Updated November 10, 2022
When you get a chance for a day of boating out on the water, it’s a great day. If you want to get wet and add a little excitement without necessarily embarking on too great a challenge, towable tubes may be the thing for you.
Inflatable tubes are lightweight to transport, easy to inflate and provide an activity the whole family can do together. There are tubes for individuals or for several riders at the same time and the speed, zig-zags, and amount of difficulty can be controlled by the boat skipper so that every level of participant can have a great time, from absolute novice to experienced trick-rider.
Below ten of the best models have been selected to introduce for your consideration. First, there’s a comparison table, followed by reviews with key features, photos, videos, and a brief buyer’s guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
Best Towable Tubes Reviews
- Airhead Mach 2 Towable Tube
- Sportsstuff Super Mable Towable Tube
- Airhead HD-3 Hot Dog Towable Tube
- Airhead G-Force 3 Towable Tube
- WOW Thriller Towable Tube
- Sportsstuff Chariot Warbird 2 Towable Tube
- Airhead Mega Slice Towable Tube
- Rave Razor 2-Person Towable Tube
- O’Brien Barca 3-Person Towable Tube
- Airhead Switchback 4 Rider Towable Tube
Best Towable Tubes Comparison Table
| Towable Tube | Photo | Dimensions | Riders | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhead Mach 2 Towable Tube |   | 69 x 69 Inches (Deflated) | 1-2 | $$ |
| Sportsstuff Super Mable Towable Tube |   | 79 x 78 Inches (Deflated) | 1-3 | $$$ |
| Airhead HD-3 Hot Dog Towable Tube |   | 103 x 44 Inches (Deflated) | 1-3 | $$ |
| Airhead G-Force 3 Towable Tube |   | 78 x 75 Inches (Deflated) | 1-3 | $$ |
| WOW Thriller Towable Tube |   | 54 x 54 Inches (Deflated) | 1 | $ |
| Sportsstuff Chariot Warbird 2 Towable Tube |   | 80 x 96 Inches (Deflated) | 1-2 | $$$ |
| Airhead Mega Slice Towable Tube |   | 100 x 100 Inches (Deflated) | 1-4 | $$$ |
| Rave Razor 2-Person Towable Tube |   | 62 x 62 Inches (Deflated) | 1-2 | $ |
| O'Brien Barca 3-Person Towable Tube |   | 70 x 86 Inches (Deflated) | 1-3 | $$$$ |
| Airhead Switchback 4 Rider Towable Tube |   | 88 x 70 Inches (Deflated) | 1-4 | $$$ |
| Towable Tube | Photo | Dimensions | Riders | Price |
It has a heavy gauge radio frequency welded seam PVC bladder and double-stitched nylon cover for durability, a Speed Safety valve for easy inflation and deflation, and Kwik-Connect for easy rope hook-ups.
Four comfortable handles with neoprene knuckle guards and inflated floors make the ride safe and comfortable while bouncing and flying through the wake.
- Riders: 1-2
- Weight Capacity: 340 pounds
- PVC bladder with radio frequency welded seams
- Double-stitched nylon cover
- Patented Speed Safety valve
- Kwik-Connect for rope hook-ups
- Inflated floors
- 4 handles with neoprene knuckle guards
- Dimensions: 69 x 69 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 16.64 pounds
- Price: $$
Sportsstuff Super Mable Towable Tube
Towed from one point you can sit with a comfortable backrest and from the opposite direction, you are mounted chariot style for a whole different riding sensation.
The durable construction includes a K80 PVC bladder and double-stitched nylon cover with self-bailing drain vents.
Air-cushioned side walls, EVA foam seating pads, and numerous padded foam handles keep you comfortable and secure.
The Speed Safety valve makes it easy to inflate and deflate and when you’re not out on the water, the Super Mable makes a great lounge for relaxing onshore.
