Trying Out The Newest Water Tubes

A towable is one investment that really is a gateway to having a good time on the water. With designs for both the comfort riders and the thrill seekers, you can really cater to everyone in the family. Our sister magazine, Pontoon and Deck Boat, headed up a test of 11 new towables this summer to give you some feedback on what tubes you might want to try out on your next boating trip. As a group, houseboaters tend to agree with us here—is there a better way to enjoy the wake your runabout leaves behind? We submit that there is not.

With an awesome team of testers ready and rearing to go, it was definitely one of those jobs that was more fun than work—like a 10 to 0 ratio. Tanisha Squire, Jessica Barker, James Moughanian and Justin Mackert were eager to lend a hand and give us some great feedback that will help narrow down what you’re looking for in a towable. Since towables can be a bit of an investment, you want to make sure the design you pick will give you the dream ride your family is after. We couldn’t have done it without the generosity of the folks at BearLakeFun.com, who were willing to set us up with the Sweetwater pontoon rental that we needed to get everything going. Below, the tube-testing dream team helped us compile some helpful reviews to make picking your new towable all the faster. So sit back, enjoy the read, and head straight for the computer when you’re done to order your favorite tube, because an even better day on the water awaits you.

Obrien Round Up

Suggested Retail Price: $360

Ease of Setup: With only one Boston valve, the setup could hardly be easier.  

Material: Fully covered 840 D Nylon

Dimensions: 80 inches

Number of Riders: 5

Number of Handholds: 12

Ways to Ride it: Lying Down

What Sets it Apart: With the capacity to support five riders, this tube boasts a lot of room. A dozen padded handles all the way around the tube offer plenty of easy gripping choices, and even though the Round Up initially looked like a simpler, less exciting design to the test team, the inflatable floor has a slight budge that gives it a rocking feel on the water for a fun ride.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“I really loved this tube. It was fun to ride!” – Jessica

Fun Factor: 4 out 5 stars

Rave Sports Mega Mambo

Suggested Retail Price: $299

Ease of Setup: Setup only takes five to 10 minutes thanks to the Boston valve located under the square flap on the top of the cover.

Material: Durable UV-stabilized 840 D Nylon

Dimensions: 102 by 74 inches

Number of Riders: 4

Number of Handholds: 8

Ways to Ride it: Lying Down

What Sets it Apart: Newly increased in size from the Mambo, the swept wing design on this tube offers excellent stability through turns and piling waves. Twin rear boarding straps make climbing onboard easier, which can be hard with other tubes. The Mega Mambo rides slick and fast and can give you great lift when you hit the waves just right.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“This was a pretty fun one! You could catch some air on this.” – Justin

“It’s pretty stable so you can go really fast and not feel like you’re       going to knock yourself out.” – James

Fun Factor: 5 out 5 stars

Obrien Swift 2

Suggested Retail Price: $220

Ease of Setup: Inflation and deflation is made easy with only one Boston valve.

Material: 24 Gauge PVC and 840 D Nylon

Dimensions: 80 by 71 inches

Number of Riders: 2

Number of Handholds: 6

Ways to Ride it: Lying Down

What Sets it Apart: This tube is surprising—despite looking like a traditional circle design, once you get on plane the sides lift up like protective wings. For younger kids, this makes for a secure feel, and for the daredevils this also infuses your ride with a more aerodynamic attitude.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“You can get good air on it. It’s fun!” – Jessica

Fun Factor: 4 out 5 stars

Overton Gladiator Triton

Suggested Retail Price: $159

Ease of Setup: This is simple thanks to the Speed Safety valve.

Material: Double-stitched nylon cover with 30-gauge PVC bladder

Dimensions: 78 by 75 inches

Number of Riders: 3

Number of Handholds: 6

Ways to ride it: Lying Down

What Sets it Apart: This Triton towable includes topside stabilizer fins that defy what centrifugal force you’d expect, making for a fun and wild ride that also helps keep riders onboard. With room for three, this towable has nylon-wrapped handles with neoprene knuckle guards offer a comfortable grip to its riders.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“I liked the fins. They kept my knees on the tube.” – James

“It’s like a pancake, but with fins to keep you safe.” – Tanisha

Fun Factor: 4 out 5 stars

Rave Sports Wingman Green

Suggested Retail Price: $299.99

Ease of Setup: With only one Boston valve, the setup is very easy and doesn’t require juggling around to make sure you’ve inflated everything.

Material: Durable UV-stabilized 840 D Nylon top cover with a slick 600D Polyester bottom.

Dimensions: 94 by 83 inches

Number of Riders: 3

Number of Handholds: 6 

Ways to Ride it: Lying Down or Kneeling

What Sets it Apart: The Wingman is unique in its rider design: two people can lie down while one kneels in the back chariot-style for a different riding experience. The Skim-fast bottom really helps you get going fast on the water and the rear boarding strap and EVA kneeling pad protect the rear rider’s knees.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“Kneeling was fun. You have more control than sitting up top. It’s a great three-person tube, but the handles could be farther apart.” – Jessica

Fun Factor: 4 out 5 stars

Sportsstuff Master Blaster

Suggested Retail Price: $359

Ease of Setup: The Speed Safety valves offer fast and convenient inflating and deflating.

