Paddling the ISLE Cruiser 2 with pup in tow. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Stand up paddling is a sport that does not discriminate. Young, old, balanced, unstable, athletic, or couch potato, the beauty of SUP is that it’s easy to learn and can be done by almost anyone. However, setting yourself up for success with the right equipment is essential for a good time on the water.
All-around paddle boards are a great option for most people in most conditions thanks to their versatile design and stable platform. We recently ran a review on The Best Stand Up Paddle Boards and the ISLE Cruiser 2 ($1,295) was one of our top picks with great maneuverability for an all-around board and a unique hybrid soft-top construction.
| Pros | Cons |
| Full-length EVA deck pad | Handle isn’t our favorite |
| Reliable paddle | Thinner design results in a less stable board |
| Cool aesthetic |
First Impressions of the ISLE Cruiser 2
As a seasoned stand up paddler, I have paddled a lot of all-around paddle boards. When the ISLE Cruiser 2 arrived on my doorstep, I quickly got to unboxing it. My first thought was that I loved its blue hues and stripes. Appearance doesn’t affect the performance of your paddle board, but it still matters.
In terms of the design of the board, the length and width looked appropriate for an all-around board but the board was thinner than most all-around boards I’d paddled in the past.
Another interesting feature I noticed was the handle. Where most paddle boards have an indented area that serves as a handle the Cruiser 2 has a literal handle that pops out for carrying it – when you’re not using it, it lies flush with the board. I’d never seen a design like this before and was curious about how it would compare to the traditional style.
CHECK PRICE ON ISLENotable Features
Available Sizes: 10′ 5″
Size Tested: 10’5″ x 32″ x 4.5″
Weight: 28 pounds
Weight Capacity: 235 pounds
The Cruiser 2 package comes with everything you need to hit the water. The package includes a coil leash, a center fin, and a two-piece adjustable paddle.
The fin is a durable nylon touring fin, similar to a longboard surfboard, and it delivers a stable ride while allowing for easy turns. The Cruiser 2 also has bungee tie-down straps on the nose, which is a great place to stash a backpack, water bottle, and other essentials.
The nylon touring-style fin is stable and durable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The paddle features a carbon fiber shaft paired with a nylon blade. It’s a tad on the heavy side thanks to the blade, but the nylon helps it fare better against bumps and run-ins with rocks. The carbon fiber shaft is lightweight and stiff. The paddle is adjustable, and unlike a lot of adjustable paddles, it doesn’t slide around while you paddle.
The paddle features a carbon fiber shaft paired with a nylon blade. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Measuring 10’5″ x 32″ x 4.5″, the Cruiser 2 has a fairly standard length and width as most all-around boards. If anything it’s on the smaller side, making it easier to transport and maneuver, but it still has enough length and width to remain reliably stable.
The Cruiser 2 has a unique construction: It’s essentially a blend between a hard paddle board and a foamie. In theory, it’s a hard board, but the entire deck is covered in foam, allowing for the paddling efficiency that a hard board delivers with the soft forgiveness of foamie should you fall on it, and a grippy, low-profile deckpad that covers the entire deck of the board.
The full-length EVA deck pad provides a great surface for paddling with small children or dogs. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The foam covering the board is a non-slip, full-length EVA deck pad. Most paddle boards only have foam on the region of the board that you stand on. I really enjoyed the full-length deck pad as it made it easy to walk around the board without slipping. It’s also a great option for SUP yoga or paddling with a small child or dog onboard. With the foam covering the nose, tail, and rails of the board as well, the Cruiser 2 is extremely durable, and less prone to dings than a hard paddle board without such padding.
A first-time paddler taking the Cruiser 2 out for a spin. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks
At 4.5″ thick, the Cruiser 2 is a little on the thin side for an all-around paddle board. Most all-around hard paddle boards are 5″ or more, or 6″-plus for inflatables. As an experienced paddler, I had no problems with the thinner board design and found it to be more maneuverable than its thicker counterparts. During a testing session with this board, I brought a novice paddler friend with me and had him give it a go.