- Riders: 1-3
- Heavy-duty K80 PVC bladder
- Double-stitched full nylon cover with self-bailing drain vents
- Multiple riding positions
- EVA foam seating pads
- Air-cushioned sidewalls
- Speed Safety valve
- Kwik-Connect for rope hook-ups
- Two tow points (front and back)
- Aluminum easy-connect tow point
- Multiple double webbing foam handles with knuckle pads
- Dimensions: 79 x 78 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 20 pounds
- 1-year limited warranty
- Price: $$$
Airhead HD-3 Hot Dog Towable Tube
The three 30 gauge PVC air chambers encased with double-stitched 840-denier covers are extra durable and have Boston valves for fast inflation/deflation along with Kwik-Connect tow points for easy rope connections.
- Riders: 1-3
- 3 air chambers with 30 gauge PVC bladders and RF welded seams
- Double-stitched 840-denier nylon cover
- 3 neoprene seating pads
- Air-cushioned sidewalls
- Boston valve
- Kwik-Connect tow points
- Nylon handles with neoprene knuckle pads
- Dimensions: 103 x 44 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 21.1 pounds
- Price: $$
Airhead G-Force 3 Towable Tube
Equipped with two inflatable stabilizer fins to keep the tube on track, like the other Airhead models it uses durable 30 gauge PVC for the bladder with a double-stitched 840-denier nylon cover.
A Boston valve provides quick inflation/deflation and the Kwik-Connect tow point makes rope hook-ups easy.
- Riders: 1-3
- 30 gauge PVC bladder and RF welded seams
- Double-stitched 840-denier nylon cover
- Inflatable stabilizer fins
- Boston valve
- Kwik-Connect tow point
- 6 nylon handles with neoprene knuckle guards
- Dimensions: 78 x 75 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 21.1 pounds
- Price: $$
It has a durable PVC bladder and nylon cover with a zipper and tapered construction with a higher front that helps prevent submarining.
An EVA foam pad and double webbing foam handles with knuckle guards keep you comfortably in control.
The speed valve is protected with a zippered cover and there is a reinforced towing system that can stand up to the stress.
The Thriller is very reasonably priced and also comes in models designed for up to 4 riders.
- Riders: 1
- Heavy-gauge PVC bladder
- Full nylon cover with zipper
- Tapered construction with a higher front than back to prevent submarining
- EVA foam pad
- Speed valve with zippered cover
- Reinforced towing system
- Double webbing foam handles knuckle guards
- Dimensions: 54 x 54 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Low-priced
- Price: $
Sportsstuff Chariot Warbird 2 Towable Tube
The dual tow system allows you to sit comfortably against the high air-cushioned backrests going one way or hanging on to the insulated grips from the backside going the other.
It’s a durable model with a heavy gauge PVC bladder, a well-fabricated nylon cover, a Speed Safety valve for quick inflation/deflation, and the Kwik-Connect system tying off on aluminum tow points.
It also has self-bailing drain vents, and EVA padding, and also comes in a 3-rider model.
- Riders: 1-2
- Weight capacity: 340 pounds
- Heavy gauge K80 PVC bladder
- Double-stitched full nylon cover with radio frequency (RF) welded seams and zipper
- Self-bailing drain vents
- High air-cushioned backrests
- EVA foam pad
- Speed valve with zippered cover
- Dual aluminum tow points
- Kwik-Connect system
- Multiple double webbing foam handles with knuckle guards
- Dimensions: 80 x 96 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Price: $$$
Airhead Mega Slice Towable Tube
With a sturdy 30 gauge PVC bladder and 840 denier nylon cover with RF welded seams, it has other premium features to match like the Kwik-Connect tow system and Speed Safety valve for quick inflation and deflation.
There is an oversized topside neoprene panel for insulation and 8 nylon-wrapped handles with neoprene knuckle guards for the 4 riders completed by the wild red camo graphics.
- Riders: 1-4
- Weight capacity: 680 pounds
- 30 gauge PVC Bladder
- 840 denier double-stitched nylon cover with radio frequency (RF) welded seams
- Tapered gusset (thicker in front, thinner in back)
- Oversized topside neoprene panel
- EVA padding
- Speed safety valve
- Kwik-Connect tow system
- 8 nylon-wrapped handles with neoprene knuckle guards
- Dimensions: 100 x 100 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Price: $$$
Rave Razor 2-Person Towable Tube
The durable 24 gauge PVC bladder has a cover with a 600D polyester bottom and 420D nylon top.
