Inflatable paddle boards are made from multiple layers of PVC plastic glued together. The upper and lower sections are stitched together on the inside to hold the shape.

All those materials add up, giving the board its weight. Red have been using their MSL process for years to create boards with less PVC, less glue and stronger stitching which results in a lighter, stronger board.

Now with the new PACT process that came out in 2020 the boards like the Red 9’6” Compact paddle board can be even stronger and lighter again while folding down smaller.

What does the new PACT system do to the size and weight?

Red manufacture their own boards and have complete control of the process. And they have been tinkering with it.

New new PACT process created a new way of weaving all the threads inside the board that hold the top to the bottom. The threads inside connect at all angles and are extra-high-tensile which means super light but super strong. Reducing the weight of the threads means the board is lighter.

The outer layers of the board is another required but heavy component to the board. Red have reduce the weight of those too. A thinner, more supple, outer layer also means it can be folded and rolled easier.

The last improvement is a quad-stringer system. This just means 4 pieces of stiffer material runs down the board under where you stand, creating a stronger platform to stand and paddle from. If you’ve ever ridden a really cheap or deflating board, they curve like a banana when you stand on them in the water. The quad-stringer system does the opposite of that.

The new system makes a board that can be folded in half and rolled up smaller than any other boards out right now. The Compact boards are also lighter to carry in the pack and in your hand.

9’6” Compact Paddle Board Specs

• Board weight: 7.4 kg / 13.6 pounds

• Everything weight: 12.7 kg / 28 pounds

• 2 Twin Click Fins

• 8’ Leash

• 32” wide

• 222 liter volume

• 4.7 inches / 120mm thick

• Titan II pump

• 3 Flat bungees on bow

• 5-piece carbon paddle

• $2,199 CAD ($1,899 USD)

How small is the Compact Bag?

The best part of the 9’6 Compact is how big the bag is. With the new PACT process the board, and the bag, is a lot smaller. It’s about 22 inches tall and 16.5 inches wide instead of the previous 38 inches tall and 13 inches wide.

Instead of backpack straps that looks like an afterthought, they put some time and effort into the back panel. The straps and panel are very comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time. There’s waist belt that keeps the pack from flopping around but is removable if you don’t want to take it.

Carrying the RED Compact 9’6″ Bag

The bag comfort and size are much better than previous models and other brands. I still think it could be improved with a sternum strap to keep the shoulder straps from sliding apart.

Another design feature I’d like to see updated is the location of the zippers. The backpack has to be put down on the ground on the back panel and straps to open it and get the SUP out. This is fine if it’s a nice clean dock or concrete walk way. But when you have to put your SUP down in the dirt or the mud, then the brushed cotton back panel is sitting in the mud. I’d like to see them adopt a photography backpack design where you put the bag down on the back of it and zip open the side with the straps.

Another design feature I’d love to see with the bag is some extra space or pouches for other gear. If you take anything with you paddle boarding, then you have to take another bag with you. This is usually a dry bag or waterproof duffel so you don’t get anything wet. It would be great to have a spot to sore this in or on the SUP bag. All SUP bags I’ve tried so far are like this. They just fit the board, paddle and pump but nothing else.

How does the paddle fit in a Compact Bag?

A 5-piece carbon fibre comes with the 9’6” Compact. It’s extremely light and easy to put together. The 5 pieces break down and fit right into elastic areas inside the bag. Red has drawn outlines of the paddle parts in the bag for where they go so there’s no thinking required to put them away.

The bungees are tight in the bag so it takes some bending of the bag to get them back in there. They fit but it’s tight.

The ends on 3 of the pieces are cut at 45 degrees to prevent twisting of the paddle while you’re paddling. This works very well when you’re paddling but putting it together it’s a bit rough on the hands. The 45 degree cuts aren’t as smooth as just a regular flat cut.

RED Compact 9’6″ 5-piece Paddle

Does the 9’6” Compact have new fins?

The 9’6” Compact have a different type of fins from previous Red boards. The new Twin Click fins slide into place, click backwards and then are held in place by 2 very small Allen key screws. A small Allen key is in the waterproof pouch included with the board.

