SIC Maui RST Air

Overview

Overview

Paddle Board Highlights

Price

$1,299.95

Build

Inflatable

Skill

Intermediate

Use

Race

Who is it for?

If you’re searching for a premium inflatable race standup paddle board you must take a look at the RST Air from SIC Maui. This paddleboard is best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers and works best in flatwater conditions.

The board comes with a leash, fin, pump, carry bag and repair kit. Priced at $1,299.95 this board sits in the mid-tier market in terms of affordability but delivers a premium paddle board that is able to paddle long distances.

First Impressions

The RST Air is brand new for 2024 and is the inflatable version of their popular RST race board model. The size we reviewed was the 14’ x 28” model. At first glance this board looks clean and has a classic look to it which is on point for SIC Maui. They typically take the simplistic approach to the graphic designs on their boards and we’ve always been a fan of the look of their boards.

This one is no different. When it comes to the features of the board we really like how the board is decked all the way back to the tail which allows for better traction for when you're doing buoy turns in a race.

Also noticeable was how soft the deckpad and handles were on the deck which is great, especially for those longer distance paddles or races. Speaking of the handles, SIC included two extra grab handles towards the upper deck of the board which are crucial for those beach starts and getting a better hold on the board. Nice touch!

Other cool features they included were the action camera mount on the nose if you want to capture any training videos or during your races which is always fun to have. The included accessories were also really nice and gave a premium look/feel to them. The carry bag included has some nice roller wheels on it which makes transporting the gear so much easier, especially when you’re flying. The included fin is a toolless system which is also always appreciated but is of much higher quality than what we see with other toolless systems. Bonus!

While the board doesn’t come with a paddle, this is kind of expected since it’s a race board. Typically if you’re on the market for a race board, you’ve already got a paddle that you like and suits your style. So, no need to have that included here.

On the water, this board felt surprisingly stable for the narrow width it has (28 inches). In fact, this board felt more stable than many of the boards that we’ve raced on so that says quite a lot. Turning the board was also quite easy thanks to the stability and full traction pad. Speed-wise, this board also felt pretty fast, especially for an inflatable.

Overall, the SIC Maui RST Air would be an excellent choice for someone looking for an inflatable race board that they can easily travel with and feel like they’re not compromising on quality or performance. Another A-grade board for SIC Maui.

Benefits

• Primary Use

  Race

  Paddle 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

• Durability

  Above Average

  Durability 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.

• Carrying

  Easy

  Carrying ease is determined by board weight and handle type, where a board weighing under 20lbs with a Liftsup handle is extremely easy to carry while a 35+lbs board quite difficult.

• Stability

  Stable

  Stability 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.

• Glide

  Fast

  Glide 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

• Dimensions

  14' x 28" 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).

• Weight

  22.3 lbs

  Standup 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).

• Volume

  335L

  Volume 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.

• Capacity

  275 lbs

  Capacity 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

• Add-on’s

  Bungee Deck Added Handles on Deck Action Mount Fin Included Paddle Included Leash Included Wheelie Backpack Included

  Add-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.

• Handle

  Strap

  Handles 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.

• Holders

  No

  Fishing 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.

Other Sizes Available

• Length 12 Feet 6 Inches

• Width 27 or 21 Inches

• Thickness 6 Inches

• Volume 225 or 290 Liters

Similar Products

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.

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