A Guide To The Best Towable Tubes
Lake and beach parties aren’t complete without fun water games. Elevate your summer experience with friends and families with a towable water tube. There are specific towable tubes for adults, kids & toddlers available in the market.
Taking the boat out for a day on the water can be a blast all on its own. When you throw in a towable tube, it makes for a day of fun and thrills your family won’t soon forget! My favorite thing about towable tubes is that the entire family, young or old, can get in on the fun. Younger, more timid riders can be pulled at a slower pace while the thrill seekers in the family will want some speed and zig zags thrown in.
The best towable tubes will be comfortable, easy to inflate/deflate, have plenty of handles, include a Quick Connect, and above all, be fun! Owning one of the tubes below is a great way to make some fun new memories with your family and friends!
It’s like skiing but on a couch plus, you don’t have to be an expert to use a pull behind towable tube. It is strong, simple, and easy-to-use. Create unforgettable memories with your children with a towable water tube. Let this review be your guideline to choose the best towable tubes for boating.
There are a lot of pull behind floats for boats available in the market right now. As safety is a top priority, especially when going out to beaches or lakes; We’ve made a list of the best towable water tubes to help you decide which tubes fit your budget and needs.
O’Brien Super Screamer
The name speaks for itself as it makes you scream at the top of your lungs while you enjoy the thrill of extreme water tricks. The O’Brien Super Screamer is made with only the highest quality material, 420-denier nylon and 26 gauge PVC, you won’t have to worry about this rig falling apart. Features like a Boston valve and easy to connect tow hooks make this a top contender for the best towable tube. If you like to move around while you’re on the water, the 6 handles and 2 EVA body pads will make that easy for you. Don’t worry if you fall off as there are easy to reach pull up straps to get back on.
Can carry a single rider weighing up to 170 pounds. The bladder is made of 26-gauge PVC ensuring zero air leaks. The out cover is made of 420D nylon for better durability. Easy connecting and tethering with a Quick Connect tow hook.
The Super Screamer is a single rider tube designed for the most extreme adventure. A towable tube that is not for the weak of heart as you could get whipped out and bounced around while on the tube. It has 4 built-in handles, so you could position your hands in 2 different ways before launching for a heart-pounding ride.
The downside of this is it comes with a dome shape on the top surface which increases the chance of falling off, so if the user fell on the deep water it’s nearly impossible to get back on it.
PROS | CONS |
Ergonomic design | Tube doesn’t hold air well |
Holds up to 3 riders | Quality has been criticized in the past |
Easy to use pull up straps |
Airhead Mach | 1-3 Rider Towable Tube for Boating
The Airhead Mach 2 is a double rider, cockpit-style towable tube. Cockpit tubes are great for timid young riders, but they can also provide a thrilling ride for teens and adults.
The seat is safe and comfortable, with an air cushioned bottom that makes bouncing on the water much less punishing than with other tubes. The Mach 2 is easy to inflate and deflate, thanks to its patented speed safety valve. Also, the tube is installed with six neoprene handles for a secure ride. So, you can enjoy a good ride without slipping or hurting your hand. There are no questions on the MACH 2 when it comes to durability.
Its PVC bladder and double-stitched nylon cover ensure the long life of this water tube, definitely will last for years. The headrest and cupholders make this tube ideal for pleasure tubing at a leisurely pace. Most users of this inflatable found it to be the perfect size, saying it fits on the sundeck for easy transport and it also fits nicely in the bed of the truck. Some say it wasn’t roomy enough for a very tall adult, so keep that in mind when ordering.
Also, be aware that the cover does not fully enclose the tube, so there’s a small possibility the cover could come off in very choppy water or at very high speeds. Some people find the lining too sharp causing wounds and cuts on children. Other customers would love this water tube more if it had a draining system installed on it since water fills the side seats easily during the ride.
PROS | CONS |
Offers perfect grip | Sharp linings |
Stable and secure ride | |
Easy to Inflate an deflate |
Sportsstuff Big Mable | 1-2 Rider Towable Tube for Boating
The Big Mable Towable has been redesigned and includes an even more backrest and padded side walls. The cool thing with this inflatable is that you aren’t stuck with just sitting. You can ride in the prone position, kneeling, even backwards. Dual hook up points allow you to travel any way you want. All these features doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice build quality.
The unique part about the design is that it has front and back tow points with different seating positions and durable handles with knuckle support for safe and varied ride experiences from relaxed to thrilling.
Another feature adding to the safety and efficiency of this tube is the heavy-duty blades and double-stitched full nylon cover with the self-bailing vents for draining. The safety valve makes it easy to inflate & deflate using a high air volume inflation device.
Make sure to store this tube out of the water and sun when not in use for more extended periods to prolong the durability of the handles and seams.
Its wide crescent tail helps to take the weight at the back of the board, while the contoured deck delivers extra grip for the hands and knees. This is helpful for big landings and awful duck dives. This is an excellent option for your next towable tube.
PROS | CONS |
Stabilized walls | Large in size, hard to store in smaller boats |
Safe for children and grandparents with backrest and side wings | The inner tube is not connected to the outer skin |
Very stable with seating cushions and reliable platform | No separation between riders |
Has front and rear tow attachments |
Airhead G-Force | 1-4 Rider Towable Tube for Boating
One of the favorites of water-loving thrill-seekers is the G-FORCE 3 by Airhead. The GF3 is one of the best towable tubes for adults. Challenge yourself against the centrifugal force with its top side fins.
