In this review, we will be going over 2 boards with some slight differences. The Nixy Huntington Compact and Ultra Compact packages.
Below we will let you know when to consider the Ultra Compact, when to consider the Compact and we will inform you all about their differences and why they may matter to you.
Nixy has one of the best reputations in the SUP industry for being a customer-oriented brand that takes its time to both help and inform its customers. So how does the Huntington Compact and Ultra Compact compare against other boards?
Read on below!
What Did we think of the huntington g4 packages?
With the rise of compact paddle boards having less space to store your SUP has become a crucial part of the game. With the shorter Huntington and Huntington compact boards you can expect a well designed manueverable board for smaller paddlers. However, if you are a larger inexperienced paddler you may want to stay clear of the boards 9’6″ dimensions because you will have to concentrate a bit harder to stay on the board.
This is also an underrated choice as an inbetween SUP for a teenager who’s too small for a regular 10’6″ all around board but too big for a kids SUP.
Both packages come with features and accessories that you would expect from Nixy. With the Huntington Compact coming with a smaller backpack and a 4 piece paddle which makes the board more transportable. Meaning you can plane, bike or train your way over to the beach without having to worry about lugging a massive bag.
Nixy Huntington Paddle Board Review Ratings
Below are the combined ratings of both Huntington SUPs. *As soon as I get my hands on a Huntington board I will have a separate page for that specific board. *
Total Rating: 8.7 (Average of Below Numbers)
Click the Links below to jump to each section.
- On-Water Performance – 8
- Stability 7.5
- Tracking 7.5
- Speed 7.5
- Manueverability 9
- SUP Construction – 8.5
- Board Features – 8
- Deck Pad 8.5
- D Rings 8
- Deck Bungees 8
- Action Mounts 7.5
- Handles 8
- Accessories – 9
- Backpack 9
- Paddle 9
- Pump 9
- Fins 9
- Setup/ Take Down – 9.5
Pros
- One of the most travel-friendly SUPs you can get your hands on
- Nixy has some of the best customer service in the business
- Ultra-Compact can fold to half the size of a regular inflatable SUP
- Great SUP to take on airplanes to save on luggage fees
- Ultra Compact bag is 26” high, 20” wide, and 11.5” thick
- Nixy’s Lightest board comes in at 18.75 Lbs
- Extremely maneuverable
- Tracking is improved from previous years
- 4 piece paddle is compact
- Includes high-quality manufacturing that comes with all Nixy boards
- Can be used in a variety of different environments
Cons
- The pump May be difficult to fit in the bag the first few times
- Not the best tracking board in the Nixy Lineup
- Could have a great variety of designs
- Not the best choice for heavier or taller paddlers
Who Should Be Using the Nixy Huntington SUPs
Simply put, the Nixy Huntington series is designed for folks who want to travel. For those who want to carry the bare basics you need in a minimized package, the Ultra Compact is your friend!
This SUP is not just for those traveling enthusiasts though, it’s also a great board for those who want a solid recreational board with some maneuverability capability. It’s also a good board to learn some advanced maneuvers on such as pivot turns due to its more controllable length.
If you yourself are a “compact” person then this series is well worth the look. The 30 lbs package weight is more than manageable with the Ultra Compact bag. Meaning you won’t be carrying around a big bag that looks like it dwarfs you.
Often one of the biggest complaints about the baggier bags is the fact that they may be more difficult to handle and carry around. Heck, sometimes the bag feels like it’s bigger than you! With the Ultra Compact bag you don’t feel that way.
It’s also one of the best SUP packages to transport by bike, scooter, skateboard or to bring on public transport.
What SUP Activities can the Nixy Huntington be used for?
The Nixy Huntington is one of Nixy’s most versatile SUPs for a wide range of SUP skill levels.
Traveling
We hinted about this earlier but if you are going to a nice sunny location and you want to explore the waters by paddleboard. The Nixy Huntington is one of, if not the best choice for airplane travel.
The smaller bag allows you to save money on those baggage fees that airplanes like to take advantage of. In fact, the Huntington Ultra Compact meets the criteria of most airline luggage restrictions which are 27” X 21” X 14”. The Ultra Compact bag meets these expectations with a 26” high, 20” wide, and 11.5” thick bag size.
