The iRocker paddle board featured in this review is the bestselling iRocker Cruiser 10’6 inflatable paddleboard. This particular paddleboard from iRocker has been so successful because it suits beginner paddleboarders perfectly.
If iRocker is out of stock of the Cruiser 10’6″ due to the time of year, I recommend going for their latest Cruiser Ultra board which is very similar to this one but in a more compact and portable design.
A couple of the reasons why it’s so good for beginners are its great stability on the water, and also this SUP package includes everything you need to get started with paddleboarding, including a carbon fiber paddle, safety leash, a dual cylinder pump, and more.
In this iRocker Cruiser review I cover its standout features, how the board performs out on the water, where to buy it, and answer some important FAQs.
Once you’re finished reading this review – check out our best stand up paddle boards buyer’s guide to learn more about how to choose the right SUP for you.
I’ve also included a video towards the end of this review, filmed on the water while paddleboarding in tandem with Helen.
iRocker Cruiser Review: Table of Contents
- Key features of the 10ft 6′ iRocker Cruiser
- Cruiser SUP performance on the water
- What comes in the box
- Where to buy it
- Video Review
- Review summary
- Image gallery
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key features of this 10ft 6′ iRocker paddle board
This iRocker paddle board really impressed me from the get-go. Before I had even unpacked my Cruiser iRocker SUP, It was easy for me to notice how well built everything in the package is.
Quick specs at a glance
- LENGTH: 10’6″
- WIDTH: 33″
- THICKNESS: 6″
- BOARD WEIGHT: 25lbs
- MAX WEIGHT CAPACITY: 400lbs
- VOLUME: 234L
iRocker Cruiser bag with wheels
The carry bag, in particular, is better than any other bag we have seen from other paddleboard brands we have reviewed, including Bluefin SUP, ISLE, and BOTE.
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I really like that the bag also comes with wheels so that you can easily wheel the bag behind you.
This is super helpful because although the board itself only weighs 25lbs, the entire package (including the board and accessories) weighs a total of 36lbs – which can start to feel heavy depending on how far you plan to walk from your car to the water.
The iRocker SUP bag easily fits the deflated SUP, as well as all the accessories that come in the package, including the collapsible carbon fiber paddle, and dual cylinder pump.
Carbon fiber extendable paddle
The full-carbon matte paddle is notably well made – it feels sturdy and looks very attractive too. It is lighter than the previous fiberglass/carbon blend paddle from iRocker, which allows for better paddle performance and is also sturdier and stronger.
It can extend from 72” to 86” and weighs only 28.8 ounces. Importantly, the paddle floats too.
MORE SUP REVIEWS: Bluefin SUP Review / BOTE Breeze Aero Review
Handles galore
The board has 7 handles in total – all of which are very helpful when you’re carrying the paddleboard to the water, or simply hanging on in turbulent water.
The handles are soft to the touch, almost like neoprene, but it feels softer.
Bungee cordage on the front and back to secure belongings
At the nose of the SUP you’ve got some nice D-ring clips for clipping on various things, like a dry bag or even towing the SUP behind a boat if you like. There are 20 d-rings on the board in total.
There’s also some bungee cordage that you can stick a drybag or extra clothing under as well. There’s a bungee at the rear of the board too.
We have an IceMule cooler dry bag backpack that can carry our cold beverages as well as act as a dry bag for our belongings which keeps them dry should the bag ever get wet. We are able to sling this cooler bag across our shoulders or tie it to the bungee on the board which is a great solution for us.
Go-pro and other accessory mounts
Anywhere on iRocker paddle boards where you see this kind of metal screw thread feature, you can actually attach a GoPro or other compatible iRocker attachment accessories including a cup holder and cellphone holder.
There are 4 areas in which you can attach accessories across the board.
Dual cylinder manual pump (included) VS Electric 12v Pump ($130)
The electric pump that you see us using in our video review below doesn’t come with the package but I just had to mention it because it’s SO much easier than pumping up the board manually.
The electric pump also works on most other paddleboard brands.
This iRocker inflatable paddle board takes around 7 minutes to inflate to around 13 PSI with this electric pump, with zero sweat wasted.
