Review on Atoll Inflatable Paddle Backpack Included by Tom Reid

I was a bit hesitant before buying this board simply because I had never heard of Atoll before and didn't know what to expect. My wife and I have been rating surfboards and reading reviews for months and when this board popped up in my search for a lower price than many others it caught my attention. After a few emails to the manufacturer and a lot of research I could find online, I decided to pull the trigger. The manufacturer's 2-year warranty, great communication and customer service combined with Amazon's return policy made the decision a lot easier. Shipping was fast and the board was at my doorstep within a few days. As soon as I opened the box, I was immediately convinced that I had made the right decision. Packing neat, carefully packed. Everything described was in the box. I will describe everything as detailed as possible because I know that some people like me want to know all the details before they buy something. I hope this helps some people make their purchasing decision a little bit easier. Includes board, carry bag, 3 piece adjustable paddle, repair kit and pump. The board itself is made out of thick PVC material, much like a Zodiac boat if you know what that is. The deck pad is a thick, comfortable foam that seems to be holding up well. The board is a bit heavier than other inflatable boards I've tried, but I like it because I feel it's stronger and better built. The board has been rolled up and fitted with a nylon strap that holds it together while rolling. It also includes 2 inflatable "donuts" that fit over 2 smaller fins (which are not removable) to prevent them from poking holes in your bag or scratching your board. They are small but pleasant to the touch. The large detachable fin easily fits into the fin box at the bottom of the board. What I like about it is that the thumbscrew that secures the fin is attached to the fin itself, so you don't have to worry about losing gear in the water when putting the fin on and off. Once secured it looks rock solid and I wasn't worried about falling. I inflated the board to the recommended pressure of 15psi and as shown in the photos it is strong enough to lie and stand on two chairs. It has some flex but it will with any inflatable board. The pump that comes with the kit has its own smaller bag to protect it from sand. It has a built in pressure gauge so you can easily see how much pressure you have while pumping. The hose on the pump attaches to the board with a twist lock. The valve on the board can be locked to deflate the board but must remain closed to inflate. It attaches securely to the hose and I didn't hear any air coming out when I was pumping. The pump isn't difficult to use, but as others have said, pumping it all the way to the top can be a little tedious, especially when you get it to the full 15psi. As the pressure builds it gets harder to squeeze so the last few psi are pretty harsh. Again, this is to be expected from any inflatable paddle board. If you don't want to work your upper body, get an electric pump. I didn't find it too complicated. Also, the convenience of having a board that I can take anywhere and keep in the trunk of my car more than makes up for the little cardio and upper body workout I get before using it. The board is good on the water. I am an intermediate level paddleboarder. I'm not very fast, but I've been on several boards before, so at least I have something comparable when it comes to stability. My wife has a 12 foot fiberglass board. While it's not as stable as hers, it's also a foot shorter and inflatable. However, it is much more stable than the 10ft 6in rigid board I have ridden before. I was amazed at how stable the Atoll board is on the water. and i never had a problem with balancing. I swung my legs back and forth to see how far I could get him to lean to one side before he became unsteady and fell over, and again I was pleasantly surprised with the result. super stable. I noticed that when you jump up and down you can definitely feel the "springing" coming from the inflatable board. However, it did not affect my experience in any way, even when paddling in a light chop. Chop wasn't a problem. Although the board is mostly flat, it has built in rocker up front so it handles chop and waves quite well. I noticed that my board was faster than theirs even though we were in the same position. Kes. It also turns a dime and is extremely maneuverable. The paddle that comes with the board is adjustable and splits into 3 pieces, although you don't really need that because it fits perfectly in a bag if it's 2 pieces. . It's heavier than my wife's carbon paddle, but it's aluminum, that goes without saying. I love it though. It feels solid and well built, and the grip is very comfortable. I like that there are markers on the sides of the telescoping handle so you can easily set the length you want each time you use it. A simple twist lock releases tension and allows the telescope end to be retracted and extended. Everything fits into a practical carrying bag. The bag has 2 shoulder straps as well as a waist buckle that helps take some weight off your shoulders. It sounds like a simple thing, but it makes a world of difference on a long walk on the beach or a hike. I hope I've covered everything a potential buyer might want to know before making a purchase. I would be happy to provide more details to those who are interested. Overall, I highly recommend this board. Just make sure you do your research and read up on the pros and cons of an inflatable board. Comfort is excellent, and what I will be using it for is worth any small sacrifice in performance a hardboard can make. I'm very happy with the board itself, but I also want to thank the Atoll customer service team. It may be a small company but they are quick to respond with helpful answers and their product support is exceptional. I have nothing bad to say. Great board at a great price and from a great company. 5 stars across the board.