Stable SUP for River Riders: Red Paddle Wild MSL Inflatable Standup Paddleboard Review

The Red Paddle Wild MSL standup paddleboard is a whitewater paddler’s dream. When I first unrolled the Wild, its stout 34-inch width and prominent nose rocker immediately caught my eye. This wasn’t the typical flatwater standup paddleboard.

Built with experienced river-riders in mind, this premium 9′6″ board screamed technical agility and durability — two traits needed for river time and rapids.

In short: If you’re an advanced paddler chasing adrenaline on graded rivers, the Red Paddle Wild MSL ($1,499) delivers. The nose has a pronounced rocker that slices through water and quickly turns, while the high-volume, wide silhouette enhances stability. Three grab handles in the center are easy to hold, in addition to two on the tip and tail. The extra-texturized deckpad and raised kickpad make this inflatable standup paddleboard even more maneuverable. Overall, the Wild’s construction is responsive and bombproof while still being light, inflatable, and manageable on the water.

Peruse the other watercraft we’ve field tested in the Best Standup Paddleboards buyer’s guide.

Field Testing: Wild MSL Standup Paddleboard

I’ve been SUPing since 2016, and as a Coloradan, I enjoy paddling down rivers, through canyons, on high-mountain lakes, and a bit of whitewater. I also like multiday river trips, and occasionally SUP on the ocean in Florida and Hawaii. Usually, I paddle solo, weigh 134 pounds, and I’m just under 5’6″.

This season, I had an opportunity to test the Red Paddle Wild MSL on lakes and rivers in Colorado for a few weeks. I would’ve loved to keep testing for durability, but the demo duration was limited. Test runs included the Gunnison River through the town of Gunnison, which has Class I-III rapids. I also paddled on lakes with a hiking approach that let me test the pack’s carry comfort.

Rockered, Wide Shape  

The shape of this board stands out with a rockered nose and 280 L of volume. I found that it was super easy to pivot and turn on the flowing or flatwater. It glided through choppy surface and whitewater with ease.

Other whitewater-friendly SUPs are lower volume, like the 258L Hydrus JoyRide. In contrast, the NRS Clean 110 offers even more space at 350 L. It’s wide, too, at 34 inches. In comparison, the iRocker Blackfin CX 10’6″ Ultra is 32.5 inches wide. The NRS Clean 96, which I describe as volume-shifted, is even wider at 36 inches. The Wild’s width is inherently stable.

A few other designs have rockered designs, including the NRS Clean 96 and NRS Clean 110, which have continuous rocker through the nose and tail. The Red Paddle Co. 11’3″ Sport MSL has a bit of nose rocker, too. The rocker helps with turbulence and whitewater, and enhances playfulness.

The tradeoff of the rockered shape is that you inherently give up the board’s ability to track straight, which’ll decrease speed on straightaways. The paddler also needs to be more engaged, switching the paddle from side to side. That extra width and large volume create drag, also decreasing speed.

Stable & Durable Materials

The material is sturdy, tenacious, and high-quality, which you see in the price tag. This SUP is constructed from MSL (Monocoque Structural Laminate) drop-stitch material, which is a high-tensile fiber. The weave is reinforced with a surface coating then welded to the interior PVC layer.

The manufacturing process increases the board’s torsional rigidity, and based on my on-water experience, that statement is true. The board didn’t bounce or sag in the water.

High-Traction Deckpad & Plush Handles

One of the most noticeable and noteworthy details of the Wild is the deckpad. While the raised kick‑tail is more common, I usually don’t see the other three risers.

The back half of the SUP has three raised strips along each rail and in the center, which are parallel to the board’s edge, to give your feet extra grip. They let you shift weight aggressively without slipping. It’s pretty sweet.

I also really liked the texture and traction of the deck’s material. The EVA pad is embossed with itty-bitty Red logos but also diamond-cut, and it covers two-thirds of the board’s surface.

It felt secure underfoot, even when navigating whitewater and drops. I also didn’t mind the feeling of the material on bare feet or knees — though I’d definitely cover up for longer, tougher stretches to avoid chafing.

Five plush, roomy grab handles make carrying easy. I really like that there are three across the board’s middle, plus another two on the nose and tail. They made carrying the SUP to the water’s edge or pulling it out of the river a breeze.

Attachment System: Bungee, D-Rings

The front cargo bungee is low‑profile with two wide, horizontal straps. Several columns of grip are beneath the straps to help stabilize gear.

Ultimately, clipping or threading your gear into the five D-rings (at the ends of the bungees) on the nose is the way to go for top security in whitewater. A sixth D-ring is on the tail. I used the bungees to carry a dry bag and water bottle. There are two integrated accessory mounts on the nose.

Removable, Durable Fins

The SUP is outfitted with twin fins that are soft, durable, and relatively shallow at 4.6 inches. They provide pretty good tracking, and didn’t need to worry about rocks near the shoreline or on shallow sections of the river. I appreciated how low-profile they sat — they had minimal snagging even in shallow sections. 

To improve tracking, you could invest in larger fins for flatter, deeper water.

Large Carry Bag With Wheels

The mighty 160L travel bag swallowed the board, Titan II pump, twin 4.6-inch fins, coiled leash, phone case, and repair kit with room to spare. Its rugged construction, hip belt, and padded shoulder straps made approach hikes more comfortable.

I only wish there were side compression straps to help reduce swing weight. When this bag is loaded, it’s huge and can get quite heavy. The easiest way for me to put it on and off was using the tailgate of my truck as a hoist.

I appreciate that the straps and hip belt are adjustable and can be stowed away, which makes this bag friendlier for checking at the airport.

Critiques 

One drawback is its weight. At nearly 24 pounds, it’s not ultralight. The median weight for the SUPs in our buyer’s guide is 21 pounds. The backpack helps, but carrying steep pack-ins still demands effort. 

While the wheeled pack is fairly durable and user-friendly, and I really like that the hip belt and shoulder straps can be stashed away, I wish that there were compression straps on the side. The pack volume is huge, and the swing weight is noticeable on hikes.

The Titan Pump is efficient and works well to quickly pump up the SUP in just a few minutes. But it’s not intuitive to put together, especially if someone else has stashed the removable handle somewhere in the pack. It’s also large, cumbersome, and hard to grab. I wouldn’t want to pack it on an overnight SUP journey, which leaves you between a rock and a hard place.

While it includes a leash, Red advises against using it in whitewater — a note worth repeating for safety.

If you’re not planning on paddling in whitewater and if you care about speed, I’d suggest a narrower, pointier design with less volume.

Conclusion 

The Red Paddle Co 9′6″ Wild MSL would be my first choice for paddling rapids on a river trip or at the whitewater park. This board is a high-performance whitewater machine.

Its ultra‑stiff MSL construction, purposeful rocker, reliable cargo and handle systems, and sturdy build make it a standout in its niche. Sure, it’s not light or cheap, but considering what it offers on real rivers, that’s a trade I’m happy to make. If you’re beyond beginner paddling and ready for river action, the Wild MSL is a board that performs.

This SUP is a serious investment, at around $1,499, but the cost is justified for its durability, design details, and performance in whitewater. The Wild MSL is confidence and front‑foot precision wrapped in Red’s rugged inflatable design.