Paddling on the BOTE LowRider. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
When in the market for a stand up paddle board, everyone has different priorities. If yours is stability, then the BOTE Lowrider Aero Inflatable Hybrid Paddle Board ($799) may be just the board for you.
Measuring 10′6″ L × 36″ W × 6″ D, the LowRider is a wide board that can support up to 300 pounds. It also comes with a seat and paddle attachment that allow you to transform the board into a sit-on-top kayak. I live on Oahu and love to spend my weekends exploring local waterways with friends. Although I am an experienced paddler, a lot of my friends are not, so it’s nice to have a stable board to offer them, especially on windy days. The Lowrider is a board that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their skill level.
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide and stable | Heavy |
| High-quality paddle | Difficult to inflate |
| Lots of compatible accessories |
First Impressions of the BOTE LowRider
The BOTE LowRider is by no means a small board. The bag it comes in is large and heavy, but luckily it has wheels. Due to its size and volume, the LowRider took some grunt work to get inflated. Once it was inflated, there was no denying that it is a hefty board. And as such, I expected it to be slower to paddle but incredibly stable.
Because it’s a hybrid board, the LowRider comes with a kayak seat and paddle attachment. The kayak seat was quick and easy to inflate and attach but the shape was a little funky and I worried it might be uncomfortable.
The BOTE LowRider in kayak mode. Photo: Jess Jeong//The Inertia
Notable Features
Dimensions: 10′6″ L × 36″ W × 6″ D
Capacity: 300 lbs
Board Weight: 30 lbs
Seat Weight: 5.6 lbs
Travel Bag Dimensions: 39.5″ H × 22.5″ W × 12″ D
Loaded Bag Weight: 42.6 lbs
With the Lowrider SUP package, BOTE thought of everything. The package comes with the inflatable paddle board, a removable kayak seat, four-piece carbon/fiberglass SUP + kayak hybrid paddle, a removable center fin, hand pump, repair kit, and BOTE Rac receivers for compatible accessories. The 11’6″ version is billed as a tandem SUP, coming with an extra paddle and kayak seat, as well as the heft to support two riders at a time.
As predicted, the LowRider is incredibly stable. At 36 inches wide, it’s one of the widest boards I’ve ever paddled, resulting in a large platform that is easy to balance on. Due to its weight I worried the LowRider may be difficult to paddle, but it cut through the water easily and tracked well. Because it’s so wide it took a bit more work to turn, but it was much easier than I expected.
Something that really stands out about the LowRider is the paddle. Most paddles included with iSUPs aren’t great, but the paddle that comes with the LowRider is surprisingly solid. The four-piece paddle can be used as a SUP paddle or you can swap out the t-handle for the kayak paddle. Although the paddle was on the heavy side, it feels secure, allowing you to put as much force into each stroke as you want to. The shaft of the paddle is textured, providing good grip even when the paddle gets wet.
The kayak seat on the LowRider is nice and comfortable. Photo: Jess Jeong//The Inertia
Although the LowRider doesn’t come with a ton of extra accessories, it is compatible with many. The BOTE Rac receivers allow you to attach a rack directly to your board. The board also works with BOTE’s Kula Cooler, so you can completely deck it out as a fishing rig. I didn’t have the chance to try these variations, but I think it’s cool that the board works with all of them.
I did, however, test out the kayak seat and kayak paddle that the board came with. Although I was skeptical about the seat, it is easy to attach and is incredibly comfortable. The package doesn’t come with any sort of foot rest, but you don’t need it. The LowRider paddles extremely well in kayak mode and is comfortable to boot. The LowRider will be my new go-to on windy and choppy days.
The entire time I was paddling on the LowRider I was thinking of my dad who, for the life of him, can’t balance on a paddle board. I am excited for the next time he visits me, because I’m confident he will be able to successfully paddle on the LowRider. And if he can’t, then he can always use it as a kayak.
The LowRider bag is heavy and bulky but it does come with wheels. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks
The downside of a wide, stable board is the weight and size. At 30 pounds, the LowRider is one of the heaviest boards I have ever paddled. The entire package weight is 42.6 pounds, so it was challenging for me to load in and out of the car. Luckily, the bag does have wheels which is essential with the weight. The pack also has padded backpack straps should you need to carry it.
Another drawback of being a big, wide board is that it takes a lot of work to get it inflated. The included hand pump works well but there is no getting around the effort it takes to inflate the board to the recommended 10-15 PSI (I’d recommend 15 for a seriously stable board). If you plan on paddling the LowRider often, you may consider purchasing an electric pump or cancelling your gym membership because you’re sure to get a workout inflating this beast.
Wide, stable, and fun to paddle, the LowRider is a great pick of all levels of paddlers. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The LowRider is a wide, stable board, making it perfect for beginners, larger paddlers, and folks just looking to cruise. A hybrid iSUP, the LowRider can be transformed into a comfortable kayak – it’s a best of both worlds board. Additionally, the LowRider is compatible with a whole slew of accessories, so you can use it for fishing or anything else your heart can dream up.
CHECK PRICE ON REI CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONEditor’s Note: If you want to check out another awesome board from BOTE, read our review the BOTE Breeze Aero. Of, if you want to see all of our inflatable SUPs, head on over to our The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards of 2024. Are you a SUP surfer? The are The Best Stand Up Paddle Boards for Surfing. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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