Oregon summers are getting hotter yearly, and outdoor activities involving water are a great way to spend a hot summer day, especially around Mt. Hood. Stand-up paddleboards have been a hit with my family for years. However, there’s a noticeable shift when moving from entry-level paddleboards to medium-level ones. Entry-level boards, which you can buy on Amazon for $50 to $70, are of poor quality and may only last for one or two sessions. If you’re serious about the hobby, you need something more durable.
There are many options in the $300 to $500 range, making it tough to decide which is right for you. I had a chance to use the iRocker All-Around, which is probably one of the better options at this price point, especially for enthusiasts who are committed to the craft but don’t want to break the bank. Based on my experience using it last summer and a bit this summer, I’ll dive into a detailed review of this paddleboard, reflecting updated opinions formed over more than a year of use.
Learn More About This Paddle Board Here
What Is The iRocker ALL Around?
Sporting a patent-pending design, this sleek board is our most compact and lightweight offering yet, ensuring no waterway remains uncharted. Enhanced stability instills unwavering confidence on any aquatic terrain, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned paddler. This 32″ wide board perfectly balances speed and stability, is ideal for paddlers up to 5’5”, and has a weight capacity of 260 lbs. The woven drop-stitch construction epitomizes durability, enabling you to carve through waters with unmatched grace.
Moreover, accompanying this impressive SUP is the iROCKER 12V Electric Pump, designed to infuse convenience into your adventure. The pump boasts an electronic pressure gauge, allowing you to set your desired PSI – with 15 PSI being the sweet spot. Once attained, the pump takes a bow, automatically halting the inflation. Housed in a compact design, this pump effortlessly fits into the accompanying Accessory Pouch, ensuring you’re always adventure-ready. Whether it’s a cigarette lighter or a direct 12V battery connection, this pump adapts, underscoring the versatility and thoughtfulness they’ve poured into their products since our inception in 2013
What We Loved Most About The iRocker ALL Around
It’s The Whole Package
This standup paddleboard comes jam-packed with many bells and whistles in a large bag. And while the bag is an excellent feature in and of itself, which we’ll chat about in a bit, this SUP does come with everything you need to get going, and we loved every minute of unboxing it.
The automatic inflator and portable battery quickly take the cake for the best inclusion with your purchase of this SUP. Setting up and inflating the SUP in less than a few minutes was incredibly easy. As this is predominantly a mid-range paddleboard, we loved seeing the extra amenities included for users who love the hobby but haven’t invested years of their life and thought into the activity. It’s the whole package for anyone who needs all they need to get started in the best possible way!
It’s Easy To Use
We hinted at this in the previous point with the simplicity of inflating this SUP, but it goes far beyond that.
The iRocker team packed many different things into the travel-friendly carrying bag that the SUP came in, and it was a bit intimidating to look at when we first got it out of the box and started to unpack it. But it only took a few seconds to realize this is one of the easiest SUPs to set up and break down we’ve ever reviewed. All in all, it took less than 15 minutes from when we busted it out of the cardboard box it shipped into when it was fully inflated and on the water.
The collapsable paddle also gave a ton of flexibility in terms of the height and length of the paddle while also having the added benefit of being super compact when it was time to put it all away again.
Often our biggest complaint regarding devices like this is the number of hurdles and road bumps you need to get through to start enjoying yourself with the product or device, but this is absolutely not the case with the iRocker All Around. Getting it ready for water couldn’t be easier, and getting it out of the water and broken down so you can start heading to the nearest post-water brewery could not have been a better experience and one we’ve been telling all our friends about.
It Comes In A Great Bag
We’re sure iRocker’s sole focus wasn’t on making an excellent travel bag when designing the massive backpack that the SUP ships in. Still, it’s easily one of our favorites of the entire setup and will probably see as much use in the colder seasons as the board itself does in the warmer months of the year.
The SUP is packed in a massive backpack with straps and more, making carrying the bag to more remote locations (or just through the parking lot to the lake) incredibly easy. That being said, it also can hold as much stuff as a full-sized suitcase and will replace our haggard Rick Steves bag this fall when we head to Amsterdam for ADE. The bright colors that match the SUP, the straps that make it easy to carry, and the extra pockets make this a fantastic travel bag even when the paddle board is left at home!
It’s Easy To Handle
Entry-level SUPs are easy enough to lay on in the water and sunbathe, but they are often a disaster when it comes to helping you get from point A to point B. But the iRocker All Around is far from entry-level, and between the SUP’s durable exterior materials, two read fins, and maneuverable paddle, this SUP is incredibly easy to direct and use, making it fun to cruise around the lake or body of water instead of just drifting on its surface.
It helps you be more intentional with your time on the water, making all the difference.
What We Weren’t Crazy About
It’s A Bit Pricey
The price discrepancy between entry-level SUPs and mid to upper-mid-tier options can be pretty striking for anyone looking to jump into something more severe than the shoddy and cheap ones you find on Amazon, and the iRocker is no different.
That being said, the almost $700 price tag is completely justified considering the quality of the build and the amount of added features the SUP comes with. But still, $700 is a pretty penny for anyone, so we wanted to note it here! Despite the price tag, it’s still the SUP we have recommended most to all our friends and colleagues this season. It’s worth every penny.
Lack Of Color Options
Aesthetics are usually the last thing we consider when it comes to products like this, but that doesn’t mean we pay them zero mind. And while the bright and easy-to-spot colors are necessary when looking at any aquatic sports products, we wish there were more options than the two shown in the image above (at least at the time of publishing this article).
Final Thoughts
In wrapping up, the iRocker All Around is an exceptional balance between performance, convenience, and style. This standup paddleboard seamlessly combines many amenities and user-friendly features, making it a joy for both seasoned SUP enthusiasts and novices.
From its swift setup process to the delightful travel bag, it offers an unparalleled experience. However, potential buyers should brace themselves for its price tag. While the cost might be higher, the board’s quality and the included extras justify the investment. In the vast ocean of paddleboards available today, the iRocker stands out as a product and an experience worth indulging in.
If you’re seeking a SUP that promises fun, functionality, and a sprinkle of luxury, this might be the board for you.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
