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SUPply Co 3-Piece Paddle Review

This paddle is one of the least expensive options but performed commensurate to its price tag
supply co 3-piece paddle sup paddle review
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Price:  $42 List
Manufacturer:   Surf & SUPply Co.
By Marissa Fox ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 29, 2021
50
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 14
  • Performance - 30% 5.0
  • Weight - 20% 3.0
  • Ease of Adjustment - 20% 5.0
  • Locking Mechanism - 20% 7.0
  • Aesthetics - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

The SUPply Co 3-piece paddle might be a good option if you want to spend as little as possible but we strongly would encourage you to invest a bit more if you are looking for any amount of performance above the bare minimum. True, it will help you get around a lake or calm river on a paddleboard. However, it is one of the heaviest paddles of the group and is wanting quite a bit in our minds when it comes to paddling performance. It's about average to adjust and isn't particularly stylish. If you are trying to spend as little as possible, this paddle is better than nothing — but not by much.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Easy to transport
REASONS TO AVOID
So-so performance
Looks cheap

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards    Best Buy Award Best Buy Award 
Price $42 List
$29.95 at Amazon
$199 List$219.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$178 List$65 List
$59.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
50
86
84
74
55
Star Rating
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Pros Inexpensive, easy to transportEasy to adjust, sleek, great paddle performanceEasy and sturdy adjustment, lightweight, high performanceCuts cleanly through water, durable bladeInexpensive, large adjustment range, durable nylon blade
Cons So-so performance, looks cheapHandle more prone to hotspotsSmaller adjustment rangeHeavy, looks like a toy, flutters under waterHeavy, top grip feels cheap, shaft bends during power stroke
Bottom Line This paddle is one of the least expensive options but performed commensurate to its price tagThis top-tier SUP paddle is designed with female paddlers in mind, offering easy adjustability and excellent paddling performanceThe Aqua-Bound Challenge has a a high-performance paddle for serious paddlersThe Vibe has a unique shape that functions as a solid all-around paddle that moves water wellAn affordable and highly adjustable paddle that will stand up to multiple users and rough usage
Rating Categories SUPply Co 3-Piece P... Kialoa Tiare Fiberg... Aqua-Bound Challeng... Werner Vibe Barrel Point Surf A...
Performance (30%)
5.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Weight (20%)
3.0
7.0
9.0
5.0
4.0
Ease of Adjustment (20%)
5.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Locking Mechanism (20%)
7.0
10.0
8.0
10.0
6.0
Aesthetics (10%)
5.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
7.0
Specs SUPply Co 3-Piece P... Kialoa Tiare Fiberg... Aqua-Bound Challeng... Werner Vibe Barrel Point Surf A...
Paddle Weight 2.1 lbs 1.5 lbs 1.3 lbs 1.9 lbs 2.2 lbs
Number of Pieces 3-piece 2-piece 2-piece 2-Piece 2-piece
Shaft Material Aluminum Fiberglass Carbon Fiberglass Aluminum
Length Range 67 - 85 in 66 in - 82 in 70 in - 80 in 68 in - 84 in 65 in - 83 in
Shaft Adjustablility 18 in 16 in 10.5 in 16 in 18 in
Blade Material Nylon Fiberglass Fibrlite epX engineered polymer reinforced with carbon Fiberglass reinforced injected molded nylon Nylon composite
Blade Dimensions Not listed 80 sq in 85 sq in 100 sq in 95 sq in
Blade Shape Teardrop Teardrop Rectangular Teardrop Teardrop
Blade Design Concave/Flat Dihedral Dihedral Dihedral Dihedral
Offset Not listed 10 degrees 10 degrees 10 degrees 10.5 degrees
Compact Size N/A 66 in 66 in 34.5 in 65 in
Includes Cover No No No No Yes
Locking Mechanism Dual-Pin Collar Clamp Handle LeverLock "Performance" Snap Button Handle LeverLock "TwinPin" Collar Clamp

Our Analysis and Test Results

One feature that we aren't a fan of with this paddle and we feel is worth mentioning is how it floats. It will float when it is fully assembled but the lower portion has no foam inside and will sink — definitely something to think about if you are fully disassembling the paddle on the water or transporting it in a 3-piece state.

