The Classic Clovis is stable yet easy to maneuver through the water. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
Paddling on a budget may sound like an impossible feat. Between the board, paddle, fins, and leash, the barrier to entry can be high due to the price. Luckily, as stand-up paddling continues to grow in popularity, there are more affordable options on the market than ever before. Ringing in at just $189, the Niphean Classic Clovis All Around SUP comes with everything you need to hit the water.
Measuring 10’6″ x 33″ x 6″ and featuring an all-around shape, the Classic Clovis is stable, maneuverable, and can be paddled in a wide range of environments. I’ve been paddling for over a decade and regularly compete in flat water races, so I’m very experienced on a SUP. Although I paddle my raceboard when I’m training, it’s important to me to have an all-around board in my quiver for travel, to offer to friends, or for times when the conditions call for something more stable. Through my years of paddling, I’ve paddled my fair share of all-around iSUPS, and they vary greatly in quality and performance. In order to test out the Classic Clovis in Orange County, I took it paddling in the Dana Point Harbor and the open ocean.
Bottom Line: The Niphean Classic Clovis is a one-size-fits-all inflatable paddle board that won’t drain your budget. The board is stable, maneuverable, and comes with all of the accessories you need to hit the water. A special center fin gives the board extra stability when needed, and helps it track better on long paddles.
Check Price on AmazonRelated: Best Inflatable Paddle Boards | Best Stand Up Paddle Boards
| Pros | Cons |
| Stable yet maneuverable | Hand pump takes some work to get the board inflated |
| Incredibly affordable | Not super fast |
| StabiliTrac fin enhances stability and straight-line tracking | StabiliTrac fin isn’t usable in shallow water |
Testing the Classic Clovis in Dana Point
Size Tested: 10’6”
Size Available: 10’, 10’6”, 11’
Weight (Board): 19 lbs
Weight Capacity: 450 lbs
I’ve spent the past few months in Orange County, California, which is my childhood home. During my stay, it’s been fun revisiting some of my favorite places. As someone who loves the water and paddling, a trip to Dana Point Harbor is essential for me on visits home, and I thought it would be the perfect place to put the Classic Clovis to the test.
In the summertime, Dana Point is a hub for paddlers, with stand up paddlers, kayakers, and outrigger canoes spread out across the harbor. There are screaming kids, boat traffic, and on occasion, the Harbor Patrol will come by and spray everyone with their firehose, much to the delight of the children. It’s the perfect place to spend a summertime day and a safe and relatively calm place for less experienced paddlers.
Although I paddle often, my family doesn’t, so I wanted them to take the Classic Clovis out for a spin to get a beginner’s perspective. My sister, my adventure pup, Koa, and I had a great time testing out the Classic Clovis and navigating the summertime chaos.
The Classic Clovis is a great all-around paddle board. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
What I Love About the Classic Clovis
The Classic Clovis is a board that was built for adventures, and at $189, you can’t beat the price. The board itself is stable, maneuverable, and comes with all of the accessories you need to get on the water.
The Board
When it comes to an all-around board, I look for a blend of stability and maneuverability. Measuring 10’6″ x 33″ x 6, the Classic Clovis is wide enough and thick enough that it’s plenty stable, but not so huge that you feel like you’re paddling around a tank. Accordingly, it’s fairly easy to turn and maneuver, especially if you take out that large center fin. The board also comes in a 10’ and 11’ version, so if you prefer something a little bit longer or a little bit shorter, you have options – although I personally think 10’6” is the sweet spot for an all-around board.
The other key feature of an all-around board is that it can perform well in a wide range of conditions. The Classic Clovis performed great in the calm, flat waters of the harbor, but it also fared well against some chop and whitecaps in the open ocean. I spent some time paddling the Classic Clovis with my dog, and it worked perfectly for the two of us. I imagine it would be a good option for paddling with a small child as well.
The board comes with a rear handle and a center handle that are helpful for carrying and getting the board on and off docks. On the nose of the board is an integrated bungee system, which is a great place for storing extra gear like a cooler, sweatshirt, life jacket, or anything else you might need. Along the rails of the board are nine D-rings that can be used for attaching extra gear or customizing your setup. Finally, the board has a grippy deck pad underfoot that is comfortable to stand on and isn’t slippery for my pup.
The StabiliTrac fin helps with stability and straight-line tracking. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The StabiliTrac Fin
A unique inclusion with the Classic Clovis is the StabiliTrac fin. I’ve tested tons of boards throughout my years of paddling, but I have never seen anything like this. The StabiliTrac fin is a rectangular fin that is inserted in the center of the board, beneath where you stand. The idea is that, paired with the traditional rear fins, it can help improve stability in windy or choppy conditions and help with straight-line tracking.