The open top-side design of this tube is best to get air and good splash. G-Force 3 is a 3-person flat-top towable tube made of 840-denier double-stitched nylon and has a 30-gauge virgin PVC bladder. Like other Airhead products, the G-Force 3 is also equipped with a Kwik-Connect system for easy boat and jet-ski tethering.
The nylon of the cover is exceptionally dense and durable. This feature will provide you with just enough buoyancy to support the weight of the riders and to bounce. There are six neoprene knuckle guards in total. The handles are made appropriate for long, heavy rides. This way, you can hold on to them without them hurting your hands. The great feature of this towable tube is it comes with deluxe nylon-wrapped handles. These handles have neoprene knuckle guards that offer an excellent grip and the safety valves which ensure the safest ride.
The drawbacks that could be seen on some customer reviews, they find it hard to fit three adults on the tube comfortably. The fins are so hard to reach especially for shorter kids. The tube also sinks on the front part, so riders must move a little on the back end of the tow tube before being pulled.
PROS | CONS |
Six neoprene knuckle guards and handles | A bit too tight for 3 adult riders |
Speed Safety Valve for quick inflation/deflation | Chuffs elbows |
Easy access Boston valves | Submerges if riders put their weight too forward |
Supreme quality nylon cover | Didn’t hold the air for a long time |
Sportsstuff Chariot Warbird | 1-3 Rider Towable Tube for Boating
Face the strong winds and waves as you complete your summer adventure with the Chariot Warbird by Sportstuff. One of the most well-balanced towable tubes in today’s market. It also has the largest wingspan compares to other tow tubes, making it stable enough even when it’s being pulled fast.
The dimension of the Chariot Warbird is 82 inches in length and 92 inches in width (82in x 92in). This tube is sure to catch your attention with its beautifully made custom graphics. A mix and match of the colors red, yellow, black, and white, are making it very noticeable on beaches and lake.
The double-webbing foam handles prevent the rider from any scratches and bruises, making safe for kids and toddlers to use. The patented Speed Safety Valve outstandingly makes inflating and deflating easier. It also has a self-bailing feature, so removing water won’t be troublesome.
The Chariot has a soft cover for the zipper and extra padded hand grips. Comfort is this rigs goal. It features seats with high backs and loads of EVA padding that let you relax no matter how fast you’re going and a wide stance that makes corners more stable. If you are feeling particularly risky, you can even use the backward facing tow point. No matter if you’re going for an hour or a week you want to get on the water quickly and the quick inflation valves allow you to do just that.
The main advantage of this towable tube is its inflatable tube. This tube made of high-quality material that ensures the life of the towable tube and its K80 PVC bladder and nylon cover with a zipper all are works well.
PROS | CONS |
Front or backwards ride | Difficult to fill the air |
Comfortable seats and grip | |
Durable and strong PVC bladders |
Things You Need to consider before buying a towable tube
- Number of riders – Anticipate the number of possible riders on your towable tube before making a purchase. If you are a big family with lots of kids. Aim for the tubes that have a cockpit design. Safe for toddlers, teenagers, and even adults too.
- Price – The first thing that buyers usually look at is the price. Cheap products could come with possible risks. A towable tube of substandard materials can cause a sudden tear or the locks and rope could snap unexpectedly.
- Design – Design of inflatable water tubes varies not just in color but also its shape. If you love extreme fast riding water activities, go for tubes that have a slimmer bottom. A slimmer bottom reduces drag that is good for acceleration. If you prefer a more stable and well-balanced design, go for a tow tube with a wider wingspan.
- Water Activities – Towable water tubes can be used in several ways. If you are a thrill-seeker looking for a tube that can keep up with your adventures, go for the brands on the list.
PRODUCT | PRICE | SIZE | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | SPECIFICATIONS |
SportsStuff Super Marble | $$$$ | 79 x 78″ | 20 pounds | 3-person – 20 lb | Has front and rear tow attachments / Has safety valve |
Airhead Mach Towable Tube for Boating | $$ | 68 x 50″ | 14.2 pounds | 1 Rider | Air-cushioned seats and deluxe handles with EVA knuckle guards |
Airhead G-Force Rider Towable Tube | $$$ | 78 x 75″ | 22.2 pounds | 3 Rider | Six neoprene knuckle guards and handles / Speed Safety Valve for quick inflation/deflation |
Sportstuff Chariot Warbird | $$$ | 78 x 90x 31″ | 43.20 pounds | 1- 2 Riders | Kwik Connect /Speed Safety Valve /Boosterball Compatible |
O’Brien Super Screamer | $$ | 20″ long x 17″ wide | 34 pounds | 1 to 2 riders | Fully Covered in Heavy Duty Nylon / Lightning Valve / Pull Up Straps |
Final Words:
People these days find several ways to elevate the excitement and fun of everything we do. Sports activities are never spared as summer could be a lot more memorable when we integrate products such as water towable tubes as we share it with friends and our families. No matter how extreme or relax our activities would be, our safety must always be the top priority especially when we go out to the beach and lakes with our young ones.
Always go for the best quality products to ensure long years of service, so we always get our money’s worth.