iROCKER ALL-AROUND 11′ Review | 2020

37 Comments

1. The fin box on my IRocker was crooked. I tried contacting IRocker and have yet to hear anything from hip them. Poor build quality.

   • Sorry to hear about the issue with your board. Unfortunately sometimes problems will slip through manufacturing – I’d recommend contacting iROCKER to have them remedy it under the warranty.

2. Hi,
   After lot of great reviews here, i’m stuck between Irocker 11 allround one or Bluefin Cruise 12 (10.8 maybe). Wich one do you recommend ? Both will be for same purpose. Family paddling across the choppy sea (rarely lakes), maybe me and my miss 165lbs together on it. I am 5.10 and 190lbs. Paddling will be 3-5 miles nothing more on small choppy waves and calm sea. Thanks in advance for answer.

   • Hi Goran! Both are worthy options. They handle pretty similarly, so which is better for you will depend on your priorities in terms of features, accessories and budget. Let’s look at the strengths of each…

     The iROCKER All Around 11 comes with two cargo areas (front and back), more action mounts, and more color options. In terms of accessories it has a nicer carbon fiber paddle, nicer dual chamber/3-stage pump, and the newly released 2021 version has a roller backpack.

     On the other hand, the Bluefin Cruise 10’8″ or Cruise 12′ comes with an included kayak kit (this is an optional accessory for the iROCKER) and usually runs a little cheaper depending on sales.

     You mentioned you and your miss together on one board. Have you considered the Bluefin Cruise 15′? This is designed as a tandem board for two paddlers either standing or sitting (using dual kayak seats). You can check it out here: Bluefin SUP Cruise 15′

3. Hi, thanks for all of the great info you provide. I’ve been researching and think I’ve narrowed it down to the iRocker All Around 10, the iRocker All Around 11, or the Atoll 11. The differences in the features between the iRockers and the Atoll aren’t a huge concern. I’m 5’4″ and weigh 110 pounds. I like the idea of the tracking and slight speed advantage of the 11-footers, but I’m concerned about getting pushed around too much, much like Amanda described, above. I’m new to the sport but am comfortable on the water. I live in SoCal, and most of my paddling would be in the bays, harbors, lakes, and maybe occasionally, if I dare, some very small surf (but don’t base your rec on that last one ;). For context, I’ve only been out on the heavy (44 pounds, 10 ft. long) HDPE boards sold at Costco. I’ve had fun, but am looking for portability and a step up. iRocker 10 vs. 11? iRocker 11 vs. Atoll 11? Thanks for any input you provide.

   • Dana – thanks for the question! All three boards are great options for the uses you describe.

     Given your height and weight, either a 10′ or 11′ would work fine for you. 11′ is convenient for the extra space if you plan on carrying gear (cooler, pack, etc.) or the occasional passenger (child, four-legged friend, etc.). If either of those uses applies to you, I prefer the iROCKER 11′ for the the larger storage areas and the removeable “safety” grab handles for kids. I also prefer the extra length of an 11′ board if using the SUP with a kayak seat conversion kit.

     If you’re just using the board standing, on your own, with no gear, then the All-Around 10′ saves you a bit of weight when carrying it around and is arguably a bit more maneuverable in surf.

     The Atoll 11′ is also a great board — when we have beginner paddlers test iSUPs many comment that they find it particularly stable and confidence-inspiring.

4. Hello! I just purchased this board and I am 5’4 and 115lbs and fairly experienced on SUP. I took out the board for the first time when there was a strong current. I wasn’t able to direct the board against the current and every time I tried the board would turn the opposite direction, eventually just had to go with the current. I should mention on other boards I’ve had no issues going against any current. Just wanting some advice if there is a chance the board is to large and to light for my smaller size? Any advice would be helpful!

   • Hi Amanda! Great question — there could be a couple of factors going on.

     Wind – you don’t mention if there was any wind, but generally speaking the larger the board’s side profile (overall length plus how much it curves up in the front and back), the more you can be pushed around by the wind.

     Drag – when you’re trying to cut across current or go against the current, a greater surface area on the bottom of the board and/or fins can expose you to more drag, which will tend to pull you in the direction of the current.