Of course, when you get to your destination it’s also non-intrusive when you are traveling by Uber, Taxi, or public transit to the SUP destination of your dreams.
Backcountry Hikes
The Huntington Compact and Ultra Compact make good backcountry companions thanks to their lightweight design. For those who are smaller, it’s best to look at the less bulky Ultra Compact package.
As long as you can find a good little space to set-up your SUP you are golden! Consider packing the Nixy Landing Mat as well to ensure your board does not get dirty when it gets folded up.
Recreational Paddling
For those who are just finding their sea legs or for those who want a board that can explore their surroundings with them the Huntington is a great package for this.
It can be paddled in calm coastal bays, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Its maneuverability makes it a good nod for tighter waterways like winding rivers or even mangroves.
Yoga
The Nixy Huntington is a solid yoga pick but it has some preferences as to whom it may be for.
Use this board for SUP Yoga if you are:
- Smaller in stature
- Have some experience with Yoga and balancing
- You have a little ways to travel to get to the water
The deck pads on both the Compact and Ultra Compact boards are wide and the front deck bungees take up a small space.
However if you are looking for the Best Paddle Board for Yoga take a look at a SUP that is more specialized for that use like the Nixy Venice SUP.
Nixy Huntington On-Water Performance
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Total On-Water Score | 8 | 8.0 |
| Stability Score | 7.5 /10 | 8.3 |
| Tracking Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.8 |
| Speed Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.7 |
| Manueverability Score | 9 /10 | 8.1 |
One of the areas that the Huntington series shines in is maneuverability. In my mind, it’s the most maneuverable board in the Nixy lineup! But how does it stack up in the other big 3 categories?
Stability
When comparing these boards to other Nixy boards they will be sufficient to paddle stability-wise. But they would most likely fall in the lower end of the lineup because of the smaller length. Only the Manhattan would be more unstable because of its 28” width.
What helps the Ultra Compact the most in paddling stability is the fact that it has two 9” fins that keeps the board on tracks in the water. Meaning side to side movements are a bit more difficult.
What also does help the Huntington be more stable is the wider tail as well. Some smaller customers even report that the board is stable enough to do yoga on.
Tracking
The tracking on the Ultra Compact will be better than the Compact due to the extra 9” fin they added to the board. I suspect Nixy got this design idea from some of Red Paddle’s boards like the Co Ride boards.
Reviews state that the tracking of the Ultra Compact being suspect will most likely be talking about the 2019 and older models where they included 5” side fins instead of the 9” fins they include today.
Even as a single 9” fin the Compact gets praise from customers for its tracking. Although from personal experience I do prefer the 2 side fin and 1 center fin tracking of boards like the Nixy Newport .
Speed
Speed racer if you are looking at a board you may want to look elsewhere like the Nixy Manhattan!
While the Huntington series can get through the water sufficiently it will be slower than Nixy’s most popular board the Newport series. This is because the Newport is longer and has a bit more of a pointed shape.
The 2 fins of the Ultra Compact, while helping with tracking, may cause a tiny bit more drag compared to boards with 1 fin or 1 center fin 2 side fin setups.
Maneuverability
This is where the Huntington Compact will shine. Its 9’6” length coupled with a single fin will make this board more maneuverable and easier to control for turns. Doing more intermediate maneuvers such as sweep strokes or pivot turns will also be a bit easier to learn because of its smaller length.
The Ultra Compact will be a bit less maneuverable than its brother because of the 2 inward pointed fins. But it would still be able to go to the same areas that the Huntington Compact can go.
I would say it’s a great pick for those areas where you will need a bit more maneuverability such as paddling in mangroves, paddling in calm windy rivers, or even navigating coastal nooks and crannies.
Nixy Huntington Stats Deconstructed
- Type of Board: Traveling/ Recreational
- Length: 9’6″
- Width: 32″
- Thickness: 6″
- Volume: 250 L
- Weight: 18.75 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 250 Lbs
| Rating Factor | Score | Average Score (All Around) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.3 |
With many companies that claim to have “Travel-Friendly SUPs”, there is often a give and take you to have to consider. Often times these SUPs are made of a single layer of PVC which, while lighter and easier to fold will cause problems with reliability down the road.
