Isle Pioneer 3 Review

The Pioneer 3 won our approval for its effortless use and outstanding stability, making it perfect for beginner to intermediate paddlers. Whether you're planning an afternoon yoga session, long paddle adventures, or want space for another person or dog onboard, this inflatable paddle board serves as an excellent all-around option. Its front and back cargo straps, wheeled carry case, and paddle strap are the thoughtful details that set this board apart in our testing.

Performance Comparison

Stabilty

This stand-up paddle board excels in stability, easily maintaining balance even when rocking side to side pretty agressively. It performs well in the choppiest of conditions, with some reverb through the board when going over waves, but remains solid and reliable. Even when we were in choppy conditions, there was no fear of tipping. Our testers even chanced some headstands when it was less than ideal conditions and had no issues.

We did notice that it was more optimal to inflate it to the higher end of the recommended PSI, usually around 17 and up. Even the one to two extra PSI made a noticeable difference in this inflatable. The Pioneer 3 is particularly well-suited for yoga and headstands, offering a stable platform even in challenging conditions. This board is also an excellent option if you plan to have extra passengers on board. Dogs walking around or friends jumping off into the water, it was easy to stay up on this board even with the additional movement.

Glide Performance

For a round-nose board that is 34 inches wide, this board moves pretty quickly. Even in windy or choppy conditions, the Pioneer 3 stays in a fairly straight line when paddling. On calm, glassy days we were able to paddle six to eight times on one side before having to swap. On windier days, we were still able to get four to five paddle strokes in before needing to paddle on the other side to maintain direction. For being a single fin system, the glide on this size board is quite exceptional. Due to its size and shape, the Pioneer tends to go over waves more so than cutting through them. With how great the stability of the board is though, we didn't have any issues standing up and staying on the board even in these rougher conditions.

On a couple of our test paddles, we had two people on this board and were pleasantly surprised at how well and how quickly it still moved. There were no issues accelerating or mainiting speed with the extra weight onboard.

Maneuverability

In this category this inflatable scored pretty average with our testers. For a wider board, this inflatable turns surprisingly well. It takes just a few back and forth strokes to get turned around. With how stable the board is, leaning to help with turns is pretty easy.

For paddlers looking to have agile movement, especially for river paddle boarding or anything that might need quick turns, this board might not be the best choice. Instead we would recommend a narrower board. However, for lake paddling, the Pioneer handled well and we were still able to get turned around with minimal effort.

Ease of Use

Probably our favorite part of this board is the paddle straps on the side of the SUP. It sounds like a simple thing: two velcro straps to hold your paddle. And it is simple, but the difference it made when using it was noticeable! It makes carrying the board to and from the water much more straightforward, allowing you to have an additional free hand since the paddle is strapped onto the board. Our SUP yogis also really loved it as they were able to have the paddle fully out of the way when playing around on the board.

The carry case that comes with the Pioneer 3 is so easy to use and every tester noted how much they liked it. First off, the board fits back into the carry case with ease, and all the additional accessories fit in with it with no problem. The bag has two wheels on the bottom, making it simple to move from place to place. The downside of these wheels, though, is that when using the carry case in backpack mode, we got pinched multiple times by the wheels. Our testers packed this board a few miles into an alpine lake and ended up with some small bruises from the wheel pinching their skin.

Construction Quality

The Pioneer 3 is a solid board in many regards. We had no fear or dings or holes when carrying this board around. The welded rails enhance this inflatable's stability and durability, extending its lifespan.

Isle upgraded this board from the previous model, reducing its weight to just 19 pounds. Whether you're carrying it inflated to the water or in the backpack carry case, it's light and easy to transport. Isle's thoughtful design includes a split fin box, making it easier to roll the board back up without worrying about bending the fin box.

The deck padding is very comfortable underfoot and we really liked that it runs the whole length of the board making it especially great for yoga, dogs or multiple passengers. A downside of this deck padding is that it gets dirty easily and does not come off easily. It's possible that if some time was spent scrubbing and cleaning the deck padding this dirt would come off, but it picks up and holds dirt more so than any other deck padding we have seen.

Should You Buy the Isle Pioneer 3?

If you're just getting into paddle boarding or if you're looking for an easy, all-around board that will hold up over the years, this is an excellent option. If you frequently practice yoga or bring along extra riders, the stability, width, and full-length deck padding are all features you'll especially appreciate. The stellar carry case makes taking the Pioneer 3 out and packing it back away even easier. Plus, we can't stop raving about the on board Velcro straps for the paddle. Paddlers looking for a quick and agile board may want to consider something more narrow.

What Other Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Should You Consider?

For paddlers looking for a more affordable way to get into stand up paddle boarding, check out the ROC Scout or the FunWater 11. Both of these boards are more affordable, especially when on sale. Wanting a more advanced stand up paddle board that focuses on speed? Learn about the Red Paddle Co Voyager+ MSL, which is 13.2 feet long and glides effortlessly.