Crimson Paddle Wild MSL Standup Paddleboard Evaluation

The Crimson Paddle Wild MSL standup paddleboard is a whitewater paddler’s dream. After I first unrolled the Wild, its stout 34-inch width and distinguished nostril rocker instantly caught my eye. This wasn’t the standard flatwater standup paddleboard.

Constructed with skilled river-riders in thoughts, this premium 9′6″ board screamed technical agility and sturdiness — two traits wanted for river time and rapids.

In brief: If you happen to’re a complicated paddler chasing adrenaline on graded rivers, the Crimson Paddle Wild MSL ($1,499) delivers. The nostril has a pronounced rocker that slices by means of water and rapidly turns, whereas the high-volume, broad silhouette enhances stability. Three seize handles within the heart are simple to carry, along with two on the tip and tail. The additional-texturized deckpad and raised kickpad make this inflatable standup paddleboard much more maneuverable. General, the Wild’s building is responsive and bombproof whereas nonetheless being gentle, inflatable, and manageable on the water.

Peruse the opposite watercraft we’ve area examined within the Greatest Standup Paddleboards purchaser’s information.

Area Testing: Wild MSL Standup Paddleboard

I’ve been SUPing since 2016, and as a Coloradan, I get pleasure from paddling down rivers, by means of canyons, on high-mountain lakes, and a little bit of whitewater. I additionally like multiday river journeys, and sometimes SUP on the ocean in Florida and Hawaii. Normally, I paddle solo, weigh 134 kilos, and I’m just below 5’6″.

This season, I had a possibility to check the Crimson Paddle Wild MSL on lakes and rivers in Colorado for a couple of weeks. I’d’ve beloved to maintain testing for sturdiness, however the demo period was restricted. Take a look at runs included the Gunnison River by means of the city of Gunnison, which has Class I-III rapids. I additionally paddled on lakes with a mountaineering method that allow me check the pack’s carry consolation.

Rockered, Broad Form  

The form of this board stands out with a rockered nostril and 280 L of quantity. I discovered that it was tremendous simple to pivot and activate the flowing or flatwater. It glided by means of uneven floor and whitewater with ease.

Different whitewater-friendly SUPs are decrease quantity, just like the 258L Hydrus JoyRide. In distinction, the NRS Clear 110 affords much more area at 350 L. It’s broad, too, at 34 inches. Compared, the iRocker Blackfin CX 10’6″ Extremely is 32.5 inches broad. The NRS Clear 96, which I describe as volume-shifted, is even wider at 36 inches. The Wild’s width is inherently steady.

Just a few different designs have rockered designs, together with the NRS Clear 96 and NRS Clear 110, which have steady rocker by means of the nostril and tail. The Crimson Paddle Co. 11’3″ Sport MSL has a little bit of nostril rocker, too. The rocker helps with turbulence and whitewater, and enhances playfulness.

The tradeoff of the rockered form is that you simply inherently quit the board’s means to trace straight, which’ll lower velocity on straightaways. The paddler additionally must be extra engaged, switching the paddle backward and forward. That further width and enormous quantity create drag, additionally lowering velocity.

Steady & Sturdy Supplies

The fabric is sturdy, tenacious, and high-quality, which you see within the price ticket. This SUP is constructed from MSL (Monocoque Structural Laminate) drop-stitch materials, which is a high-tensile fiber. The weave is strengthened with a floor coating then welded to the inside PVC layer.

The manufacturing course of will increase the board’s torsional rigidity, and primarily based on my on-water expertise, that assertion is true. The board didn’t bounce or sag within the water.

Excessive-Traction Deckpad & Plush Handles

One of the vital noticeable and noteworthy particulars of the Wild is the deckpad. Whereas the raised kick‑tail is extra frequent, I normally don’t see the opposite three risers.

The again half of the SUP has three raised strips alongside every rail and within the heart, that are parallel to the board’s edge, to present your toes further grip. They allow you to shift weight aggressively with out slipping. It’s fairly candy.

