Aqua Bound Malta Carbon 2-Piece Review

The Malta Carbon is a truly excellent, high-performance paddle. That said, one thing to keep in mind if you are considering any carbon paddle is that they are much more susceptible to damage from scuffs and scrapes than non-carbon options. If you choose to invest in the Malta, we don't think you'll be disappointed, but we highly recommend getting a case for your paddle. It may also be smart to have a cheaper and less fragile option as a backup, especially if you like to float near rocks, docks, or other potential obstacles.

Performance Comparison

Performance

This metric focuses on how each paddle performs while on the water. We looked at how comfortable and ergonomic each paddle was to hold, how powerful and efficient they were, the amount of flutter, the flex or rigidity, and how the recovery portion of each paddle stroke felt. The Malta Carbon is very much a high-performance paddle, and its score reflects this.

This paddle is made of pure carbon, making it very lightweight and rigid. We noticed almost no flex in the shaft of the paddle — even when paddling our hardest — and this helps aid in a quick and easy recovery portion of each paddle stroke.

The blade of the Malta Carbon has a decently large surface area and a 10-degree offset, allowing for a very efficient and powerful paddle stroke. This larger surface area of 87 square inches can make it a bit more fatiguing to paddle with, though. The dihedral blade design helps scoop the water and makes for a very clean entry and exit for each stroke. We also experienced only minimal flutter, even with a very rapid cadence.

Finally, we love how comfortable and smooth the handle is. It's very ergonomic, with no edges or other spots that would give us cause for concern about hotspots or blisters forming on longer paddling adventures. All in all, the Malta Carbon is one of our favorites regarding paddling performance, reflected by its impressive score.

Ease of Adjustment

Our next set of evaluations and assessments focused on the user-friendliness of adjusting the length of each paddle. We based scores on the range of adjustment available and the rest of the adjustment process besides the locking mechanism, which we focus on in another metric. Once again, the Malta Carbon did well, though this wasn't its strongest metric.

The inner telescoping portion of the Malta Carbon slides smoothly within the outer section, making it exceptionally easy to adjust the overall length. This paddle has an adjustment range of 10 inches and is available in three different lengths: 64 to 74 inches, 70 to 80 inches, and 76 to 86 inches. However, you don't have access to the full range of adjustment, as it is limited by the discrete positions the internal spring pin catches.

Locking Mechanism

Next, we rated and scored the locking mechanism on each paddle. While easy adjustment is nice, it's somewhat meaningless if the locking mechanism doesn't reliably clamp the paddle at the desired length. Luckily, the Malta Carbon doesn't suffer from this problem at all, meriting an excellent score for its easy-to-use and secure locking mechanism.

This paddle utilizes a single internal spring pin. We like how clean this makes the paddle appear, especially compared to a cam lock or an external dual-pin system. It's not too much force to depress the pin and change the length. However, we could see some issues — particularly in a saltwater environment — where the pin might need a bit of additional lubrication over time due to corrosion or where the locking holes start to become sloppier with wear and tear. As with any nice gear, we recommend cleaning the mechanism after each use and before stowing away.

Weight

Next, we moved on to rating and ranking each paddle in terms of weight. A heftier paddle will be much more fatiguing to use, particularly on longer paddles — even if it's only heavier by a few ounces. Like most all-carbon paddles, the Malta Carbon scores exceptionally well in this metric, barely tipping the scales at an impressive 18 ounces.

This makes the Malta Carbon one of the lightest paddles we have ever tested, weighing almost a pound less than some of the aluminum and plastic options in our lineup. Such a light weight makes for a very snappy recovery during each paddle stroke, and it won't add additional fatigue to marathon paddle sessions like the heavier options will. If you have your sights set on long days and a lot of mileage, or you're considering racing, this is a paddle we would recommend.

Construction Quality

Our final metric looks at the quality of construction for each paddle. While we can't truly judge durability during our short but intense testing period, we can make some solid comments on overall construction and build quality. This metric is understandably more subjective, but the expertise of our testing team knows what to look for after many years of doing this. The Malta Carbon finished out our tests with another great showing, earning one of the better scores of the bunch.

As the price would suggest, the Malta is a high-end paddle. A high price doesn't automatically mean quality, but in this instance, you really do get what you pay for. Everything about the shape, construction, and execution of this paddle is geared toward performance. The ergonomics allow for a super powerful stroke, the materials are sleek and comfortable, and the locking mechanism is excellent. On the aesthetics side, the Malta is also sleek and stylish, though it doesn't come in a bunch of flashy colors or patterns like some options.

Should You Buy the Aqua Bound Malta Carbon?

Unfortunately, this top-tier paddle comes with a top-tier price tag, so we wouldn't recommend it for anyone shopping on a budget. There are plenty of paddles that cost a whole lot less, with a negligible drop in performance if you are shopping with your pocketbook in mind. However, if you are looking to level up your gear with performance in mind and you can afford it, we think you'll be really pleased with the Malta Carbon.

What Other SUP Paddles Should You Consider?

If you just can't stomach the price of the Malta Carbon but still have a pretty decent budget for a paddle, the Aqua Bound Malta Fiberglass 2-Piece is worth looking at. It's still expensive, but it also has a carbon shaft, is only 2 ounces heavier, and will save you a not-insignificant amount of cash. If you don't understand how or why a paddle would cost this much in the first place and just want to get out on the water for cheap, the BPS Koru 2-Piece Alloy is a great option. Our favorite balance of performance and price is the Werner Vibe, though both the Vibe and the Koru jump up significantly in regards to weight.