Retrospec Weekender Review

Given its affordable price, this SUP seems like it should be an excellent entry-level option, but its average stability makes it difficult to recommend to first-time paddlers. Overall, it delivers a very mid-level experience without excelling in any particular area or offering any standout features that set it apart from the competition. With so many similarly priced boards now available, there are better choices that provide a more confidence-inspiring ride and better overall value.

Stability

We took several newer paddlers out with us on various test outings, and none of them felt fully steady and comfortable on the Retrospec Weekender. Especially if there were any wakes or waves, they spent most of the time on their knees paddling rather than standing.

The board has noticeable side-to-side movement, which makes it feel less confidence-inspiring than some of the other inflatables we tested in a similar price range. Experienced paddlers should adapt with little trouble, but beginners will likely find themselves focusing more on maintaining their balance than on enjoying the paddle. For calm, glassy water, it's perfectly serviceable, but once conditions become choppy from boat wake or wind, its average stability becomes much more apparent.

Ease of Use

This board is very lightweight (17.5 pounds), which is one of its biggest strengths for transportation. Whether you're lifting it onto your car or carrying it down to the water, all of our testers had no trouble handling the board, even while carrying other gear. The carry case also features a side handle, which makes it easy to carry suitcase-style rather than only as a backpack, a small but appreciated convenience for longer walks to the launch.

We wish it had front or rear carry handles, but that seems to be a feature many budget board makers skip. Those extra handles make it much easier to lift the board onto a roof rack or grab it while it's floating in the water, so their absence is noticeable. Still, thanks to the Retrospec's low weight, it's less of an inconvenience here than it would be on a heavier inflatable.

The included pump does the job; nothing too fancy, and it takes some time to pump up to its max PSI. If possible, snag an electric pump and you can cut down on fill time.

Glide Performance

The Retrospec Weekender tends to ride up and over waves rather than cutting through them. Combined with its average stability, this makes the board feel less confidence-inspiring in choppy conditions, especially for newer paddlers. It also fails to maintain momentum and requires constant paddling to keep pace.

As you can see in the video, this board has a noticeable amount of back-and-forth movement (fishtailing) with each paddle stroke. While that's not unexpected for a budget-friendly inflatable SUP, it does mean you'll need to switch paddle sides more frequently to stay on course. Over longer paddles, those extra corrective strokes make the board feel less efficient and require more effort to cover the same distance.

Maneuverability

This board is easy to turn around 180 degrees without much effort. It responds quickly to steering strokes, making it easy to maneuver around obstacles or change direction on the water. If you're used to leaning into your turns, you'll just need to be a little cautious on this board to avoid losing your balance.

The Retrospec doesn't keep a straight line particularly well and has noticeable back-and-forth movement as you paddle. As a result, you'll need to switch paddle sides more often to keep the board traveling in a straight line. It's not a dealbreaker for casual paddling, but it does make longer outings feel less efficient and more tiring than boards with better tracking.

Construction Quality

We're not impressed with the paddle; it feels pretty cheap, less comfortable in hand, and not as sturdy as the paddles included with other boards in this price range. While it'll get the job done for casual outings, it's one of the first accessories we'd consider upgrading.

The deck padding is comfortable to stand on for long periods and provides enough cushioning that our feet didn't become sore during longer paddles. It's a simple feature, but one that the Weekender gets right.

One random feature we found a bit annoying is that the pump hose doesn't have a separate rotating collar at the pump attachment. Instead of simply twisting the connector into place, you have to rotate the entire hose, which is more awkward than it needs to be (see below).

Should You Buy the Retrospec Weekender?

This is a very average board that new paddlers may find a bit challenging to balance on, especially in anything other than calm water. However, it works well enough for casual days on the lake, floating, swimming, and short recreational paddles. If your goal is simply to relax on the water rather than cover long distances, it gets the job done, though there are better-performing options available at a similar price.

What Other Paddle Boards Should You Consider?