The Huntington G4 does not have that problem. Like with the rest of Nixy’s SUPs both Huntington boards feature dual-layered fusion laminate coupled with woven drop stitch.
What does this jargon mean for you?
Well, you get a more durable and reliable board that will last years. The fusion laminate process involves machines that take 2 layers of PVC and fuses them together making a lightweight but durable layer that saves on glue which is done through manual labor. The problem with manual gluing is that this is often where manufacturer defects are found.
The woven drop stitch material is woven in a wicker-like design as opposed to it being loosely knitted. This means your SUP will keep form for longer without featuring any defects.
On top of this the Compact features carbon side rails that serve as an extra layer of rigidity coupled with an extra string later of the protection. The sides are usually where the seams are so it’s important that those areas are the ones that get the protection!
Nixy Huntington SUP Profile
In this space, we will be comparing both the Huntington Compact and Huntington Ultra Compact SUPs together to help you understand their differences and why they are designed the way they are.
If you compare both SUPs in the above stats you will notice from the Nixy product pages that these stats are identical. Even shape-wise they are virtually one of the same. But when you compare the features of both boards you see a few differences.
One of the biggest differences that make the Ultra Compact so easy to fold is the fact that it does not feature carbon side rails while the Huntington Compact does.
How much the carbon side rails add to rigidity can be an argument all on its own. But from tests and customer feedback, it does not seem to make too big of a difference to the Ultra Compact’s stability or rigidity.
As we dissect each part of both Huntington SUPs we will put a spotlight on some of the differences between both SUPs.
Whats On Deck
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Board Features Score | 8 | 8.1 |
| Deck Pad Score | 8.5 /10 | 8.3 |
| D-Rings Score | 8 /10 | 8 |
| Deck Webbing Score | 8 /10 | 8.1 |
| Action Mounts Score | 7.5 /10 | 7.8 |
| Handle Score | 8 /10 | 8.2 |
Below we go through some of the similarities and differences between the Huntington G4 Compact and Ultra Compact packages as well as comparisons to other boards in the Nixy lineup.
Nixy Huntington Deck Pad
The deck pads of both SUPs are made of a Eva foam soft stamped UV protected traction pad.
Huntington Compact
The Huntington Compact features a grooved traction pad similar to the Newport G4, and Manhattan G4 series. I personally prefer this type of deck pad as I find the grooves help to add a bit of extra traction to your feet while paddling on a wet deck. Its design also mimics the Newports almost to a tee.
Huntington Ultra Compact
One of the first things that stands out most between the two boards is the fact that the deck pad is split into two parts. This allows you to fold the sup in half vertically which makes the folded-up dimensions of the Ultra-Compact smaller than almost any inflatable SUP out there.
Unlike the Compact series, the deck pad on the Huntington G4 Ultra-Compact does not feature any groves and follows the flat EVA deck pad design of the Venice and Monterey boards. These flat designs are usually meant for cruising boards which all of the above is meant for.
D Rings
Both Huntington boards feature 14 D rings. 10 of them are used for the removable deck bungee storage systems. The free ones are:
- Bottom of the nose for towing
- 2 on the sides for the Nixy Premium Kayak Seat
- One on the tail used primarily for a SUP Leash
If you remove the bungee storage systems you can rig up something for bigger items such as coolers. Just be wary of this board’s 250 Lb Maximum capacity limit! For boards that have a lot of storage available check out the Monterey G4.
Huntington Deck Bungees
Both boards feature a standard Nixy bungee setup of 3 rows of deck webbing at the back and 2 rows at the front. In fact, the set-up is very similar to that of the Nixy Newport.
Some ideas for things you can store in these bungees include:
- Dry Bags
- Bluetooth Speakers
- Phone cases
- Smaller soft coolers
- A place to stash your paddle when not in use
- Hydration bags
- Water bottles
- Snacks
There is so much more I can add to this but these are some of the most common items.
On my Newport, I personally like to keep things that I access more often at the front like water bottles, and sandals while things that I am less likely to grab as often in the back like my Bluetooth speaker or a cooler with snacks.
M8 Action Mounts
Just like on all of their paddle boards Nixy features action mounts on both Huntington series boards.
