The Best Towable Tubes In 2023

If you’re in the market for a water sports activity that is fun for the whole family and doesn’t necessarily require any athletic ability – then towable tubes are the best product for you. The only ability you need to know is how to hold on (and swim, in case you get flung off). Compared to wakesurfing or water skiing, a towable tube is an easier option to enjoy water sports.

The 9 best towable tubes for boats in 2023:

Everything from the materials and build quality to the shape of the tube can affect how you use the tube and how much fun you have. So, with the sheer number of products currently on the market, we understand that it can be hard to know which tube is best. In our best towable tubes review, we’ve compiled a list of the nine best towable tubes. Along with that, we’ve included a tube buying guide and FAQ section that is sure to help you find the best towable tube for your adventures.

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#1	SportsStuff Super Mable: Two towable points - front and back	Riders: 3 Riding Position: Tube with Backrest Rating: 4.9 Dimensions: 75 inches x 73 inches x 30 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#2	Sportsstuff Poparazzi:	Riders: 3 Riding Position: Lying Down Tube Rating: 4.7 Dimensions: 77 inches x 80 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#3	Airhead Switchback 4 Rider: Great for Families	Riders: 4 Riding Position: Tube with Backrest Rating: 4.7 Dimensions: 88 inches x 70 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#4	Airhead Hot Dog Boat: Suitable for 1-3 riders	Riders: 3 Riding Position: Inline Sitting Rating: 4.7 Dimensions: 103 inches x 44 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#5	WOW Sports Macho: Great option for one rider	Riders: 2 Riding Position: Side By Side Rating: 4.6 Dimensions: 74 inches x 62 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#6	SportsStuff Chariot Warbird 2: Double-Webbing Foam Handles with Knuckle Guards	Riders: 3 Riding Position: Tube with Backrest Rating: 4.5 Dimensions: 78 inches x 90 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#7	Airhead Slash II:	Riders: 2 Riding Position: Inline Kneeling Rating: 4.6 Dimensions: 58 inches x 48 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#8	WOW Sports Big Bubba Hi-Visibility: Extra secure ride	Riders: 2 Riding Position: Tube with Backrest Rating: 4.7 Dimensions: 66 inches x 60 inches x 42 inches	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
#9	WOW Sports Big Ducky: Great option for kids, teens, and adults	Riders: 3 Riding Position: Sitting Rating: 4.5 Dimensions: 86 inches x 74 inches	]CHECK CURRENT PRICE

Towable Tubes Reviews

1. Sports Stuff Super Mable Tow Tube

The checkered flag on the Sports Stuff Super Mable Towable Tube speaks for itself when it screams for speed. The towable tube has a backrest, so you can be sure that riders won’t be flung into the water as soon as the boat accelerates. The bright orange of the tube allows it to stand out in the water while towed, thus increasing the safety factor. There is a tow point from the front or the back to get different experiences.

The 3 person Sports Stuff Super Mable Tow Tube allows riders to ride in multiple positions and have handles to hold onto. It’s made with heavy-duty K80 PVC bladder and nylon covered, double stitched cover that’s complete with self-bailing drain vents. This tube is good for children and adults, as the tube offers a comfortable backrest, grab handles and the tube is very spacious. We and others think this is the best towable tube for boating you can buy today.

2. Airhead Hot Dog Boat Towable Tube

Airhead’s Hot Dog towable tube has the ability to allow three riders at a time, with each having separate handles and seats to hold onto. It’s towable by boat through the heavy-duty Kwik Connect, which connects the tube to the boat very easily. The three 30-gauge vinyl chambers are protected through an 840 denier, double stitched nylon cover.

Airhead towable tube also makes a two-rider version of this model, however, this tube will be best if you’re looking to ride two adults. The Hot Dog Tow Tube comes with a one-year limited warranty, which gives you peace of mind in case anything happens. This tube is perfect for providing hours of fun for children and adults. The good design layout and the use of high-quality materials are sure to provide hours of entertainment out on the water.

3. WOW Sports Macho 2-Person Towable Tube

World of Water (WOW) Sport’s Macho 2-Person Towable Tube allows up to two riders to sit, kneel, or lay in the cockpit. The cockpit design features a heavy-duty, UV protected Flex-Sit material that allows it to be ultra-comfortable and form-fitting. The fitting on the seat keeps the riders from hitting the water. The tow rope is attached to the front which ensures the safety and stability of the rider(s).

The Macho 2-Person towable tube by WOW Sports towable tube includes a full nylon cover and a heavy-duty zipper and 12 double foam handles. These handles ensure that riders can use various seating methods to enjoy their time out on the water fully. The speed valve ensures that you have faster inflation and deflation to spend more time on the water.