He found that the Cruiser 2 was stable enough but was more challenging than the 5-inch-thick board I had him start the paddle on. Another friend, who is also an experienced paddler, tried paddling the Cruiser 2 with his dog. They did well, but the board did sit low in the water while they were paddling, and they might have fared better on a thicker board. At 235 pounds, the Cruiser 2’s weight capacity is on the low end of the spectrum and between a 6’3″ human and a lab puppy, they were nearing capacity.
The pop-out handle on the Cruiser 2 is unique but it isn’t the most comfortable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Another drawback of the Cruiser 2 is the handle. The pop-out handle is a unique design and I was curious about how it would perform, but unfortunately, I wasn’t the biggest fan. When carrying the board, I found it to be more uncomfortable than a traditional SUP handle. It worked okay for short distances but was more noticeable on longer walks to the water.
The Competition
Through our Best Stand Up Paddle Boards and Best Inflatable Paddle Boards reviews, I’ve had the opportunity to test a lot of paddle boards. As I mentioned before, the Surftech Lido won our award for best all-around paddle board because it’s half an inch thicker, resulting in a slightly more stable board. It’s also a couple hundred bucks cheaper – it costs $955 while the Cruiser 2 costs $1295 (but the Cruiser 2 is frequently on sale). However, the increase in maneuverability and full-length deck pad are big pros of the Cruiser 2, making it a great choice for lighter riders or those who would benefit from the full deckpad.
A side-by-side comparison of the Cruiser 2 and the Malibu Tour. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
While I was testing the Cruiser 2 with friends, we had the Pau Hana Malibu Tour on the water with us as well. The Malibu Tour sports a touring shape and consequently is longer and narrower than the Cruiser 2 (it measures 11’6″ x 30″ x 6″). As a result, it cuts through the water more efficiently. Because it’s narrower we thought it would be less stable, but thanks to the 6″ thickness, it was comparable to the Cruiser 2 and my newbie friend did about as well on it as the Cruiser 2. The downside of the Malibu Tour is that it felt very heavy to carry (it’s three pounds heavier) and the adjustable paddle has a tendency to move around while you’re trying to paddle (you must screw it in for it to be secure).
If you prefer an inflatable paddle board, the ISLE Explorer 3.0 was our favorite of all the iSUPs we tested. Measuring 11′ 6″ x 32″ x 6″, it’s longer and thicker than the Cruiser 2, resulting in a more stable ride. It weighs just 19 pounds to the Cruiser 2’s 28. At $795, it’s also cheaper. The downside? It takes a fair amount of muscle to get it inflated, and as an inflatable, is not as rigid as the Cruiser 2, making it a bit slower and lower-performing in windy or choppy conditions.
Thanks to the full-length deck pad, the Cruiser 2 is a great pick for SUP yoga or paddling with small children or dogs in tow. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
Measuring 10’5″ x 32″ x 4.5″, the ISLE Cruiser 2 sports an all-around paddle board design. It’s slightly thinner than most all-around paddle boards, meaning it’s more maneuverable but also slightly less stable, making this a great choice for lighter riders, fast-tracked beginners with prior boardsports experience, or anyone looking for a stable, maneuverable ride.
The full-length EVA deck pad provides reliable traction throughout the entire board, making it a great pick for SUP yoga or paddling with small children or dogs in tow. It also makes the board more durable than most hard stand up paddle boards, and less prone to dings on the deck of the board and rails. The Cruiser 2 package comes complete with a fin, leash, and paddle, so you have everything you need to hit the water.
CHECK PRICE ON ISLEEditor’s Note: If you’re interested in other general stand up paddle boards, check out our overall article on The Best Stand Up Paddle Boards, and for inflatables, check out our feature on The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards. Also, make sure to complete your kit with one of the best SUP Paddles. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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