iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 Inflatable Paddleboard
Pros
- Extremely compact and portable - without losing any performance or stability
- Good blend of stability and efficiency
- New welded seam construction for better durability and heat resistance
- Included rechargeable pump adds a lot of value and portability to this kit
- New Magnetite accessory mounting system
- Versatile features without crowding the SUP deck
Cons
- I’d like to see an extended deck pad to better use the full size of the board
The iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 is a brand new design with a familiar name. Previously, iROCKER made the Blackfin CX Ultra. This compact iSUP was an all-around board with some fishing-specific accessories and the trademark carbon fiber rail reinforcements found in all of the Blackfin boards.
The NEW CX Ultra 3.0 takes some of the shaping elements of the Blackfin CX Ultra, reorganizes the fittings for a more all-around feel, and tweaks the shape for a better blend of performance and stability.
Along with the new shape, the CX Ultra gets new on-board features, a new paddle, a new pump, and a new look with two ocean-inspired color options.
The CX Ultra 3.0 is a true all-around compact iSUP that puts big performance into a small package.
We think the iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 would be great for paddlers who
- Want a versatile, all-around SUP while still enjoying the benefits of a compact board
- Prefer extra stability over extra speed (but still paddles smoothly)
- Want the option to bring anything and everything they can think of on the water
- Want a truly portable electric pump (no car required) included in their iSUP kit
iROCKER Cruiser 10’6 Ultra: Spec Sheet
- Main Category: All-Around, Inflatable
- Board Dimensions: 11’0” x 33” x 6”
- Listed Board Weight: 19.8 lbs
- Listed Max Capacity: 320 lbs
- Recommended PSI: 12-16 PSI
- Fins: 5” Twin-fins w/ snap-lock fin box
- Paddle: 5-piece w/ carbon shaft and nylon blade
- Materials: Fusion PVC w/ woven dropstitch core; welded seams
- Price Range: High
- Warranty: 3 years
Performance Review of the iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 Stand Up Paddle Board
Overall Score: [9.6/10]
- Stability: 9.6/10
- Speed: 9.1/10
- Tracking: 9.1/10
- Maneuverability: 9.6/10
- Construction Quality: 9.6/10
- Features/Accessories: 9.8/10
Stability Rating: [9.6/10]
The new CX Ultra 3.0 starts with a board outline designed for efficient paddling and easy maneuverability and adds a little extra width compared to your traditional all-around iSUP (33” vs 32”). This combination makes the CX Ultra 3.0 feel very comfortable on the water.
I was very impressed by how comfortable the CX Ultra 3.0 felt as the previous Blackfin CX Ultra did feel a little twitchy for me on the water. Instead the new CX Ultra has very smooth and controlled transitions from edge to edge when rocking it, and I didn’t feel any twitching or rolling when standing and paddling on the board normally.
The tail is drawn in more than on some of iROCKER’s other iSUPs, which, along with the shortened deck pad, makes things a little spicier when standing on the bare PVC over the tail for a pivot turn.
Compared to some of iROCKER’s other iSUPs, I’d put the CX Ultra right between the Cruiser Ultra 3.0 and the All Around 7.0 in terms of overall stability.
Speed Test: 9.1/10
| Top Sprint Speed: | 5.25 MPH |
| Average Cruising Speed: | 4.2 MPH |
To obtain our speed test results, we use a Speed Coach Sup 2. This gives us accurate readings on how fast we are paddling and our current stroke rates. For the top sprint speed, we paddle as hard as we can for approximately 10-15 seconds and then record our average speed. For the casual test, we paddle at 40-35 strokes per minute for approximately 30-60 seconds and record the average speed.
The CX Ultra 3.0 blends a little extra length for more efficient and faster paddling with a little extra width for stability. The result is right where we expect it to be as a versatile all-around iSUP.
While testing the top speed in our sprint test, I did feel the CX Ultra 3.0 flex a fair amount and felt that this was slowing it down a bit. But I didn’t notice that flex while paddling at any other speed up to that point.
