Do you know how everyone loves spending time at the beach during the summer? And one of our favorite things to do here is water sports and those other irresistible water adventures. You can choose from things like surfing, boating, jet-skiing, swimming, etc. But, there’s one essential summer beach fun tool that we need to have to make that even more fun or enjoy your normal speed boating – towable tubes.
Towable tubes are inflatable, floating tubes that can be pulled behind the boat. While most water sports are normally done solo, this is different because they are available in multiple shapes like the round donut-shaped tube or the 3-person seating tube. Your experience at the beach is made more fun with family, especially when you bring a towable tube along.
Currently, the best-rated tubes are those that can accommodate three riders and are made from those heavy-duty EVA foam pads, with several handles.Then are strengthened with the addition of quality nylon covers and heavy gauge PVC bladder, as their use in the water is tough and very heavy duty.
Best Towable Tubes Reviews 2021
So, choosing a good one can ensure hours of fun in the water. Check this guide for a good collection of the best towable tubes in the market right now, with pros and cons to help you make your decisions.
#1. Sportsstuff Super Mable
The Super Mable from Sportsstuff is a towable tube that can seat 3 riders at a time and is the top-rated one among users. It is comfortable, featuring dual two points that can take the tube in opposite directions and a comfy backrest means that the ride is a pleasant one. The tube comes in three sizes, and all are equipped with EVA foam seating pads.
On the sides, you have double webbing foam handles with knuckle guards and air-cushioned side walls so that you never fall off. The tube is available in new custom graphics so that you’re dressed to impress. The Speed Safety Valve and aluminum Kwik Connect tow points ensure that you never waster time inflating or trying to connect the tube to anything. On the inside, the Mable has a heavy-duty K80 PVC bladder and double-stitched full nylon cover with self-bailing drain vents.
Pros:
- Dual Tow Points,
- Kwik Connect Towing System,
- Speed Safety Valve,
- K80 Bladders Fully Covered,
- Air Cushioned Side Walls,
- EVA Foam Seating Pads
Cons:
- needs to be kept away from the sun when not in use,
- underwater use stresses the seams
Value for money:
This is the tube that’s built to last, and you really can put it through its paces when using – three big guys, women, even 4 to 5 kids at a time! You can even spend hours on it, sipping on cocktails as well! Some users describe ripping off the handle by mistake and fixing it back on again, and it was as good as new. The only thing about it is that if you keep it out of the sun when not using it, it’s going to last you a long time.
You can fill the raft using standard electric air mattress pumps, this goes for a week and can support over 600 lbs. Only don’t try the submarine method to take this tube underwater, where you lean forward as it takes off.
#2. Sidekick 1-2 Rider Towable Tube for Boating from Sportsstuff
This Sportsstuff Sidekick towable tube is designed for two riders and for single riders as well.It features a deep & spacious cockpit for maximum stability air-cushioned floors and many foam handles. The tube has been shaped in a unique aerodynamic way that makes it really fast on the water. Using the aluminum Kwik Connect tow point, it can be attached and detached from any tow rope easily. Heavy-duty full nylon cover with self-bailing drain vents ensures strength, durability and longer life.
Pros:
- Fully Covered,
- Heavy-duty full nylon cover,
- double webbing foam handles with knuckle pads,
- Kwik-Connect,
- Speed Safety Valve
Cons:
- Can lose air very slowly,
- sometimes bounces in the air
Value for money:
This is a fun tube, that is very stable in the water and pulls nicely when it is connected to a towboat. As described, it can support two people very well and is great for couples who want some quiet time on the water.The air-cushioned seats guarantee a comfortable ride on very bumpy water.
Overall, it’s a nice tube and affordable given its size. The only thing is that at higher speeds, it tends to bounce off the water a lot, giving you plenty of airtime!! Keeps this in mind if you’re buying this towing tube for the kids. Some users have described how it seems to lose air very slowly over time.
#3. O’Brien Super LeTube Deluxe Towable Tube
The LeTube Deluxe is the upgraded version of their Super LeTube and is a mix of the modern durability and timeless styling. Shaped like a donuts, it fits two riders perfectly and is twice as fast, fun on the water but with double the durability. How you choose to use the LeTube Deluxe is totally up to you, always room for two!!!
Pros:
- fully covered by 840D nylon,
- 70″ Diameter,
- Up to 2 Riders or 340lbs,
- Quick Connect Tow Hook,
- 26 Gauge PVC
Cons:
- no cons
Value for money:
Other buyers have described this one as super fun, with an excellent build and are exactly as advertised. That’s saying a lot about the LeTube Deluxe, and since it is super strong and durable it does last all summer at the poolside or the beach.And it can easily support two people, or kids on most water types and can be maneuvered better than most of the bigger sit in tubes out there.
