRA technology, which is built to be durable. The carry straps are comfortable and hefty. The backpack carry case is made of a softer fabric but is heavy duty and will last through wear and tear. The carry case does tend to pick up dirt and looks a little dirtier than some of the other SUP carry case but a small detail that didn't bother our testers.

The deck padding on this SUP is very comfortable and easy to stand on for long periods of time. It's soft enough that it doesn't hurt your feet and doesn't hold onto dirt like some of the softer deck padding seem to. One downside of Bote's products is that many of the extra bells and whistles do require you to purchase more Bote specific products. The magnet drink holder requires their specific Magnepod technology, but overall this really didn't mark this board down in our eyes.

Should You Buy the Bote Aero Wulf?

If you're new to stand up paddle boarding, this might be the best board, both in price and functionality, that you can get. It offers excellent stability, a major highlight for many beginner SUP users, amazing maneuverability, and is easy to use. If you're a more advanced paddle boarder looking for a great all-around board that is affordable, this board will be right up your alley.

What Other Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards Should You Consider?

If you're looking for a more advanced inflatable, check out the Bluefin Cruise Carbon, which is the most similar to a hard board in the inflatable lineup. Or if you're really looking for a top-of-the-line quick and agile board, the Red Paddle Co Voyager+ MSL. Another great no-fuss option is the Isle Pioneer 3, which was another one of our favorites to take out on the lake.