REASONS TO BUY
Good performance
Comfortable to hold
REASONS TO AVOID
Showed signs of wear quickly
Not our favorite locking mechanism
Isle 2-Piece Carbon Review
This paddle straddles the line between low-end and top-tier but we aren’t overly enamored with it
Credit: Isle
By Marissa Fox ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 29, 2021
RELATED: The Best SUP Paddles of 2025
Our Verdict
Overall, we don't think the Isle 2-Piece Carbon is a bad paddle by any means. However, we definitely don't think it comes anywhere close to being considered the best. It's a little on the bulky side, weighing a bit more than the top-tier options. The locking mechanism is also one of our least favorite types, but the paddle feels comfortable to hold and performs well on the water. If it happened to come with your SUP, we wouldn't feel the need to recommend that you rush out and buy a different paddle immediately, but it isn't our first choice when shopping for a new one.
Our Analysis and Test Results
While this is far from our favorite paddle, it definitely gets the job done. It's bundled with many of the Isle boards and does well enough that we wouldn't immediately recommend upgrading.
Unfortunately, this is one of the heaviest paddles we have tested.
Credit: David Wise
Performance
This teardrop paddle has one of the larger surface areas, allowing for plenty of power per paddle stroke — though this can make it more fatiguing to use. The shaft doesn't have much flex, and the grip is comfortable to hold, with a minimal chance for hotspots or blisters forming even for marathon paddling sessions.
The handle on the Isle is comfortable and ergonomic to hold.
Credit: David Wise
The blade has a dihedral with an offset of about 10 degrees to maximize the effective length of your paddle. However, we did notice the extra heft of the 2-Piece Carbon on the recovery stroke compared to the premium paddles.
Weight
This paddle weighs in at just under 2 pounds — surprisingly heavy in our opinion for a carbon paddle. This weight practically puts it in direct competition with some aluminum paddles and is close to 50% heavier than the lightest paddles we have tested.
Ease of Adjustment
This paddle uses a mid-shaft cam locking mechanism and offers a total of 16 inches of adjustment. This gives the paddle a length varying anywhere from 67"-83"; we like that this paddle has a continuous range of adjustment, rather than discrete points or pins, really letting you fine-tune the adjustment.
We like that you have access to the entire range of adjustment with the Isle.
Credit: David Wise
Locking Mechanism
The main reason we dislike this mechanism compared to the twin pin or LeverLock system is that it is harder to actuate, and we have had some problems where the screw loosened and requires a tool to tighten — difficult when on the water. It does give you adjustability when it comes to clamping pressure, but we have generally found this to be more trouble than it's worth.
The cam lock or handle lever lock is our least favorite locking mechanism.
Credit: David Wise
Aesthetics
The Isle 2-Piece has a fairly plain look. We like the carbon texture on the shaft of the paddle, which complements the blade nicely. However, we noticed some accelerated wear and tear on the paddle edge after only a few uses, just from contacting the bottom or other objects when launching or landing the board. This can cut into the aesthetics just a bit.
Value
The Isle is a decent value option, pairing a fairly middle-of-the-road price tag with solid performance.
Conclusion
We feel the Isle 2-piece is fine rather than fantastic. We wouldn't actively dissuade you from getting it, particularly if you found it on sale or in a packaged deal with your new stand up paddle board. However, it isn't the best when it comes to weight and its locking mechanism.
—Marissa Fox
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