Review: 2017 Asana

Stable enough for newbies, fast enough for fun lake paddling, big enough to bring the dog along for the ride, and burly enough for the adventurous to test themselves in the waves or whitewater: The Hala Asana Inflatable SUP does a bit of everything.

From Hala Gear, the Hala Asana is an inflatable SUP for Yoga and “Water Fitness.” While designed for Yoga, the board has a rugged construction and is stable enough for some chop.

Anyone who likes to paddle, but doesn’t live on the water should consider this SUP. While not strictly pure in any one discipline, it excels at many, great for the versatile adventurer.

The Hala Asana Inflatable SUP is available now and measures 10’6” x 34” x 6”, costs $1,199, and weighs 28 pounds.

Review: Hala Asana Inflatable SUP

My first impressions pulling the deflated paddleboard out of the bag were twofold.

One, the bag is heavy-duty and built to handle some serious use and abuse. Two, for a large SUP it packed down small. I’m easily able to unroll, inflate, carry, deflate, and pack it back up by myself.

One person can easily manage the entire process, which I really appreciated. Upon getting it inflated and in the water I was happy to note it felt sturdy and nearly indistinguishable from solid boards.

Where I Tested The Hala Asana SUP

I’ve taken it down whitewater rivers, loaded up the pup to paddle the local reservoir, and tested it on the sandy South Carolina shores. The 34” base means it’s stable enough for inexperienced paddlers, paddling with furry co-pilots, and getting zen on the water.

This I expected, but it pleasantly surprised me at how well it tracked and moved. For a large board, it’s agile and fun to paddle.

Hala Asana SUP Specs

  • Dimensions: 12’6″ x 34″ x 6″
  • Weight: 28 lbs
  • Warranty: 3 years
  • What It Includes: Board, hand pump, repair kit, 12v car pump, aluminum travel paddle, heavy duty rolling bag

Room for Improvement: The 12v car pump seems underpowered for the size of the board and will test the patience of those excited to get on the water. Do what I did –  bypass it completely and get a warm up pumping the board up by hand. Think of it as training.

Awesome! The compact versatility. This SUP packs down fast and small. The entire kit fits in a tough travel-ready bag. Take it overseas, across town, or down to the dock with ease.

Who It’s For: Hala Asana Inflatable SUP

The Hala Asana is best suited for yogis ready for a water challenge and travelers packing up the car for a weekend adventure. The Asana is especially well-fit for those who want a paddleboard that can do a bit of everything and roll up into a backpack at the end of the day.

This isn’t the absolute fastest, premiere whitewater board or single best surfer. But it is a multi-talented workhorse. If you’re looking for a specialist, check out Hala’s full quiver for more options.

Review written by Mallory Paige for Gear Junkie.

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