In this review, we go over the iRocker Cruiser Ultra. We specifically go into how the board compares to the original as well as use the other iRocker Ultra series as a guideline.
So how does it rate? We go through everything from On-Water Performance to accessories to board features and everything in between. We also go through both good and bad customer reviews to see where this SUP really lands.
We Rated the Cruiser Ultra as the #3 pick in our Best Portable Paddle Boards List.
Ready? Lets review!
What Did We Think of the iRocker Cruiser Ultra SUP?
The iRocker Cruiser gives you a bit more of that primary stability that beginners crave compared to other boards like the All Around 11 Ultra and 10 Ultra paddle boards. This is thanks to the board inch longer width. But with that comes reduced tracking and speed. So if you are set on getting an Ultra series board and are a relative beginner, I’d reccomend starting off with this board.
Like with the rest of the Ultra packages we were impressed with the accessories although we did feel the board lacked some of the on-board features that we were so used to with the regular All Around and Cruiser series. Read on to see how the Cruiser Ultra stacks up!
IRocker Cruiser Ultra Review Ratings
Below are the ratings for the iRocker Cruiser Ultra. I used my experience with the Blackfin Ultra CX and All Around 11 Ultra as a point of comparison.
We also took a look at how this SUP differed from the original iRocker Cruiser series. But so far in my ratings, I found this to be the most stable Ultra board there was in iRockers lineup.
(Click links below to jump to each secion)
Total Score 8.6/10 (Accumulation of Scores Below)
- On-Water Performance – 7.9
- Stability 8.5
- Tracking 7.5
- Speed 7.5
- Maneuverability 8
- SUP Construction – 9
- Board Features – 8.5
- Deck Pad 9
- D Rings 8.5
- Deck Bungees 8.5
- Action Mounts: 7.5
- Handles 9
- Accessories – 8.6
- Backpack 9.5
- Paddle 7.5
- Pump 9
- Fins 8.5
- Set-Up/ Take Down – 9
Pros
- 5 Lbs lighter than the Original Cruiser
- The backpack and its design are one of this board’s major assets
- Comes with an electric pump!
- Great board for beginners to start off on
- Has the best stability out of the Ultra Boards
- This board is a great in-between for most size paddlers
- Innovations in SUP technology are greatly improved
Cons
- The paddle has more flex at the 4 attachment points
- We wish that the deck pad would be further back
- The handle does get in the way of when you kneel
- Cometic fold lines after a few uses of the SUP specifically in the middle
Who Should Be Using The Cruiser Ultra 10’6 SUP
Are you new to paddle boarding and having a tough time choosing between Ultra boards?
This may be the board of choice simply down to its stability. The Cruiser Ultra is the most stable of the Ultra SUPs. Although it must be said, it feels slightly less stable compared to the original Cruiser line.
People Up to 6’1 ish range will be able to paddle this board with a bit of practice. If you are taller you may want to take a look at a longer board like the All Around 11 Ultra (Which I review here).
Its 33” stated width makes it the broadest SUP in the Ultra range. We say “stated” for a few reasons which we will go more into below. In my experience SUPs that are 33 to 36” will feel a lot more like a stable and predictable platform when it comes to primary stability.
If you are looking to replace an old board, this would still be a good choice. The Cruiser Ultra may not be your number 1 choice when it comes to other on-water performance characteristics like speed and tracking. But if having a stable board is your main priority this may be an option to look seriously at.
What SUP Activities Can The IRocker Cruiser Ultra Be Used For?
Being one of the more stable SUPs in the Ultra lineup opens itself up to more possibilities.
Recreational Paddling
Probably one of the best uses of this SUP will be recreational paddling purposes for almost all ages. Its added stability will also be of use when you come across swells or wake that you may come across when boats drive by.
This SUP can be used in a variety of different conditions including lakes, calm beaches, coastal paddling, and slow-moving rivers.
Its portable backpack also means more room in your trunk for accessories and other accessories! This SUP will only take up about ⅓ of your trunk room if you have a small-medium sized car.
