REASONS TO BUY
Retractable tail fin
Media mount
Sturdy build
REASONS TO AVOID
Incredibly heavy
Difficult to carry
Low stability
Little glide
Lifetime Horizon 100 Review
This board was eye-catching for its 2 pack, discounted price tag, but its weight and lack of stability made it the least appealing option of the boards we tested
Taking the Lifetime Horizon 100 out on a slightly choppy evening paddle.
Credit: Jen Rippert
RELATED: Best Stand Up Paddle Boards of 2024
Our Verdict
The Lifetime Horizon 100 caught our attention with its highly discounted rate for a 2-pack of boards. This model comes with several bells and whistles we haven't seen on other SUPs, like a media mount and retractable fin. But the weight and width of this board make it not only difficult to transport, but hard to maneuver and stand on. This stand up paddle board felt much more like a kayak to us. However, it gets some credit for its very dense build, which makes it much more durable and able to stand up to whatever wear and tear it might see.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Lifetime Horizon 100 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best Bargain Buy | |||
| Price | $720 List $619.99 at Amazon | $1,100 List | $800 List $849.95 at Amazon | $899 List | $410 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This SUP comes with several bells and whistles we have yet to see on other boards, but it's not very stable and is quite heavy and wide, so transporting it is a pain | A stable and robust SUP that is great for those who aren’t going anywhere in a hurry | If you want a great bang for the buck when it comes to SUPs, this is a fantastic option | We think this is a great SUP for flat water but wish it did better in waves and chop | An affordable and durable option for beginner paddlers looking for a board that is stable and will keep up with others |
| Rating Categories | Lifetime Horizon 100 | SIC Maui TAO Fit AT | Tahe Beach Performer | Pau Hana Malibu Cla... | Pelican Flow 106 |
| Glide Performance (35%) | |||||
| Stability (25%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (15%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport (15%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Lifetime Horizon 100 | SIC Maui TAO Fit AT | Tahe Beach Performer | Pau Hana Malibu Cla... | Pelican Flow 106 |
| Measured Weight | 46.5 lb | 29.2 lb | 33.4 lb | 31.0 lb | 46.0 lb |
| Weight Capacity | 230 lb | 220 lb | 200 lb | 249 lb | 230 lb |
| Measured Width | 34.0" | 33.2" | 31.5" | 34.0" | 32.0" |
| Measured Length | 10' 0" | 10' 0" | 10' 6" | 10' 6" | 10' 5" |
| Measured Thickness | 7.8" | 4.8" | 5.0" | 4.0" | 6.0" |
| Board Volume | Not reported | 195 L | 185 L | 234 L | 230 L |
| Fin Configuration | Single drop down fin | Single 9" tool-free detachable center fin | Large detachable center fin with 2 optional side fins | Single | Single detachable center fin (tool required) |
| Bungee Cargo System | Yes | Yes | Yes | Inserts only | Yes |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
We decided to test out this SUP after seeing that their website offers a discounted rate for two packs. Two stand up paddle boards for the price of what some of the premium models costs seemed like quite the steal, so we decided to test it out. Unfortunately, this board scored very low on all fronts.
Performance Comparison
Lifetime Horizon is great for a chill hangout paddle session.
Credit: Katie Young
Glide Performance
We take our boards out in a variety of conditions and do timed glide tests to see how they do. This is one of the most important factors in our scoring of SUPs.
It was an all-out fight to keep this board moving in the choppy water with wind. It takes effort to keep it going even in flat water. We were grateful that the included paddle is on the heftier side, so it holds up to the action. Compared to other boards in our lineup, this SUP felt much more boat-like when paddling and balancing.
Stability
While we were hopeful that the size of this board would increase its stability, we had an incredibly hard time balancing on it. In more rugged paddling conditions, we felt every single wave reverberate through the board. This SUP bounces quite a lot in choppy waves, leaving us feeling like we were at a rodeo instead of out for a paddle.
Out of all the boards we tested, we experienced near falls and actual falls off of this one the most.
The Horizon 100 offers ample space for pup passengers, although we noticed the hard plastic was a little slick for them.
Credit: Katie Young
Maneuverability
The maneuverability of this stand up paddle board is similar to a kayak. It takes quite a while to get it turned around, as well as some arm muscle. Due to the lack of stability, you can't lean too much on one leg or another to assist with turning. We didn't try standing on the back for a tail pivot, as our footing wasn't sure enough.
When paddling, we had to swap strokes on the opposite side of the board after one paddle. The video below shows how much the nose moves back and forth. We experienced this in both calm and choppy water.
Lifetime Horizon 100 has a hard time staying in a straight line when paddling.
Credit: Jen Rippert
Ease of Transport
At over 46 pounds and 34 inches wide, it's helpful to have two people to load it on and off the top of a vehicle for transport. It's also difficult to carry to and from the water. On one of our test paddles, we had to park a little ways from the water, and it took several rest stops along the way to get it to the shore when carrying it.
Stu, who is carrying the board, is over 6 feet tall. Folks with smaller frames might enlist a friend to help with transport.
Credit: Katie Young
Construction Quality
This board would be a fine choice for beginners looking for a more affordable hardshell to take out just on calmer days. Its thicker plastic build means you do not have to worry as much about dents and dings, which can be a big plus for some paddlers.
This board also has some cool features we have not seen on many other boards. It has a retractable fin, which means you can worry less about misplacing it or damaging it in transport. The Lifetime Horizon 100 also comes with a media mount on the front for attaching a GoPro or other media device on the board to capture content. Finally, we appreciate the sturdy paddle for a board of this heft.
Should You Buy the Lifetime Horizon 100?
This board would do well for someone looking to have chill days more focused on hanging out on the water than paddling. We could also see the Lifetime Horizon 100 being great for someone wanting a SUP for river float adventures. This board would likely hold up against rocks or branches that you might come across on such an adventure. However, the Horizon 100 is not the right choice for paddlers looking for speed, stability, or easy transport. Especially if you are transporting your board solo most of the time, this might be a bit more than what you're looking for.
Our 2024 lineup of hardshell SUPs that we tested.
Credit: Katie Young
What Other Stand Up Paddle Boards Should You Consider?
If you're looking for an affordable hardshell option, we would recommend going with the Pelican Flow 106, which actually is at a cheaper price point than this board. If you're seeking a durable and stable board that's much easier to transport, read about the SIC Maui TAO Fit AT. And if you need a board that folds up and fits in your car for transporting, check out our top inflatable SUP recommendations.
—Katie Young
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