Pure air from Fanatic tested
31.7.2019
Translation: machine translated
The Fanatic "Pure Air" carries a renowned brand name and is an all-round board for beginners. I'm a newcomer and am comparing the inflatable SUP with my Aqua Marina Vapor. Is there more board for more money?
The air is actually clean. That's a good thing. When I take the "Pure Air" from Fanatic out of its packaging, there is no pungent odour of glue, as was the case with my model from Aqua Marina. I bought an inexpensive board and am happy with it to start with. In the meantime, the odour has also disappeared. However, I expect a little more from Fanatic. I am testing the Pure Air set, where set means that a paddle is included.
By Fanatic standards, the Pure Air is a bargain. Unlike its more expensive sister model Fly Air, it has a single-layer construction and is therefore a good two kilograms lighter at 8.1 kilograms. Fanatic calls this "budget-orientated quality construction" and has done well with the model in recent years. While other manufacturers throw new prints and colours onto the market every year, Fanatic sticks to the timeless, simple design in blue and white with red accents. I like it.
Does it make sense to compare a cheap model with branded goods? I think so, because the Pure Air is also aimed at beginners, is an all-round board and is not light years away from my Aqua Marina Vapor in terms of price. I'm interested to know what you invest a little more in with Fanatic.
A sleeping bag? A tent? A bag!
The board comes with a bag that would probably almost pass for a studio flat in Tokyo. In addition to the Pure Air with fin, pump and paddle, I could also store clothes for a week's holiday in it. Unfortunately, it doesn't have wheels. You can only carry it as a rucksack and, if you don't have a Hulk figure, you look like a sky-blue SpongeBob from behind.
As a cuboid with legs and arms, you probably don't want to walk long distances. But the quality of the bag is undeniably good and it wears quite well considering the circumstances. Durable material, a solid zip and wide compression straps give the impression that the bag is built to last. In any case, it is significantly higher quality than the foldable Origami pack sack from Aqua Marina.
Fanatic Pure Air: 1
Aqua Marina Vapor: 0
Double stroke simply pumps well
I don't need to say much about the pump. The Fanatic Power Pump HP2 can do pretty much exactly what my Aqua Marina model can do: Be made of red plastic, be switched between single and double stroke and display the pressure. The tool is not a reason to buy, but it is efficient. After a few minutes, you're ready to go. While my comparison board from Aqua Marina should be inflated to a maximum of 1 bar/15 PSI, a maximum of 20 PSI is specified for the Pure Air. However, 15 PSI is also recommended for Fanatic. A draw in terms of air and pressure.
Fanatic Pure Air: 2
Aqua Marina Vapor: 1
Processing and shape: stability comes first
When the Pure Air slowly transforms from a flounder to a 3D object during pumping, it lies good-natured and pot-bellied in front of you. It is 14 centimetres high, 83.8 centimetres wide and 315 centimetres long. This makes it look more stable than graceful. However, at first glance I can see that it can carry 105 kilograms without sagging or bending. It certainly doesn't require you to have a particularly strong sense of balance.
My Aqua Marina Vapor is a different story. It's narrower and looks a little more dynamic, but it's more wobbly. It's supposed to carry 100 kilos. And it does, but it's so deep in the water that the fun falls by the wayside. I only paid limited attention to physics, but it seems logical to me that the 284 litre volume of the Pure Air provides significantly more buoyancy than the 220 litres of the Aqua Marina.
The Fanatic model lives up to its name. It feels high-quality from the deck pad to the carrying handle and is well thought out. Markings help with correct folding. You have to decide for yourself which shape suits you best. But the quality impression of the Fanatic is better.
Fanatic Pure Air: 3
Aqua Marina Vapor: 1
Cursed, the fin
Fanatic relies on the widely used US box fin system. To attach it, you have to fiddle a small plate into the rail, carefully slide the fin over it, aim very carefully and then screw it in from above. I immediately manage to get the screw so jammed in the thread that I can neither tighten nor loosen it properly. A feat of strength and a few dry runs later, it finally sits correctly and no longer causes any problems.
With Aqua Marina and other beginner boards, the fin is simply pushed in and fixed in place with a plastic clip that dangles from a cord. This plug-in system is foolproof, but not quite as variable as the US box. There you have the option of changing the position in the rail a little. The further forward the fin, the more manoeuvrable the board becomes. There are also various fins for different areas of use. The disadvantage is the fiddling and the latent danger of losing the screw or the small plate. From a beginner's point of view, the fin comparison ends in a draw for me.
Fanatic Pure Air: 4
Aqua Marina Vapor: 2
The Pure paddle
The Pure Air set includes the three-piece version of the Pure paddle, which makes it easier to transport. Compared to the aluminium model from Aqua Marina, it has a higher quality appearance with its carbon shaft. In terms of weight, the two don't weigh much and come in at around one kilogramme. I didn't feel any difference.
But the Pure paddle can be pulled out further and the slightly larger carbon knob feels better in the hand. With both paddles, I had to reach for the tools and tighten the screws so that the inner tube could no longer be twisted so easily. Nevertheless, the Pure paddle wins the race.
Fanatic Pure Air: 5
Aqua Marina Vapor: 2
Paddled experiences
I take the first trip with a colleague who has been travelling for years on a more expensive Touring Board from Fanatic. Her view of the bulbous all-round board is different to mine. What is an ascent for me is a descent for her. We go for a spin together on the Pure Air. And after all, it carries us both without any problems, doesn't bend noticeably and sits well in the water. As my passenger probably weighs more than 30 kilos, we are well over the 105-kilo limit. The Aqua Marina is already doing the banana below that.
The following weekend, I use the Pure Air intensively, alternating with my Vapor. I paddle longer distances on Lake Lucerne, get into boat and river waves or play with the kids near the shore. In terms of manoeuvrability and speed, the two boards aren't much different as long as I don't overload the Aqua Marina. But the Pure Air is actually much stiffer and more stable. This is partly due to the wider shape and larger volume, but also a noticeable difference in quality.
Fanatic Pure Air: 6
Aqua Marina Vapor: 2
Conclusion
The Fanatic Pure Air is in a league above my Aqua Marina Vapor. It's the better board and probably the better deal. It already performed well in the cash fall test from 2017. You only need to get an additional leash. This is already included with Aqua Marina.
Although the Pure Air is higher quality, I have no regrets about choosing the Aqua Marina Vapor. It fulfils my expectations. I like the small pack size and the narrower shape, and the quality is okay. I wasn't looking for a board for life, but one that I could soon pass on to my children. Then I probably won't buy an all-rounder, but a touring board - and the Pure Air Touring is an interesting option.
Do you fancy the next tour? Get on board and follow me here.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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