     Board shape — some board shapes tend to cut through current or choppy waters betters. Typically longer/skinnier iSUPS (like touring boards) can track better in these conditions, although you give up some stability. And noses that are either more pointed and/or raised out of the water can help as well.

     In terms of suggestions, there are a few things you could look into:

     1. Change you fin combination — try removing the two side fins (leaving just the center fin) and see if you’re more easily able to travel up current. Or remove the center fin and leave just the two side fins. Depending on your current and water conditions you may find one or the other of these helps reduce fin drag and makes it easier to cut through the current. iROCKER also offers an optional river fin that you could try.

     2. Try a smaller board — given your small size and weight, unless you’re carrying a lot of gear or passengers, you could easily get away with a smaller all-around board like the iROCKER All-Around 10. This will help reduce your profile to the wind, surface area on the bottom for drag, and save some weight.

     3. Try a different board shape — depending on what you’re using the board for, you might try something closer to a touring shape like the BLACKFIN Model V, NIXY Manhattan, or Sea Eagle NeedleNose.

     Finally, can I ask what type of boards have you been using before when you said you had no issues?

5. Hello, I am 5’8″ and 170lb athletic and good balance on boards but new to inflatable SUP’s. Will use on lakes and want something that can handle wind(won’t get thrown around) but also stable and can paddle distance across lakes. Also ok for for kids to use. Looking for good all around board. Seems like the 11ft Thurso Waterwalker or 11ft irocker all around are the two popular ones. Which would you go with for 2020 boards overall if you had to choose ?

   …also considering the more affordable Irocker Nautical because I am looking to buy 2 boards and not sure how different it would perform vs the All Around or Waterwalker.

   • Hi Brian! The Thurso Waterwalker and the iROCKER All-Around 11 are definitely two of our top picks for all-around boards. Which is better for you comes down to which features you prioritize more. The iROCKER has lots of action mount points for attaching things like gopro cameras. And if you have little kids, the removeable safety handles are a really nice feature to have.

     While the Thurso Waterwalker has fewer mount points, it does have a nice set of velcro straps on the side of the board for securing your paddle if you’re doing fitness or going for a swim. And it has that retro wood-effect look, if you like that style.

     Both will perform similarly have a really nice paddle, backpack, and pump included. But I’d have to give the edge (slightly) to Thurso for having my favorite pump and backpack of the season so far. I also prefer the rubber grip on Thurso’s paddle, although I think iROCKER’s locking mechanism is tighter — so I’ll give that a tie.

     So I can’t tell you which one is best for you, but if you make your choice based on what items above are important to you, you’ll be in good shape. There’s not a bad option in that choice..

     If you’re considering the iROCKER Nautical, it’s important to know that it was designed to compete with the low cost “budget” boards that are flooding Amazon. For the price point, it’s a great option (from a reputable company that will be around to provide customer service in the future, unlike a lot of the Amazon boards), but the features and accessories are all much more basic compared to the All-Around 11, and the warranty is shorter.

     So, if you can handle the step up cost-wise to the All-Around 11 or the Waterwalker, that’s definitely the sweet spot for getting the best value-for-money. Both those SUPs are best-in-class and will last you a long time.

     Hope that helps… let us know what you decide or if you have more questions!

6. I am 6′ 6″, 240 lb male who has never paddle boarded. I am looking for a board that both my daughter (5′ 10″, 145lb) and I could try. We would be using on a lake on calm/choppy water with the usual boat wakes. Which would be better, the iRocker 10’6” Cruiser or the iRock All Around or other?

   • Philip, thanks for the great question! Both iROCKER boards are great options for getting started with paddleboards. They’re a nice balance of features, performance, and price. And the 2020 models feature a lot of nice improvements over 2019.

     The iROCKER Cruiser 10’6″ and iROCKER All-Around 11′ are fairly similar in weight and capacity — they’ll accommodate both you and your daughter. My daughter’s not yet 100lb and she’s able to maneuver either one easily.

     Which to choose mostly depends on whether you prioritize stability or speed and maneuverability. The Cruiser is an inch wider (33″) overall and has a wider tail (22″) than the All-Around 11′. This makes it a bit more stable, which will make learning to balance easier when you’re first starting out. On the other hand, the All-Around is an inch narrower (32″) and has a much narrower tail (16″) than the Cruiser. This will make it moderately more maneuverable and a touch faster when you’re really pushing it.

