Inflatable boats are great fun even when you’re just cruising around with only a paddle to propel you forward, but what’s even more exciting is zooming over the water at high speeds while being pulled by another boat—much like with water skiing or wakeboarding. This is called water tubing, and it’s become one of the most popular water activities during the summer. The best part is that tubing speeds are adjustable, so it can be enjoyed by everybody—from kids and families to thrill-seeking adults with a penchant for extreme water sports.
Tow tubes are required to be made of durable, high-quality inflatable boat materials in order for you to enjoy hours of high-speed water fun. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of good tubes that you can find on the market. It can be quite challenging to shop for your own tow tube, so we’ve listed down the current best picks among many first-timers and experienced tubers.
Best Towable Tubes
Whether you’re planning to ride alone or with up to three other friends or family members, we hope you find what you need from this list of top-rated inflatable tubes—mostly from two of the most notable brands of tow tubes this year.
Airhead HD-3 Hot Dog
This popular, 18-foot Hot Dog towable tube by Airhead is designed to fit up to three riders with its separate seats and handles. With three 30-gauge vinyl air chambers with radio frequency (RF) welded seams and a double-stitched 840-denier nylon cover, you won’t have to worry about damaging it during particularly wild rides. Because of its banana shape, this tube is also able to gain speed in a shorter amount of time compared to other tube styles.
The HD-3 Hot Dog tube is ideal for both kids and adults and features a Boston valve to make it easier to inflate and deflate.
Key Specifications:
- Hotdog-Shaped Towable Tube
- Fits up to 3 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 510 lbs (231.3 kg)
- Three 30-Gauge Vinyl Air Chambers with RF Welded Seams
- Double-Stitched 840-Denier Nylon Cover
- 3 Nylon-Wrapped Handles with Neoprene Knuckle Guards
- Boston Valves for Quick Inflation and Deflation
Airhead Mach
Here’s another inflatable towable by Airhead for those who prefer a sit-in, deck-style tube. The D-shaped Mach Tube fits up to two riders and features backrests for a more comfortable riding position, whether you’re lounging or getting towed at high speeds. It’s made of high-quality PVC and nylon, and the seat bottoms are inflated for your safety and comfort.
Overall, it is one of the best (and most reasonably-priced) two-person deck-style towable tubes that you can find on the market.
Key Specifications:
- D-Shaped Deck Style Tube
- Fits up to 2 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 510 lbs (231 kg)
- Heavy Gauge PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Double-Stitched Partial 840-Denier Nylon Cover
- 4 Nylon Handles with Neoprene Knuckle Guards
- Speed Safety Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
O’Brien Super Screamer
The O’Brien Super Screamer is another good quality tube, although it requires its riders to kneel or lay down (whether on their bellies or on their backs) in order to ride it. This style may not be ideal for beginners, but it offers great fun for two adventurous adults. It features a 26-gauge PVC bladder that ensures durability and buoyancy while being towed, two EVA foam pads for added comfort, and six handles with EVA Knuckle Guards that you can comfortably hang on to while you scream your lungs out.
When you do fall off, the Super Screamer has pull-up straps to help you get back on.
Key Specifications:
- Donut-Shaped Flat Deck Tube
- Fits up to 2 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 340 lbs (154.2 kg)
- 26-Gauge PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Full 420-Denier Nylon Cover
- 6 Handles with EVA Knuckle Guards
- Boston Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
Airhead G-Force
If you like the O’Brien tube but want something a bit bigger, the Airhead’s G-Force is a comparable option that’s large enough (78” x 75”) to fit up to three kids or adults. It has six nylon-covered neoprene knuckle guard handles that the riders can hang on to, as well as topside stabilizer fins to allow the tube to cut through the water easily while being towed.
As an Airhead standard, the G-Force also has a heavy-duty nylon cover, a Kwik-Connect accessory for quick and easy tow hookups, and a Boston valve.
Key Specifications:
- D-Shaped Flat Deck Tube
- Fits up to 3 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 510 lbs (231 kg)
- 30-Gauge PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Double-Stitched 840-Denier Nylon Cover
- 6 Nylon Handles with Neoprene Knuckle Guards
- Boston Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
SportsStuff Big Mable
Aside from Airhead, SportsStuff is another brand that is heavily featured in many of the “best towable tubes” lists online. In fact, their Big Mable Towable is a heavy favorite, mainly because of its cool new chariot design with a higher backrest and comfortable, padded sidewalls. It also has dual hook-up tow points to allow up to two persons to ride it in several ways—sitting, lying belly down, on your knees, or even backward.