Once you know to push the fins back to seat them, it’s an easy install but a bit tough on the hands. Pushing the fins back requires pushing on the thin leading end of the fin. Screwing in the Allen key screws with the included wrench is a bit though with an inflated board. There’s not a lot of room for your fingers. I found adding and removing the fits with the board un-inflated a bit easier. The board bends out of the way a bit.

RED Compact 9’6″ Bag

What is the max weight for the 9’6” Compact?

The max weight of the rider and gear for the 9’6” Compact is 95 kgs (210 pounds). This lower limit is often similar on the smaller boards. If you’re heavier or want to carry more gear you can size up to a larger board which has more air inside. The Compact 11’ for example can hold 108 kgs (240 pounds).

What sizes are there in the Compact series?

The Compact series currently had 2 boards in it, the 9’6 we had a look at in this article and the slightly larger 11’. They both have the same bag, paddle and Titan II pump. The 11’ is slightly larger, more air inside and can hold more gear. It’s also slightly heavier at 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) compared to the 7.4kg (16.3lb) of the 9’6.

The length of the 11’ will help it track a bit better. There isn’t any design difference between the two boards but just the longer waterline keeps it a bit straighter.

Should you buy a 9’6” Compact paddle board?

If you love paddle boarding but don’t have the space to store a large board then definitely. 2 Compact bags can fit in the space of 1 of the larger bags now so storing them in your car trunk, apartment closet or RV is much easier now. The boards are so similar to the previous versions just smaller. They do cost a bit more than a standard board but if it means getting out more on the board it might be worth it.

Should you upgrade to the 9’6” Compact if you have an older Red board?

The Compact boards are all about that small backpack and storage size. If that means you can get out more because it’s easier to take to the beach, across town on the bus or to work for a lunchtime paddle then it would definitely be worth it. The Compact boards won’t offer any more in performance or touring capability.

Conclusion

The new Red Compact 9’6” paddle board is an amazing step up in the packability of an already small inflatable paddle board. It’s easy to take it hiking, on the bus, or to work for a paddle at lunch. There are a few improvements I’d love to see in the future, but as usual, Red nails the required parts to a paddle board. The backpack is comfortable, the board is lightweight and durable, the paddle is stiff and easy to put together.

Even if you don’t get a Compact board now, keep an eye on Red in the future. With their private manufacturing facility and constantly improving Tec Air process, they will be making big upgrades with their paddle boards.

More photos

The post Red 9’6” Compact Paddle Board: Half the Size first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Cascadia Board Co. builds surf and paddleboards on the west coast of Canada. Born in the surf off Vancouver Island, their woodgrain boards speak to the tall trees in Cascadia or the pacific northwest. Cascadia have recently branched out into inflatable SUPs, or iSUPs, as a convenient way to get out on the water and still have room to store a board at home. I spent a few weeks with one of their inflatables, the 10’6″ Chinook, this summer to take it for a test drive, err, paddle.

Cascadia Chinook Specs

The Chinook is a flexible all-rounder that can tour, glide over flat water or hit the white water. I was mostly on flat lake water and in-shore ocean chop for my testing.Specs:

• Length: 10’6″
• Removable standard centre fin, 2 fixed fins
• 234 litre volume
• 13 kg (28 pounds)
• Heavy duty dual layer lamination and 6 inch drop stitch.
• 14-18 psi for best performance

What do you get?

• SUP
• Backpack bag
• Dual phase pump
• Repair kit
• 2 piece paddle

Inflating and set up

Set up is easy and takes about 10-15 minutes of pumping. The dual-action pump is great for filling up the Chinook quickly. A small switch on the pump switches from pumping air on the push and pull to only on the push. For the final 3-5 PSI it gets harder to push and switching to only pumping air on the push of the pump takes less effort.There’s a pin in the valve that has 2 positions, open and closed. Make sure it’s in the closed position before pumping much. I made the mistake of leaving it open and pumping for 10 minutes but then all the air comes out as soon as you remove the pump hose. You can test it by taking off the pump host when it’s about half way full and confirming the air stays in the board! It should be in the “up” position to stay closed.

