In this Isle Pioneer Pro 10’6” Review we go through all the ins and outs of one of the most advanced ISUPs in the industry.
We go through exactly how the folks at Isle make this board so rigid as well as how that rigidity translates to its on-water performance, making it one of the most stable paddle boards I’ve stood on.
Read on as we go through this Pioneer Pro with our handy dandy SUP monocle.
What Did We Think of the Isle Pioneer Pro SUP?
We found the Isle Pioneer Pro to be the perfect high quality SUP Kayak hybrid for paddlers of all skill levels but especially beginners. This board does not come cheap, however if you want a SUP that will last you a long time, that is well thoughtout and protected by a good warranty then the Pioneer Pro is on the top of out list!
Some of our general impressions of the board were:
- The deck is very well thoughtout and highly customizable
- This is probably the most stable paddle board I’ve stood on/ paddled
- The kayak seat is comfortable to sit on and can be customized to a range of different sizes and formations
- The Kayak hybrid paddle is probably the most well thought out in the kayak hybrid space
- The board has fantastic maneuverability and feels stable throughout a wide varity of strokes
Isle Pioneer Pro 10’6″ Paddle Board Review Ratings
Below is how we rated the Isle Pioneer Pro 10’6’ SUP. The numbers are based on accumulated ratings, we do this to help you pick out which area is most important to you. Click the links below to jump to each scoring section.
Total Score: 8.7 / 10
- On-Water Performance – 8.6
- Stability 10
- Tracking 7.5
- Speed 7.5
- Maneuverability 9.5
- SUP Construction – 9.8
- Board Features – 8.6
- Deck Pad 8.5
- D Rings 9.5
- Deck Bungees 9.5
- Action Mounts 7
- Handles 8.5
- Accessories – 8.5
- Backpack 8.5
- Paddle 9.5
- Pump 7.5
- Fins 8.5
- Kayak Conversion Kit – 9
- Set-Up/ Take Down – 8
Pros
- The most rigid board I’ve tested: Isle takes their materials seriously and makes a seriously rigid and durable product. They have had hardly any warranty replacements
- Supremely Stable: The combination of Isle’s patented Infinity Fiber construction and heat-welded seams help make this board feel like you are almost standing on a hard board.
- Kayak Seat Feels Comfortable: The Kayak seat is raised which takes the pressure off the lower back
- The backpack fits everything: Has roller wheels, and straps and is comfortable to wear
- I liked the Hybrid Paddle: The Best Kayak hybrid paddle I have tested to date, fully adjustable, fits together well, it’s easy to add a kayak hybrid paddle while on the water
- Underrated SUP Yoga Board: If you like doing SUP Yoga, this board has a full deck pad that runs the length of the board. Also supremely stable and rigid to give you more stability on the water.
- Has Good Maneuverability Scores: Can do a full 360 reverse swede stroke in 3 strokes which is one of the best scores we have received)
- I love the Fin Box Design: Comes in 2 parts and supports click-in fins which is a quick and easy installation method.
- Isle Link System is Easy to use: The system and how the clips are designed make it very easy to install on the water.
- Removable Bungees are Super Handy: The flat stretchy bungees can clip onto almost anywhere on the board. This allows you to strap anything of a reasonable size on top of the board.
Cons
- The Board has Average Tracking Metrics: To be fair it’s not the fault of the board but more the territory that comes with wider boards.
- The Board is a bit Slower: Same as above more the territory that comes with wider boards but it still glided well in the water for a 34” SUP.
- Deckpad Marks Up easily: If you rinse it right after most of the dirt will go away.
Who Should Be Using The Isle Pioneer Pro
The Isle Pioneer Pro is a fantastic kayak hybrid that offers a level of rigidity very close to that of a hardboard and hardshell kayak. All with the ability to be stored in a bag. So who are the ideal paddlers to use this board?
- 80% of new paddlers who have the budget for this SUP
- Paddlers who want a board that performs very closely to a hard board
- Those who want a very stable board
- Paddlers who want a well-thought-out kayak hybrid package
- Folks who have back pain and want an uplifted seat to take the pressure off the lower back and hips
This won’t be the board for those on a strict budget though as the board is more expensive due to the attention to quality and details of materials. For those looking for something a bit more budget-friendly take a look at the regular Pioneer series.
What SUP Activities Can the Pioneer Pro Be Used For?
When we talk about the performance of this board we are not talking about speed or anything to do with SUP touring/ racing. This is a purely recreational board and should be treated as such. Having said that there are still a good amount of recreational SUP activities this board can excel in.
