The very first thing I observed when taking the Lowrider out of the storage bag (which is far nicer than Bote’s older luggage, extra on that under) was the huge rear fin. It’s for much longer than the removable fin on the Breeze Aero, and by far the deepest fin I’ve seen on a paddleboard. A sailor buddy of mine quipped, “That paddleboard has a draft.”

That deep fin makes the Lowrider observe straighter, which suggests you are not always veering and correcting course as you paddle. Relative to the Breeze Aero and different boards I’ve used, there’s far much less side-to-side motion when paddling. The bigger floor space of the fin additionally makes the board a bit extra steady in tough water, particularly when mixed with the width of this board.

I’ve lengthy wished to do some multiday paddleboarding journeys, and I’ve gone as far as to load up about three-quarters of my gear, solely to resolve it simply wasn’t going to work. The Lowrider, nonetheless, is able to such feats. I didn’t have time to really do a visit, however I did load it up and paddle round. As you may anticipate, it was heavy, sat decrease within the water, and was gradual to show, however it wasn’t that unhealthy, particularly if you happen to put the seat on so you’ll be able to swap backwards and forwards between standing and sitting. It’s in all probability exterior most individuals’s use circumstances, however if you happen to’re a weirdo like me, know that that is in all probability your finest guess for paddlepacking.

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

The Lowrider Is a Little Higher

Speaking of the seats, they’re fairly comfy and steady. They might be hooked up in quite a lot of methods. There are three tie-down factors on both sides of the board, and the seats themselves have a strap that lets you regulate the quantity you are mendacity again. They by no means get fairly as upright as you would be in a kayak, however I paddled a number of miles and had no again pressure or different ache.

One factor to bear in mind if you happen to’re a seasoned kayaker: You’re a lot greater on the water than you’ll be in a kayak. You aren’t going to wish to paddle something technical, however it’s nonetheless a steady, comfy expertise, and the board is loads maneuverable. Cruising flat water, it was surprisingly quick and agile (for one thing this dimension), and the Lowrider did not blink even after I took it out in a 15-knot wind with fairly good chop. To my thoughts this is likely one of the finest causes to get a hybrid. On these tough days once you aren’t going to be standing up, you’ll be able to nonetheless get out on the water.