The Best Boat Tubes to Ride the Waves in Style
Boat tubing has stood the test of time, becoming an enduringly exhilarating recreational pursuit. From novices to seasoned adventurers, its thrill transcends age and skill level. But as integral as the experience is, choosing the perfect boat tube to complement your adventures is paramount. That's where our guide steps in, revealing the most sought-after boat tubes on the market. Each option on our list promises reliability and durability, ensuring countless hours of aquatic fun. And for the ultimate in boat tube excellence, look no further than AIRHEAD. Renowned for crafting the best boat tubes, AIRHEAD delivers unmatched excitement on the water.
Our Top Picks
The Best Boat Tubes
Best Overall
Whether you’re a seasoned boating enthusiast or a beginner just dipping your toes in, this tube packs a thrilling ride without compromising on comfort or stability. The heavy-duty full-nylon cover ensures long-term durability and withstands rough play and harsh weather, while the EVA foam pads make it more comfortable. What sets the AIRHEAD boat tube apart from the rest is its patented speed safety valve for quick inflating and deflating. This thoughtful feature cuts down on setup time, giving you more time to enjoy the water. Plus, the dual tow points add versatility, allowing for multiple riding positions. As a cherry on top, the tube can accommodate 1-2 riders, making it an ideal choice for families or friends looking to share the fun. This boat tube offers and exhilarating ride and a sturdy build, making it the top choice on our list.
Pros
- Durable materials can handle rough water conditions
- Comfortable for various age groups
- Dual tow points for multiple riding positions
Cons
- Very large; won’t fit on small boats
Most Durable
When it comes to durability, the WOW Sports boat tube stands out as the top choice. Constructed with high-quality materials, including heavy-duty PVC and a sturdy nylon cover, this tube is built to withstand even the most intense water adventures. Its robust construction ensures a safe and secure ride, with slip-proof seating providing added stability. Setting up is a breeze thanks to the quick-connect tow system and safety valve, which allow for fast inflation and deflation. What’s more, the tube’s high-visibility graphics in vibrant colors like red, yellow, orange, and green not only add to the excitement but also enhance safety by keeping riders and the tube easily visible in the water. With its ability to hold two adults or kids effortlessly and glide smoothly with minimal resistance, this boat tube guarantees thrilling and exhilarating rides while maintaining its durability for countless outings on the water.
Pros
- Heavy-duty PVC material and sturdy nylon cover
- High-visibility graphics in bright colors
- Very easy to set up
Cons
- The capacity is limited
Best for Kids
This inflatable tube promises a safe and secure ride while also being super fun, which is why we picked it as the best boating tube for young kids. It’s easy to connect to the boat and its design comfortably accommodates two riders, ensuring a thrilling yet safe water experience that the entire family can enjoy. Most importantly for kids, it has a high chair back design so young kids won’t have to worry about hanging on super tight or accidentally falling off. It doesn’t compromise on durability either; the robust design discourages punctures, enhancing its lifespan even with regular use. It also comes with a water drain feature, making it easy to deflate and store after use. With its blend of safety, durability, and fun, the ZOOMBROS boat tube is a great choice for families who want to make lasting memories this summer.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting
- Great for beginners and children
- Comfortable seating position
Cons
- Difficult to remove water from rider’s section
Best for Three Riders
If you are looking for a boating tube for up to three people, you should go with this pick from SereneLife. First off, it’s super comfy with its unique backrest and air cushioned stabilizer walls, keeping everyone secure. Plus, it’s built tough with a nylon and PU coating, so it’ll last through all your wild rides without fading or getting dirty. It also has 10 handles with neoprene knuckle guards for extra grip and comfort. Plus, inflating and deflating is simple with the speed safety valve, meaning more time on the water and less time messing around trying to pump it up. With room for three and a hefty pulling load, it’s perfect for family fun or hanging out with friends.
Pros
- Comfortably seats up to three adults
- Stable and secure ride
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Can submerge if towed too fast
The Best Boat Tubes Buying Guide
Taking a day out of your busy schedule to go on an adventurous tube cruise with your family and friends, especially during the summer period, can be so thrilling. It comes with so many unforgettable memories, and using a great boat tube makes the whole experience super amazing. In this buying guide, we have highlighted the most important factors to keep in mind when looking for a boat tube.