Paddling at a more normal, and relaxed, rate really highlighted how smooth the CX Ultra 3.0 feels on the water. It glides well, doesn’t feel like it’s pushing any water, and holds its own when comparing the cruising speed to other 11’ all around boards, even though it’s about an inch wider than most.
The bottom line is that the CX Ultra 3.0 can be quick when you want it to, but it paddles comfortably and efficiently at cruising speeds to easily carry you across the water on longer trips.
Tracking: 9.1/10
iROCKER’s previous Ultra models came stocked with twin 9” fins. These large fins were fantastic for tracking, but had some drawbacks when it came to maneuverability. With version 3.0, the iROCKER Ultra SUPS come with newly designed 5” fins. These “P”-shaped fins (iROCKER refers to them as “river” fins) are shallower, but still have a significant amount of surface area near the tip.
The result here is great tracking for an all-around paddle board, good stability, and they balance things out for improved maneuverability.
Paddling straight on the CX Ultra is easy, even if you aren’t using top-notch form. I never felt the board fighting me to go straight or drifting significantly after a handful of strokes on one side, and it even did well with a light crosswind.
Maneuverability: 9.6/10
The CX Ultra 3.0 got a huge bump in maneuverability thanks to the new fin designs. Where flat-turning the previous Ultra boards was not necessarily an easy task without a few tricks up your sleeve, the CX Ultra 3.0 responds quickly and easily when you want to turn.
The shorter fins have less resistance when you are turning, and the wider, more stable shape lets you lean the board a little bit for an even smoother turn.
It’s not quite as agile as the Cruiser Ultra 3.0 (but that is a high bar to meet to begin with), but it does feel similar to iROCKER’s other all-around and cruiser style iSUPs like the All Around 7.0.
The short deck pad on the CX Ultra is a little limiting for more advanced paddlers who may want to use (or learn) a pivot turn, aka step-back turn, aka buoy turn. Since the deck pad ends well before the tail of the board, you do have to step out onto the bare PVC surface of the board in order to lift the nose off the water, so you’ll want to make sure your rear foot is firmly planted before committing your weight back onto the tail. Hopefully iROCKER will extend the length of the deck pad in the future.
Construction Quality: 9.6/10
The iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 has an updated construction, and deviates a bit from its previous namesake.
It still has a lightweight cross-woven dropstitch core and uses lightweight reinforced Fusion PVC outer layers for the body of the board. But, the CX Ultra 3.0 now uses a welded interior seam to connect rail to the top and bottom of the board and make it air tight. Welded seams typically last longer and are more resistant to heat failure than glued seams. The rails themselves use a new type of reinforced PVC material that feels a little thinner when deflated, but has a tough textured pattern on the outside for abrasion resistance. There are also additional “pin lines” of reinforced PVC on the top and bottom edges of the rail to give it an extra layer of protection from the elements.
One of the big differences between the previous Blackfin CX Ultra and this new iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 is the absence of carbon fiber reinforced rails. That trait of the Blackfin series has been removed in order to make the CX Ultra lighter and easier to transport and store.
Board Stiffness:
Stiffness Test: 1.57” Bend
In order to attest to the rigidity of each board, we use a bend test curated by Supboardguide.com. In order to obtain the results, we inflate the board to its maximum recommended PSI and then place it across two sawhorses that are 7 feet apart. We then take a measurement in the middle of the board. Then, we place 150 lbs worth of sandbags on the middle top of the SUP. Last, we record its displacement (the movement from its original position). We use this method for every board we test as a way to mathematically compare boards across a common denominator.
Our stiffness test is performed by placing the SUP on top of two sawhorses that are set 7’ apart. We then measure the board before and after loading 150 lbs onto the board’s midpoint (usually across the center handle). Of course, this test does not mimic the SUP’s behavior on the water, but it’s an unbiased way for us to understand how certain construction methods affect stiffness and overall performance of each paddleboard.