     It’s rather like learning to ride a bike — at first, you’re mostly focused on balancing and not falling, but once you get the hang of it you’ll be scooting around without a second thought. So there’s not a bad choice here, it’s just a matter of whether you prefer stability or performance.

     I hope that helps — let me know what you end up choosing. Happy paddling!

7. Hi Jason! Thanks for clear and amazing info. I am quite new to paddleboard. I wanted to buy a kayak but the transportability of the inflated paddleboard won me over since I move a lot to paddle ’cause I live in the city. I am super interested in the possibility of kayak seat. I am 5’7 , 130 lbs. I do a little of everything: up and down rivers (R1-R2 max) , lakes and stream/ocean. I often stay a long time on water…sometimes a whole day. I was definitely opting for an all-around model. I am a little lost in the differences of tracking quality, speed and agility between 10′, 10’6 and 11 of lenght. I guess any width from 32 or 33 is perfect for me as I won’t be surfing, just going through small rapids (probably sitting while doing them!) I was looking at both 10′ and 11′ all-around irocker, at 10’6 and 11′ Thurso Waterwalker and Nixi Newport. Would you have a recommendation for me? Thank you so much for your time.

   • Hello Emmanuelle! Thank you so much for the nice comment…

     All of the boards that you mentioned would be excellent options for you, they’re stable all-around models that’ll work well in all of the conditions that you mentioned. The shorter 10′ boards will be more responsive in the water but they’ll lag the longer SUPs a bit in terms of tracking performance and speed. In addition to the models you mentioned, I would also take a look at the iROCKER CRUISER which is 10’6″ x 33″ and adds a bit of extra stability into the mix.

     Ultimately, I’d recommend prioritizing what’s most important to you (stability, performance aspects, and features) and then choosing the model that ticks the most boxes for you personally. All of those boards offer outstanding value, very nice accessory bundles, and 2-year warranties so you really can’t go wrong.

     I hope that helps, Emmanuelle. If you need additional help or have further questions, just holler!

8. I’m having a tough time really distinguishing the Blackfin X vs the iRocker All-Around. In terms of paddling performance (speed, turning agility/tracking, stability), are they both about the same?

   • Hi Tim, the BLACKFIN Model X is designed for those who are looking for extreme stability. The additional width of the Model X does have a negative impact on glide and it won’t be quite as easy to maneuver as the narrower ALL-AROUND 11′. Hope that helps — if you need anything else just holler.

9. Hi guys,

   Congrats for the site/reviews! Very informative, thorough and objective.

   I am a beginner in paddling and currently searching for all around board that can stand small waves, as I am from Greece where the end of summer gets a bit windy.

   Currently struggling to choose between the iRocker All-around 11′, the Thurso Waterwalker 11′ (those two are directly comparable) and finally the iRocker Cruiser. Those are on a similar price range, have a 2yr warranty, can carry a kayak seat and seem to be equally appreciatted a solid beginners choices. Therefore, as mentioned before, the key question would be which of those 3 boards can perform better in a windy/small to medium waves situation? Any advice would be more than helpful!

   Thanks,
   Yiannis

   • Hello Yiannis, thanks so much for the nice comment.

     The iROCKER CRUISER is the most stable board out of the three you’re considering and I think it’ll be the best choice for you as a beginner in choppier conditions.

     I hope that helps, Yiannis. If you need anything else, just let me know.

10. Hi guys… awesome and very detailed reviews.. I’m looking to buy a board for my wife as a present after she expressed great interest after a day on the lake riding/sampling our friends boards (Costco hyperlite models). She is a complete newbie to paddling and I’d like to make sure I get her something that will be stable but at the same time has room to grow grow and develop more skills. I’m torn between and all-around 11’ and the New blackfin xl… I like the narrower width of the all a rounder but also like the construction of the blackfin xl…, your comments and recomedations are highly appreciated.

    • Hey Andre, thanks a lot for your nice comment — much appreciated.

      The construction of the ALL-AROUND 11′ and Model XL are virtually identical, with the exception of the BLACKFIN’s carbon rail. If you’re looking for a great all-around board that offers plenty of stability for most paddlers, the ALL-AROUND 11′ would be a perfect fit. If you feel that your wife needs the extreme stability offered by the Model XL or you simply prefer all of the premium features on that board (upgraded roller backpack, carbon shaft paddle, dual bungee storage areas, carbon rail, upgraded fin box, etc.), then you know what you must do. 🙂

      Hope this helps, Andre. If you need anything else or have additional questions, just let me know and I’ll do my best to help.