Materials
The best boat tubes are made from the best materials. There are several materials out there but these 4 materials top the list.
Nylon
This is the most commonly used material for the best boat tubes. The thickness is measured in “denier.” The higher the denier number, the thicker the nylon.
When you see a boat tube with 420 denier, you should know that it may not accommodate more than one rider. A boat tube with 840 denier nylon is stronger and can take on even four riders.
You should endeavor to always check out the denier number of a boat tube made from nylon material before purchasing it.
Poly vinyl chloride
This material, popularly known as PVC, is used for the bladders and inner tubes of the boat tubes to ensure durability. The thickness of this material is measured by “gauge”.
Ideally, boating tubes made from PVC range from 24 to 30 gauge; anything less than that is not suitable for tubing on the water.
Polyester
Polyester is another commonly used material in boat tubes. It is mostly used alongside PVC to give the thickness of an 840 denier nylon.
This material has great color retention and doesn’t fade easily. It is used mostly for towable boat tubes designed for one to two riders only.
Neoprene
This is the best of them all; it is soft and stretchy, perfect for all types of boat tubes. It is skin-friendly and provides an added level of comfort for the rider.
No skin rash or chaffing occurs when neoprene is used for boat tubes. It is sometimes used to cover nylon and polyester in tubes for extra comfort.
So before you buy a boat tube, make sure you check out the material it is made from and take note of the thickness as well.
Shape/Design
The shape or design of a boat tube determines how easily accessible it will be to the rider and also how it performs on the water.
Deck tubes
Deck tubes are fantastic! They are ideal for teenagers and young adults who are keen on thrilling adventures. A rush of adrenaline comes with a ride on a deck tube
The tube has a flat design and the rider lays on top all through the ride. The shape could be delta-shaped or round, and they are fully covered. With this tube, the rider comes really close to the water, which makes it more exciting.
Ride-in
Just as the name suggests, the rider sits inside the boat tube and rides. This design can accommodate up to four riders at a time; the more, the merrier, right?
Some ride-in boat tubes have headrests to enhance comfortability. It offers more safety and is thus perfect for children.
Ride-on
For ride-on boat tubes, the refer sits atop. There are two common designs: torpedo tubes and recumbent tubes. Either of the two can accommodate up to 6 riders simultaneously.
Torpedo tubes are long and narrow; hence, they have a high center of gravity and are not so stable. The recumbent ones, on the other hand, allow the riders to sit upright with head and backrests.
Round
The round boat tubes are the oldest shape and design of towable tubes. It has a small size and, hence, a high center of gravity. It isn’t quite ideal for children because it can roll over easily but adults can work their way around it.
It can be used as a lay-on-top towable tube; all you need to do is lay on it, hold on to the handles and enjoy your ride.
Number of Riders
While searching for the best boat tube to buy, you need to keep in mind the number of people that will be riding it. This factor is very important because the shape and design of the boat tubes are dependent on the number of riders as well.
One person
Is it just you? Then you could think of a deck tube, ride-on tube, or around-the-boat tube.
Two
You and a friend? A deck tube would be great.
Three
You and two of your kids? A ride-in would be perfect.
Four
The more, the merrier! Your best bet is a ride-in.
Budget
Your budget is a very important factor. There are a lot of boat tubes out there, ranging from about $100 to $500. So it all depends on your budget.
People Also Asked
What is the age limit for a boat tube?
Ideally, children below the age six should not be allowed to ride on a boat tube.
What type of boat is used for tubing?
Several types of boats are used for tubing: jet skis, ski boats, deck boats, cruisers, etc.
How far should a tube be behind a boat?
Better safe than sorry, right? A tube should be about 100 feet behind a boat.
What type of rope can I use for towing a boat tube?
Many people make the mistake of choosing just any type of rope to tow their boat tube. The number of riders and their weight determine the exact type of rope that would be used to tow. The recommended tensile strength for 1-2 riders is 2,375 lb; 3–4 riders should use a rope with 3,350–4,100 lb.