Traveling
As teased earlier, being an ultra-compact board will give you more benefits thanks to its transport-friendly bag and design. This is probably one of the best SUPs that you can take on road trips! In Fact, I did it with the All Around 11 Ultra and we managed to fit 4 people plus food, alcohol (a cabin must), sleeping bags, tools, clothes, and my paddle board all within one minivan! You can see some of the details of that in the link above.
On a separate road trip, we were able to fit 2 paddle boards (AA 11 and AA 11 Ultra) in a medium-sized car with 3 people plus food supplies, clothes, etc.
Some other uses I can think of for this SUP include RV trips (perfect for side compartments), camping trips as well as multi-day cruises.
What about airplanes?
Unfortunately, some of the dimensions go just a bit over for carry-on but if you take out the electric pump and paddles and put it in your main suitcase it may be able to work out.
Airlines like Delta have their carry-on capacity to be 22” X 14” X 9” compared to the Ultra Bag that falls at 10″ X 16″ X 21″.
Kayak Hybrid
Is the Ultra Cruiser compatible with iRockers Kayak Conversion kit?
Yes the Cruiser Ultra is compatible with iRocker’s kayak conversion kit. It features 4 free D rings in the middle of the board that is meant for the kayak conversion seat that is sold separately. All the while leaving space at the front and rear for other supplies you may need.
SUP Fishing
While this is not the board I would MOST recommend for SUP fishing within the iRocker lineup (that honor would go to the Blackfin XL or Blackfin X). I would say out of the Ultra boards this or the All Around 11 would be the best picks for this.
When fishing the biggest thing you want on your side is stability as you are casting and yanking your fishing rod. You want something underneath you that will keep you sturdy. The wider the board the better, hence why I recommend the 2 former Blackfin series.
BUT, this board can be used as a trolling SUP. You have 3 action mounts that can take a fishing rod holder which means you can paddle along and simply have the line dragging along. As soon as you get a bite, spring into action!
This would be a great technique for trout and steelhead fishing. In Fact, I’m going to get my fishing license and try it next summer!
Tandem
This board can be used for tandem use but its more ideal for riding with smaller passengers such as kids and dogs. Even still though, I have seen pictures of reviewers having 2 full adults on this SUP.
Having said that, for anything that requires hauling more weight on board, I would use one of the Blackfin boards or the original Cruise with has an extra 100 lbs of carrying capacity.
On-Water Performance
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Total On-Water Score | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| Stability Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.3 |
| Tracking Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.8 |
| Speed Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.7 |
| Manueverability Score | 8 /10 | 8.1 |
Below are some of the characteristics of the Ultra Cruiser.
Stability
Out of the Ultra series boards, this one will have the best stability. This is thanks to its larger width and the boards’ more broad shape compared to the All Around Ultra cousins. The rounder shape allows you to get to grips with this SUP fairly quickly.
The board will be stable for most people within above to below-average sizes. But you may find that stability-wise, this board will fall a hair or two short compared to the original iRocker Cruiser. This is due to a few reasons.
- The Board is built to be stiffer which directly affects every movement that goes into the board.
- The board is actually measured to be an inch shorter than the original Cruiser
While an inch may not sound like a lot 😉 It does have a direct effect on a board’s stability. If you were to board a 32” board vs a 33” board you will feel a difference, especially when going from a kneeling to a standing position.
Tracking
As mentioned above in the “fins” section. The tracking of these 2 center fin boards has a few different behavioral characteristics. But chances are if you are a beginner you won’t really feel too much of a difference between boards with 2-fin and 3-fin set-ups. The characteristics described in the above section can also be true for the Ultra vs original Cruiser
Out of the Ultra series, this board will fall towards the bottom performance-wise right around the All Around 10 Ultra board. When I tested the All Around Ultra 11 board and the 10’6” Blackfin Ultra CX I found that the Ultra CX had tracking ability close to the AA 11 Ultra due to the narrower shape of the board.
In this case, The Cruiser’s rounder shape may detract slightly from its tracking, making it fall behind both All Around 11 Ultra and the Blackfin Ultra CX series.