The CXr Ultra 3.0 bent just a bit over 1.5” in our bend test. That is more flex than the previous Blackfin CX version and the heavier iROCKER All Around 7.0, but still falls toward the middle of our testing range. This is a direct comparison tool we use to help gauge construction, but it’s not a real-world test.
On the water, the CX Ultra 3.0 feels normally rigid. I didn’t feel any flex or bend when standing and paddling normally. The only time I really noticed any flex was while sprinting for our speed test and while bouncing to see how it felt while flexing!
Overall, we are very impressed with the new, lightweight, construction of the CX Ultra 3.0.
Features/Accessory Review: [9.8/10]
iROCKER has built the CX Ultra 3.0 to be a highly versatile all-around paddle board with a full set of standard accessories, kayak seat compatibility, and their new Magnetite magnetic accessory mounting system.
The CX Ultra 3.0 is compatible with iRocker’s kayak seat and shoulder sling, has two 6-point cargo systems with removable bungees (21 D-rings in total on the board), two threaded mounting points, and two magnetic mounting points.
The deck pad uses the same stamped and grooved EVA foam as on their other paddle boards to combine a comfortable feel against your skin with plenty of traction while standing. It’s split down the middle to allow the CX Ultra 3.0 to fold in half lengthwise before folding to fit into the compact backpack. I do wish iROCKER would extend the deck pad farther back on the board to give you more space and range of movement.
Included Accessories:
The iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 comes with an impressive set of accessories – all of which easily fit into the Ultra compact backpack. Included with the iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0 are the following accessories:
- 5-piece carbon shaft paddle w/ a nylon blade
- iROCKER Rechargeable Electric Pump
- 5” snap-lock fins w/ locking tether (x2)
- 10’ coiled leash
- Waterproof Accessory Pouch
- Water-resistant Compact roll-top/front zip backpack
iROCKER’s decision to include a new rechargeable electric pump in their Ultra kits is a smart and welcome update. This addition significantly boosts the portability of the Ultra 3.0 paddleboards. Users no longer need to rely on a separate hand pump when heading off-grid or stay near their vehicle to inflate the board. The new iROCKER Power Pump can handle multiple inflations on a single charge and fits neatly into the streamlined backpack.
The Ultra backpack has also been updated and is now listed as water resistant. This means it can fend off splashes or light rain for short periods, though it’s not entirely waterproof. It has a front panel that unzips fully across its 2’ x 1’ frame, making it easy to slide in the rolled-up SUP. Inside, side pockets offer dedicated space for the 5-piece paddle and there is enough space in the bag to stash the accessory pouch, towels, extra clothes, and other daily essentials.
The included accessory pouch is labeled as waterproof, which makes it a good spot for the pump if you’re bringing the whole kit on the water. That said, we’d caution against submerging it for extended periods. For storing essential items, a fully waterproof, immersion-rated dry bag remains the safest choice.
One improvement we’d like to see from iROCKER is an updated 5-piece paddle that allows for a shorter height adjustment. Because of its segmented design, the handle can’t retract all the way, which could be a challenge for paddlers under 5’4”.
Summary Review of the iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0
The new CX Ultra 3.0 offers a lot in a small package. The size and shape itself is versatile and stable, and it’s one of the most feature-packed compact iSUPs available. I really appreciate just how comfortably the CX Ultra 3.0 handled anything I threw at it. Smooth paddling at reasonable speeds, easy tracking, fast turning, and it maintains a stable feel throughout.
I feel that the CX Ultra 3.0 is now the most versatile iSUP that iROCKER offers. It’s size is great for a variety of paddlers, and it’s both beginner friendly and fun to paddle as a more experienced paddleboarder. Combine all of that with a great rechargeable pump, nice-feeling carbon fiber/nylon hybrid paddle, and a compact form factor for transportation and storage and you’ve got a real winner here!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through our review of the iROCKER CX Ultra 3.0, and encourage you to hit us with any questions or suggestions in the comments below.
Until next time, stay safe and happy paddling!
SupBoardGuide
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