- The Huntington G4 Compact features 4 Action Mounts
- The Huntington G4 Ultra Compact features 3 action mounts
The reason for the difference is the fact that the action mount would be in the way of the fold line along the center of the board for the Ultra Compact. In my mind, this is by no means a deal-breaker as you still get a similar vantage point if you had mounted a camera, phone, or action camera.
Somethings you can mount on the Huntington SUPs include:
- Nixy Navigation Lights for night time paddling
- Cup Holders
- Phone Holders
- Digital Camera Mounts
- Action Camera Mounts
- Single Mount Fishing Rod holder
Handles
Both Huntington’s features 3 handles. Although the handle placements on both SUPs differ slightly.
Huntington Compact
The Compact features
- A handle on the side of the nose
- Handle in the middle
- Handle on the rear of the board
If I’m honest I’m a bit confused as to why they put the handle on the side of the nose instead of the way they place it on the Newport which is horizontal. Surely this must add a little bit of drag to the board hydrodynamic profile when paddling.
Huntington Ultra Compact
The Ultra Compact features:
- Handle on the front (slightly to the left)
- Handle in the middle (slightly to the right)
- Handle on the bottom (slightly to the right)
This placement makes more sense to me as you don’t want the handles or the valve to interfere with the folding line of the paddleboard. When carrying the board by yourself it’s probably best to grab it from the right-hand side so that you have less reaching distance to cover. Especially if you are a smaller individual.
Huntington G4 Accessories Explained
| Rating Factor | Score | Average SUP Score (All Around Boards) |
|---|---|---|
| Accessories Score | 9 /10 | 7.9 |
| Backpack Score | 9 /10 | 8.1 |
| Paddle Score | 9 /10 | 7.8 |
| Pump Score | 9 /10 | 7.6 |
| Fin Score | 9.5 /10 | 8.1 |
The accessories for the Huntington G4 Compact are the same as the accessories on other Nixy paddle boards. The main differences come from the Ultra Compact, whose compact packaging requires accessories to be as such.
Nixy Backpack
There are several differences to be noted between the Compact and Ultra Compact Nixy Paddle Boards.
Huntington G4 Compact
The Huntington Compact comes with a bag that measures 39” x 17 x 9”. As an owner of a Nixy bag I personally think it’s the best bag provided with a SUP of its price range. Its definitely the best one I’ve used so far anyway.
The 2022 bag features padded straps, with plenty of back support to help the bag feel much more comfortable than those ungodly backpacks you used to lug textbooks around in high school.
The inside of the bag provides plenty of room for the folded-up board, the typhoon hand pump, and special pockets for your fins. Because this board is 9’6” you will have more room in the bag to even put other things that you need during your paddling trip.
Of course one of my favorite things about this bag is the fact that it has 3 wheels. The third wheel in the middle is unique to Nixy bags as it keeps the support at the bottom of the bag without allowing it to sag.
New for 2022 the bag now features pockets for the shoulder straps. This is key when you are rolling the bag and you don’t want the straps to be hanging out and dragging on the ground.
Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
As you may have guessed, the ultra compact is smaller than most Nixy bags. Its dimensions are 26” x 20” x 13” which is just under the allowance of most airline baggage limits. The Ultra Compact bag is all about portability.
The bag includes a smaller front pouch at the front bungees on top as well as mesh pockets on the sides for bits and bobs. Like all the other Nixy bags it features a padded back, shoulder straps, and a waist strap to keep the bag in place for those scooter rides to the beach.
It will be a tight fit and it may take a few tries of folding the Ultra-Compact bag but once you get it in it will be straightforward. I sometimes like to put little marker marks on folding spots for the SUP.
So when should you choose the bigger Compact bag vs when to use the smaller compact bag?
If you are like me and you prefer to have a bigger baggy backpack that you can fit the board in the first time. It’s ideal for shorter beach trips where you have a mode of transportation and a short walk to the beach or launching point.
The Ultra Compact bag should be chosen when you are traveling, hiking, biking, using public transport or scootering to your destination.
Nixy Paddle
There is one big difference between the Compact and Ultra Compact paddle. The Ultra Compact comes with a 4 piece paddle while the Compact comes with the standard 3 piece.