You can inflate it using portable blowers, air pumps and even shop vacs if you have any of those around. All work well in getting the tube inflated, and in keeping it that way – in fact, it can even stay inflated for the entire season, unless deflated by you.
#4. Airhead Super SliceTowable Tube from Kwik Tek
The Super Slice has a tapered gusset, so you literally slice through the water, making it a more comfortable riding position on the water and when mounting it.It has a nylon cover that’s made using 100% 840 denier nylon that is twice as strong as generic covers. With that, you also get a topside neoprene panel, 6 nylon-wrapped handles and neoprene knuckle guards.
Pros:
- 30-gauge virgin PVC bladder,
- 840 denier double-stitched nylon cover,
- tapered gusset,
- 4 nylon-wrapped handles and neoprene knuckle guards,
- seats 1 to 3 riders
Cons:
- May not fit three grown people at a time,
- deflates very slowly during use
Value for money:
It should meet all of your expectations except for the fact that it’s for three people. It great for two grown people and is only recommended if you need this size. The extra handles are a plus point, and it sits flat on the water so it’s easier to mount than the donut style. It does tend to get soft after some time when it loses some air and you need to inflate it.
#5. Rave Sports Epic Ski Tube
This Epic Ski Tube is built for fun and fits three people and a maximum of 510 pounds. The heavy-duty, quality construction has a 38-gauge PVC bladder and a double-stitched full durable 420D nylon cover. There are two Quick-Connect tow points on the back and front so you can choose between the chariot style or couch style rides and be comfortable either way with the neoprene knee pads, two boarding straps. There are 14 handles to accommodate three people
Pros:
- 3 riders / 510 lbs. (231 Kg)maximum rider weight,
- Dual quick connect tow points for multiple riding styles,
- Heavy duty construction
Cons:
- needs to be kept out of the sun when stored
Value for money:
This tube is a foot wider than the Super Mable with even more handles. The seats feel a little slippery once they have the reinforced pads on them.It is also roe rugged than the Mable, too and might last you two or more summers. But you need to keep it out of the sun otherwise the material deteriorates.
And if you do, it works well and is fresh every time. It is table enough for grownups and kids and has the smoothest ride even in rough water. The bladders in the backrest might not inflate well and isn’t as strong as the tube bladders.
#6. WOW World of Watersports Bingo Inflatable Towable Tube
The Bingo 2 is for riders that are extreme and nice and easy. It comes with deep seating and a wide backrest. The Drop Seat bottom allows for EZ fuel efficient towing with less drag on the towboat. And with the Double Webbing foam knuckle guards and EVA foam pads ensure a comfortable ride
Pros:
- heavy-duty webbed reinforced tow system with front/back tow points,
- double webbing foam handles with knuckle guards,
- deep secure cockpit construction with high backrest riser,
- double-stitched nylon cover with heavy-duty zippers,
- heavy-duty K80 Heavy-Duty PVC bladder,
- includes free 11 IN 4K aluminum EZ tow connector
Cons:
- no cons
Value for money:
This is perfect for small kids and maybe about one adult. It is comfortable and the handles are really well done. You will also like that it has this enclosed seating area and that it stays in the water even during bigger waves while turning the tube.
They are durable for the time that you use them but do wear out just as easily and then need to be replaced. Plenty of handles, riding versatility and take less time to inflate as it has only a few chambers.
#7. SPORTSSTUFF Townut Towable Tube
Enjoy tubing on this jumbo-sized donut, complete with rainbow sprinkles and icing! You can do seated or prong riding on this heavy-duty yet lightweight K80 PVC towable tube. The air-cushioned is great and a molded Quick Connect tow system allows effortless rope hook-ups. The Tow-Nut is equipped with the patented and molded handles.
Pros:
- 1 rider tube for boating & watersports,
- good grip handles,
- Speed Safety Valve,
- Kwik-connect for rope connection,
- welded seams,
- heavy-gauge PVC bladder with RF welded seams
Cons:
- 54x 54 inches short so riding is uncomfortable after a long time,
- could use more handles
Value for money:
It is on the smaller, rounder side and is very comfortable to sit in. You could try lying on your tummy, but the tube is a little short that way, so you need to balance yourself using the handles. Still, it is a tube, not a mesh cover so it stays clean. Although it does have a weight limit of 170, it can support a bit more than that.
The air plug is a push in type and stays put no matter what. It could use one more set of handles as it is tough to hold onto when sitting. Then, the rope attaches at a very low point, so you need to be seated far back just so you don’t fall off. We recommend this for people who know a lot about tubing.
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#8. Island Hopper 6 Passenger Inline Elite Class Heavy
This banana-shaped tube can seat six people as it is made out of 1100 denier, UV resistant 40oz PVC material – the same kind that’s used on white water boats. And you have welded seams for better durability especially in areas that are used the most.
