Tower All Around Inflatable Paddle Board Review

Beginners to paddle boarding who are searching for their first board will likely prioritize stability, easy set-up, and price above all else, and Tower’s All Around inflatable SUP is a leading choice for those reasons. After testing the All Around in the lakes, bays, and rivers around Honolulu, Hawai'i, I found it to be a steady, beginner-friendly ride. What’s more, Tower’s direct-to-consumer approach allows them to keep prices well below the competition. But don’t be fooled: This board isn’t budget quality. The All Around’s double-layer fusion construction gives it the edge on durability over much of the cheaper competition. While this board isn’t without faults—it isn’t a stand-out in terms of speed, tracking, and performance in choppy conditions—it’s a great consideration for those wanting to dip their toes into the sport, particularly on calm waters. Below I detail my experiences with the Tower All Around inflatable paddle board. For a look at the competition, check out our full guide on the best stand-up paddle boards.
 

Table of Contents

• Stability
• Speed and Maneuverability
• Transportation and Set Up
• Weight and Capacity
• Build Quality and Durability
• Kit Features
• Other Versions
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Stability

As part of Tower’s S-Class “Starter Series,” it comes as little surprise that the All Around inflatable paddle board is a stable ride. I tested the board extensively on rivers and bays around Hawaii, and it was steady with both a single paddler and when riding tandem with my partner. Though the relatively short 10-foot 4-inch length does limit the All Around a bit in this realm, the wide 32-inch base lends to a secure and balanced stance. While Tower recommends inflating the All Around to 15 psi, I had no issue with stability when it was only inflated to around 12 psi. 
 

That said, I did experience some rougher riding when the wind picked up. The board flexes noticeably when paddling into waves, and while kneeling to paddle helped maintain some stability, the ride was much more bouncy in the choppy conditions. It goes without saying that this board isn’t great for surfing for this reason. While it has a decent enough rigidity for flat and slightly unstable waters, it’s not nearly stiff enough to catch bigger waves. This won't be an issue for beginners sticking to calm waters, but for quick learners, this won't be the most versatile choice in the long run.

Speed and Maneuverability

The All Around’s tapered shape and three fin configuration make it easy to maneuver on flat water. That said, at times I felt this board turned too easily. Due to its high volume, undersized side fins, and flexible center, it was difficult to maintain a constant heading or generate much speed. And keeping the board tracking straight in windy weather was even tougher: I basically had to switch sides with every paddle stroke to prevent the board from turning, and the constant fish-tailing made the ride slow-going. Even when paddling in the open ocean with minimal chop, this board was incredibly susceptible to the wind. 
 

Though, I can’t be too surprised here: Tower gives the All Around a 0/5 rating for racing performance. A longer and stiffer board is a better choice for those wanting a board that can go long distances quickly, but the All Around’s intention is clearly stability, and it excels for mild lake, river, and calm ocean paddling.

Set Up

I found setting up the All Around to be a breeze. In total, it took me just 20 minutes between pulling the board out of the box and getting it onto the water. What’s more, it only took 8 minutes to inflate the board to 12 psi with the included double-action hand pump. The three-piece paddle is simple to assemble, and the center fin installs intuitively. Using an electric pump would speed up the process and save some energy, and Tower offers a compatible electric pump on their site. Still, fully setting this board with just the hand pump was very doable.
 

Weight and Capacity

The Tower All Around SUP weighs 20 pounds in total and has a capacity of 275 pounds. My partner and I pushed the capacity to its limit when riding tandem, and while the ride was noticeably slower and it washarder to keep moving in a straight line, it was still stable and comfortable for two. That said, there are certainly inflatable boards on the market that can handle a heavier load. The similarly intentioned (and named) iRocker All-Around has a weight limit of 400 pounds, though it’s heavier, and more expensive. But the Tower is surprisingly still on-par with several more expensive models, like Isle’s Pioneer 3 which costs over $250 more than the Tower and has a capacity of just 285 pounds. Bote’s Aero 11”4’ costs about double but only has a capacity of 250 pounds. Simply put, while the Tower All Around isn’t a stand-out in terms of carrying capacity, it is certainly a value leader in the space.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Build quality is another area where the Tower All Around proves itself as a value leader. While Tower clearly states the construction of the All Around board is inferior to their Premium or Elite series boards, its fusion construction is still more durable than most ultra-cheap boards. The fusion construction is adhesive-free and double-layered, making the board both rigid and lightweight for a board in at this price point. Tower cuts costs by using machine laminated materials, but I haven’t experienced any durability issues to date. The board has a number of other features that bump its value also, including cargo bungees at the nose and tail and carrying handles at the front, middle, and end, which make it easy to haul this board out of the water and to a vehicle while inflated. That said, I found the center handle uncomfortable when hauling the board over long distances or in the wind.
 