I deflate my SUPs every time to take them home so they’re easier to store but if you have the space you can leave it inflated and take it straight to the beach. Using an extra valve attachment you can connect a car tire pump straight to the SUP and inflate that way. I will be getting one of those as soon as I can! I pump up the SUPs a few times for testing but after that it’s just tedious if you are going out a lot.The Chinook comes with 2 permanent hard rubber fins and 1 removable nylon fin. This makes for a good combo for doing anything you want. I usually pumped up the board at my car and then attached the fin at the water. The fin attaches easily with no tools.

The ride

The first thing I noticed with this board in the water was the stability. At 6 inches thick and a volume of 234 litres, the Chinook is very buoyant. It easily held me far out of the water at 185 pounds. My daughter would sit on it as well for another 30 pounds for a total of 215 pounds with no issue.I tested the Aluminum Adjustable Paddle from Cascadia with the board. It’s not a super lightweight option but it is very durable and certainly lightweight enough for paddling around. It adjusted for height with a little clip at the top. The clip pulls off and then the paddle slides out longer.  It extends from 180mm up to 220mm. The paddle is quite rigid with little flex and has foam inside to float in case it goes in.

The deck is padded with a comfortable foam that’s easy on the feet and provides some grip. I found it comfortable to stand on with or without shoes. The white foam gets a bit dirty standing on it with dirty shoes but it washed off easily with the hose.

The Chinook comes with 3 fins, 2 permanent and one 9 inch removable. The 2 permanent fins are made of a hard rubber and are extremely hard to break. These work in a pinch too if you forget the large fin. They also work if you’re in a rocky area or stream and don’t have the depth for a larger fin.

The Cascadia inflatables come with their All Around Fin Flex but there’s also the reinforced version that’s a bit stiffer. I forgot the large fin once and was surprised with the difference it made. Both the tracking and stability are considerably better with the large fin. Like a keel on a sailboat the fin seems to reduce the rocking left to right.

2 permanent and one removable fin is a nice setup on an inflatable SUP. Though some boards are coming with 3 removable fins which could be nice for being able to change all your fins out or just for easier storage.

Storage on the board is one set of bungees on the front. Most SUPs I’ve seen right are coming with one set. Two sets would make it a little more versatile but this is more of a day-use and play board so it works well. The Cascadia Tender is a longer board, more suited to touring and would benefit from 2 sets of bungees for gear. 2 large d-rings on the bow and stern make it easy to lash down.

Packing up and storing

Packing up and storing the Chinook is easy. Deflate, roll, stuff into the bag. The Cascadia rep suggested using an electric pump in reverse with a valve adapter to deflate them faster and keep the air out. I didn’t have an adapter to try but will give this method a go when I get one.The bag is mostly mesh with a bit of padding on the bag. There’s a small pocket on the back with compression straps on the sides and a clip on the top for closing it. The SUP has to be rolled fairly tight to fit into the bag easily. I focused on rolling it up as tight as I could and it was easy to get into the bag.

A duffel style bag with a big zippered opening would make this process easier. The bag that comes with the Body Glove Performer 11 opens wide open and is a bit easier to place the SUP, pump and paddle into.Basic backpack straps with a hip belt make it easy to carry down to the water or along the trail a little ways. There’s not a lot of padding on the back panel. As long as the fins from the SUP are pointed out the side or the back then it was plenty comfortable.

The aluminum adjustable paddle that comes with the kit is a 2 piece and doesn’t shorten down much. It easily fit in my car but doesn’t fit inside the bag. A 3-piece paddle would be a nice upgrade to make the whole kit a little smaller. The nylon blade is very durable and there wasn’t any issues on rocks.

Conclusion

The Cascadia Chinook SUP is a great option for an buoyant all-round inflatable. It tracks very well with the large removable fin, is easy to inflate with the dual phase pump and is very durable. A 3 piece paddle and backpack with a larger opening would make this a stellar kit for any kind of water.Have you paddled a Cascadia SUP?

What did you think?

Do you have a different brand? What do you think about it?

I used a demo Chinook from Cascadia Board Co. for this review. Big thanks to Cascadia for setting up the demo.

The post Cascadia Chinook SUP Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.