What makes Honu Paddleboards among the best in the world?

The owner of Northern Explorer Supply combed the world looking for the absolute highest quality and best performing inflatable paddleboard brand in the world to sell and rent as part of our online and store-based operations here in the United States.

After vetting dozens of SUP manufacturers, HONU Boards held steady at the top throughout the entire process over about 7 months of research.

The research was based on simple criteria that remains NES’ standard 3 years later, today. A product has to: Outperform and Outlast. And HONU certainly hits these requirements without fail across their entire lineup of innovative all-rounder, touring, and surfing inflatable paddle boards.

Having directed most of the east coast for a major outdoor retailer from about 2009-2014, the now owner of NES, at the time, had the opportunity to launch the first major paddleboard brands to the masses. This foundation of retail sales, trade show, demo, and instruction experience through the early days of SUP design and materials development contributed to the many years afterwards of personal SUP paddling and buying experience.

So why did we land on HONU as our exclusive paddleboard brand partner and product offering?

1. Stiffness. HONU boards can handle 17-20 PSI for unbeatable rigidity which equals almost zero flex and therefore faster hull speed and more responsive edge control.

2. Low Profile. At an average of 4.7 inches thick, it is almost 1.5 inches thinner than about 95% of the other board makers on the market. This means less wind resistance and more stability.

3. Build Quality. Achieving stiffness within a slim board profile is an extraordinary difficult task. It requires materials that will not breakdown, separate, or damage easily. HONU does not use glues in its hull construction—not even in the application of their fin boxes or valve systems. Glue ages and becomes brittle over time. HONU uses heat welding. Plus, HONU uses cross woven membranes and drop-stitched chambers for the ultimate continuity between a board’s hull, deck, sides, and component parts. HONU also uses triple layer sidewalls with overlapping seams. Some models even include carbon fiber stringers and edge rails!

4. Warranty. A brand that backs up what they say with a 4 year warranty to cover any defects in workmanship is a brand that is confident their gear is built to a high standard.&

5. Culture & Ethos. This probably was our number one most important requirement in retrospect because it is the innovation mindset, design expertise, integrity and ethics, and environmental stewardship or consciousness that steers everything a company decides. HONU with Mark Travers at the helm has exceeded our expectations of what makes a brand (a people) and its tireless and selfless approach so invaluable to us here at NES and to our many shared and individual customers.