Recreational Paddling
This is what most of you will be using this board for. It’s a great board to learn how to stand and do some basic paddling techniques. All the while having good peace of mind that you are standing under a product that will last a long time.
We found that the added rigidity helped make this board stable for folks of most shapes and sizes. Its 300 lb rated maximum capacity also ensures that it will keep stiff throughout that weight range. Due to the materials involved the board can carry a bit more weight than advertised. However, the paddler performance may start to get affected more and more should you go significantly heavier than the 300 lbs recommended capacity
Kayak Hybrid
Isle has also made a conscious effort to make this into a solid paddle board kayak hybrid. The chair is comfortable and allows you to sit higher up which takes tension off of your hips and back. This won’t be the best tracking paddle board kayak hybrid package due to its rounded size and shape, but it is comfortable.
The package also comes with an inflatable foot rest which allows your feet to stay sturdy while you use your core throughout the kayak strokes. This takes the pressure off your arms and shoulders and gives you a more complete stroke. Which will in turn make you move more efficiently and faster in kayak formation.
We talk more about how this SUP kayak hybrid did in the on-water performance section.
SUP Yoga
I feel this is a very underrated SUP yoga pick because it has all the elements that folks would look for in a SUP Yoga board.
- Stability
- A deck pad that runs the span of the board
- Removable deck bungees
- A flat deck pad
- A wide board shape
All of these elements plus the board’s rigidity thanks to the infinity fiber system (more about this in Board Features Section) make this a great board to do a variety of SUP yoga positions. If were you I would start off with the easier ones first to test your stability on the board before going into the more difficult ones. When in doubt Savasna it out!
SUP Fishing
This would not be my #1 pick for SUP fishing, but if you have a rod holder mount that goes into the front action mount you can do a bit of fishing off the deck!
The board’s stability allows you to stand and cast without worrying about wobble. Do some short casts first to get used to the movement and then you can start casting longer once you can predict the behavior of the board going through those motions.
Isle Pioneer Pro On-Water Performance
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Total On-Water Score | 8.6 | 8.0 |
| Stability Score | 10 /10 | 8.3 |
| Tracking Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.8 |
| Speed Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.7 |
| Manueverability Score | 9 /10 | 8.1 |
Having tested this board in both paddle board and kayak formation I can safely say this is a great board to own if you want something as stable as the dickens. It also bolstered some impressive maneuverability scores as well!
Stability
One of the most impressive features about this board besides its rigidity and the materials put into it is its stability both in paddle board and kayak formation which you can see in the video.
In kayak formation, I was aggressively rocking the board back and forth and felt completely stable and safe sitting on top of the kayak seat. There was no way I was going into that water! And I honestly would not have rocked as aggressively on other SUP kayak hybrid boards because I knew the chances of falling off those other SUPs would be greater.
Standing up on the board was a breeze. I was able to stand and feel secure on the board throughout the whole process. In this case, I stood up differently from kayak seat straight to squat to a standing position. There are a few kayak hybrid boards I would not have tried that on but this board felt stable throughout the standing motion.
Paddling around on the board was nice as well. Throughout my maneuverability and harder forward strokes the board felt stable throughout. I didn’t feel tippy or felt like I was going to fall over on any movement which is honestly a very nice and reassuring feeling to have on a paddle board as it gives you confidence to push the envelope a bit further.
Tracking
In kayak formation, the board did about 3 strokes a side which is pretty standard with kayak hybrid boards that have a seat towards the back of the board. When the seat is positioned towards the back of the SUP it does lift the boards nose which makes the nose wag a bit more per each paddle stroke.
| Tracking Factor | Paddle Strokes | Average Paddle Strokes (All Around) |
|---|---|---|
| Paddle Strokes To Keep Straight Course | 5 | 5.8 |
It definitely is not the best tracking rating for a board in kayak formation but it was a respectable score, especially if you are planning to cruise.
In terms of tracking when standing in the middle of the board the readings came out to be 5 strokes a side which is a fairly average all around paddle board rating. There are some things you have to keep in mind though..
- The board is built to be stable so it has a less hydrodynamic round shape
- The board only has a center tracking fin and does not offer 5” removable side fins which would help aid the board with another stroke or 2 on each side.
Speed
If making a lot of ground quickly is very important to you I would suggest you look at the Isle Explorer Pro board which has a narrower board profile. The Pioneer Pro is just not that kind of board.
Having said the above the Pioneer Pro appeared to glide well for a board of its width and I had no real troubles paddling against the slight tide that I did encounter. I also liked the feeling of the paddle as I was putting in those harder strokes.