Pros:
- Commercial grade Inline 6-man tube,
- Heavy-duty UV resistant reinforced 1100 denier 40 oz PVC,
- puncture-resistant material,
- reinforced in high-stress areas,
- welded seams, stainless steel pull rings,
- tow harness with steel toggle.Nylon storage bag, foot pump, repair kit included
Cons:
- long inflation time, need to purchase an additional stronger pump,
- single-seat handles
Value for money:
The Island Hopper is quick and easy to fill and works more like a giant floating water sled than a tube. It is sturdy and very well built but you do need to use an air compressor for faster inflating or else it could be hours before you get on the water. Although you do get afoot pump, it doesn’t look like it could do the job well.The quality looks strong should last a long time.
Then there are these footpads on either side so you can sit well as this thing doesn’t have handles. One thing is that this banana boat is better for adults, as there is just enough room. The boat is too big for kids and there are just single handles along the top.
#9. Rave Razor 2-Rider Towable
This is one tube from a series of three from Rave – the Prism, Ripper and Razor. This one has great graphics on the underneath that show only when the tube goes off the water during stunts. When inflated, the tube supports two people and lasts during use owing to the Heavy-Duty PVC Bladder.
The Heavy-Duty Polyester Cover ensures that those designs look great and aren’t affected by dirt, water stains. The bottom of the tube has this Skim-Fast technology that ensures smooth gliding on water.
Pros:
- Skim-fast Bottom for a slick and fast ride,
- four foam-filled handles with neoprene knuckle guards,
- Quick Connect Tow Point,
- Heavy-Duty PVC Bladder, Boston Valve, Heavy Duty Polyester Cover
Cons:
- tough manual inflating
Value for money:
The tube can be used by kids, teens, adults and is strong enough to go airborne. It can seat two people, but a lot of people say that they couldn’t do that – so you will have to check this yourself. The other thing you need to check is that the inside bladder is positioned perfectly so that it inflates. If not, you have to reach inside and reposition it.
The handles are comfortable and well-positioned and the cover means years of use. Inflating it manually is tough, even with the adapter that you can use for this. You could speed things up with an air compressor.
Surprisingly good and heavy-duty for the price – and once deflated doesn’t take up much room. Definitely recommended for someone looking for an affordable, versatile all-year-round tube.
#10. Airhead Transformer Rope
This tube can be changed from a seated one to a flat tube. It comes with two inflatable bladders that you put into the cockpit and then change it to a deck tube. With mixed seating styles, you can easily accommodate one child and one adult at the same time or make use of both seats – whatever you wish.
The deluxe handles and floors have neoprene knuckle guards for a better grip on all kinds of water. And along with that, you have all of the other features that make this tube a must have – the heavy-duty Kwik-Connect for convenient rope hook-ups and the Speed Safety Valve.
Pros:
- 2 inflatable bladders to fill the cockpit,
- neoprene pads roll into place,
- made from rugged 840 denier nylon and 30-gauge vinyl,
- heavy-duty Kwik Connect and Boston valve provide quick and easy rope hookups
Cons:
- need to carry inflatable pads for each use,
- inflated for each use situation
Value for Money:
This tube is constructed well and fits the purpose. It is good for anyone who prefers riding tubes sitting down. However, they can also ride along with someone older and who is more confident about the desk style, or ride by hanging on top. The tube is good for this.
Obviously, with a good build, it’s going to last you for years and can be converted quickly and easily. All you have to do is put in the insert and zip the neoprene cover over the top.And when the inserts are taken out, the seats remain dry. But after, after being taken out, the seats are a tight squeeze lengthwise.
The other con is that you need to have an inflator ready with you on the boat to inflate each pad when it is needed. You could always take them inflated and place them on the boat, but they do tend to take up space.
Apart from this, the tube is stable and rarely flips over and skims the water beautifully. It only takes on water if the rider is leaning forward when slowing down. Two sets of handles down the side and on the top for both riding styles. And because of this, it is versatile, where you don’t have to get separate tubes.
All tubes listed out here are some of the best; they have been designed or manufactured in a way that you experience the maximum speed if inflated well. And, that you can choose from various shapes makes them even more fun. The only time that they slow down or won’t glide on waves properly causing a drag is when they aren’t inflated well.
Our Quick Tip –
If you notice a drag, stop and inflate the tube again. It helps to have an air pump so that you fill the tube faster and correctly.
Good inflation and a proper bladder on the inside ensure better gliding and no damages at all, no matter how many times waves crash on it. But on the other hand, too much inflating could over stress the cover or the PVC bladder.
Then, in hot weather, the bladder stretches as the air begins expanding while it’s still inside. The sun can even fade the color or weaken the PVC material. Once you’re done tubing, unplug the air valve and place the tube indoors or in a shady area to deflate on its own.
Some of the top-quality Towable Tubes for adult 2021 may not have these issues and are usually as maintenance-free as it gets. But with cheaper tubes, you just might. So, go through our list and these tips to see what works best for you.