11. Great website, very useful! I recently bought a bluefin iSUP which was faulty and had a negative rocker so nose was lower in water than rest of board! So now I want to spend a bit more and get something decent.

    I am 90kg+/- & 5ft 11” tall. Regularly take kids out. It’s a toss up between the BLACKFIN Model X or the iROCKER ALL-AROUND 11. Which would you go for? Or should I stretch the budget even more and go for a Red, but they do so many!

    Board also needs to be usable by my wife who is shorter & lighter.

    Many thanks

    • Hey Matt, thanks for your comment and I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you had with your previous board.

      Both of the boards you’re considering are fantastic and I’m sure you would be very happy with either one. The Model X will offer a bit more on the stability side of things and has some nice additional features. The BLACKFIN wheeled roller backpack is also a big upgrade over the standard iROCKER bag, so that’s something else to take into consideration if it’s important to you.

      Bottom line: If you’re okay with the regular iROCKER bag and don’t really need the additional stability offered by the BLACKFIN, I’d save some money and get the ALL-AROUND 11′.

      I hope that helps, Matt. If you need anything else, holler.

    • Great review!
      I was considering to buy allaround 11 2019 model since it is now much cheaper in the official website. So are they too much different, 2019 and 2020? I am a newbie, so just wonder 🙂

      • Hi Jay, glad you find the review helpful! Both the 2019 and 2020 iROCKER All-Around 11’s are top picks on our site, so you’ll end up with a great board either way. The dimensions and performance in the water haven’t changed for the 2020 model. What has changed, in short, is that the 2020 version is lighter (moving to a new triple-layer construction), has a new visual design, and has more action mount points. They’ve also updated the paddle (lighter), pump (more efficient), and backpack (more pockets).

        If you’re someone who really wants to max out the mount points (for attaching gopro’s, cup holders, cell phones, fishing rods, etc.) then you’ll want the 2020 model. OR if you’ll be carrying it a long way and so shedding weight is important. On the other hand, if those features aren’t important to you and you’d rather save some money, then the closeout deals on the 2019 model are definitely a great deal.

        Whichever way you decide, we do recommend buying directly from iROCKER for the best customer service and warranty coverage. When you get ready to buy, if you use our referral link it helps support the work we do on this site. Here’s the link:

        https://www.iboarder.com/get/irocker

        Happy Paddling!

12. Which would be the best Irocker SUP for fishing?

    • Hi Eric, thanks for your comment. At the moment, the best iROCKER paddle board for fishing would be either the BLACKFIN Model X or Model XL. Between those two models, I’d recommend the longer Model XL due to the additional deck space it provides.

      Hope that helps, Eric. Happy paddling and tight lines!

13. Hi, I read your reviews of iRocker all-round 10″ and 11″ long.

    I am 6’0″ and 175 lbs and now I have no idea which size is better for me 10″ or 11″.
    Occasionally I will take on board my 3-4 year old son, but mainly I am looking board which will be easy to maneuver (“agile”) and not to slow.

    Maybe some time my wife will jump on the board as well but really rarely.
    Could you advise me if the 11″ is a must have? Personally I’d prefer 10″ model.

    Kinds regards
    Szymon

    • Hello Szymon, thanks for your comment.

      You can definitely get away with either board, but I’d recommend the ALL-AROUND 11′ for you. You’ll compromise a slight amount of maneuverability with the 11′, but it’ll be a bit faster and more stable in the water.

      May I ask why you prefer the 10′? Is it mainly because the ALL-AROUND 10′ has a lower price than the 11′?

      By the way, your son will love the integrated safety handles at the nose — these are both great boards for paddling around children.

      • Hallo, thanks for the feedback, really appreciate it.

        I was so interested in difference between 10′ and 11′ because recently I was paddling on rented board – EXOCET DISCOVERY 10’8 and 10’6. While the 10’6 was fine the 10’8 was moving like a bus – and that was only 2″ difference. So when I saw that there is a 1′ difference between iRocker all-rounders I was worry that 11′ model will be like a “oil tanker” with comparison to the 10′ model. 🙂 That is why I was focused on 10′ model, wanted something more nimble.