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This would likely take a fair bit longer pumping manually unless you’re Arnold Swarzenegger, in which case you’d probably end up popping the thing in a few minutes, haha.
But in all seriousness, I’d say the dual cylinder manual pump would take around 10 minutes at a leisurely pump cadence. It’s worth noting that the act of pumping gets more challenging the closer you get to the recommended PSI.
Luckily the Cruiser SUP package comes with a dual cylinder pup which is far better than many other packages which come with a single-cylinder pump. Dual cylinder pumps make pumping up your board easier and faster.
Cruiser SUP performance on the water
I’ve been having a lot of fun with the Cruiser SUP paddling around with Helen.
The stability is just excellent on choppy and still water and we really appreciate the comfort that comes from the soft foam on the deck, especially important when kneeling on the platform.
The Cruiser SUP from iRocker is one of their most popular SUPs for beginners because of its stability and, and well-padded deck.
It’s got a very wide platform of around 33 inches from side to side and it also has an impressive weight capacity, around 400lbs.
The Cruiser is marketed as an easy-to-paddle SUP for calm conditions but we also found it to perform on slightly rougher water too.
As you can see in our video iRocker review below, on this occasion we rode the Cruiser together, as a tandem SUP (it’s especially useful so there’s one person to paddle while the other films). We enjoy the challenge of trying to stay on with both of us moving around filming haha.
Our combined weight is less than 400lbs, luckily, so we can use it this way. The 33″ width
and 234L of air volume inside it, means you’re able to quite easily paddle with a partner or friend.
You could also have a dog and / or a child at the same time as yourself if you feel like a real challenge. So, there’s definitely lots of fun to be had on this SUP.
Before I go on, I’ve written a really detailed buyer’s guide for stand up paddle boarding – on there, you can learn about how to choose the best paddleboard for you and also all the terminology behind paddleboarding. The guide has everything you need to know to become an expert in paddleboarding.
The deck or platform on the Cruiser SUP is really padded and soft on your knees when kneeling down. It also has plenty of grip for anyone who may have trouble finding balance while on the water.
In the video review for this SUP, I’m using some Kane Footwear recovery shoes, made entirely from EVA foam and there’s and there’s plenty of grip on them for paddleboarding where you’re not doing anything too serious.
Kane Revive shoes are actually really good for paddleboarding because they float, are waterproof, and are super breathable as you can see from the upper which has large air holes in it.
You could also wear other footwear such as hiking sandals designed to wear in and around water, such as the KEEN Astoria West.
Wearing appropriate shoes while paddleboarding is important as they provide protection for your feet when wading in the shallows as you mount and dismount the board. They also give you good traction when standing on the board.
Underneath the board, there are three fins, one large one in the middle and two on either side. They’re all removable for when you pack the SUP up.
These fins give the board stability and allow you to paddle in more of a straight line than if you weren’t to have three fins on the bottom of the board with the large center fin.
Overall, the board and accessories are just really great quality – keep reading to see all the items that come in the package when you buy this SUP.
Altogether I’m really happy with the iRocker Cruiser SUP. To be honest, it over-delivers on everything you need all for a very attractive price.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate paddleboarder, this would be a great board choice for you. It’s also a great option for anyone thinking about doing some paddleboard yoga, or paddleboarding with a dog.
It’s ‘dog approved’ as it’s made with military-grade, triple-layer PVC – whereas some other paddleboards are using single or double-layer PVC. This helps with robustness when it comes to dog claws as well as underwater rocks, etc.
What’s in the box
- 1x 10’6” iRocker Cruiser SUP
- 1x 3-Piece travel paddle with Carbon matte shaft and Nylon blade.
- 1x Dual chamber, triple-action manual pump
- 1x 10’ Leash with key stash spot
- 1x Premium travel roller bag
- 3x Removable Nylon SUP fins (1 center and 2 side fins)
- 1x Repair kit (patches and a valve wrench – glue is sold separately)
Where to Buy
The iRocker Cruiser is a very high-quality triple-layer iSUP, and for everything you get in the package, combined with such a reasonable price point of $600 from irockersup.com, you really can’t go wrong with the Cruiser SUP.