At the time of writing it says in Nixy’s product description that it’s a 3 piece that comes with the Ultra Compact package but this is incorrect.
They used a 4 piece paddle to fit the Ultra Compact to make sure that all the contents could fit. You would not have had the same capability with the 3 piece paddle.
I’m going to write about the 3 piece paddle as here as this is what I have experience with. I personally like the feel of it and its 1.54 lb weight does not feel like a bother to me, even when I’m paddling for 3 plus hours.
The T handle contours the palm of my hand nicely so I can do quick efficient strokes. I’ve had about 1 year of paddling experience with it and it still holds up well! I’ve had some bad luck with paddles in the past, whether it be the handling coming off, or losing a nut to the adjustment portion.
Thankfully none of the above has happened. Let’s see what year 2 has in store!
Nixy Typhoon Pump
One of the best manual pumps I’ve ever used, the typhoon pump is a great addition to the package. Its knobs can be a bit confusing at first but thankfully Nixy has a diagram as to how to work the 3 stage pump.
As you are pumping up the board you start with all chambers being used, as it gets more difficult (usually 5 to 9 PSI Range) you adjust the left knob down so that it fires on 1 chamber on both the up and down motion which makes it less difficult to pump. Finally both knobs go down and you are firing on one chamber only on the downwards pumping motion.
I personally am a bit surprised that Nixy included this pump in the Ultra Compact package. While it definitely makes pumping easier I can’t help but feel that it would add an extra obstacle to folding a board into what is already a smaller bag.
Huntington Fin(s)
Both boards take a completely different take on fin designs.
Huntington G4 Compact
The Compact comes with a single fin that installs onto the FCS-capable Nixy finbox. It won’t provide the same level of tracking as the Newport G4 but customers seem to be happy that it does its job quite well. The single fin does give the board a bit of extra maneuverability, something I always notice when paddling a 3 fin set-up vs a 1 center fin set up boards.
Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
The Ultra Compact set-up for 2021 and beyond has a 2 9” fin set-up. Which would make this a better tracking board than its Compact brother. The Ultra Compact uses 2 FCS fin boxes which makes it more than capable of fitting different fins to it for different fin setups.
One of the biggest complaints of previous models was that the previous Huntington models provided 2 fins that were 5” side fins. This made the board more “squirrely” and more difficult to paddle in a straight line. Thankfully Nixy rectified this by providing the 9” fins to the package for much better tracking.
Nixy Leash
Both Huntington packages come with a 10” coiled leash that features 2 stainless steel swivel points to prevent the leash from tangling.
I’ve used my Nixy leash for a year now and have no complaints. It’s comfortable thanks to its nice neoprene padding that goes around your ankle.
Nixy Huntington Set-Up
| Rating Factor | Score | Average Score (All Around) |
|---|---|---|
| Set-Up/ Take-Down Score | 9.5 /10 | 8.2 |
The setting up and taking down process will look different between the Huntington Ultra Compact and the Compact packages.
Huntington Compact
The process for folding this SUP would be similar to folding most other inflatable SUPs. Start folding from the fins (the air valve is at the front of the board) and keep folding. It may be handy to have a permanent marker with you to note the folding lines.
Keep folding until you get to the nose. I usually keep folding the board and wrap the nose around it before using the strap to secure the board in place.
Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
The Huntingtion Ultra Compact has one crucial fold you must do when packing away the board. That is the fold along the middle (the fold line will be the space between the deckpad). Be sure to fold the board evenly throughout the process!
This extra fold in half makes it almost half the size of most other inflatable SUPs which allows it to fit into its smaller, more compact bag.
About Nixy Sports
Over the years of tracking Nixy’s progress, I have found Nixy to always be a brand that implements cutting-edge materials and techniques to their SUPs. All the while adding high quality add ons and accessories to the mix.
On top of this they have always been supremely attentive to their customers. In one case Nixy actually paid custom duties to a Customer in Canada that they incurred by cross-border shipping.
My experience with Nixy has been very positive when they sent me my Newport board. It arrived to Vancouver, Canada within 2 weeks and they never took longer than a day to get back to me on questions and comments I had.
To See More Nixy Paddle Board Reviews Click here!
