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SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP – Our Detailed Review

SportSTUFF PaddleBoard Girl

Is it possible to find a reliable and durable iSUP that is less than $500? The SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP proves to you that there are reliable brands that don’t need a large price tag for it to be good. This iSUP has received so many good reviews online that it’s one of the most impressive models in the market. 

Before you think that this is some low-quality paddleboard, know that it uses the same materials most of the other brands use. To add to that, a lot of people can attest that its quality remains good even after a few years. Curious to know if this iSUP is worth the try? Here’s a full review. 

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SportsStuff Paddle Boards

SPORTSTuff SUP Girl

SportsStuff is one of the companies under Airhead. Based on the former’s name, you already have an idea of what the company focuses on. You’re right, it’s sports equipment. At first, the company focused on sports equipment and tools that were used on land. But with the increasing popularity of water sports, SportsStuff couldn’t resist being part of the new trend. 

This was when SportsStuff made a series of products for water activities. There are kayaks, inflatables, surfboards, and stand-up paddleboards. Today, there are several SUPs under the brand. As a sports company, SportsStuff knows how to make durable and reliable products. This expertise reflects in its paddleboards. 

Every paddleboard made by SportsStuff uses military-grade PVC. They are also supported by an advanced dropstitching construction ensuring that the PVC layers remain in shape. However, these features are pretty common in mid-range paddleboards. What makes SportsStuff different then? 

If you’ve seen one of SportsStuff’s paddleboards online, you’re going to notice this – they’re all affordable. There has yet to be an iSUP in the company that exceeds a thousand dollars. On top of the affordable price, SportsStuff always includes a paddle and a bunch of accessories that will make your paddling experience convenient. 

A Quick Overview of the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP

A Quick Overview of the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP

The SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP is a 10’6” x 30” x 4” inflatable stand-up paddleboard. Because of its dimensions, it can be considered a standard all-around iSUP. People of different heights and weights will find this iSUP to be the perfect size for their newfound watersport. 

But before you even notice its dimensions, you’ll first notice the board’s appearance. The SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP sports a mix of striking neon colors. The first time you’ll see it, you might think that it’s for children. However, that’s not the case. Rather, this paddleboard is for adults who are looking for an entry-level iSUP that doesn’t break their wallets. 

Aside from the color combination, there’s another unique thing to note about this iSUP. As part of its accessories, it has a kayak seat that you can attach to two of its D-rings. Perfect for taking a break from all the standing! 

SportsStuff doesn’t stop there. Included in every sale of the 1030 Adventure iSUP are a paddle, a repair kit, a leash, and a pump. All of these are made from high-quality materials. Having these accessories is a big plus if you’re looking for a complete set for your iSUP. 

Features of the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP

Features of the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP

Here are all the features you need to know about the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP. 

Striking Color Combination

The first thing you’ll notice with this paddleboard is its colors. There’s rarely an iSUP brand that has such flashing colors. Most of them stick to blue, white, black, and other muted tones. However, SportsStuff went ahead and tried a more attention-grabbing style. 

These colors, however, are meant to grab the attention of people. As water sports equipment, it’s important that it’s colorful enough for anyone to see you. That way, you are easily spotted when something goes wrong. 

Versatile Board Design

Did you know that this entry-level iSUP is an all-around paddleboard? Because of its round nose, you can try a lot of styles save for SUP touring. Add to this the wide dimensions of the board, and you can do your yoga poses with ease. 

Moreover, this design is ideal for kayaking. There are extra D-rings that were specifically added in case you want to attach a kayak seat to your iSUP.

X-Cross Technology

The SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP has its own X-Cross Technology that glues all the PVC parts together. It’s SportsSttuff’s term for its dropstitching construction. 

The purpose of this feature is to keep the paddleboard rigid when it has air inside. The stitches also ensure that the board maintains its shape when inflated or deflated. 

Anti-Skid EVA Deck Pad

A large portion of this iSUP’s top is the anti-skid EVA deck pad. This deck pad allows for a firmer grip on the paddleboard. Regardless of whether you’re standing or kneeling, this deck pad is spacious enough to let you find your balance. 

Moreover, the EVA deck pad makes for a better grip for people who plan on doing SUP yoga. As you do your poses, you’ll find that the full deck pad is consistent in texture and grip. 

8 D-Rings

There is a total of 8 D-rings on the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP. Four of these are found on the upper portion of the board. These rings hold the bungee system that serves as a storage area. You can also safely store your paddle here. 

The other two rings found below the bungee system are for the kayak seat. Not all iSUPs have additional D-rings for a bungee seat. This is uniquely found in SportsStuff paddleboards. 

As for the other two, one is on the nose for towing. The other is at the tail where you will attach the leash that’s provided. 

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Pros and Cons of the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP

Pros and Cons of the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP

The fact that the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP is affordable seems it’s convincing enough to make you want to buy it. Before you do, here are a few pros and cons that will manage your expectations on this iSUP. 

