Once viewed as a fringe activity, paddle boarding has taken the outdoor recreation industry by storm. As the market continues to expand so does the diversity of stand up paddle board styles. From long, skinny boards for racers to wide, sturdy boards for yoga, finding the right board can be a daunting decision. So why not go with a versatile option that can do a little bit of everything? Enter the Tomichi iSUP from Sevylor.
On Performance and Design…
If you’ve spent anytime on the water in this life, then you have undoubtedly come across the Sevylor brand. Since their founding in 1948, the company has been focussed on producing high-quality, affordable inflatable water sport and recreation products. Their family of inflatable products cover a broad spectrum of activities and include kayaks, boats and standup paddle boards.
With a worthy blend of buoyancy and maneuverability, the Sevylor Tomichi board is a great option for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Sevylor designed this board for a rider desiring decent speed and glide to explore waterways with ease, yet versatile enough to endure some light surf. 2-Plus-1 fin arrangement let’s you track like an arrow through bays, down rivers, and across lakes, while the portage handle and tie-downs make travel a no-sweat proposition.
The flat bottom and deck profile along with the 32 inch waist and textured deck pad give you a sturdy platform for a lazy tour around the lake, while the near pintail shape allows for smooth turns on flat water and mild rivers. The overall design easily makes the Tomichi one of the more stable boards we’ve tested, ensuring greater balance and confidence in the water.
When adventure calls, roll it out inflate it, and watch other paddlers fight off their jealousy as they envy your ease of set-up and the Tomichi’s eye catching graphics. Reinforced drop-stitch construction not only allows you to inflate the Tomichi to 12psi and deflate the board to fit in the backpack-style carrying case, but it also absorbs the impacts of launching, transporting and knocking into rocks and your cousin’s kayak. And that added versatility of being an inflatable paddle board makes it a solid option for paddlers with limited storage or transport space.
Notes from the Field…
While there have been tremendous advances over the past few years in material design and technology, an iSUP still cannot fully rival the stiffness of a composite board. And because the Tomichi has a 12psi maximum limit, it should be noted that the board does lack the rigidity of other inflatable options.
While we love the impressive versatility and smooth ride of the Tomichi, the lower PSI limit means that riders coming close to the suggested 205lb weight limit can expect to feel some flex in the board. The EVA footpad does offer massive comfort underfoot, yet the board will still leave you susceptible to feeling the choppy waters more so than a board that has a higher PSI limit.
That being said, the blend of overall weight, cost and versatility offered by the Tomichi easily outweigh the critiques. While there are iSUP options that offer a ride closer to hard bodied paddle boards, the Tomichi is still a board that we’d like to have in our quiver of options for outdoor adventure.
Bottom Line…
Fast, light and stable, the Sevylor Tomichi is your ticket to secluded lakes, mellow rivers, and better warm weather memories.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product sample featured in this review from Sevylor at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured were provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.