4. Sports Stuff Chariot Warbird 2

The Sports Stuff Chariot Warbird 2 towable tube is constructed with a heavy-gauge PVC bladder. It also comes complete with two tow points, with one in the front and the other in the back. The aluminum quick connect tow point system allows you an easy setup. The heavy-duty nylon cover is sure to last you a few summers. The design of the wingspan is purposely kept wide so that the rider has more stability and capability of meeting tighter turns.

The high back design of the seating on Sports Stuff Chariot Warbird 2 Inflatable towable tube ensures that the rider(s) will be comfortable cruising behind the boat. The riders will have a blast with the different seating possibilities with the tube featuring a typical chariot design. The double webbing foam handles, including the knuckle pads, ensure the rider’s comfort (s).

5. Sports Stuff Poparazzi Tow Tube For Boat

If you’re looking for a ‘cool’ water tube, then the Sports Stuff Poparazzi Inflatable Towable Tube is a great option. It comes with the Sports Stuff patented aluminum quick connect two system that gets you out on the water fast. Their patented safety valve ensures that you won’t spend too long inflating and deflating the tube. The knuckle guards are made of foam filled, heavy duty, nylon-wrapped handles around a neoprene base. The foam knee and knuckle guards ensure that the riders can stay comfortable for longer – which means a longer time out with each ride.

The Sports Stuff Poparazzi Towable Tube is perfect for children and adults of all ages. If you really try, you could even have up to six kids (roughly 3^rd graders) on here, but be advised, the recommended number of riders is three. It’s hard to perform tricks on this tube due to the sheer size, but it allows more people to be out together and can be great for a leisure ride around the water.

6. Airhead Slash II Boat Tube

Built for two riders, the Airhead Slash II towable tube is the perfect option for carving turns. The semi-cockpit design can protect the rider(s) from falling into the water. The aerodynamic design is what sets it apart from other products. It features plastic fins that are sewed onto the sides of the cover. The design is also great as it allows you easily re-enter the tube from the back, allowing you to get back in anytime you fall out – prolonging the fun.

The vibrant and bright colors and exotic design make the Airhead Slash II  towable tube stand out from the crowd. The 840 denier, double stitched nylon is fairly durable. The reinforced fabric works to keep the tube strong and durable. It’s a great choice for calmer lake waters, rather than anything rough.

7. Airhead Switchback 4 Rider Towble Tube For Boating

As a renowned company, Airhead did not disappoint with this Switchback 4 Rider towable tube. The construction is sure to help take your enjoyment to new levels. It’s built with Four riders can ride this at one time, with two kneeling at the back and two sitting in the front. Regardless of which way you choose to ride this, you’re sure to enjoy your time out with friends and family.

Due to the nylon material construction and double stitching, you’re sure to get a durable product that will last you a while. The quick connect and speed safety valves ensure that your enjoyment will be at max level. The design of the towable tube also features multiple boarding straps that make re-entering the tube easy. In addition to that, the side panels and comfortable backrest will help to keep you in place.

8. WOW Sports Big Bubba Hi-Visibility Towable Deck Seat Tube

WOW Sport’s Big Bubba towable tube Hi-Visibility Deck Seat is the perfect starter towable tube for the family. It’s great for just about anybody to ride on. The tube comes with a flat base that allows a smooth and minimal drag ride. The flat base is also great for going fast on the water. It features secure deck seating that includes a very high backrest and sidewalls that help keep the rider safe and secure.

The Big Bubba Hi-Visibility Deck Seat towable tube includes tow points in the front and the back so you have the option to ride chariot-style (kneeling), laying down, or just sitting. The construction includes EVA foam knee pads and seats and the eight doubled webbed foam handles and four flat handles. After you’re done speeding through the water, you can use this as a relaxing floating water couch.

9. WOW Sports Big Ducky 1 to 3 Person Towable Tube

This WOW Sport’s Big Ducky 3 Person Towable Tube is constructed with a soft, custom tail shape that secures the saddle seating. The side bumper system keeps riders on the tube even if/when the ride gets extreme. The three-point, wide webbed, heavy duty tow system gives riders different riding styles. It also features double webbed foam handles and knuckle guards that ensure comfortability for the rider(s).

The Big Ducky towable tube comes complete with a full nylon, heavy-duty cover that has heavy-duty zippers. It ensures that the heavy-duty, PVC bladders and the speed valves for fast inflating and deflating are zippered and padded. The large, winged deck area is a great space for riders to lay, kneel, stand, or sit down. Like other products on this list, this product is also backed by a year by the manufacturer.