Nixy Warranty
All Nixy paddle boards including the Huntington Compact and Ultra Compact boards come with a 2-year warranty on their paddleboards against manufacturing defects. It does not cover wear and tear or accidents of misuse incurred by the customer.
Nixys return policy is pretty standard within the SUP industry. It offers a 30-day money back return.
What Customers Think of the Nixy Huntington G4
In these verified customer reviews we will be covering what customers have commented about both the Huntington Compact and Huntington Ultra Compact series.
Huntington Compact
Some of the most common compliments of the Huntington compact is the fact that it is a very maneuverable board. Customers also seemed to really appreciate the quality of accessories that Nixy included with their board package. Here’s one comment below
“I bought a 9’6″ board for the ease of carrying. I am leaving it inflated for the season and putting it on my car’s surf board rack. The Huntington (it’s nick name) handles well on the water. I’ve had it out in pretty choppy water and was able to maneuver just fine. I can put all my gear under the bungees and have lots of room for yoga and moving around on the board. I haven’t used the seat yet, but I was so pleased to see the quality of it. The case for there board is sturdy, practical & well designed and will be nice for storing the board in the off season. The detachable fin is a plus. The paddle is good, too.I really like my NIXY Huntington G4.”
– Debra B (Verified Nixy Customer)
Huntington Ultra Compact
The most common complaint about this board was the fact that the side fins included made the board squirly in the earlier models. Nixy has since fixed that with their 2021 and onwards spec boards.
So let’s go straight to the compliments. The most common compliment of this particular board is the fact that it was very lightweight and portable. A lot of people were also very impressed with the stability of the board. One customer compliment that caught my eye.
“I live in a micro apartment that is 1/2 mile from a kayak launch. I purchased this SUP because I am 5’2″ and the backpack is small enough that I would not look ridiculous walking to the launch. However, I was thrilled to find that this SUP is so lightweight that I have no problem carrying it for 1/2 mile inflated. It looks great against the hallway wall in my micro apartment. I have had it out several times now and absolutely love it. Using the river fins (sold separately) this SUP is tough enough to handle river rocks without a problem. I little trickier to balance than larger boards, but I am used to it now.”
– Cindy (Verified Nixy Customer)
Where to Buy the Nixy Huntington Series
The best place to purchase Both the Huntington Compact and the Huntington Ultra Compact if you live in the United States would be from the Nixy Website.
You can also order from Amazon as well but Nixy offers free shipping to all of the continental United States on orders $100 and over. Note* As of the time of me writing this Nixy does not offer the Nixy Huntington Ultra Compact on the Amazon USA site.
If you live in another country you can look at your local Amazon to save on some of these shipping and government fees. This is dependent on if Nixy ships its boards to fulfillment centers around the country.
Comparable Boards
It can be a bit tough finding travel boards that fold up as well as the Huntington Ultra Compact board, so we gave it a shot below.
Red Paddle Compact 9’6”
The Red Paddle Compact features a similar design as Nixy but it is 2 -3 times the price of the Huntington Compact. With this price tag, you are paying for the in-house technology that Red Paddle incorporates when making their boards.
So while you may not get the same features as the Huntington series you get the 5-year warranty and the high-quality materials that ensure this SUP lasts a really long time.
Gii Mako 10’ Inflatable Paddle Board
While the Mako will not pack down to be as compact as the Huntington boards it has a lot of comparables that are worth noting.
The Gili Mako 10’ gives you more onboard storage and a longer length which makes the board a bit more stable for bigger people. It also comes with a Tr-fin setup with a racing fin which might give that extra bit of on-water tracking while on the water.
Click here for the Detailed Gili Mako Review.
Should You Get the Nixy Huntington G4 Compact or Ultra Compact?
If you are a globetrotting explorer who wants a board that can fit luggage requirements I would say this is the obvious pick for traveling. Overall this board with suit you if:
- You are a smaller person
- You want easy transportation (Ultra Compact)
- You are a solo paddler looking for a board to cruise on
- You are going on a hike with this board
- You want a board with good customer service
If things like tracking and speed are more important for you, I would look at the Nixy Newport G4 but the differences between the two will not be too great.
Do you have or know of someone who uses either the Huntington Compact or Huntington Ultra Compact? Let us know on our Facebook page!
