RED SPORT+ 14’0 TEST REVIEW 2024
Verdict
The Red Sport+ is a formidable touring board that will facilitate the most ambitious and demanding adventures. It is incredibly dependable and stable when you’re paddling under stress, but has a wonderful, smooth glide across still water. The Sport+ combines industry-leading build with understated utility. If you’ve got a big adventure on the horizon, get on to Red’s Sport+.
Overview
The Red Sport+ 14’0 features a modern touring design with a tapered nose that swells to a faint hip, parallel rails, and a squared-off touring tail. It combines advanced technology with a classy, understated look. The deck pad is composed of four pieces with alternating grip textures. The nose carry handle includes a screw thread for cameras or comms, and Red’s 3-part cargo bungee occupies the foredeck. The transverse tail-mounted handle is very useful, and the Speed Tail feature enhances performance. The fin is a proper US centre fin.
As with all Red boards, the Sport+ inflates to a rigid shell at just 15 psi, while the stiffening RSS battens in the rail eliminate bowing in the standing area.
The supplied ATB Transformer backpack would turn heads on any airport luggage carousel. It serves as a neat system to keep your board and accessories tidy.
Red offer different packages of the Sport+ with options for a paddles, backpack, pump and fin so you only have to buy what you need.
Brand Claim
The new 14’0″ Sport+ inflatable paddleboard offers fast, long-distance touring and race-ready performance in a user-friendly shape. Ideal for experienced riders and progressive paddlers, it efficiently slices through the water with total control.
At 28″ wide, the 14’0″ Sport+ combines impressive speed with stability, perfect for extending adventures and breaking personal bests. With long, parallel rails, a tapered nose, and a Speed Tail for sharp water release, it offers exceptional tracking and glide per stroke.
Weighing nearly 2kg lighter than our regular construction, the MSL®800 double-drop-stitch material and Rocker Stiffening System (RSS) battens provide incredible rigidity. The variable traction deckpad, adjustable flat bungees, and three soft-touch carry handles ensure touring comfort. Essential accessories and a 5-year warranty complete this premium package.
Performance
With a board like the Sport+ 14’0, the question isn’t where can you paddle it, but rather, where can’t you paddle it. The Sport+ will go anywhere you dare to paddle. Our first voyage was in a nasty wind-over-tide around the notorious Cribbar Headland. In the heaving swell and bucking chop, the Sport+ showed unbelievable primary stability; you can feel the board actively righting itself beneath you, thanks to the combination of the stiff standing area and reduced rail height. This is very impressive for a 28” wide board.
The Sport+ is as stable as an oil rig and has beautiful glide in calm water. The parallel rails, square tail, and Speed Tail feature give a smooth ride with good momentum between strokes. The flat, expansive deck is a good place to be, especially with the clutter-free tail area and absence of an aggressive tail kick.
The Sport+ is the real deal in full-commitment touring boards. It’s strong, reliable, and high-performing. If I had to paddle through darkness along the Cornish coast, I’d want this board under my feet.
Vital Stats
Package starts from £1199.00
Length: 14’0
Width: 28”
Thickness: 5.9”
Volume: 356 litres
Fin: 9” Centre Touring