Performance Comparison


supply co 3-piece paddle sup paddle review - while we love the pun in the name, this paddle just couldn't compare...
While we love the pun in the name, this paddle just couldn't compare to the rest.
Credit: David Wise

Performance


Our first set of tests focused on the on-the-water performance of each paddle. The SUPply 3-piece failed to impress on the myriad paddle trips we took with it, earning it a lackluster score.

Right off the bat, we noticed that this paddle has considerably more play than many of the others, especially with the spring-loaded pin connection for the lower part of the paddle.

Moving on to the handle, we do like how the grip feels. It doesn't seem likely to cause blisters or hot spots for the majority of people. The shaft of the paddle feels fairly comfortable to hold. The aluminum shaft is fairly rigid on its own but there is plenty of give to the paddle as a whole, thanks to the slop in the fit for the lower section.

This paddle also has essentially zero offset, with just an exaggerated scoop. This means you don't get quite the same power per paddle stroke as a paddle with a more noticeable offset, as this paddle will exit the water much sooner. This also tends to make it a much more turbulent paddle stroke.

supply co 3-piece paddle sup paddle review - the handle is quite comfortable to hold.
The handle is quite comfortable to hold.
Credit: David Wise

Weight


Our next metric looked at how much each paddle weighs. While this might seem a trivial metric, especially given the very small differences between the lightest and heaviest paddles. However, these small differences can seem much more significant on longer paddles, making the heavier options much more fatiguing. The SUPply 3-piece fared very poorly in this metric, earning it one of the lowest scores of the group.

supply co 3-piece paddle sup paddle review - we do like how the plastic blade can stand up to abuse a bit better...
We do like how the plastic blade can stand up to abuse a bit better than carbon or fiberglass options.
Credit: David Wise

This paddle tips the scale at a little more than 2 pounds — almost a pound heavier than the lightest paddle we have tested. This probably wouldn't be a huge deal — bordering on unnoticeable — for shorter paddle trips but will start to become noticeable very quickly for any marathon paddles.

Ease of Adjustment


Next, we rated and ranked how easy it is to adjust the length of the paddle — handy to swap between different paddlers or to fine-tune for different conditions. The SUPply 3-piece did much better in this metric, earning an average score.

This adjustable paddle has a dual-pin locking system that gives you a series of discrete positions. It's easy enough to adjust on the water, with an almost identical mechanism prevalent on many of the other paddles.

supply co 3-piece paddle sup paddle review - the twin-pin locking mechanism works alright but can take some force...
The twin-pin locking mechanism works alright but can take some force to actuate.
Credit: David Wise

Locking Mechanism


Next, we compared the locking mechanism on each paddle. This 3-piece paddle did alright in this metric, earning a score just above average.

This paddle has a locking collar that slides the twin pins in and out. It moves fairly freely and we vastly prefer it to models that have a cam lock with a screw, as those require tools to adjust the clamping pressure and can cause problems on the water.

supply co 3-piece paddle sup paddle review - this paddle looks a little cheap -- and is one of the least...
This paddle looks a little cheap -- and is one of the least expensive options of the group.
Credit: David Wise

Aesthetics


Our final testing metric evaluates the aesthetics of each paddle. This paddle finished out our review with a so-so score. All in all, we wouldn't really recommend this paddle if you are thinking about style. It looks fine but it sure isn't making any statements.

Value


This paddle is a very inexpensive option but also received one of the lowest scores of all time — a clear case of you get what you pay for, rather than being a great bargain.

Conclusion


If you need the absolute bare-minimum sup paddle and are trying to spend as little as possible, the SUPply 3-piece fits the bill. Aside from that, we highly recommend spending a bit more for a better paddle if you care at all about on-the-water performance.

Marissa Fox
 
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