Material: Double-stitched full nylon cover; Heavy-Gauge PVC Bladder with RF welded seams

Dimensions: 95 by 75 inches

Number of Riders: 3

Number of Handholds: 10

Ways to Ride it: Lying Down

What Sets it Apart: Extra gripping options are available with no less than 10 comfortable tubular webbing handles and knuckle guards. Thanks to the Quick Connect, connecting and disconnecting the tow rope is easy and fast. For extra comfort, soft EVA topside panels cushion the ride.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“It’s fun—it jumps up a lot more out of the water.” – James

“I like the Master Blaster; it was different and more fun.” – Tanisha

“It’s fun, the best one so far. It starts jumping on its own, no work   needed.” – Justin

Fun Factor: 5 out 5 stars

Wow Bingo

Suggested Retail Price: $449

Ease of Setup: Zippered padded valve covers offered us access to the Speed Valves for quick inflation and deflation.

Material: Full nylon cover

Dimensions: 92 by 78 inches

Number of Riders: 3

Number of Handholds: 12

Ways to Ride it: Sitting and Kneeling

What Sets it Apart: The Bingo 3 was specifically designed with family tubing in mind. Switch from the front tow point to the back tow point for sitting or chariot-style riding—both options will be a blast. The deep cockpit seating with a high backrest is great for younger kids who want to feel secure or for the daredevils who are after a more extreme experience. The new drop speed bottom has a smooth glide for less drag on the boat, which equals better gas mileage as an added bonus.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“I thought it would be too safe and boring, but once I got on it I loved it. Lying down is fun and kneeling up is a little harder. Kneeling is best for two people. It was a lot of fun.” – Justin

“This one’s my favorite, it was so fun. It’s safer so you go faster, which makes it better.” – Jessica

“The Bingo was fun. It surprised me!” – Tanisha

Fun Factor: 5 out 5 stars

Airhead Switchback

Suggested Retail Price: $439

Ease of Setup: As you’d expect, inflation and deflation is simple with the two Speed Safety valves.

Material: Double-stitched full nylon cover

Dimensions: 88 by 70 inches

Number of Riders: 4

Number of Handholds: 8

Ways to Ride it: Sitting and Kneeling

What Sets it Apart: It’s a good thing the neoprene seating and knuckle guards are so comfortable, because this tube design gives you some great bounce! The kneeling pads, high backrest and stabilizer side walls add further comfort to cushion a ride that can get pretty extreme for the thrill seekers, but is also comfortable for those who like to take it slow.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“Being on the front was fun, but being on the back you had to do a lot more to stay on. There are more hand positions, but you definitely get the whip from the waves before it, so it’s fun. That kind of surprised me a little bit. You bounce WAY high.” – Jessica

“It’s a lot of fun; there are so many different options.” – Justin

“We would bounce and Jessica would go flying from us!” – James

Fun Factor: 5 out 5 stars

Obrien Aero 2

Suggested Retail Price: $325

Ease of Setup: Setup was a little more complicated than we expected, but not a problem with the Boston valve and two Eco valves.

Material: Fully covered 420 D Nylon

Dimensions: 92 by 62 inches

Number of Riders: 2

Number of Handholds: 4

Ways to Ride it: Lying Down

What Sets it Apart: The Aero 2 will give you some great launch, but don’t worry—the inflatable seats will cushion your landing. With Eva knuckle guards for a comfortable grip, this tube’s design offers a more relaxed ride through the corners for younger kids, while also offering a more thrilling ride for the experienced tubers when you hit the waves fast enough.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“It’s very stable on the corners so you don’t flip out. It still gave a good ride—it was a lot of fun.” – Justin

“I think it’s awesome. You can go really fast, yet it’s still pretty stable.” – James

Fun Factor: 4 out 5 stars

Wow Bucket Seat

Suggested Retail Price: $199

Ease of Setup: The Speed Valve definitely makes for quick and easy inflation and deflation.

Material: Tuff Shell full nylon cover with zippers and heavy-duty PVC bladder

Dimensions: 44 by 54 inches

Number of Riders: 1

Number of Handholds: 2

Ways to Ride it: Lying Down or Kneeling

What Sets it Apart: You can use this modern bucket seat tube as a towable or as a sweet lounge. Thanks to its EVA Foam Pad and double webbing foam handles, it’s designed with comfort in mind. The EZ reclining sets you up for relaxation when you’re off the tow rope and a thrilling ride while you’re hooked up.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“There’s not great stability, which I kind of liked. When I turned, I felt like it would flip and I’d ride it again in a second.” – Justin

Fun Factor: 3 out 5 stars

Wow Buzz Boat

Suggested Retail Price: $259

Ease of Setup: As you’d expect, the Speed Valves mean that inflation and deflation is quite fast and easy, plus the zippered valve covers keep them tucked safely way.

Material: Tuff Shell full nylon cover with zippers and heavy-duty PVC bladder

Dimensions: 56 by 62 inches

Number of Riders: 1

Number of Handholds: 8

Ways to ride it: Sitting

What Sets it Apart: This Buzz Boat offers an innovative cockpit saddle seat for a fun and a very different ride. Three double webbing foam handles with knuckle guards give you good gripping options and the high backrest helps your ride feel a little more secure. It has a high profile design for when you’re out on the water. A wide platform helps improve stability and the themed graphic design and concept are both fun.

Thoughts from the Testers:

“It’s hard to get on from the water and it’s a little tipsy. It’s different and I think it’s one of those tubes that would be fun to try and master over time.” – Tanisha

“Going slower improves how it handles and I’m guessing younger kids would love this.” – James

Fun Factor: 3 out 5 stars