Speed
The Cruiser will be the slowest of the Ultra boards but not by a massive margin. When you are looking to build a stable board vs a fast board there is some give and take that you have between the two categories. In this case, iRocker took a bit of speed off the table and put it more towards making a more beginner-friendly stable SUP.
In terms of speed compared to the original, the Cruiser Ultra will have better acceleration from a standstill due to its lighter-weight build.
Maneuverability
The Cruiser Ultra will have better maneuverability compared to other Ultra boards outside of the All Around Ultra 10. Its rounded shape gives the board a slight bit more fishtailing (the board moves from side to side). But this also makes it one of the better candidates in areas that require greater maneuverability like rivers, mangroves, coastlines, etc.
IRocker Cruiser Ultra Specifications Deconstructed
- Type of Board: Recreational
- Length: 10’6
- Width: 33″ (lots say an inch smaller)
- Thickness: 6″
- Volume: 322.5 L
- Weight: 21 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 300 Lbs
| Rating Factor | Score | Average Score (All Around) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Score | 9 /10 | 8.3 |
The Cruiser Ultra is 4 pounds lighter than its original cousin the Cruiser original. Being a more compact board, how did iRocker manage to achieve this?
There are 2 main reasons. One of them is the fact that they switched their drop stitching methodology from linear to cross-threaded drop stitch material. So what’s the difference here?
Knitted Linear drop stitch uses more threads woven loosely (think of a knitted sweater. While cross threaded drop stitch has a stronger wicker pattern which allows it to be stiffer when pressure is put on it.
Because of the woven pattern of the cross-threaded drop stitch, it uses fewer materials which makes it weigh less.
While talking to an iRocker representative they were rather tightlipped about how the PVC is changed but from connecting the dots and hearing some of the certain terminologies from him I suspect that they went from using a triple layer PVC to a fusion layering of PVC.
The difference is, that triple-layer PVC requires more layers and more gluing which is a rather manual process while fusion-layer PVC is machine pressed together to make a tighter bond and as a result requires less gluing and manual work.
This is fast becoming the standard as other manufacturers like Starboard, Red Paddle, Gili and Nixy are using this process now.
Cruiser Ultra SUP Board Profile
When comparing board profiles we like to compare the board to similar boards. So what better time than to compare the Cruiser Ultra to the original Cruiser?
The dimensions of the boards are relatively the same, or are they? I have read multiple reports that the Cruiser Ultra is indeed 1” shorter in width than the Cruiser original coming in at 32” in width. We are not entirely sure why iRocker wouldn’t specify this, but we will forgive them as this board series is brand new.
When compared to the other Ultra boards the Cruiser measures the widest. Meaning it’s the best jack of all trades Ultra board where it does a lot of things well but does not excel in any on-water performance criteria other than stability.
What’s On Deck
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Board Features Score | 8.6 | 8.1 |
| Deck Pad Score | 9 /10 | 8.3 |
| D-Rings Score | 8.5 /10 | 8 |
| Deck Webbing Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.1 |
| Action Mounts Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.8 |
| Handle Score | 9 /10 | 8.2 |
Some other noticeable features are that the Cruiser Ultra has less deck bungee space in the rear and no deck padding in the back.
It also features one less action mount, an offset handle, handles at the very tip of the board as well as off-center valves and 2 center fins.
Do these features detract from the Cruiser Ultra board? Read on
iRocker Cruiser Ultra Deck Pad
The iRocker Cruiser Ultra features a split deck pad design that allows the board to fold in half lengthwise. Making it a smaller and more compact package to store. The striped deck pad is comfortable to kneel on and provided a good amount of traction.
I personally believe that the diamond-grooved deck padding provides the best traction for your feet. But somehow I don’t see iRocker incorporating this type of deck paddling into their design anytime soon.
Despite there being less deckpad the general user experience will be unchanged except for more intermediate/ advanced paddlers.
One of the biggest changes is the fact that the deck pad does not expand to the tail of the board. This is less than ideal for intermediate/ advanced paddlers because the area where your foot will be to make the pivot will be on wet, slick PVC.