        I am kitesurfer and when I was younger I spent some time windsurfing so keeping balance on the board is not an issue for me. Additional I have tendency to loose weight. Usually with the height of 6″0 I am around 170lbs (+-5). So following height parameter 11′ board is better for me but from weight point of view 10′ should be enough.

        Reading your review I am worry that with my height I will loose too much of tracking and glide on 10′ model (board will be turning to much with every paddle movement). Unfortunately I have only little experience in hard windsurfing boards.

        BR
        Szymon

        • Hi again, Szymon. Keep in mind that the 10’8″ EXOCET you mentioned is thicker, wider, and longer than the 10’6″ you paddled — the ALL-AROUND 11′ is the same exact width and thickness as the ALL-AROUND 10′, it’s just longer.

14. Hi, the reviews are great, thanks! I’m debating between the isle explorer 11 and the irocker inflatable 11. Any thoughts? they seem comparable on performance, with the one potential difference in weight capacity. I’m ~200lbs and might have my 60lb retriever join me, so i suppose the 275 capacity of the isle might be cutting it close. Any thoughts?

    • Hi Todd, thanks so much for your nice comment…

      I would definitely recommend the new iROCKER ALL-AROUND 11′ over the ISLE Explorer 11′. While the Explorer gets the edge when it comes to weight (22 pounds vs. 27 pounds), paddle (carbon shaft vs. fiberglass), and onboard storage options (lots of D-rings and dual bungee storage areas), the iROCKER has bombproof quad-layer construction, safety handles for kids, and a brand new upgraded dual-chamber SUP pump which dramatically reduces inflation time and effort. The iROCKER is also priced much more affordably than the Explorer 11′.

      For those who really prefer the Explorer’s additional D-rings and dual bungee storage areas, I’d recommend checking out the new BLACKFIN line of premium inflatables by iROCKER. Both of these models come with additional D-rings, dual bungee storage areas, twin grab handles, premium logo-stamped deck pads, quad-layer PVC construction, carbon rails, carbon shaft paddle, dual-chamber pump, and a wheeled roller backpack. All of this, yet both models are still cheaper than the ISLE Explorer 11′.

      I hope that helps, Todd. If there’s anything else that you need, just holler. 🙂

      Happy paddling…

15. Jason, thank you for all your detailed reviews. They are quite helpful. I’m torn between all around 11 or blackfin XL. Your reviews have been great in this regard.

    Anyways, I don’t often comment on things, but if you don’t mind, would you share more information about your clothing from this review. The shirt looks lightweight, airy, and provides sun coverage on the arms and neck. BTW, you must love the shorts too, since they’re in a lot of reviews. Thanks again your site has been instrumental in steering my purchase for an iSUP.

    • Hi Erik, thanks for your nice comment.

      There are a few different shirts/shorts pictured in the review. The blue shirt is a lightweight, quick-drying Horizon travel shirt by The North Face. The others are very similar — they’re Columbia Silver Ridge shirts. In addition to being light and quick-drying, they also provide excellent sun protection which is important here in Panama.

      The red shorts are just a pair of off-brand board shorts that I picked up locally. The others are Mountain Khakis Equatorial Shorts, you can read a full review of them here:

      https://www.iboarder.com/mountain-khakis-equatorial-short-review/

      Hope that helps, Erik. If you have any other questions, just let me know!

16. I absolutely love mine. I primarily paddle lakes, rivers and occasional small surf ocean. Since I drive a Ford Focus sedan, I knew that I wanted a quality inflatable board. I am 6’2′, 175 lbs., and though this board may be a bit of overkill weight wise for me, I can load it up with extra gear and even a second paddler. Love getting out on a limited access lake close by the house for some quiet soul searching moments.

    • Thanks for sharing your feedback on the board, Doug. Are you happy with how it performs in small surf?

17. I’ve had my iRocker all around 11′ for a few weeks now and have had it out a few times. The clincher for me was the other day i had it out in some choppy water on a windy day and the thing was still so easy to paddle and cut through the water… So much fun!!

    • Glad to hear you’re enjoying the ALL-AROUND 11, Scott. It’s definitely a fun board!