Body Glove Porter
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for an affordable SUP/Kayak hybrid look no further, this is it. The Body Glove Porter is an awesome choice for someone who is looking for an inflatable paddleboard and kayak in one. The board is meant for a single paddler and is nice and stable in both standing and sitting positions. At 9’6” and 20.5 pounds, the board is really easy to handle and carry around. The downside of this though is that bigger paddlers might not feel as comfortable or stable as a smaller paddler would; however, it’s noted that the board can handle up to 300 pounds. This board should work for paddlers of all skill levels and ages and is best for short to mid-range distances. Priced at $999, the Body Glove Porter is an incredibly affordable package, especially since you’re getting the duo usage and is a great option for those single paddlers looking for just that.
First Impressions
This is simply the best attempt at a SUP/kayak hybrid that we've seen to-date. The graphics are definitely above average with a beautiful color coordination and the construction looks to be on the higher end. It doesn't have carbon reinforcement which is what would take it to the next level, but it's still a very good construction. The foot stoppers where you put your feet when in the sitting position is a great addition and makes the kayak experience far more pleasant of an experience. The paddle does feel a bit too heavy though. While we understand you want to put everything in one package the weight of the paddle here undermines the paddling experience just a bit too much. The board does have lots of handles making carrying and handling the board fairly easy. The one thing that we'd recommend improving on this board is the size. It seems a bit too small and not as stable for paddlers at the 200lb and above range. But, other than that, this does come as a complete package with paddles, leash and seat included and is hands down the best SUP/kayak hybrid that we've been able to try.
Benefits
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Primary Use
All-AroundPaddle Boards fall into two broad categories, All-Around and Specialty boards, with all-around designed primarily for recreation while speciality boards for top performance in specific disciplines
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Durability
Above AverageDurability is largely a result of the board construction and shape, with more durable boards typically carrying more materials (added layers, PVC, etc) and as such adding to the weight.
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Stability
StableStability is a product of construction and shape, where boards w/ 30”+ wide and 200+ liters in volume offer plenty of stability for your AVG adult while a board under 26” wide is a challenge.
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Glide
AverageGlide is a result of board shape and construction, w/ boards weighing under 30lbs and designed for racing offering best glide while recreational boards normally being on the slow side.
Learn more on the Body Glove website.
Features
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Dimensions
9'6" x 31" x 5.4"Industry standard in board dimensions reads: L (length, from nose to tail) x W (width, from rail to rail at midpoint length), and H (height, from top to bottom of board at midpoint length).
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Weight
20.5 lbsStandup paddle boards tend to fall into 4 different weight classes: extremely lightweight (under 20 lbs), lightweight (20-28 lbs), average weight (28-35 lbs), heavy (above 35 lbs).
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Volume
unknown LVolume is a key metric to determine how much weight a board can carry. Boards w/ 200+ liters offer most floatation with boards under 150 liters typically for high-performance surf.
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Capacity
300 lbsCapacity is the max cargo weight a stand up paddle board can carry, considering not only the paddler’s weight but whatever else the paddler may choose to carry alongside him/her.
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Add On's
Bungee Nose, Paddle Holder, Paddle Included, Leash Included, Kayak hybrid, Foot pegsAdd-on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; Connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin install.
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Handle
StrapHandles directly affect carrying ease, with external grip handles (Liftsup & EZgrab) offering most comfort, Internal Ergo Grip the mid-tier comfort, and box handles as least comfortable.
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Holders
YesFishing rod holders and/or paddle holders can make paddling that much more pleasant, esp. when needing holders for the rod or having a safe place for the paddle during yoga.
Sizes Available
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
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Similar Products
Surftech Hercules
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Aqua Marina Evolution
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Scott Burke SUPyak
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Surftech Runabout
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