“In my experience of testing our pivot turns in the All Around 11 Ultra, it’s tougher due to the slippery nature of the PVC. It can be done but you really need to be careful as to where you place your foot.
In this case, I actually like to leave the bungee deck webbing on to act as a guide as to where to put my foot. It also gives your food a little bit more grip when it’s placed in the proper area.”
– Editors Notes
IRocker Cruiser Ultra 10 D Rings
One of the subtractions that iRocker made with all of their Ultra boards is the amount of D rings the board has. The Cruiser Ultra features 15 D rings while the original Cruiser features 20. The Ultra series has a more simplistic view when it comes to D rings. However, it gives you just what you need for most casual/ day paddling trips.
As stated above there are a total of 5 free D rings ( 4 in the middle and one used for the ankle leash). You can use this for a kayak conversion kit or you can even put together your own rigging system with something like a cooler and an elevated footrest.
While this may not be the best multi-day touring SUP it provides a decent amount of D-ring customization for what most people need for day paddling.
You can also use the middle D rings for iRocker’s shoulder carry strap to help take pressure off of your hands. It’s particularly useful when you have gear on the SUP as you are walking it to the shoreline.
Cruiser Ultra Deck Bungees
The Ultra Cruiser SUP comes with 3 rows of bungee deck webbing at the front and 2 rows at the back. One row less than the original Cruiser SUP and the same as all the other Ultra boards.
One of the good things about these bungees is that they are more easily removable. These ones offer easy-to-remove clips instead of untying and then screwing up the knot when putting it back together.
Some things that you can put in the bungee deck webbing areas include:
- A small soft cooler (I like to use them for beverages)
- Water bottles
- Sandals
- Waterproof speaker
- Dry bags (small at the back, large at the front)
- Tackle Boxes
- Extra clothes (in a dry bag hopefully)
Cruiser Ultra Action Mounts
The number of action mounts that the Cruiser Ultra has is 3. The front placements are similar to the original but the rear placement is further back where the rear D ring is.
I personally like it when the action mounts are further forward or further back as it gives your cell phone or Go-Pro a more landscape-like view. It’s also a better angle for you to snap photos of yourself.
Snapping photos and selfies is not all that the Cruiser action mounts are good for though. You can add the following to them.
- Go Pro Mount
- Cup Holder
- Cell Phone Holder
- Fishing Rod Holder
- Vibe Waterproof Speaker
This also frees up valuable deck bungee space to boot!
IRocker Cruiser Ultra 10’6” Handles
The Cruiser features 3 main handles on the SUP, 2 of which have changed locations. One of the handles is at the very tip of the board’s nose. Personally, it’s not my favorite placement but it hasn’t given me any reason to not be satisfied with it. Not to mention the off-center side handle.
“The side handle is a blessing and a tiny bit of a curse in my honest opinion. It’s great because it does not get in the way of the folding line and it allows people with a shorter arm span to grip the SUP better.
What I wasn’t a fan of was the fact that the handle does get in the way of my kneeling position, particularly on my shins. I realize this may differ from person to person as everyone has their preferred kneeling spot on the board but if you like to kneel or sit central to the board, it will most likely get in the way.
Thankfully the off-center middle handle does not get in the way of my feet when standing, which is probably the most important thing. “
– Editors Notes
In terms of what I call “Support” or “Child Handles” iRocker still rocks 4 of them. These handles are ideal for passengers to hold onto in case they come across a bit of bumpy wake or ocean waves. They are also soft on the hands.
These support handles can also be used to support the SUP when you are carrying it to the shoreline. Often times I like to pre-load all of my stuff in the bungees to avoid making multiple trips from the shoreline to the car. So if the SUP is off balance you can use these support handles to take a load off the middle handle section.
Cruiser Ultra Accessories Explained
Below are my thought on the Ulta accessories. In this case, a lot of the pictures I have will be of the All Around 11 Ultra accessories as they are the exact same dimensions as the cruiser.
