REASONS TO BUY
Very rigid
Lightweight
Maneuverable
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Smaller size makes it less stable than others
Hala Carbon Straight Up Review
A fantastic lightweight board with enhanced rigidity thanks to its carbon fiber stringers
Credit: Backcountry
RELATED: Best Inflatable SUP Board of 2023
Our Verdict
The Hala Carbon Straight Up provides respectable all-around performance as one of the most rigid inflatable boards that we've tested with its carbon-reinforced construction. Its balance of glide, stability, and maneuverability make it a solid choice for all levels of paddlers in most conditions. Recent design updates have narrowed some of the board's dimensions and increased the length of the carbon stringers. While this makes the board a bit faster and more rigid, we found that this reduces its stability, especially in rough and choppy water. Its smaller size makes it ideal for smaller paddlers or anyone looking for a versatile setup that's easy to transport and inflate.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Hala Carbon Straight Up | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $1,499 List $1,299 at Amazon | $1,000 List $999.00 at Amazon | $415.00 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $1,659 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $210 List $199.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Very rigid, lightweight, maneuverable | Stable and fast, carbon reinforced construction, kayak conversion kit, high-volume pump | Affordable, lightweight, stable, maneuverable, easy to transport | Excellent glide, several comfortable handles, stable for its shape, dual chamber pump | Lightweight, good all-around performance, excellent value |
| Cons | Expensive, smaller size makes it less stable than others | Heavier, somewhat expensive | Attached side fins, leash sold separately, limited accessories | Expensive, not maneuverable, unstable for beginners | Limited maneuverability, no dual cargo system |
| Bottom Line | A fantastic lightweight board with enhanced rigidity thanks to its carbon fiber stringers | This fast, stable board can be paddled like an SUP or a kayak with a convertible paddle and included seat | One of the best boards at a great price for paddlers who want to feel confident on flat water, chop or waves | A lightweight, high-performance design that is one of the fastest inflatable boards available | An affordable price tag and respectable performance highlight this fun and lightweight board |
| Rating Categories | Hala Carbon Straigh... | Bluefin Cruise Carbon | Bote Breeze Aero | Red Paddle Co Voyag... | FunWater 11 |
| Stability (30%) | |||||
| Glide Performance (25%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport (10%) | |||||
| Ease of inflation (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Hala Carbon Straigh... | Bluefin Cruise Carbon | Bote Breeze Aero | Red Paddle Co Voyag... | FunWater 11 |
| Inflated Dimensions | 10'6" x 32' x 6" | 12' x 32" x 6" | 10'8" x 33" x 6" | 13'2" x 30" x 6" | 11' x 33" x 6" |
| Weight (lbs) | 23.5 lbs | 31 lbs | 20 lbs | 25 lbs | 18.9 lbs |
| Fin Configuration | 2 removable side fins, 8" center flex fin | 2+1 plastic fins, all 3 detachable | 2+1 plastic fins, with large detachable center fin | FCS Connect Fin | 2+1 plastic fins, with large detachable center fin |
| Paddle Included? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Folded Dimensions (inches) | 33" x 18" x 10" | 34" x 15" x 10" | 38" 18" x 12" | 32" x 19" x 9" | 34" x 16" x 7" |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 350 lbs | 385 lbs | 250 lbs | 330 lbs | 330 lbs |
| Bungee Cargo System | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pump included? | Yes | Yes, high-pressure, dual chamber | Yes | Yes, high-pressure, dual chamber | Yes |
| Includes Backpack | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Hala Carbon Straight Up is a 10 foot, 6-inch long x 36-inch wide x 6-inch thick paddle board with a carbon stringer running along both the top and bottom of the board. This unique construction provides excellent rigidity and feels surprisingly similar to a traditional rigid SUP model. As a previous Editors' Choice Award winner, this is an excellent all-around performer, but it gets beat out after some recent design updates have slightly shrunk its dimensions, making it less stable in rougher water than other models that we tested.