I was so curious about the StabiliTrac fin and eager to see how it would enhance (or possibly diminish) performance. When I hit the water, I could tell immediately that there was a difference – the board felt extremely stable, especially right under my feet as I stood to paddle. Initially, the feeling was strange, although not necessarily bad. But as I paddled, I got used to the new feeling of the additional fin. As the wind picked up and the water became choppy, the board definitely remained more stable than a board without such a fin. Overall, I would say that it gives the board a more stable and rigid feel, which is a huge perk for an inflatable board.
In terms of straight-line tracking, the difference was noticeable but minimal. For beginners, it can be challenging to paddle in a straight line as opposed to zig-zagging each time you change sides with your paddle. The StabiliTrac fin works nicely to help set newer paddlers up for success, but in terms of straight-line tracking it certainly isn’t necessary for everyone once you have some experience under your belt.
The included paddle is adjustable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Included Accessories
As I mentioned, the Classic Clovis comes with everything you need to hit the water. It comes with an adjustable paddle, a high-efficiency pump, detachable fins, a leash, a waterproof phone pouch, and an emergency repair kit. The board and all of the accessories pack down nicely into the included backpack, complete with shoulder straps, making it a good option for travel.
Inflatable stand up paddleboards are infamous for coming with terrible paddles. Being a budget board, I didn’t have high hopes for the included paddle, but it performed surprisingly well. It’s obviously not top-of-the-line like a carbon fiber paddle, but it’s easy to adjust and doesn’t slide around once you lock it in place. The fins are plastic, but they get the job done – they also snap in, so you don’t have to worry about them falling out while you paddle.
The center and rear handles aid in transporting the Classic Clovis. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Compatible Accessories
Although the Classic Clovis comes with everything you need for a fun day of paddling, Niphean does offer some compatible accessories on its website that are worth noting. One of my personal favorites is the Niphean Inflatable Kayak Seat that can be used to transform the Classic Clovis into a makeshift kayak. They also sell a few electric pumps, which, speaking from experience, can be a game changer for setting up your board. Other than that, additional accessories include replacement parts, an inflatable floating dock, truck tents, and bungee cords.
The StabiliTrac fin sticks out far and is easy to drag on the bottom in shallow water. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks of the Classic Clovis
Although the StabiliTrac fin is a fun accessory, there are some downsides to it. It is really large and long, so it’s easy to accidentally drag it along the bottom if you’re paddling in shallow water. To avoid dragging it when I entered, I went out extra deep. This wasn’t a problem during the summer, but during the winter, I wouldn’t love having to get wet. But on the flip side, the fin is removable, and the board performs well with just the rear fins, so if it bothers you, you can simply take it out.
The pump included with the board gets the job done, but it takes a decent amount of manual labor and is the least fun part of paddling any inflatable paddle board. The only other minor downside of the Classic Clovis is that it isn’t the fastest board out there, making it unsuitable for racing or touring. For an all-around board, it is average speed, so just be aware of the board you’re riding and don’t get false hope that you’ll be a speed racer.
The Classic Clovis also has three traditional rear fins. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The Competition
If you’re looking for a board with a little more speed, the Red Paddle Co. Sport Plus is a great touring-style board. Measuring 12’6″ x 28″ x 4.75″, it’s significantly narrower, thinner, and longer than the Classic Clovis, which allows it to move through the water much more efficiently. It is also easier to turn, and responds quickly to directional changes and tweaks. Consequently, it is less stable than the Classic Clovis, and at $1,349, it’s much more expensive.
If the Classic Clovis isn’t stable enough for you, the BOTE LowRider Aero is as stable as they come. It measures 10’6″ x 36″x 6″, making it one of the widest and most stable boards on the market. The downside to its stability is that it’s heavy and moves slowly through the water. It also costs quite a bit more than the Classic Clovis, ringing in at $899.
The Classic Clovis is a stable board that performs well. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a stable board that performs well without breaking the bank, the Niphean Classic Clovis is a great choice. Measuring 10’6″ x 33″ x 6, it’s stable yet maneuverable and performs well across a wide range of conditions. The Classic Clovis has the option to use its unique StabiliTrac fin that enhances stability and straight-line tracking, further improving your paddling experience. And at just $189 for everything you need to hit the water, this board is one of the best deals out there.
Check Price on AmazonEditor’s Note: For more options, including hardboards, here’s our overall Best Paddle Boards Review. Or if you want to check out other inflatable boards, take a look at our Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Guide. We’ve also reviewed The Best SUP Paddles and The Best Lifejackets for Paddleboarding. Need something to wear when paddling? Here’s our guide to The Best Board Shorts, The Best Sun Hats, and The Best Rashguards. For more paddling gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