Maneuverability
Outside of stability the maneuverability of this board impressed me. I was able to complete a whole 3 reverse sweep strokes which is better than most All Around paddle board scores. When I was doing these reverse sweep strokes and side paddles I felt stable throughout the process. Which is something I very much value when I do these tests onboard.
| Manueverability Factor | Paddle Strokes | Average Paddle Strokes (All Around SUP’s) |
|---|---|---|
| Paddle Strokes for Reverse Sweep Stroke | 3 | 4.2 |
| Paddle Strokes for Reverse Side Paddles | 11 | 13.3 |
During the side paddles test the readings may have been slightly compromised due to the movement of the tide. Despite that, the Pioneer Pro still managed to do an impressive 11 strokes a side which is still below average and therefore a good score.
Isle Pioneer Pro 10’6” Stats Deconstructed
- Length: 10’6″
- Width: 34
- Thickness: 6″
- Volume: 375 L
- Weight: 23 pounds /10.4 kgs
- Maximum Capacity: 300 pounds /136 kgs
- Materials: Infinity Fiber technology with welded seams and fusion layering known as Air Tech Plus
The Isle Pioneer Pro features some rather unique technology inside of it that is exciting for construction nerds like me. Mostly because Isle doesn’t just slap on some sort of advanced fusion terminology to make it sound unique, the materials that they put into this board actually are unique and require a lot of hours and care for each board.
| Rating Factor | Score | Average Score (All Around) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Score | 9.8 /10 | 8.3 |
The Pioneer Pro features Isle Infinity fiber (continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic that NASA is looking at using) which makes the board 300% more rigid than other inflatables. It is featured on the curved part of the rail and deck/ hull of the board. As well as on the top and bottom of the board acting as a stringer.
It also features power fuse-welded seam construction using heat and pressure to weld the layers of PVC together on the seams of the rails. It helps eliminate air leakage possibilities better than just using glue which eventually deteriorates over time. Fuse-welded seams are fast becoming the standard practice for high-quality ISUPs these days.
Isle Pioneer Pro Board Profile
The Pioneer Pro has a rounded nose and a super wide tail, which is wider than many inflatable SUPs I’ve paddled on. This wide profile gives the board two distinct advantages which were present in my on-water testing.
- Extra stability from the board in both seated and standing positions
- A very maneuverable and responsive board that turns almost on a dime
The extra width gives beginners a good platform to learn to stand on. It allows the paddler to do basic to more advanced paddle techniques as their confidence grows with their skill set.
The board’s shape does put some limitations on it from a speed and tracking point of view. Especially when it comes to longer-distance paddles. When you want to go on longer SUP adventures you typically want a board that’s skinnier in width as it glides faster and will make more ground with the same amount of strokes.
However if you are not interested in speed or going farther and faster the Pioneer Pro is a great board to own for users more interested in stability.
Pioneer Pro Board Features (What’s On Deck)
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Board Features Score | 8.6 | 8.1 |
| Deck Pad Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.3 |
| D-Rings Score | 9.5 /10 | 8 |
| Deck Webbing Score | 9.5 /10 | 8.1 |
| Action Mounts Score | 8 /10 | 7.8 |
| Handle Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.2 |
The Pioneer Pro is not only innovative from a materials point of view but also from a pure deck arrangement point of view. It’s one of the most versatile packages we have tested in terms of how you want the deck to be arranged for your paddle adventure needs.
Pioneer Pro Deck Pad
This board offers a smooth deckpad that spans the entire board. Smooth deck padding isn’t my first choice for grip but it is one that is often preferred by SUP Yogi’s who want a smooth platform to stand on throughout.
One thing I did notice after having my sandals on the board is that the deck pad does stain more than other boards. As a result, it does take more time to try to clean the dirt and grime from the deck pad. You may need a hose and a scrub brush to get the majority of it off.
D Rings (Isle Link System)
I’m seeing these lash/ loop type systems become more prominent with paddle board kayak hybrid boards. Some are better than others. In Isle’s case it’s one of the better systems.
There are a total of 32 Isle loops in place that allow you to correctly customize the seat, leg rest, crate, or whatever other Isle link-compatible system is in place. This gives you tons and tons of possibilities for deck rigging, where to place your kayak seat and footrest.
I also found these loops to be easy to install with Isle’s “G Hook system”. The G hooks go into the loops pretty seamlessly which is more than I can say about other SUPs that have tried to mimic this system.
Having an easy-to-install system helps you adjust on the fly when you are on the water, instead of having to go back to shore and put your might into adjusting hooks into the loops.
Isle Bungee Deck Straps
The deck straps are one of my favorite onboard accessories that come with this board. They have “G Hook” system which allows them to clip onto the Isle-Link system quite easily. What’s even better is that you can mount them however you would like on the Pioneer Pro as there are 32 Isle Link loops to choose from.