Performance Comparison
The Hala is one of the most maneuverable boards that we tested with its carbon-enhanced rigidity and smaller overall size.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Stability
While the Carbon Straight Up is certainly stable in most conditions with its carbon-reinforced construction, squared-off tail, and three rear fins, we found that it struggles in rough and choppy water. Recent design changes have slightly narrowed some of its sidecut dimensions, and as one of the smallest and lightest boards in our lineup, it tends to get tossed around quite a bit when the wind picks up and the water gets choppy. While the board's enhanced rigidity allows for its impressive glide and maneuverability in calmer conditions, it also reduces its ability to absorb the choppy bumps and waves that many paddlers encounter. Other boards that are larger and a bit more flexible seem to absorb these impacts better.
The board's rigidity keeps it stable in calmer, flatter water, but it tends to get tossed around when the wind picks up because of its smaller lightweight design.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
With its smaller overall size and streamlined dimensions, this board is likely better suited for smaller and lighter paddlers, or more advanced paddlers who can keep control of the board in less than ideal conditions.
Glide Performance
This metric is all about the distance that the board can cover per stroke of the paddle, and this model certainly excels in most conditions. The carbon-fiber stringers on both the top and bottom of the board give this model incredible rigidity and glide efficiency, meaning that very little paddling energy is lost to the board flexing or vibrating. Its pointed and slightly rockered front end glides through the water nicely in all but the roughest conditions. As the wind picks up and the water gets choppier, the board can get tossed around a bit, reducing paddling efficiency and making it difficult to keep tracking in a straight line.
The carbon fiber stringers on both the top and bottom of the Hala Carbon board enhance its rigidity and help provide a smooth glide in calmer water.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Maneuverability
Hala does a remarkable job of leveraging key design concepts to create a board that is highly agile. With a lightweight design with narrow shoulder angles and carbon fiber stringers that add to its rigidity, the Carbon Straight Up outperforms its competitors in its ability to turn with both forward or backward strokes. Each of the three fins is removable for versatility and customization.
While this is one of the most rigid inflatable boards that we've tested, keep in mind that it is designed as an all-around board and is not specifically meant for ocean or river surfing. Although most of the products in our lineup could be used for surfing, they won't perform as well as a traditional surfboard. The Hala does come with a built-in stomp pad for extra leverage and maneuverability.
The rear stomp pad helps provide leverage and increase maneuverability on this nimble and light board.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Ease of Transport
For a board that performs in the water like a hardboard, the ease of transporting this model is remarkable. When rolled up, the board measures 32 inches tall x 18 inches x 12 inches deep, and fits snuggly into its pack, which has similar dimensions. The backpack has padded waist and chest straps that come in handy when moving across rugged terrain. If you were going to take this board as luggage on an airplane, the straps and waist belt can be tucked away, and there are additional grab handles and wheels for easy transport through an airport or parking lot.
All three of the Straight Up's fins detach and slip neatly into a pocket in the accompanying backpack. The two smaller side fins require a small included tool to tighten and loosen them, which is a bit inconvenient and adds an extra trinket that can easily get lost. Many other boards we tested have either permanently affixed side fins or quick-release tabs that click into place.
The additional tool that is required to secure the two smaller fins adds an extra step to the paddling process and could easily get lost.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Ease of inflation
This product receives an above-average score in this metric thanks to its smaller overall volume. The included hand pump is nearly the exact same model as several other pumps in our lineup. Unique to the Carbon Straight Up, the inflation valve is all the way at the front of the board, while most other boards place it in the rear. This makes it easy to push all the air out of the board when deflating and stowing it away.
The Hala's inflation valve is all the way at the front end of the board.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Value
With one of the highest prices in our test lineup, the Hala might not be the best value for most paddlers. While it definitely is constructed with high-quality materials, including the carbon-fiber stringers, it also has one of the higher list prices in our lineup. The latest iteration includes a carbon fiber paddle whereas past versions didn't, so this helps enhance the overall value proposition, especially for more advanced paddlers who will appreciate the board's nimbleness and rigidity.
With its high price tag, the Carbon Stright Up won't provide the best value for most paddlers but could be the right choice for users looking for a light and rigid board.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Conclusion
As one of the most rigid inflatable SUP boards out there, we were impressed with the glide performance and maneuverability of the Hala Carbon Straight Up. A high-performing board that would be best suited for smaller and lighter users or more advanced paddlers, this board's rigid and lightweight design allows it to get bounced around in choppy water more than bigger and heavier models. This model paddles well in most conditions but also comes with a pretty steep price tag.
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Nick Bruckbauer
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