ISLE Pioneer 3
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Only best products in a given category receive “A” grade.
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for a family-friendly all around paddle board that doesn’t break the bank consider taking a deeper look at the Pioneer 3 paddle board from ISLE Surf & SUP. The Pioneer 3 comes in a complete package that includes everything you need to get on the water and start paddling. Alongside the board the package includes a paddle, pump, leash, storage bag and fin. This standup paddle board is best for all around paddling in shorter distances, close to the shoreline and in calm conditions. This board is also compatible and able to be converted into a kayak if you want that option as well. Priced at $695 the Pioneer 3 sits at the lower end of the mid-tier market in terms of affordability and comes in 6 different colorways to choose from.
First Impressions
The Pioneer 3 was incredibly stable on the water making it a perfect family-friendly beginner all around board. At 10’6” the width of the board, which is a large factor when it comes to the stability, is a bit wider than what we typically see at this length but it doesn’t hinder the overall shape of the board design or bog it down which is nice. Moving on to the bells and whistles of the board, there are quite a few add on’s that really make this board a great value. First, the added handles on the nose and tail really help in transport of the board. Speaking of transport, the included bag it comes in is really nice quality and has a great design with wheels and a stand that helps it stand upright. Great for airport travel for sure. Next, the board has both a nose and tail bungee attachments which is great for carrying cargo on the board whether it be gear, kiddos or even your pup. And the full deck pad, which is really comfortable and soft to the touch, helps a ton with keeping gear secure and avoiding a slippery surface. The Pioneer 3 also features ISLE’s patented link system which allows for multiple attachment points throughout the board so adding in accessories is quite easy and flexible in terms of where you want to have them attached. Speaking of accessories, the board comes with a kayak seat, footrest and paddle attachment options which is really fun if you want to switch it up from time to time. One thing that can be improved here is the included leash accessory. The leash is made of a mesh fabric and is lower quality compared to the more durable coiled leashes that are industry standard. When paddling the board, it wasn’t fast, wasn’t too slow and had a pretty average glide which was to be expected for the all around shape. Overall, the Pioneer 3 package is pretty great considering the price point, quality and all that it includes with it which is why it’s deserving of our A-grade award.
Benefits
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Primary Use
All-Around / Hybrid UsePaddle Boards fall into two broad categories, All-Around and Specialty boards, with all-around designed primarily for recreation while speciality boards for top performance in specific disciplines
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Durability
DurableDurability is largely a result of the board construction and shape, with more durable boards typically carrying more materials (added layers, PVC, etc) and as such adding to the weight.
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Stability
Very StableStability is a product of construction and shape, where boards w/ 30”+ wide and 200+ liters in volume offer plenty of stability for your AVG adult while a board under 26” wide is a challenge.
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Glide
AverageGlide is a result of board shape and construction, w/ boards weighing under 30lbs and designed for racing offering best glide while recreational boards normally being on the slow side.
Features
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Dimensions
10'6" x 34" x 6"Industry standard in board dimensions reads: L (length, from nose to tail) x W (width, from rail to rail at midpoint length), and H (height, from top to bottom of board at midpoint length).
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Weight
19 lbsStandup paddle boards tend to fall into 4 different weight classes: extremely lightweight (under 20 lbs), lightweight (20-28 lbs), average weight (28-35 lbs), heavy (above 35 lbs).
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Volume
326 LVolume is a key metric to determine how much weight a board can carry. Boards w/ 200+ liters offer most floatation with boards under 150 liters typically for high-performance surf.
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Capacity
285 lbs / 113kgCapacity is the max cargo weight a stand up paddle board can carry, considering not only the paddler’s weight but whatever else the paddler may choose to carry alongside him/her.
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Add On's
Bungee Nose, Bungee Tail, D Ring, Paddle Included, Leash Included, Handle on nose, Handle on tail, Roller Storage Bag IncludedAdd-on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; Connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal.
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Handle
StrapHandles directly affect carrying ease, with external grip handles (Liftsup & EZgrab) offering most comfort, Internal Ergo Grip the mid-tier comfort, and box handles as least comfortable.
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Holders
YesFishing rod holders and/or paddle holders can make paddling that much more pleasant, esp. when needing holders for the rod or having a safe place for the paddle during yoga.
Sizes Available
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|
| 10 Feet 6 Inches | 34 Inches | 6 Inches | 326 L |
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For more detailed reviews and to look at similar models, visit Supconnect.com. If you like this review, give us the thumbs up. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments. And make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss the latest news and reviews from Supconnect.