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Accessories Score | 8.6 /10 | 7.9 |
| Backpack Score | 9.5 /10 | 8.1 |
| Paddle Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.8 |
| Pump Score | 9 /10 | 7.6 |
| Fin Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.1 |
IRocker Ultra Cruiser Backpack/ Bag
The bag is one of my favorite parts of the Ultra line-ups. You can tell a good amount of thought has been put into them to make the bag as portable as possible.
First off this isn’t one of those open the top of the bag up and try to stuff the board in type of deals. This bag features 2 zippers at the front that zip all the way down. In my experience with this bag, it’s been fairly straightforward to put the board back into the bag. We will detail this more below in the Set-Up/ Takedown section.
Another thing I really appreciated about the bag is the inclusion of the pouch that sits on top of the folded board. Oftentimes You will come back from a paddling trip fairly exhausted and you will just stuff things in one of the many pockets of the SUP bag. Only for you to forget where you put it.
With this pouch, all of your main smaller accessories that come with the board can go in this space including the electric pump and hose. Truthfully the pump and hose take like 75% of the space within the pouch but you will still have room for the fins, leash, and maybe an action mount accessory.
The bag comes with various zippers on both the inside and outside of the bag. There is a main zipper in the front that can hold small to medium-sized items like water bottles, action mounts, or even the kayak conversion paddle.
There are also side pockets located at the sides of the bag on both the inside and outside of the package that can hold smaller items.
This package won’t be able to carry as many accessories with you as say a full-sized Nixy bag, but that’s beside the point of this package though. The point of this backpack is to make it as compact a bag as possible for people who don’t have a lot of room available to them. And by that account, I believe iRocker has succeeded in this.
Cruiser Ultra Paddle
iRocker has made some improvements to the paddle including making the blade a more scratch-resistant nylon compared to previous iRocker models. The shaft is made of carbon and feels pretty lightweight in your hands.
But the goal of being an ultra-compact board has hindered it in terms of performance. While casual paddling works just fine with the paddle you will find as you start pushing the pace that the paddle does have more bend. This is due to the fact that the paddle is separated into 5 pieces and has 4 points of flexion compared to 2 with most 3-piece paddles.
The paddle itself measures from 72” to 86” which may be the disadvantage of some shorter paddlers. Many 3-piece paddles have a length range of around 67” to 86” which accommodates them a bit better.
I also find that when I’m paddling from my knees the shorter width helps with the paddle not feeling so bulky. But this is a very minute detail.
iRocker Electric Pump
Another thing that gave iRocker a big W in this package was the inclusion of the electric pump. I have been wondering for a few years now who would be the first to add a pump fully into one of their packages permanently. It seems iRocker has finally broken that mold.
“Once you pump your SUP with an electric pump it’s very hard to go back to using a manual pump. And this time you can’t even blame me for “upselling” an electric pump because it already comes with the package! :P”
– Editors Notes
To set it up you just have to adjust the PSI rating to what you want. I usually start the board off at 14 for the first few uses and then ease it to the 15,16 range. Then press the “auto” button to start it up. The pumping procedure usually takes about 12- 13 minutes in my experience. Shorter boards with less volume take time.
Below I have attached a video on how to use the iRocker electric pump.
The electric pump measures 7” X 8.5” X 4” (17.7 cm x 21.5 cm x 10.1 cm) and fits in the pouch bag. The hose can be a tad bit annoying to fit back in but you just have to bend it the way it was packaged and it will fit.
iRocker Ultra Fins
This is probably one of the features that stood out most to you huh? When you look at them closely the fins are a bit of an odd design. They are the size of the iRocker center fins but in the shape of the side fins. What’s their deal?
In my experience paddling these fin types with the Irocker All Around 11 Ultra and Blackfin Ultra CX boards:
The 2 Center fins are good for:
- Tracking against wind, waves, and wake
- Tracking with stronger strokes
- Board Maneuverability when doing simple one-stroke turns
The 2 Center fins fell behind the 3 fin set-up in:
- Specific Maneuverability tests (360 sweep strokes, side paddles)
- Tracking when casual paddling
Some of the commonalities I can see from testing the All Around 11 against its Ultra cousin is the fact that the 2 fins seem to track better when more force is being applied against them. The 3 fin setups were better in circumstances that required less speed and input.