It comes with fast inflating and deflating Boston and stem valves, a quick-connect tow hook, and 4 foam-filled handles with knuckle guards.
The pricing is quite low for a two-rider model.
- Riders: 1-2
- Weight capacity: 340 pounds
- 24 gauge PVC Bladder
- Treated 600D polyester bottom and 420D nylon top cover
- Skim-Fast bottom
- Boston and stem valves
- Quick connect tow hook
- 4 foam-filled handles with neoprene knuckle guards
- Dimensions: 62 x 62 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 14.5 pounds
- Low-priced
- Price: $
O’Brien Barca 3-Person Towable Tube
Exceptionally durable construction includes a heavy-duty PVC bladder and denier nylon cover with RF welded seams.
Lightning Valves make inflating and deflating a quick affair and EVA padding and split seating add to the comfort while 12 handles with EVA knuckle guards help you hold your position onboard.
- Riders: 1-3
- Weight capacity: 510 pounds
- 30/24 gauge PVC bladder
- 840/420 denier nylon cover with radio frequency (RF) welded seams
- EVA pads
- Split seating
- Dual quick-connect tow hooks
- 2 Lightning Valves
- 12 handles with EVA knuckle guards
- Dimensions: 70 x 86 inches (deflated)
- Price: $$$$
Airhead Switchback 4 Rider Towable Tube
There are numerous boarding straps so all can easily pull themselves from the water onto this ruggedly constructed model with a heavy gauge PVC bladder and double-stitched, welded-seam nylon cover.
It has the standard Airhead Speed Safety Valves and Kwik-Connect tow system and comes in relatively light for a 4-seater at 27.5 pounds.
- Riders: 1-4
- Weight capacity: 680 pounds
- Heavy-gauge PVC bladder
- 840 denier double-stitched nylon cover with radio frequency (RF) welded seams
- Numerous boarding straps
- High backrest and stabilizer sidewalls
- Neoprene seating and kneeling pads
- Speed safety valves
- Kwik-Connect tow system
- Dimensions: 88 x 70 inches (deflated)
- Weight: 27.5 pounds
- Price: $$$
Best Towable Tubes Buying Guide
Capacity
Each model is designed to carry a certain number of people and has a maximum weight capacity. There are some designed for one only, but most can handle a range such as 1-2, 1-3, or 1-4. The more riders and overall weight onboard, the larger the tube. All models will have handles and riding locations built in to cover the recommended maximum number of riders. If you add beyond that number, there won’t be enough handles and the system can otherwise become overburdened with weight and unsafe.
Quality Materials and Construction
Whenever you are out on the water safety is a major concern. You want to be assured that the design, materials, and construction techniques used are as reliable as possible.
The air bladders should be made of heavy gauge PVC for durability. Depending on the design of the tube there will usually be 1 to 3 air chambers each with its own inflation/deflation valve. The best material to cover the bladder(s) is usually denier nylon, although there are grades of polyester that have advantages. The commonly used thicknesses are 420 and the twice as thick 840 for denier nylon.
The best use double-stitching and some finalize the seal by welding the seams.
Inflation
A fully inflated tube has a firm, slick surface that will skim over the water most effectively. Unfortunately, most models don’t provide psi indications to give you a solid way of measuring. You have to eyeball it. If it is underfilled, movement is sluggish and riders sink into the structure.
Handles
The handle mounting area is a source of potential weakness in the structure. Top models have taken measures to reinforce the attachment. They should include knuckle guards which consist of padding around the handle area that will protect your hands and knuckles from getting scraped or bashed as the tube caroms off the wake.
Padding
There are points of contact between riders’ knees, elbows, and other body areas with the tube. The best tube designs have incorporated EVA padding to those spots to cushion for safety and comfort.
Towing Points
This is a high-stress area and should be durably constructed as most manufacturers have done. Look for systems that enable quick and easy methods to hook up. Some models have two towing points that enable turning the tube 180 degrees to create a different experience, for example going from a seated position in one direction to a kneeling chariot-style position from the other direction.
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on towable tubes interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
Leave a Reply