ISLE Explorer Pro - Review 2025

Bringing Unreal Stability And Innovation To The iSUP World

The ISLE Explorer Pro is an impressive advancement in the world of iSUPs. Its InfinityFiber technology has created a surface so sturdy that an iSUP can feel almost as firm as a hard board. It also uses PowerFuse, which helps prevent leaks and air loss, thus keeping the board firm on longer rides, which this touring board is fully capable of making.

Even before this board hits the water, it is clear just by its design and construction that it’s a special board. You are immediately struck by the webbing links that line both sides of the board. So often there are SUP boards that lack storage in certain areas, but this ISLE paddle board has endless storage potential from the tail to the nose.

The board rolls up neat and tight, but once unrolled, it is clear that this board is firm and sturdy. From its silhouette to the modern technology it uses to be strong and stable, there is so much that makes this board worth your consideration.

The Shape, Design, And Technology Of The Board

The ISLE Explorer Pro Touring Board Design

While the ISLE Explorer Pro is a versatile board that can be used for everything from cruising to kayaking, it is primarily a touring paddle board, and its shape reflects this. It is 31 inches wide and has a fairly pointed nose. The board is available in both 12’ and 14’, and both perform great with a smooth glide and good tracking.

In addition to the long touring shape, the 9” touring fin helps keep the board stable and on track. The endless storage options allow the paddlers to stack cargo in all sorts of ways. This makes longer journeys with sizable loads easier than in other boards with limited storage capacity.

The Patented Technology

The ISLE Explorer Pro has several types of advanced patented or proprietary elements that help it outperform its iSUP competitors. Its greatest advantage is its InfinityFiber technology, which makes this board shockingly firm and rigid. This rigidity helps reduce any sagging and the dreaded “taco effect” that sometimes happens when paddling an inflatable (especially for long distances).

The ISLE company also utilizes its ProFuse technology in the Explorer Pro. ProFuse is its welded rail technology that quite literally fuses the top and bottom of the board with the rails. This technology forms a tight and secure bond and prevents any air leaks, which would prove detrimental to this otherwise perfectly sturdy board.

How The ISLE Explorer Pro Performs On the Water

While all this technology and design may sound impressive, the real test and moment of truth came when this board met the water, and once it did the board only continued to shine. What makes this inflatable board so unique and impressive is that it provides the quality performance of a hardboard and the portability of a well-designed iSUP.

It was able to turn easily and in a controlled balanced manner. You can navigate tight spaces, even though it’s a longboard.

The shape and strength of this board also made it possible to paddle out in choppy conditions. Where you might be apprehensive to take some iSUPs out in choppy waters or on longer paddles, the ISLE Explorer performed with ease.

Maneuverability And Turning

Since the board is sturdy and balanced, it is easy to stand in both the middle and back of the board. This makes shaper and quick turns easy. The 9” touring fin also helps, as does the sharp nose design. Overall, there were no complaints when it came to maneuvering and navigating the water with this board.

Stability And Strength Under Pressure

Arguably the most impressive quality of the ISLE Explorer Pro is its sturdy nature and rigid stability. What’s truly remarkable is you can literally jump up and down on this board and there is almost no give underneath you. It maintains its rigid and hard surface better than any other iSUP out there.

Notable Features Included The ISLE Explorer Pro

‘Click And Go’ Fin

The ISLE Explorer Pro comes with a well-designed click-in fin as well as a foldable fin box. The tool-free “click and go” fin is 9 inches long, and is a well-designed fin for touring. It is easy to click into place, and it’s great that you don’t need any tools to use it. The fin box is foldable, which alleviates pressure on the edges of the box when you roll it up. It makes the rolling process even easier than it can be with other SUP boards.

Three Handles

The ISLE Explorer Pro features three well-crafted handles. There is a handle on the nose and one on the tail. This makes it easy for two people to carry the board when needed. In fact, these two handles come in quite handy when using this board as a kayak.

There is also a comfortable and well-placed center handle for easy single-handed carrying.

Ultralight Leash

The ISLE Explorer Pro comes with a 9’ ultralight straight leash. The cuff is branded and soft, making it comfortable to wear for short or even longer rides. While this is not a coiled leash like many iSUPs are offering these days, the chord is very light and soft, and you don’t feel much drag at all when it’s in the water. This makes the leash overall a great feature, and there is no need to swap it out with another one.

Soft Decking

ISLE makes very inviting and high-quality soft decking on its boards, including on the ISLE Explorer Pro. It dried quickly and is comfortable on the feet. Some might prefer something with a slightly better grip, but this decking is not slippery at all and feels great on the soles of the feet during longer paddles.

Nose Accessory Mount

Great for those GoPro users out there. This nose accessory mount is secure, and placed in a great location, near the tip of the board, by the handle.

Pro Series Wheelie Backpack

A well-designed wheelie backpack is currently included with the ISLE Explorer Pro. The bag measures 38” tall by 17” wide by 14” deep.

The bag is a generous size, with plenty of space to fit the board and more, and the wheels are a great feature, as this makes carrying the board longer distances much easier. The board also comes with a great dry bag for your accessories, like straps and the leash.