I additionally actually preferred the feel and traction of the deck’s materials. The EVA pad is embossed with itty-bitty Crimson logos but in addition diamond-cut, and it covers two-thirds of the board’s floor.

It felt safe underfoot, even when navigating whitewater and drops. I additionally didn’t thoughts the sensation of the fabric on naked toes or knees — although I’d undoubtedly cowl up for longer, more durable stretches to keep away from chafing.

5 plush, roomy seize handles make carrying simple. I actually like that there are three throughout the board’s center, plus one other two on the nostril and tail. They made carrying the SUP to the water’s edge or pulling it out of the river a breeze.

Attachment System: Bungee, D-Rings

The entrance cargo bungee is low‑profile with two broad, horizontal straps. A number of columns of grip are beneath the straps to assist stabilize gear.

Finally, clipping or threading your gear into the 5 D-rings (on the ends of the bungees) on the nostril is the best way to go for high safety in whitewater. A sixth D-ring is on the tail. I used the bungees to hold a dry bag and water bottle. There are two built-in accent mounts on the nostril.

Detachable, Sturdy Fins

The SUP is outfitted with twin fins which can be delicate, sturdy, and comparatively shallow at 4.6 inches. They supply fairly good monitoring, and didn’t want to fret about rocks close to the shoreline or on shallow sections of the river. I appreciated how low-profile they sat — that they had minimal snagging even in shallow sections. 

To enhance monitoring, you may spend money on bigger fins for flatter, deeper water.

Massive Carry Bag With Wheels

The mighty 160L journey bag swallowed the board, Titan II pump, twin 4.6-inch fins, coiled leash, cellphone case, and restore package with room to spare. Its rugged building, hip belt, and padded shoulder straps made method hikes extra comfy.

I solely want there have been aspect compression straps to assist cut back swing weight. When this bag is loaded, it’s large and might get fairly heavy. The simplest means for me to place it on and off was utilizing the tailgate of my truck as a hoist.

I admire that the straps and hip belt are adjustable and might be stowed away, which makes this bag friendlier for checking on the airport.

Critiques 

One downside is its weight. At practically 24 kilos, it’s not ultralight. The median weight for the SUPs in our purchaser’s information is 21 kilos. The backpack helps, however carrying steep pack-ins nonetheless calls for effort. 

Whereas the wheeled pack is pretty sturdy and user-friendly, and I actually like that the hip belt and shoulder straps might be stashed away, I want that there have been compression straps on the aspect. The pack quantity is large, and the swing weight is noticeable on hikes.

The Titan Pump is environment friendly and works properly to rapidly pump up the SUP in only a few minutes. However it’s not intuitive to place collectively, particularly if another person has stashed the detachable deal with someplace within the pack. It’s additionally massive, cumbersome, and arduous to seize. I wouldn’t need to pack it on an in a single day SUP journey, which leaves you between a rock and a tough place.

Whereas it features a leash, Crimson advises towards utilizing it in whitewater — a observe price repeating for security.

If you happen to’re not planning on paddling in whitewater and for those who care about velocity, I’d counsel a narrower, pointier design with much less quantity.

Conclusion 

The Crimson Paddle Co 9′6″ Wild MSL could be my first selection for paddling rapids on a river journey or on the whitewater park. This board is a high-performance whitewater machine.

Its extremely‑stiff MSL building, purposeful rocker, dependable cargo and deal with programs, and durable construct make it a standout in its area of interest. Certain, it’s not gentle or low-cost, however contemplating what it affords on actual rivers, that’s a commerce I’m blissful to make. If you happen to’re past newbie paddling and prepared for river motion, the Wild MSL is a board that performs.

This SUP is a severe funding, at round $1,499, however the fee is justified for its sturdiness, design particulars, and efficiency in whitewater. The Wild MSL is confidence and entrance‑foot precision wrapped in Crimson’s rugged inflatable design.