Here’s my detailed BOTE inflatable paddle board review with everything you need to know before you get your own. I’ve also linked my video review if you’d like to see demonstrations of pumping it up and using it. Hope that helps and if you have any questions, just let me know.
BOTE Inflatable Paddle Board Review – Everything You Need To Know
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
Quick facts
Brand:
BOTE
My board:
Flood Aero 11′ Native Tropics Inflatable Paddle Board
What’s included:
- Paddle board
- Paddle
- Center fin
- Hand pump
- Backpack
- Rac receivers
- Repair kit
How to buy:
Directly through their website here
Pros:
High quality product, simple to use, range of designs, great value for money with everything that’s included, helpful customer service
Cons:
Higher end pricing which might not be best if you’re not sure if you will like paddle boarding or not
Which board I chose and why
When I was researching to buy an inflatable paddle board I narrowed it down to these three options:
- Breeze Aero (lowest price, minimal features)
- Flood Aero (mid range)
- HD Aero (highest price, most features)
These three vary in price and features, but all are suitable for beginner paddle boarders.
In the end I chose the Flood Aero 11′ and the design was Native Tropics.
There were three main reasons I chose this one over the others.
- It’s made with AeroBOTE technology which is double layer of construction for added protection. I am clumsy by nature and figured this would be worth the investment in case I run into trees or obstacles while out paddle boarding to the different springs in Florida.
- It has storage at both ends of the board which would be helpful on days when I want to take more out with me, e.g. snorkel gear.
- It has the Magnepod extra feature which is a magnetic drink holder on the board.
The Flood Aero struck a nice balance of having enough features to have some cool accessories, while not being so advanced that it would have a bunch of extras that I probably wouldn’t use.
The BOTE website has a board finder quiz which you can use to narrow down the best choices for your skill level, interests, and how you’ll use the board. I found that really helpful when I was reviewing all of the options.
How to pump up a BOTE inflatable paddle board
This thing is built with user friendliness in mind and it probably couldn’t be easier to pump up.
There are three parts to set up before you get on the water:
- inflate your board
- attach the fin to the board
- put the paddle together
Everything you need for those steps is included with the board.
It comes with a hand pump and I still use that, though they also sell electric pumps which reduce the manual labor.
Pumping it up with the hand pump takes me about 5 minutes from start to finish. The first 3 minutes are pretty easy and there’s not much resistance, while the last 2 take a little effort.
It’s worth noting that when you first start pumping you will see the board inflating but the pressure gauge doesn’t move much. The gauge moves very slowly at first then quite fast towards the end so just keep going and you will see it move.
The recommended PSI is between 10-15 and I usually do about 12.
To deflate the board you simply take the fin off, let the air out, roll it up, and put it back in the backpack.
If you’d like to see a demonstration, check out this video:
How stable are BOTE inflatable paddle boards
Stability is the one thing I was most curious about and also what I got the most questions about.
Are inflatables even stable enough to have fun as a beginner?
I was pleasantly surprised that actually, yes, they are super stable on the water. I haven’t had any issues with stability, balancing, or falling off.
Once you pump it up to the recommended PSI the board is a hard surface and very stable on the water. When I’ve been out adventuring some people have even been surprised when I tell them it’s an inflatable.
The only issue I’ve had using an inflatable is that they’re a little more susceptible to the wind. It seems that the wind has a little more power to redirect you or slow you down if it’s a windy day.
When you’re starting out, I recommend using it on lower wind days to get the hang of the board.
How portable are BOTE inflatable paddle boards
The main reason I wanted an inflatable paddle board over a solid one was for portability. I live in a small apartment with no garage, so an inflatable was definitely the best choice.
Everything gets stored in the backpack it comes with and most of the time I leave it in my lounge room. It doesn’t take up much space and isn’t an eyesore.
When I want to go paddle boarding I can put it in the back of my car like any other backpack. It’s super convenient and portable for grab and go adventures.
The contents weigh 42 pounds, so it’s a good amount of weight to have on your back. Keep in mind that’s just for the board gear and most of the time you’ll also be carrying your water, towel, snacks, sunscreen and whatever else you take on a beach day.
A short walk to the beach from the parking lot is not a big deal, but it’s not the kind of thing I’d go hiking with.
Are BOTE inflatable paddle boards good for beginners
Absolutely!
Between the high quality board, ease of set up, and stability on the water, I think they’re a wonderful choice for beginners and leisure paddle boarders.
They also have other models for more advanced skills, but the three I mentioned at the start of the post are good beginner options.
Best GoPro accessories for paddle boarding
If you’d love to get some fire selfies while you’re out paddle boarding, here are my recommendations for camera accessories.
- GoPro camera – waterproof, wide lens options, photo and video capability, and very durable
- GoPro Handler – this is a floaty selfie stick with wrist strap
- GoPro Surfboard Mount – you can mount your GoPro to your board with this for action shots
- GoPro Floaty – I also use this when I mount the GoPro to the board just in case of emergency
I only use official products from the GoPro website and you can get these three accessories for about $80 total.
Other handy accessories
I also like to use a dry bag for my valuables while I am paddle boarding. I have two that I use for different reasons:
- This 10L dry bag for longer outings when I take more with me
- This small dry bag which I use when I just have my wallet/phone/keys
Get your board!
Check out the BOTE website to see their full range and get a board of your own.
I also recommend joining the BOTE Facebook group where you can share tips and photos of your adventures with other BOTE users around the world.
Other guides you might enjoy:
A Complete Guide On How To Get To Cypress Spring Without A Tour
Where To Find The Absolute Best Acai Bowls In Destin, Florida
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