This means you can arrange the 5 bungees to have 2,3,4 or even all 5 bungees at the front, and rear or evenly split them in a 3,2 front rear deck bungee formation. You can also strap them straight-laced or have them crisscross depending on what kind of items you are bringing onboard.
I feel this system is not talked about enough but it opens the realm of possibilities for you and your paddle board in terms of what you want to stash in them. A very smart feature done by Isle here.
Isle Action Mounts
There is one action mount on here that is best used for cameras and action cameras at the top of the nose where the handle is. While it would have been more preferable for me to have more action mounts on the board. I can understand why they didn’t want any more.
Isle, in this case, went for a clutter-free deck pad area which gives you more free space to roam the board.
Isle Pioneer Pro Handles
The Pioneer Pro offers 3 different handles on the board in the front, middle and side of the board. The handles offer a good level of support and have a neoprene bottom and nylon top, which is how I like my SUP handles personally.
The board is evenly distributed when carrying it from its handle (unless you put items in the bungee area) which is a nice little detailed touch from Isle.
Isle Pioneer Pro 10’6” Kayak Hybrid Accessories
One of the distinct advantages of the Pioneer Pro is that you have a smart accessories package that is well thought out and does not skimp out on the quality materials provided. This is another check mark that sets the Pioneer Pro apart from other kayak hybrid accessory packages.
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Accessories Score | 8.5 /10 | 7.9 |
| Kayak Conversion Kit Score | 9 | 9 |
| Backpack Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.1 |
| Paddle Score | 9.5 /10 | 7.8 |
| Pump Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.6 |
| Fin Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.1 |
Pioneer Pro Kayak Seat
The Kayak seat has an inflatable bottom that uses the same valve as the SUP. It pumps up in a relatively short period and can go to 10 PSI. I usually like to pump it to about 2-3 so that it has a bit of cushion and it’s not rock hard to sit on.
The seat comes with a seat back which is stiff and contours your back and sides. The uplifted seat also helps take pressure off of your back and hips which was stated earlier. It’s a comfortable seat but I felt that in this case, it was 2nd in terms of comfort compared to the BOTE Easy Rider which allows your hips to sit further up due to its slanted design.
The Pioneer Pro’s seat offers metal G Hooks which makes sure that the tabs cannot break off in case there is extra pressure on the seat back.
The Pioneer Pro also comes with a kayak foot brace which helps keep your core stabilized as you are paddling.
Isle Backpack
This is one of the bigger backpacks/ bags I have encountered but it’s useful for fitting all the stuff that comes with this package! Thankfully this bulky bag comes with wheels so that you don’t have to worry about straining your back.
Overall the bag is well designed and offers 4 grab handles that have padding which makes it a heck of a lot easier to get out of the trunk! The bag also offers a pocket at the top of the bag which in my opinion is a bit of a strange placement for it but it can fit smaller items like a PFD belt, a repair kit or even the fin.
I do wish the bag did have more pockets though, I felt like they could have put even a small one on the front of the bag or perhaps even fin pockets inside the bag to give the fin its own designated area.
Isle Kayak Hybrid Paddle
Out of all the kayak hybrid paddles I have tested this is probably my favorite one. Both blades are adjustable on either side which truly makes this a customizable kayaking as well as a paddle-boarding experience.
Most other companies slap a kayak blade with the package and call it a day but Isle has thought this through. There are 3 notches where you can adjust the blade as you like it to best fit your height.
The shaft is also made of good material and you can feel it when you paddle. Instead of having a heavier aluminum/ alloy paddle that comes with the board Isle decided to go all the way and produce a nice feeling lightweight carbon hybrid paddle.
The blade size is 88 sq inches which is more centered towards endurance strokes over power strokes. The SUP paddle itself weighs 2.1 lbs which is about in line with what a lot of SUP paddles that come with these packages weigh.
Isle Torota Dual Action Pump
In all honesty, the package I got did not come with a hand pump. But I’m happy it didn’t because I usually prefer to use electric pumps to inflate any boards I get.
I do feel Isle could have included a triple-action, dual chamber pump since the rest of their accessories are on the higher end in terms of quality. The triple action pump would reduce the time pumping up the board. I find with single-chamber pumps it takes longer and you feel like you did the workout before you did the workout if you know what I mean!
The pump does offer a deflate option as well which I recommend to get all the air out of the board so that you can roll it correctly.
Isle Touring Fin
The Pioneer Pro comes with a click-and-go rigid touring fin which makes fin installation tool-less and easy to use. All you need is one to two rubber nubs in the fin holes and you just have to put pressure to take the fin in and out.
