The NIXY Manhattan is a fast, straight-tracking and extremely fun touring inflatable paddleboard that’s suitable for those looking to paddle long distances. NIXY made a lot of nice improvements to its iSUP line in their most recent 2019 refresh and the Manhattan G3 is a well-constructed board with a ton of new features.
Headquartered in California, NIXY has grown their paddleboard range over the past few years and now has a total of 4 models ranging in sizes from 9’6″ to 12’6″ in length: the Newport all-around model, the ultra-compact Huntington travel iSUP, the Venice fitness board, and the Manhattan touring SUP which we will cover in this review.
In this review of the updated NIXY Manhattan G3, we’ll take a look at all of the improvements that the company has made and also discuss the reasons why it’s a great board to consider if you’re looking for a touring SUP.
NIXY Manhattan G3 Inflatable SUP Overview
As mentioned, NIXY has done a really nice job with all of the boards in their updated range. The Manhattan G3 is NIXY’s longest board at 12’6″, and is designed for touring and exploring longer distances. The Manhattan’s long, slender dimensions and its single-center fin makes it one of the faster-touring iSUPs we’ve reviewed with great tracking and effortless glide.
It’s worth noting that most touring boards feature a long-and-thin shape that is great for speed and efficient paddling, but you necessarily give up a little stability compared to more general-purpose all-around designs. If you’d rather have more stability and versatility in exchange for a little less speed, we recommend all-around SUPS like the NIXY Newport, iROCKER ALL-AROUND 10’ or iROCKER ALL-AROUND 11’.
In 2019, NIXY updated the construction of the Manhattan to a new “fusion” technology, bringing the weight of the SUP from 30 lbs down to 22 lbs. It’s easily one of the lighter touring boards we’ve seen and this makes it both nicer to carry and livelier in the water.
Capable of supporting up to 350 pounds, the Manhattan offers plenty of buoyancy for paddlers of all sizes along with a moderate amount of gear.
Construction
The NIXY Manhattan features a special lightweight drop-stitch construction consisting of high-quality materials that keep the weight down without sacrificing durability. The inner core of the board provides excellent stiffness while the outer PVC layers prevent damage caused by sharp objects. In 2019, NIXY also added carbon rails and a higher-than-average max PSI of 20. All combined, this gives the board excellent stiffness and perhaps a bit more more durable since the rails are usually the part of the board that gets knocked around the most.
Features
The Halkey-Roberts valve is located at the nose of the board, which we love because it makes rolling up the board much easier after using it. We wish more iSUP brands would do this. The nose of the Manhattan also features a new grab handle and 4 D-rings with a bungee storage area.
The top of the NIXY Manhattan is covered by an EVA foam traction pad with a new logo embossed traction pattern. The updated deck pad provides an excellent grip and feels good under bare feet.
The middle of the board features a convenient neoprene covered handle for carrying your board in and out of the water. In 2019, NIXY made the neoprene portion of the handle removable for comfort when laying down on the board. There also 2 D-rings that can be used to attach an optional kayak seat or as additional tie-down points for extra gear.
NIXY made a few upgrades to the tail of the board in 2019. They added a rear bungee storage area, 6 additional D-rings, and another grab handle for pulling your board in and out of the water. Also at the tail of the board is an additional D-ring for attaching the included coiled leash.
The bottom of the board features a single fin and a convenient D-ring for towing or tethering the NIXY Manhattan.
- Construction
- Stability
- Features
- Versatility
- Speed
- Warranty
Specs
| LENGTH | 12'6" |
| WIDTH | 30" |
| THICKNESS | 6" |
| WEIGHT | 22 lbs |
| MAX CAPACITY | 350 lbs |
| PRICE |  |
What’s Included
Included accessories is another area where NIXY really shines. They include everything you need to get on the water, meaning you won’t have to spend extra money on accessories after your board arrives.
In the box are the following:
- 3-wheeled travel backpack
- Coiled ankle leash
- Twin chamber, 3-stage Typhoon pump for faster, easier inflation
- 3-piece adjustable fiberglass paddle
- iSUP repair kit
- Adjustable shoulder carry strap
The backpack is one of the nicer ones available out there and rolls quite easily. The adjustable carry strap also comes in quite handy. NIXY is unique in including this, where most brands sell it as an optional add-on.
Warranty
The NIXY Manhattan is covered for 2 years in the event of a manufacturing defect. Additionally, NIXY throws in a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure that all customers are completely satisfied with their purchase.
Where to Buy It
The Manhattan is available for purchase at NIXY’s online store. NIXY offers great prices, great discount promotions, free shipping, and excellent customer service (both before and after a sale is made).
Final Thoughts
We are very impressed with NIXY’s updated Manhattan G3 inflatable SUP. This is a fast, fun touring board that is perfect for long paddling adventures. We love the light but durable construction of the Manhattan, the improved details, and the quality accessories that come with this board.
If you’re looking for a more stable, all-around board, we recommend checking out NIXY’s other boards such as the NIXY Newport, Venice, or Huntington models.