One of the things that I really liked about the design is that iRocker incorporated tether locks to the fins. I have heard of a lot of instances where iRocker owners have lost their fins due to impact with something underneath the water or faulty snap locks.
With the tether system, the fins will hang to your board incase they get loose from that proprietary fin system.
iRocker Leash
This is an area where iRocker has not made a lot of changes recently. The leash is 10 feet swivel based on both the ankle and the attachment part to prevent tangles. Its weight is just .6 lbs.
iRocker Cruiser Ultra Set-Up/ Take Down
When it comes to most inflatable SUPs setting up is the easy part, especially when first getting the SUP. And with the Ultra line-ups inclusion of the electric pump, it’s even easier!
The SUP will be found packed in the bag with a bunch of wrapping inside so before you go out to paddle board, be sure you bring or are close to some sort of garbage bin, as it comes with quite a bit!
| Rating Factor | Score | Average Score (All Around) |
|---|---|---|
| Set-Up/ Take-Down Score | 9 /10 | 8.2 |
“If you really want to make the folding process easy, get a marker (the opposite color of your board so you can see the markings) and mark for fold lines of how it came. This will make things easier for you in the take-down stage.”
– Editors Notes
Give a quick read-over of the instructions manual and start unfolding your SUP! When starting up the electric pump I like to pump the boards to 14 PSI. And for those of you who have never owned an inflatable SUP before, let the pump keep going. I know the first few thoughts in your head will be “OMG Is this thing going to explode? I should stop it?”. Don’t stop it as it’s meant to be blown up to 14-16 PSI.
After setting it up, and clipping the fins you are ready to go!
Now, take down will always be the more interesting part of the process. The neatly folded board that came with the package will not be as compact going back in. So my suggestion is to use the electric pump (the deflation side) to get all the air out of the board. This makes the folding process easier which makes for more room in the bag.
Once all the air is out, fold the SUP lengthwise, remember this is a compact board! Try to make it as straight as possible. Next, you do the 2nd set of folds with the SUP going from the nose to the tail. The fold does not have to be perfect and as you get to the fins they won’t align exactly as you may think but that’s ok!
Unzip the bag and put the folded SUP inside. It takes a bit of adjusting but after a couple of tries, it should be straightforward. Add your accessories (paddles go in the lashes inside, Pump, and fins go in the pouch) and zip up, roll down and you are good to go!
About The iRocker Company
iRocker was founded in 2013 by Steve Elder. In my opinion, this brand really started to differentiate itself in 2020 when it came up with unique SUPs that looked like nothing else. That is also about the time they added revolutionary action mounts on their boards.
Since then iRocker has grown to be one of the bigger players in the ISUP game as they have distribution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.
iRocker Warranty Info
All brands of iRocker paddle boards (besides the Nautical series which is 2) feature a 3-year warranty on their SUPs. This number is above the average of the median 2-year warranty you see from respectable ISUP manufacturers.
iRocker’ss return policy is 90 days from the date of purchase. You can read the terms of the return policy here.
What Customers Think
Seeing as this product is still relatively new in comparison to its older SUPs you won’t be able to find as many reviews. At Inflatable SUP Authority that doesn’t stop us from scouring the web!
One of the positive Reviews stated
“At age 64, I am new to paddle boarding. I did a lot of research and watched a lot of videos demonstrating, reviewing, and rating inflatable boards. The iRockers are consistently highly rated and recommended. Stability, not speed, was my priority in choosing a board. I made my Cruiser Ultra purchase late on a Tuesday night..”
(Read the rest of the review) Ron T (Verified iRocker Customer)
As of now, the Ultra series has relatively few reviews so we have to turn to other sources like Facebook Groups and Reddit to see unbiased reviews. One of the places I like to go to see truly unbiased iRocker customer reviews is the iRocker SUP Owners group.