One of the main talking points I like about this board is the fact the fin slot is in 2 pieces. I feel like this will start to become a trend of inflatable paddle boards as this allows you to fold the board a heck of a lot easier instead of having to roll and re-roll the board to fit the fin box correctly.
Isle Pioneer Pro Set-Up/ Take Down
| Rating Factor | Score | Average Score (All Around) |
|---|---|---|
| Set-Up/ Take Down Score | 8 / 10 | 8.2 |
It can be a little intimidating setting up and taking down the board, especially when you have to return it after the season to the folks at Isle. However, after asking Jimmy Blakeny the specifics of how to set up the Pioneer Pro I felt a bit more at ease.
Setting up the board is pretty simple, I used an electric pump to fill the board up to 15 PSI which I find is the sweet spot for many SUPs I test. While the board was being filled I set up the kayak seat up and filled the seat portion to 2 PSI with a spare manual pump I had lying around.
I set them on top of the board and installed them into the proper loops using the G Hook system. I sat on the board a few times on land to make sure the seat and footrest were properly installed to my height. After that, I installed the fin and away I went to the water!
“I recommend having two people carry the board if you want to have the whole kayak kit installed onto the board. Otherwise, you may have to make 2 trips!”
Editors Notes
After coming back from what I must say was a lovely test day out on the water (some strangers gave me a vodka soda on the water! What!?). I brought the board to be rinsed and finally back to my car to be dried.
Taking all of the kayak accessory stuff was easy thanks to the G hook system. I deflated the air from both the seat and the board. For the board, I used the deflate option to get as much air as possible.
This is important… Jimmy told me I can deflate the board with an electric pump BUT you should let some air back in so that there is not too much stress on the materials due to lack of air. So that’s exactly what I did.
It’s also important to note that this is a board you ROLL and NOT FOLD. The folds will damage the Infinity fiber material so just roll the board into a ball. The bag is big enough to fit the board if it is rolled anyway.
After rolling and securing the board I was able to fit all the contents back into the bag including the kayak seat, SUP, and kayak paddles and blades as well as the dry bag, fin, and leash back into the backpack. It’s nice that it all fit into the bag the first time and I didn’t have to struggle with it!
About Isle Surf and SUP
Isle is one of the higher-quality SUP manufacturers out there that innovates when many other SUP companies simply copy. Isle is one of the innovators of the Infinity Fiber system which offers 3 X the rigidity of regular single-layer inflatable PVC materials.
Isle is also a 1% of the Planet Member which means 1% of their revenue goes back into environmental causes for eco-conscious initiatives.
Pioneer Pro Warranty and Returns
The Pioneer Pro and all other “Pro” series boards that are power fuse-welded offer a 5 year limited manufacturing warranty on its products as well as 60 day money back guarantee.
After digging into these terms a bit some things I found on the Warranty were that it does not cover:
- Defects from normal wear and tear
- Impact with external materials (scratches etc)
- Misuse of product (over inflation etc)
The 60-day return policy states:
- The product must be in like-new condition
- You have to cover the return shipping
- There is a 20% restocking fee
Where to Buy the Isle Pioneer Pro 10’6” SUP
You can purchase the Isle Pioneer Pro SUP on the Isle Website. Which also has warehouses in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
Comparable Boards
Here are some other kayak hybrid boards that have some similarities to the Isle Pioneer Pro series.
BOTE EASY Rider SUP
The Isle Pioneer has better materials but the BOTE Easy Rider does offer a better price point and a more comfortable seat in my opinion. However, the accessories that come with this SUP are not as well thought out or as high quality as the Pioneer Pro’s.
See the BOTE Easy Rider 10’4″ Review here.
Gili Komodo 11 SUP
The Komodo 11 will be a SUP that offers better tracking and speed thanks to its more slender board shape. It is also 6” longer and offers 3 removable fins (1 center and 2 side fins). The seat on this SUP is not as comfortable as the Pioneer Pro’s and the loop systems on this board are harder to use as their clips take some time to come off of their loop systems.
You can see the Gili Komodo 11 Review here.
Is the Isle Pioneer Pro Worth it?
I believe the Pioneer Pro is worth it for you if:
- You have the budget to get a well-crafted SUP that has a good warranty
- If you want a very stable and rigid paddle board that you want to stand on
- You are a paddle boarding beginner and want something stable to stand on
- You want a well-thought-out Kayak-Hybrid SUP to paddle for years
- You want a very stable SUP Yoga board to casually do some Savasna in the sun (and of course other more daring poses)
What are your thoughts on the Pioneer Pro series? Let us know on our Facebook page!