Built-in Paddle Storage

One fun feature worth noting is a built-in paddle storage that is located along the side of the board. There are two velcro loops that can secure your paddle. This can be very handy when carrying the board with the center handle from place to place.

It is also great when you are using the board as a SUP, but might want to turn your board into a kayak during your tour, which would require an additional paddle.

Webbing Links Throughout (With Straps)

Another one of the top features of the ISLE Explorer Pro is its patent-pending webbing links and board straps. The webbing links essentially loop the line the entire length of the board where you can hook straps and accessories.

Most iSUPs have d-rings, and only in limited sections of the board. By having these loops all up and down the board, you can essentially create your own adventure on the Explorer Pro. This includes storing items wherever you want as well as placing things like the kayak seat and a cooler wherever it is most convenient and comfortable for you. This endless customization is a real game changer for those who like to think outside the box, and it’s a joy to play around with different setups.

Optional Accessories For The ISLE Explorer Pro Worth Buying

Four-Piece Paddle Kit

The ISLE Explorer Pro has an optional four-piece paddle kit ($112.50). This paddle setup allows for an adjustable and collapsable SUP paddle as well as a kayak paddle add-on. This added paddle attachment helps turn the SUP paddle into a kayak paddle, which further helps make the ISLE Explorer Pro a very user-friendly kayak hybrid board. This paddle is a great option for those who plan to utilize the ISLE Explorer Pro as both a SUP board and a kayak.

Cloud Kayak Seat And Foot Brace

In order to turn the ISLE Explorer Pro into a kayak you will need to purchase a Cloud Kayak Seat ($112). This seat is soft, durable, and highly adjustable. Just like with all accessories on the board, you have full autonomy as to where you position this seat. This seat works great at transforming the SUP into a kayak and is also comfortable to sit in.

There is also the option for a foot brace ($54) which is a unique option and adds additional leg comfort to this kayaking experience. It is a great add-on option for those who plan to use the board as a kayak often and on longer journeys.

Ease Of Transporting The ISLE Explorer Pro

You might worry that a board as stable and rigid as the ISLE Explorer Pro might be a pain to pack up and transport, but the opposite is true. This board is simple to roll up, and it is even easier to transport.

The detachable fin and folding fin box, as well as the InfinityFIber technology, make rolling the board really easy and safe. The wheelie bag is a great size, and it makes transporting the board simple, no matter how far the distance. This also makes it easy to transport and store the board. If you decide to keep the board inflated, ISLE has rack options you can purchase as well.

Using The ISLE Explorer Pro As A Kayak

The ISLE Explorer Pro markets itself as an iSUP and kayak hybrid, but how well does it perform as a kayak? After testing it with the kayak seat and foot brace in several positions, it is definitely a reliable hybrid SUP and kayak board. It is fun, stable, and safe when used as an inflatable kayak, and it tracks and glides just as well as expected.

The added foot brace is a great comfort for longer rides, and the seat is comfortable and easy to adjust. The fact that you can put the seat anywhere on the board, and even install two seats, is a great perk that you rarely see in this type of board.

Is The ISLE Explorer Pro A Good Value For The Price?

The base price for the ISLE Explorer Pro is $995. This, however, does not include accessories you will want, like the 4-piece paddles kit, and the kayak seat. In the end, a well-equipped ISLE Explorer Pro will cost you between $1,300 and $1,500, which is certainly not on the cheaper side of things. So the question is – is this steep price tag still a good value?

The answer is a swift and emphatic, yes!

The ISLE Explorer Pro is expensive because its material, design, and innovation are miles ahead of other brands. You are paying for both quality and ease of use. Not only is the board well-made, but it is an absolute pleasure to ride as well as easy to transport.

In the end, one of the biggest questions you need to ask yourself when investing in a quality iSUP is how often will you use it. The great thing about the ISLE Explorer Pro is that it is so easy to transport and such a joy to use that the odds are you will use this board more than any budget model out there.

In fact, you may find yourself paddling more than ever before simply because this board doesn’t have any of the drawbacks like poor stability and performance found in other iSUPs. So, if for no other reason, the fact that this board is so inviting and easy to use makes it worth its price tag. Furthermore, the ISLE Explorer Pro comes with a four-year limited warranty, just in case there is a manufacturing issue.

The Verdict: Is The ISLE Explorer Pro An iSUP Worth Buying?

Not only is the ISLE Explorer Pro an iSUP worth buying, but it is one of the best inflatable touring paddle boards out there. Its design, unbeatable firm stability, and its ability to easily moonlight as a kayak all make this an incredible board worth investing in. This board is not cheap, but it is worth every penny, as are some of its add-on accessories, like the kayak seat and paddle.

So often iSUP boards don’t live up to their hardboard counterparts. This often leaves the paddler disappointed, and maybe even less likely to paddle. If you have never found an iSUP you like because they always seem to disappoint, or it doesn’t quite compare to the experience on a hard board, then the ISLE Explorer Pro is the board for you.