Fanatic

Fanatic · All-round Inflatable SUP

Fanatic Fly Air Premium Review

8.8/ 10 Estimated score

8.8

Estimated from 3 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price≈ $976USD converted · 2 retailers, 2 currenciesSee sources

The Fly Air Premium is Fanatic's all-round inflatable, built in Double Layer Light construction for stiffness without the usual double-layer weight penalty. The 10'4" x 33" carries 284 litres at 11.1 kg and takes riders from 75 to 95 kg.

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Quick specs

Sizes: 9'8", 10'4", 10'8"
10'4" dimensions: 10'4" x 33" x 5.5"
Volume: 284 litres
Board weight: 11.1 kg
Rider weight: 75–95 kg
Construction: DL Light (Double Layer Light) drop stitch

Fanatic's brief for the Fly Air is simple: the all-round inflatable everyone can enjoy, working from flatwater through to small waves. The outline is a classic all-round shape with generous volume, and the fixed side fins are there to give bite when the board is put on a wave face.

The Premium designation is about construction. It uses Double Layer Light, which Fanatic and SUPBoarder both describe as its best inflatable build, offering an unusually high stiffness to weight ratio compared with standard double-layer boards.

SUPBoarder's spec sheet for the 10'4" confirms the numbers: 10'4" by 33" by 5.5", 284 litres, DL Light construction, RRP GBP 829.

Pros & cons

DL Light cuts 20 to 25 percent of weight against standard double layer and adds around 25 to 30 percent stiffness
Generous 284 litres at 10'4", so it stays stable for larger paddlers and passengers
Fixed side fins add bite in small waves, which most all-round inflatables lack
Three sizes cover roughly 60 to 100 kg riders on the same outline

GBP 829 RRP is well above budget all-round inflatables
All-round outline gives up glide against a dedicated touring board
Regularly sold out on Fanatic's own store
No published numeric score from the independent tests we could verify

How it surfs

Skymonster Watersports, which stocks the range, describes the Premium as the stiffest inflatable they have had underfoot in fifteen years of testing, and puts DL Light at 20 to 25 percent lighter and 25 to 30 percent stiffer than standard double layer.

Volume is the deciding factor between sizes. The 9'8" carries 213 litres and the 10'4" carries 284 litres, so the jump between the two is much bigger than the four inches of length suggests.

Retail pricing moves around. Blue Tomato lists the 10'4" at EUR 833.29 excluding VAT, and Green Water Sports lists a US package from USD 999, against Fanatic's GBP 829 RRP.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
9'8" x 32"	213 L	Lighter paddlers	Beginner to intermediate
10'4" x 33"	284 L	75–95 kg	Beginner to intermediate
10'8"	Largest of the three	Heavier paddlers or passengers	Beginner

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Fanatic AllWave	Inflatable built for surf	Small to head-high	8.9
Red Paddle Co 10'6 Ride	Benchmark all-round inflatable	Flatwater and small surf	9.4
Red Paddle Co 11'3 Sport	Faster all-round cruising	Flatwater and touring	9.6

Verdict

A premium all-round inflatable that spends its money on construction rather than accessories. The 10'4" is the size most families and larger paddlers want, and the DL Light build is the reason to pay over budget-board money. If your paddling is mostly straight-line distance, a touring shape suits you better.

Estimated score: 8.8 / 10

Estimated from 3 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

8.8/ 10

8.8

3 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
SUPBoarder Magazine — Fly Air Premium DL Light 10'4" review	No numeric score	"Lists the 10'4" at 33 inches wide, 5.5 inches thick and 284 litres in DL Light construction at RRP GBP 829, and notes the Fly Air Premium boasts the best inflatable construction available with an incredible stiffness to weight ratio."
Fanatic official product page	No numeric score	"Highly portable, strong, stiff and durable. With a great mix of glide, stability and all terrain versatility, the all-round outline and generous volume cater for those looking for an easy ride, while the side fins give great bite when riding small waves."
Skymonster Watersports	No numeric score	"We've tested plenty of boards in the last 15 years and the Premium range from Fanatic is by far the stiffest under our feet."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

≈ $976

USD converted · 2 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
SUPBoarder (RRP)	£829	+$76.83	Visit
Blue Tomato (10'4", excl. VAT)	€833.29	-$76.05	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What sizes does the Fanatic Fly Air Premium come in?+

Three: 9'8", 10'4" and 10'8". The 9'8" carries 213 litres and the 10'4" carries 284 litres.

How much weight can the 10'4" carry?+

Blue Tomato's spec table lists a rider weight range of 75 to 95 kg for the 10'4", with a board weight of 11.1 kg.

What is DL Light construction?+

Double Layer Light, Fanatic's premium inflatable build. Retail testers put it at roughly 20 to 25 percent lighter and 25 to 30 percent stiffer than standard double layer.

How much does the Fly Air Premium cost?+

SUPBoarder lists the RRP at GBP 829, and Blue Tomato lists the 10'4" at EUR 833.29 excluding VAT.

Can you surf the Fly Air Premium?+

In small waves, yes. Fanatic fits side fins for bite on a wave face, but the dedicated surf inflatable in the range is the AllWave.

Fly Air Premium or Red Paddle Co Ride?+

Both are all-round inflatables at similar money. The Ride has the longer track record for stiffness and package quality, while the Fly Air Premium carries more volume at 10'4" for heavier paddlers.