Pros

  • Versatile 

An advantage of owning the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP is its versatility. As an all-around iSUP, there are so many styles that you can try. Plus, you get to kayak on it too since it has a kayak seat included. You can try yoga, fishing, and surfing! 

  • Full Package iSUP

There’s no doubt that the advantage of buying the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP is it comes in a full package. Any first-timer is going to love all the accessories that come with it. No more hassle to buy all these things. Plus, it’s a lot more affordable to buy all of them in one go.

  • Made for all levels of paddlers

Sure, the design looks a little quirky but the make and performance of this board are also compatible with intermediate players. Most paddleboards are only good for beginners but this iSUP’s performance is so good that advanced players will not outgrow it. 

  • Can bring a friend with you

There’s a lot of space on this iSUP that lets you bring a friend. In fact, when you attach the kayak seat, your friend can easily fit themselves there while you paddle. Just keep in mind that both of your weights should not exceed a total of 250 pounds. Over that, and the board will feel a little flimsy.

  • Easy to use

One of the advantages of owning a SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP is that it’s super easy to use. Despite being an inflatable SUP where inflating can be a hassle, you don’t feel that way with this one. Preparation time is only 10 minutes and that includes inflating the SUP up to 15 PSI. 

  • Has more than enough D-Rings

Ever worried that there aren’t enough D-Rings to hold your things? With the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP, you have 8 D-rings. There are 4 dedicated to holding your things together, one for your leash, one for towing, and 2 more to hold the kayak when you attach it. 

  • Has a kayak seat included

The kayak seat deserves a special mention in this review because it’s a very useful addition to the whole package. There’s rarely any brand that offers a kayak seat as an additional accessory, so plus points to SportsStuff for adding it. 

Cons

  • Color is too bright when brought outside

Does the color scheme look familiar to you? It’s like an ode to the earlier Nickelodeon days. While it looks cool, the neon colors aren’t friendly to your eyes. It’s highly recommended that you bring a pair of sunglasses just to avoid having the colors hurt your eyes. 

  • Not the best for speed

Just like any inflatable SUP and an all-around type at that, the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP is not meant for racing. It makes decent speed but you shouldn’t expect it to be faster than a touring SUP. Besides, knifing through the water is not its best suit. 

  • The aluminum paddle doesn’t float

Unfortunately, the aluminum paddle included in the package doesn’t float. This means that you either have to strap it all the time or hold on to it very well. Putting it under the bungee system won’t work all the time either since it might slip out of it when the board topples over. 

  • Only 4 inches thick

One of the things people wish this iSUP had is an additional few inches in thickness. Most iSUPs already have a 6-inch thickness while this one only has 4. It’s not that obvious when you’re on calm waters but you’ll notice it when you experience a few waves. 

  • Hard to find your balance

Despite having a spacious deck pad, it’s still hard to find your balance on this iSUP. It’s not only because you’re a beginner, but the deck pad doesn’t have the best grip. Add that to the 4-inch thickness, and you’ll find yourself struggling to find your balance during the first few minutes on the board. 

  • Warranty only lasts for a year

A lot of popular brands offer a 2- to 3-year warranty. The SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP, however. only offers 1-year coverage. Compared to other brands, the warranty seems a little too short for a lot of people’s preferences. 

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How Does the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP Compare with Other Paddle Boards?

How Does the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP Compare with Other Paddle Boards?

There are a lot of paddleboards on the market today but there aren’t many that are priced under $500. With this alone, the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP is already an excellent choice for a lot of price-conscious paddlers. Even beginners who aren’t even sure if they love SUP that much would find this board to be an economical choice.

In terms of performance, there are other models that are definitely better. While you won’t have a hard time maneuvering the paddleboard because of its lightness, it doesn’t have the smoothest glide. Advanced paddlers might notice that there are far better choices that retail for less than a thousand bucks. 

However, if there is one area where the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP excels, it’s in its ease of use. From the pump to the paddle, everything is so easy to use. You might even forget the fact that it’s an inflatable stand-up paddleboard because inflating it takes less than 10 minutes. 

Overall, the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure iSUP isn’t the low-quality paddleboard you think it is. Some people often misjudge this iSUP because of its color and price but it is a reliable and durable board. So far, there hasn’t been any review that tells you otherwise. 

Verdict - Final Thoughts!

Verdict - Final Thoughts!

If you’re looking for a reasonably-priced iSUP to get you going, then the SportsStuff 1030 Adventure is an excellent board to consider. It’s a full package, it has a warranty, and it’s durable. What else will you look for in an entry-level paddleboard, right? 

Of course, this iSUP isn’t perfect. There are improvements that you wish were made. Some of them are in the design, aluminum paddle, and color. However, for less than $500, these things become issues that you can easily dismiss. Indeed, this iSUP deal is a great bargain.

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Lisa Hayden-Matthews

Lisa Hayden-Matthews

An avid Skier, bike rider, triathlon enthusiast, amateurish beach volleyball player and nature lover who has never lost a dare! I manage the overall Editorial section for the magazine here and occasionally chip in with my own nature photographs, when required.

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