Hala Board Comparison: Specs, Fin Systems and Sizes
Hala makes six inflatable paddle boards. Four of them (Atcha 86, Atcha 96, Rado and Radito) use the StompBox 2.5 retractable fin and are built for moving water. Two of them (Hoss and Straight Up) use a fixed US Air 7 fin box and are built for flatwater and easy rivers. That fin system is the single biggest difference between them, and it matters more than length or width when you are deciding.
The six boards at a glance
| Board | Length | Width | Thickness | Rider capacity | Board weight | Fin system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atcha 86 | 8'6" (259 cm) | 34" (86 cm) | 6" (15 cm) | 250 lbs (113 kg) | 24 lbs (10.9 kg) | StompBox 2.5 / ClickFins |
| Atcha 96 | 9'6" (290 cm) | 36" (91 cm) | 6" (15 cm) | 275 lbs (125 kg) | 27.5 lbs (12.5 kg) | StompBox 2.5 / ClickFins |
| Radito | 10' (305 cm) | 34" (86 cm) | 6" (15 cm) | 300 lbs (136 kg) | 26.5 lbs (12.0 kg) | StompBox 2.5 / ClickFins |
| Rado | 10'10" (330 cm) | 35" (89 cm) | 6" (15 cm) | 325 lbs (147 kg) | 28.5 lbs (12.9 kg) | StompBox 2.5 / ClickFins |
| Hoss | 10'10" (330 cm) | 35" (89 cm) | 6" (15 cm) | 280 lbs (127 kg) | 21.2 lbs (9.6 kg) | US Air 7 Fin Box |
| Straight Up | 10' (305 cm) | 33" (84 cm) | 6" (15 cm) | 250 lbs (113 kg) | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) | US Air 7 Fin Box |
Every Hala board is 6 inches thick, uses Thick Fusion construction with welded and double-glued seams, and carries a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
The two fin systems
The StompBox 2.5 is Hala's patented retractable center fin. When the fin strikes a rock it folds up into the board and pops back down once it is clear. You keep the tracking of a 9 inch fin in water shallow enough to hit bottom, and you are not snapping fins or stopping dead on a shallow shelf. It is on the Atcha 86, Atcha 96, Radito and Rado.
The US Air 7 Fin Box holds a standard fixed fin. It is the same fitting most inflatable boards use, it takes any US-box fin you already own, and it has no moving parts. It is on the Hoss and the Straight Up.
A fixed fin is not a defect. It is the right fitting for water where you are not hitting rocks, and it keeps those two boards lighter and simpler. But if your paddling involves rocky, shallow, moving water, the retractable box is the reason to choose one of the other four.
The two constructions
The Atcha 86, Atcha 96, Radito and Rado use a dual-layer PVC drop-stitch with a stringer. That is the heavier, stiffer build, and it is what lets those boards take repeated rock strikes and hard water.
The Hoss and the Straight Up use a woven drop-stitch with no stringer. It is lighter for the same footprint, which is why the Hoss weighs 21.2 lbs against the Rado's 28.5 lbs even though both boards are 10'10" long and 35" wide.
That 7.3 lb difference between two boards of identical outline is the clearest illustration of the tradeoff on this lineup: the same size, built two different ways, for two different kinds of water.
What each board is not
These are the honest disqualifications, taken straight from the numbers above.
- Atcha 86 is not the board for a heavy load. At 8'6" and 250 lbs of rider capacity it is the shortest board in the lineup and ties for the lowest capacity. If you are near that number, or you paddle with a dog and a cooler, size up.
- Atcha 96 is not the fastest board here. At 36" it is the widest of the six. That width is stability in whitewater, and it costs you glide on a long flat crossing.
- Radito is not the largest river board. At 10' and 300 lbs it sits between the Atcha 96 and the Rado. If you want the most capacity for multi-day loads, that is the Rado.
- Rado is not the easiest board to carry. At 28.5 lbs it is the heaviest of the six. That is the cost of 325 lbs of capacity and the longest outline in the lineup.
- Hoss is not a whitewater board. It is the largest platform Hala makes and it has a fixed fin box. For yoga, fishing, family days and flatwater, that is exactly right. For rocky rapids it is not the fitting you want.
- Straight Up is not the highest-capacity board. At 250 lbs it ties the Atcha 86 for the lowest. It is the lightest board Hala makes at 19 lbs, which is the point of it.
What comes in the box
The Hoss and the Straight Up ship with a B-Line 3-Piece LeverLock Carbon Travel Paddle. A leash is the only thing not included with those two.
The Atcha 86, Atcha 96, Radito and Rado ship without a paddle, so budget for one if you do not already have it.
Common questions
What is the difference between the Hala Atcha 86 and the Atcha 96?
The Atcha 86 is 8'6" long, 34" wide and rated to 250 lbs. The Atcha 96 is 9'6" long, 36" wide and rated to 275 lbs. Both use the StompBox 2.5 retractable fin and the same dual-layer PVC drop-stitch construction. The 86 is the shorter, quicker board, and the 96 is the wider, more stable one with more capacity.
Which Hala boards are built for whitewater?
The four boards with the StompBox 2.5 retractable fin: the Atcha 86, the Atcha 96, the Radito and the Rado. All four also use dual-layer PVC drop-stitch construction with a stringer.
Can I use a Hala Hoss or Straight Up on a river?
Yes, on flatwater and easy moving water. Both use a fixed US Air 7 fin box rather than the retractable StompBox, so they are not the boards to take into rocky rapids where a fixed fin will catch.
Which Hala board holds the most weight?
The Rado, at 325 lbs (147 kg). The Radito is next at 300 lbs, then the Hoss at 280 lbs and the Atcha 96 at 275 lbs. The Atcha 86 and the Straight Up are both rated to 250 lbs.
Which Hala board is the lightest to carry?
The Straight Up at 19 lbs (8.6 kg), then the Hoss at 21.2 lbs. Both use woven drop-stitch construction, which is lighter than the dual-layer PVC build on the four river boards.
Are all Hala boards the same thickness?
Yes. All six are 6 inches (15 cm) thick.
What warranty do Hala boards carry?
Boards from 2021 onward are covered for 5 years against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. Paddles and accessories are covered for 1 year.