“Cruiser Ultra vs Cruiser original: The Ultra is faster, lighter, easier to maneuver, and more compact. The original Cruiser is more stable but not a big difference for someone my size. My husband has the AA11 and I had a hard time keeping up with him on my original. I can keep up with his pace on the Ultra. Ultra has 1 less action mount, but I only use two of them anyway. The one thing I don’t like about the Ultra is the position of the mid handle. Overall, I prefer the Ultra.”
Lisa (iRocker Owners Group)
Lisa had a great comparative review between the original Cruiser and the Cruiser Ultra
In response to someone asking about Cruiser reviews Elly stated:
“it’s lighter than the regular cruiser, there for a bit less stable, but you gain some speed. I personally don’t care for folding it down the middle, but I see why they did it. A bit more play in the paddle as expected due to being a 4 piece. The fins are getting easier to lock in with those weird tethers. The foam dents are not coming out and I chalk that up to being thinner foam. Overall tracks well and still easy to paddle”
Elly (iRocker SUP Owners Group)
Where to Buy the Ultra Cruiser 10’6” SUP
The best place to buy the iRocker Cruiser Ultra is from its main website. Click the link and it will redirect you to your local country or best place if distribution.
As stated above, iRocker has distribution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.
iRocker Cruiser FAQs
Below are some common FAQs that I have heard from prospective Cruiser Ultra buyers.
How Does The Cruiser Ultra Compare To The Cruiser Original?
The Cruiser Ultra is quicker off the bat in terms of acceleration but offers just a tad less stability compared to the Cruiser Original.
Some cosmetic differences include 1 less row of bungee deck webbing in the back, 1 less action mount, and a split deck pad with an off-center handle.
What’s The Difference Between The Cruiser Ultra And The All Around Ultra Series?
The main difference between the Cruiser Ultra and the All Around Ultra is the shape of the boards. The Cruiser Ultra has a wider base and tail which allows it to be a more stable board. The All Around Series has a thinner profile and is meant for longer paddling excursions as well as speed.
Can The Cruiser Ultra Be Used As A Tandem Board?
I personally would not rate this board as one of the best 2 person paddle boards. This is due to its smaller maximum capacity and its measured 32” width. When looking for a solid tandem board I look for a higher weight capacity and a wider width like 34”.
But the Cruiser Ultra can be a great board to put a smaller passenger like a child or dog at the front.
Comparable Brands
Below are some boards that I have personally tested that I feel can be best compared to the iRocker Cruiser Ultra SUP.
Blackfin Ultra CX
This board may not be used for the same purpose as the Cruiser Ultra but it does share similar listed dimensions. The biggest difference is that the Blackfin Ultra CX is more geared for speed and acceleration while the Cruiser Ultra is more stability-focused. Despite being similar listed dimensions the Blackfin has a more streamlined shape including a tapered tail.
One of the biggest strengths I thought this board has was maneuverability and quick acceleration.
You can see our Full Blackfin Ultra CX Review here!
Nixy Newport G4
This is not as portable as a SUP as the iRocker Cruiser. In fact, the bag is the complete opposite of the spectrum. But the Newport shares the same dimensions as well as usability characteristics. In my mind, the Newport G4 will track better at cruising speed due to its 3-fin set-up.
Despite being a non-compact SUP the Newport offers similar weight dimensions as both are listed at 21 lbs weight and have a maximum capacity of 300 lbs.
You can see our Full Nixy Newport Review here!
Should You Get the iRocker Cruiser Ultra SUP?
The iRocker Cruiser is an ideal SUP to consider if:
- You are a beginner learning paddle boarding
- Space is at a premium
- You want a compact travel-friendly package
- You prioritize stability over acceleration and speed
- You want a SUP to take hiking or road tripping
The iRocker Cruiser is the most stable of the new Ultra series due to the board’s shape and dimensions. Overall it has a lot going for it and is a solid choice for both beginner paddlers and intermediate paddlers alike.
Have you tried or purchased the iRocker Cruiser SUP? What do You think about it? Let us know on our Facebook page!