Even if you use it frequently, the Big Mable’s heavy-duty PVC build with radio frequency welded seams and double-stitched nylon cover ensure that the tube will last through years of use.
Key Specifications:
- D-Shaped Chariot Style Tube
- Fits up to 2 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 340 lbs (154 kg)
- Heavy Gauge K80 PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Double-Stitched Nylon Cover
- Double-Webbing Foam Handles with Knuckle Guards
- Speed Safety Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
Airhead Super Slice
The Super Slice by Airhead is a slightly smaller and more affordable version of the G-Force. Nonetheless, you get the same high-quality materials—a 30-gauge PVC bladder with RF welded seams and 840-denier nylon cover—to ensure its durability in the water even with three full-sized adults onboard. The tow harness has been strengthened and its 6 nylon-wrapped handles with neoprene knuckle guards make it easy to hang on for dear life.
Our favorite feature is the tube’s thicker front, which makes it more comfortable to lie on and easier to remount in the event that it flips over.
Key Specifications:
- Round Donut Style Tube
- Fits up to 3 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 510 lbs (231 kg)
- 30-Gauge Virgin PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Rugged 840-Denier Nylon Cover
- 6 Nylon-Wrapped Handles with Neoprene Knuckle Guards
- Speed Safety Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
SportsStuff Chariot Warbird 2
Proving that SportsStuff is great at manufacturing different tube designs, their Chariot Warbird 2 also makes it to the list of the best towable tubes this year. The inflatable tube features high-quality materials, particularly their extra-strong K80 PVC bladder with RF welded seams and double-stitched full nylon Cover with zipper, so you can enjoy many years of fun without worrying about the tube getting damaged. Hand grips are extra padded and a backward-facing tow point has been included to allow for more thrilling rides on this attractive chariot tube.
Key Specifications:
- D-Shaped Chariot Style Tube
- Fits up to 2 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 340 lbs (154 kg)
- Heavy Gauge K80 PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Double-Stitched Full Nylon Cover with Zipper
- Double-Webbing Foam Handles with Knuckle Guards
- Speed Safety Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
SportsStuff Siesta
Alas, here’s a special tow tube for those who are riding alone. The SportsStuff Siesta features cup holders, zippered storage compartments, inflatable armrests, a backrest, and a foldable footrest to provide convenience, comfort, and security when you’re being towed or simply relaxing in the middle of a lake or pool. Despite it being more compact and affordable, the brand doesn’t skimp on quality—this inflatable features a heavy-gauge PVC bladder with RF welded seams, complete with a full nylon cover. A safety speed valve also makes it convenient for you to inflate and deflate without assistance.
Key Specifications:
- Floating Lounge Style Tube
- Fits 1 Person
- Inflatable Backrest and Foldable Footrest
- Heavy-Gauge PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Full Nylon Cover
- Safety Speed Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
SportsStuff Rascal
Here’s another SportsStuff towable for you solo riders out there. As an upgrade to the classic donut-style tow tube, the SportsStuff Rascal allows you to sit inside the center hole while your legs dangle outwards. Alternatively, you can lie on your stomach facing forward and challenge yourself to hang on to any of the six available handles for as long as possible for that extra adrenaline rush. The tube is also built to withstand strong pull pressure at high speeds, thanks to its heavy-gauge PVC bladder and partial nylon cover.
Key Specifications:
- Round Donut Style Tube
- Fits 1 Person
- Max Weight Capacity of 170 lbs (77 kg)
- Heavy-Gauge PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Double-Stitched Partial Nylon Cover
- 6 Double-Webbing Foam Handles with Knuckle Pads
- Patented Speed Safety Valve for Easy Inflation & Deflation
Airhead Switchback
Last but not least is this spacious, uniquely designed Airhead tow tube that fits four riders, with two kneeling at the back and two sitting in front of the inflatable backrest divider. It’s a great choice that allows a family or group of friends to try (and alternate between) two different kinds of riding. Since the weight is heavier towards the back part of the tube, the Switchback is built with two heavy-gauge PVC bladders and double-stitched full 840-denier nylon cover for extra durability, as well as two Speed Safety Valves so you can ensure that it is always properly inflated.
Key Specifications:
- Oval-Shaped Deck/Chariot Style Tube
- Fits up to 4 Persons
- Max Weight Capacity of 680 lbs (309 kg)
- Heavy-Gauge PVC Bladder with RF Welded Seams
- Double-Stitched Full 840-Denier Nylon Cover
- Nylon Handles with Neoprene Knuckle Guards
- Dual Speed Safety Valves for Easy Inflating & Deflating