However, while Tower’s Premium and Elite boards have a lifespan of 4-7 years and include 2-3 year warranties, the All Around has an expected lifespan of just 2-3 years and a 1-year warranty. I have a mixed opinion on this: On one hand, if you are a beginner who expects to outgrow a starter board quickly and doesn’t want to spend a lot of money in anticipation of upgrading soon, the All Around isn’t a bad option. But if you want a board that will last seasons to come, it’s worth upgrading to a more premium model with a more hard-wearing and performance-enhancing feature set, such as carbon fiber rails that increase rigidity. But if your budget is tight, the Tower All Around remains a great Goldilocks option.

Kit Features

Like many inflatable paddle boards, the All Around paddle board is available for purchase with a full kit of accessories for just a bit more cash. This kit includes the center fin, a repair kit, the dual action hand pump, and an adjustable fiberglass paddle. Unfortunately, Tower doesn’t include an ankle leash or travel backpack with the kit, which can make transporting the board a bit tricky. If you already own a paddle and pump, just the board, fin, and repair kit can be purchased for a bit less cash. But going with the kit makes a lot of sense for beginners who are just starting to build their gear, and we’re glad that Tower offers the convenience. 
 

Other Versions of the Tower All Around

At the time of publishing, the All Around SUP is the only board under Tower's S-Class series. It also only comes in a single 10-foot 4-inch length. Many paddle board manufacturers offer boards in multiple lengths, which helps paddlers dial in a board that best suits their height and weight. The only option Tower offers for purchasing is whether or not a package is included, which raises the price slightly. In the future, I hope that Tower includes a longer version of the All Around for taller paddlers or those looking for an even stabler ride.
 

What We Like

• Wide base makes for a stable board that’s ideal for beginners who want to paddle in calm waters on lakes, bays, and rivers.
• Only takes about 20 minutes to fully set up, including inflating the board, attaching the fin, and assembling the accessories.
• Fusion construction strikes a fine balance between durability, rigidity, and cost—a true value leader for its class.
• Has a weight limit of 275 pounds and performs well when ridden tandem in mellow waters.
• Weighs just 20 pounds when inflated, and multiple carry handles make it easy to haul in and out of the water.
• The board can be purchased as a kit, which includes an adjustable fiberglass paddle and dual-action hand pump.
   

What We Don’t

• Limited rigidity makes for a lot of drag and tough tracking, especially in windy and choppy conditions.
• Low rigidity and fin placement also make this board nearly impossible to use for surfing, despite the “built by surfers” slogan posted on the side of the board.
• While we haven’t had any issues to date, Tower lists a lifespan of just 2-3 years.
• Kit doesn’t include a leash or travel bag, which makes storing and traveling with this board more difficult. 
• Center carrying handle can be uncomfortable if carrying the board over long distances or in windy conditions.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

When it comes down to value, it’s tough to beat the Tower All Around, but this category isn’t without competition. In fact, Tower’s own Xtreme 8” Thick inflatable paddle board might be a worthy investment: You get a wider (35”) and thicker (8”) board, which results in a more stable platform that can haul more weight (up to 550 lb.). This double-layer, hand-glued board boasts more build quality and durability than the All Around as well. iRocker's All-Around is another beginner-friendly alternative to consider, especially if you’re looking for a board with full trimmings: This versatile 11' board comes with a paddle, electric pump, and leash, as well as storage bungees, D-ring attachments, and multiple grab handles. We found the iRocker to be a stable ride in a wider range of conditions, including mellow river swells. That said, both of these options run about $200-$300 more than the All Around, which doesn't make them as compelling from a value standpoint.
 

If you want to stick with a cheaper board, Amazon has no shortage of options. Among our favorites are Advenor’s Extra Wide and FunWater’s Classic Cruise boards. Both feature a slightly wider 33-inch base and 11-foot length that provides even more stability than the All Around’s shorter and skinnier build. The Advenor and FunWater also come with more beginner-friendly kits, which include not only hand pumps, leashes, and paddles, but travel backpacks, which the All Around notably lacks. We do think the FunWater takes the slight edge over the Advenor with its more generous deck padding (the Advenor’s has gaps which can be uncomfortable underfoot) and slightly heavier carrying capacity (360 lb. vs. 330 lb.), but both are among the best available on Amazon at the time of publishing. That said, the Tower All Around has the clear edge on durability and construction over these cheaper options. Not only will its fusion construction hold up better in the long run, but it also lends to a more rigid and maneuverable ride. In our opinion, the All Around might be a hair more expensive, but it’s still the value leader in terms of build quality.
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