July 11, 2022 |  By Mary Murphy

This paddleboard has all the basics you need and all the features you could want. It’s a stellar board for beginners or seasoned paddlers and is just plain fun.

The wind had picked up drastically, but I didn’t care. I walked down the shore, popped the board in the water, secured the leash, and jumped on. Immediately, I steered the nose of the SUP into an oncoming wave. I stood up, whooped, and smiled.

ISLE recently updated one of its most popular SUPs, the Pioneer, for 2022. Updates include a slightly wider shape as well as an included manual and electric 12V pump. We took it out to three different state parks to paddle lakes and small tributaries (flatwater and mild to windy and choppy conditions) to test its stuff.

In short: The ISLE Pioneer is hands-down a great board. Whether you’ve never been on a SUP, only SUP a few times a year, or go every weekend — this sturdy board will both impress you and provide a fun time. The Pioneer 2.0 ($795 MSRP) has a weight capacity of up to 285 pounds, making it perfect for those who enjoy paddling with a kid or canine co-pilot too.

The Pioneer, pumped up to its recommended psi, felt super stable. It offered good maneuverability and a very comfortable deck pad — one of the best I’ve felt on an inflatable SUP. I often paddle barefoot if I’m not in sandals, so foot support and comfort are top of mind, especially for longer-mileage paddles. The Pioneer was also super balanced in flatwater (both mild and windy conditions).

A few notes on setup: We tested both the manual and electric pumps, and both worked great. One of the best features ISLE added to this board is the paddle-holder along one side. I could carry the board (with the paddle attached), a dry bag, and a water bottle, about a quarter mile across a lakeshore with no problem.

The fin setup, while also fairly standard in design, really performed well. The nylon center fin attached and detached easily.

ISLE’s Pioneer SUP has been a popular model for a few years running, mainly thanks to its all-around beginner-friendly shape and accessible price point. So why do we like it? Its design first and foremost, but also its durability and quality materials.

Every part of this board and its design performs well on water. It’s definitely one of our favorites we’ve paddled on in 2022.

Compared to other SUPs, I liked this one most for its comfort and control on the water. And the stability is almost unparalleled, at least compared to other 10’6″ SUPs I’ve tried. This board would be a great buy if you want to frequently paddle, tour, or even fish while SUPing.

All in all, paddlers of all experience levels will have a good time on this board.

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Mary is the Managing Editor of GearJunkie and is based in GearJunkie's Denver, Colo. office. She has a degree in English and journalism, and has a background in both newspaper and magazine writing. Her outdoor interests span from running to sport climbing, from landscape photography to skiing to pack-paddleboarding. If she's not writing, you can most likely find her at the top of a fourteener, or in a local bakery.

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