Pau Hana Big EZ Stowaway Lite
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Only best products in a given category receive “A” grade.
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly inflatable standup paddle board that is both affordable and unique check out the Big EZ Stowaway inflatable SUP from Pau Hana Surf Supply. The Stowaway is a limited edition stand up paddle board that is exclusively sold at REI and has 10 unique designs to choose from. This paddle board is very lightweight and best for those looking for a recreational board best for short distance paddling in calm, flatwater conditions. Priced at just $599 this board sits in the mid-tier market in terms of affordability and is a great entry-level board that is eye catching and easy to use. It comes in a complete package with the board, paddle, pump, leash, fin and drybag for storage.
First Impressions
Straight out of the gates, this board was one we were really excited to unbox based on the packaging alone. It had really cool graphics on it and stood out among other boxes in our review lineup. The unboxing of the board did not disappoint either. The second we pulled out the board, it immediately made our entire team say ‘wow’! The board is gorgeous, and the design is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. It's possibly one of the most eye-catching paddle boards we've ever encountered. We’re borderline obsessed! And the best part is this limited edition series from Pau Hana has 10 unique designs in total, all of which are stunning. The board colorway we tested is called the ‘Hippy Wave’. Not only was the board awesome at first glance, but the quality of the included dry storage bag is amazing too. The material is thick and durable but also thin and light! It’s quite rare to have the included bag with a paddleboard double as a dry bag, and it's also rare to see a bag of that size be able to fit a board of this size, so these are very thoughtful touches from the design team at Pau Hana. Another design feature on this board that we really enjoy and appreciate is how the traction pad spans all the way from the tail to the nose. The full grip makes having kids or pups on board a lot easier and also works well if you plan on using the board for some SUP yoga or fitness. This board is big, high volume, and wide, with twin 9" fins designed to provide excellent stability. A big takeaway on this board is that its design is incredibly compact and lightweight, yet it doesn’t sacrifice on durability or quality to achieve that lightweight feel. Because of this unique feature, the board and package as a whole is an excellent option for adventure seekers who want to go off the beaten path to paddle but don’t want to lug around a heavy bag. Alternatively, it’s also a great option for city folk who need something small and compact. Overall, the Pau Hana Big EZ Stowaway is a stunner of a board at a great price and is a great fit for someone who wants or needs something lightweight and easily transportable, has good quality, and can be used for just about all skill levels and paddler sizes. A well-deserved A-grade board.
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
DurableDurability 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
AverageStability 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 Pau Hana website.
Features
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Dimensions
11' x 32" x 6"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
18 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
225 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
338 lbs / 153 kgCapacity 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, D Ring, Paddle Included, Leash IncludedAdd-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 instal.
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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
NoFishing 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
For more detailed reviews and to look at similar models, visit Supconnect.com. If you like this review, give us the thumbs up. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments. And make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss the latest news and reviews from Supconnect.