Buyer’s Guide

Just like any other product, there are various factors and features that you should consider before you purchase your first or upgrade towable tube. If you simply just walk into a sporting goods store or you pick out the cheapest one that you can find, it could mean that you don’t have as much fun on the water. Not to mention that it could be quite dangerous in terms of the quality of a product. You should expect to invest a bit of money into your towable tube so that it can meet expectations and last you for a while.

So, let’s get into the factors you should consider when buying the best towable tube.

How Many People Can Be Towed In a Towable Tube?

All towable tubes come with a set number of riders that it can safely carry. This can be anywhere from 1-2 to 3-4 riders on one tube at a time. If you’re buying this for use by a family, then it’s important to think about how many people will generally be on the trip with you. If you’ve got children, they are also likely to bring their friends.

However, on the other side of that, the 1-2 rider towable tube will be smaller than the 3-4 rider tube. This means that it’s easier to pack away and bring on shorter trips that not many people are going on. The larger towable tubes can build up speed quite quickly and get out of hand just as quickly, which will be something that the driver would need to keep in mind.

Quality of Build

This might be one of the most important aspects of your tube. If it is not of a high standard, then it could malfunction while you’re on the water, which could injure your loved ones. A towable tube that has been built properly and efficiently should last you family years to come.

The standard material that you’ll find in most is high-quality nylon that covers a high gauge bladder. Generally, for a solid construction, you’ll find 420 denier nylon is used. This material is great for protecting the bladder and still feeling comfortable while you are perched on. The best material possible is the 840 denier nylon.

The PVC bladder is normally a one-chamber 26 gauge PVC bladder chamber. They can get up to three chambers of 30 gauge. The high number ones are generally for the larger tubes so that the air is distributed throughout the towable tube. A single chambered bladder usually has a quick inflation and deflation feature that allows you to get on the water faster. As bladders are made of PVC bladder material, they usually have welded seams.

Knuckle Guards

This feature allows you to have a lengthier and more enjoyable time without having to worry about your hands getting sore or painful after a while. This piece of equipment has padding on the inner part of the handles to protect your hands from bashing the body of the inflatable. If these were absent, you could end up with scrapes or bashed knuckles.

Padding

This generally is a standard piece of equipment that comes in most, if not all, floatables. The EVA padding in the towable tubes makes your ride a bit more comfortable than if they were not there. It’s bound to get bumpy while you’re on the water, but strategically placing padding will ensure that you don’t even notice it there. Many companies test out where people’s knees or elbows usually rest on a towable. Using that data, they add pads to these areas to make the ride more safe and comfortable.

Inflation

This has to be one of the most overlooked aspects of an inflatable. Most do not come with or have PSI indicators to tell how much air you need to put into the tube. Factors like cold or hot days can play a part in air retainment throughout the day. You should always make sure that you have properly inflated the tube using an electric pump. If it doesn’t skim over the water, then it is probably underinflated. If that is the case, it can appear sluggish and take more effort to pull, which might cause further damage.

Ensuring that the cover of the tube does not have wrinkles in it should signify that it has enough air. Ensure to do this before you are on the water as it’s easier to take the excess air out and add more in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When you’re thinking about getting a towable tube, you might find yourself asking some questions. They could be anything from confusion about terminology or what the best features to have are. Below, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions.

 

Q. What Material Is Often Used To Make The Best Towable Tubes?

A. Generally, the best towable tubes are made from anywhere between 600 Denier polyester to 1000 denier polyester, along with 26 oz. to 28 oz. UV protected PVC. This is the same material that you’ll find in inflatable military boats and ocean-going inflatables. Every single seam in the construction would have been heat-welded to offer you with the most durability possible. Some might have even been double welded at key stress points.

 

Q. What Is Neoprene? Why Is It Used?

A. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber and is used to cover knuckle guards and handles to provide users with a more comfortable and protected grip. The higher the rider capacity of an inflatable tube, the more handles will be required. It is also used for knee pads to protect the knees of the riders from chaffing.

 

Q. What Do I Need To Know About 30 Gauge Versus 60 Gauge Bladder?

A. The gauge of a bladder refers to the thickness inside of the tube. The higher the number, the thicker the inner tube.

 

Q. Can I Use My Towable Tube In Salt Water?

A. Towable tubes are made for use in fresh and saltwater. However, if you use the towable tube in saltwater for longer periods of time, you should remember to rinse and dry it thoroughly before putting it away.

Always remember water sports can be dangerous and to be safe and wear a life vest.