The Cruiser SUP is also available from the following stores:
Amazon.com
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$399.99
1
new
from $399.99
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See Deal |
Irockersup.com
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$399.99
out of stock
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See Deal |
Video Review
Review Summary
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I hope you enjoyed reading this iRocker Cruiser review, if you did, say hello in the comments below 🙂
Oh, and if you have any questions about the board – feel free to ask me in the comments.
IRocker Cruiser Image Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
CAN I USE THE KAYAK BUNDLE ON THIS BOARD?
Yes! The kayak bundle works on each of iRocker’s boards (except for the Big Blue). The kayak seat attaches to the D rings which are located on the side of the boards.
THE PADDLE IS ANGLED – WHICH DIRECTION SHOULD THE “IROCKER” LOGO FACE WHEN PADDLING?
Whichever direction makes you happy but it is easier to paddle with the logo facing towards the front of the board. This allows the water to slip more easily past the blade as it moves through the water.
CAN I KEEP MY BOARD INFLATED?
Yes, iRocker keeps their displays and demos inflated for several months at a time and they never lose any air. If you choose to leave the board in direct sunlight for an extended period of time it is recommended that you deflate the board to prevent over-expansion as this is not covered under the warranty.
WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED PSI FOR IROCKER BOARDS?
The recommended pressure is 15 PSI. iRocker boards can hold up to 23 PSI however you will not gain much in terms of performance and rigidity by inflating the board over 15 PSI.
HOW DO I DEFLATE AND ROLL UP MY IROCKER BOARD?
Start by making sure the valve area is dry so that water does not get inside the board. Press down and hold the valve pin button for 2 seconds under the valve cap the air will rush out loudly for a few seconds so be prepared! Allow the air to escape for a minute or two. Make sure the air valve is left open and start at the nose and roll it as tight and straight as possible. Then once you get to the air valve, you will want to close the valve so that no air gets back into the board, and then put the strap around it. Sometimes it helps to flip the fin section in so that it ends up on the inside of the roll. It should fit into the bag this way just fine.
MY PRESSURE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING – WHAT DO I DO?
Generally, the pressure gauge will start to register a pressure reading after the board reaches 7 PSI’s which is about 100-120 pumps. Make sure the pressure gauge isn’t loose and that the dial on your pump is not stuck in-between settings.
WILL ROCKS OR SUNKEN OBJECTS DAMAGE MY INFLATABLE IROCKER BOARD?
All boards are made with Military grade PVC and are built to withstand minor impacts to rocks, wood pilings or sunken objects. Caution is recommended when you encounter harsh terrain. Punctures caused by extreme conditions are not covered under warranty.
DO IROCKER BOARDS COME WITH A WARRANTY?
Yes, iRocker and Blackfin (excludes open box – used boards) and newer boards come with a 3 years warranty and Nautical boards with a 2 years warranty. Damage due to misuse or negligence is not covered. The warranty period starts from the date of purchase.
Great review,
I really like the look of this board, so many useful extras like extra handles, D Rings, etc., and lots of supporting accessories too! Was good to see how it sat in the water with 2 adults on board (and at a lower psi than recommended!).
I think that I’ll be buying this board. Just a shame that iRocker customer service here in the UK is practically non-existent so there is no one to speak to directly about stock levels for UK distribution.
Hi Ian,
That’s annoying about customer service in the UK. It’s certainly a great SUP though – I can’t recommend it enough. The overall quality is far superior to most other boards we have reviewed/tested – and like you said the accessories that come with it are also very good.
-A
Hi, on the iRocker website it states the cruiser is designed for people 5ft 10inches and under. I’m a 6ft male of medium build, does this rule the cruiser out as a board for me?
Hi Chris,
iRocker does say the cruiser is best suited to riders under 5’10” but to be honest, I don’t think being 2″ taller than the suggested limit will affect your ride all that much. I mean this board isn’t really for two riders either, but I have been out paddling with the wife enough times to know it’s more stable than other boards I’ve reviewed and tested with her. So although it’s not a two-adult board so to speak (it’s marketed as a family board that can take a child/dog), it handles us both very well. You could also try the iRocker board selector to see what board it recommends but I think you’d be happy with the Cruiser 10’6″ if you 6ft and have a medium build. Here’s the SUP selector tool: https://www.trailandkale.com/go/irocker-board-selector/
-Alastair