If you are new to paddleboarding and want a reliable and stable board that is not only fun to ride but super affordable, the 2022 Gili Air inflatable SUP is a fantastic choice!
The Air is easy to transport, quick to setup, loaded with great features and easy to paddle on lakes, ocean bays and calm rivers.
This board is a winner for beginner to novice riders and even intermediate paddlers will appreciate cruising around on the Air iSUP.
Lower priced boards are not all created equal and unless you really know exactly what to look for it can be tough to know which board is worth the money.
Rest assured the Gili Air is a good buy. Let’s explore more to find out why!…
SPECS
The 2022 Gili Air inflatable SUP comes in two different size options. There is a smaller 10’6″ Air model, which is the one that I have.
There is also the option of a longer 11’6″ Air for those who want more space, extra stability and the ability to carry larger loads.
| L x W x T | 10'6" x 32" x 6" | 11'6" x 32" x 6" |
| BOARD WEIGHT | 19 LBS. | 21 LBS. |
| MAX LOAD | 280 LBS. | 295 LBS. |
| VOLUME | 225L | 234L |
| STABILITY |  | |
| PERFORMANCE |  | |
| PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
NEW FOR 2022
Gili has made some changes to their popular Air paddle board this year and I really love what they have created.
NEW SIZE – Besides the regular 10’6″ model they have also added in a longer 11’6″ Air for those who want a board that can carry more weight and provide a little extra stability.
NEW DESIGN – The design and colors have changed for this year and I really like the fun bright colors that are offered.
NEW SHAPE AND WIDTH – Gili has added an extra inch to the width and changed the shape of the board to a new hybrid design.
The 32″ width provides more stability yet the tapered nose keeps it moving smoothly through the water.
IMPROVED ISUP BAG – The Gili backpack zips open on three sides and has lots of extra space making it easy to get your board in and out.
It has tons of pockets for carrying the accessories and extra gear as well as a unique fin pocket for keeping your fins safe when not in use.
The padded shoulder and waist strap make it easy and fairly comfortable to carry on your back. This bag is well thought out and convenient to use.
BEST SUITED FOR
This all-around SUP is ideal for cruising with family, friends or your best SUP pup on lakes, calm rivers or ocean bays.
The Air is stable and really easy to paddle. It’s an ideal starter board as there isn’t much of a learning curve. Most people will feel quite comfortable on the Air very quickly. For that reason it is also ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Also it’s affordable so if you’re looking to get into paddle boarding but don’t want to empty your wallet with a high priced board you can start with the Gili Air and know that you are getting a good quality SUP for a great price.
You really get a lot for your money with this package.
VERSATILITY
Also worth mentioning the Air is extremely versatile and can be used for many different adventures.
It stable enough to be used for SUP yoga, it has plenty of attachment points that make it ideal for fishing, it works for piling on the kids or your dogs and if you’re just looking to cruise around on the lake this summer, it’s perfect for that too!
It handles well on most types of water so you can feel comfortable taking his board anywhere.
TRAVEL FRIENDLY
Whether you go for the 10’6″ Air or the longer 11’6″ Air both boards are extremely light weight. At 19 lbs. and 21 lbs. respectively these boards are super easy to carry and transport.
Inflatable SUP’s used to be so heavy in the past and I can’t tell you how good it feels to take out a nice lightweight paddle board.
It is easy and convenient and whether you are just throwing it in the trunk of your vehicle, walking through trails to a beautiful lake or traveling to a sunny hot spot by plane or boat, the Air is easy to bring along. It’s very portable!
PERFORMANCE & STABILITY
This board isn’t speedy but it also isn’t sluggish. The shape and design help it to cruise along smoothly and I also found it easy enough to turn and maneuver as well.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to paddle and with the 32″ width it feels very comfortable to ride.
I also found it to handle smaller waves and wake from boats very well. When taking the waves head on the Air stayed steady and had no trouble plowing through the chop.
There’s decent space to bring along your dog on your paddling adventures if you choose to as well even on the 10’6″ model. If you have a large dog you may want to go for the longer 11’6″ Air for added space and stability.
AWESOME FEATURES
Often with lower priced boards we don’t see a lot of features offered.
With the Gili Air you get many of the premium features you see on high end paddle boards but for a much lower price.
DUAL BUNGEE SYSTEM
I love when boards include two bungee systems. This provides lots of room to store gear. On the Gili AIR you’ll find both front and rear cargo bungees.
The rear bungees are removable so if you’d rather not use them and would like to keep that space clear, you can easily unclip the bungees and remove them from the board.
I personally find that I often use both sets of bungees for my dry bag, water bottle and my flip flops.
ACTION MOUNTS
PADDLE HOLDER
Unique to the Gili paddle boards is the side-mounted paddle holder.
You can secure your paddle under the velcro strips to be hands free and keep your paddle safe.
The paddle holder works great, the paddle is completely secure when strapped in.
I didn’t find I used it often but it’s a nice feature and handy if you plan to do any yoga on your SUP or any other activity where you want the paddle safely out of the way.
GROOVED & DIAMOND DECK PAD
The deck pad is a decent size so there is plenty of decking for different activities or for paddling with your dog or the kiddos.
The majority of the pad has lined grooves, which is quite comfortable for standing or kneeling but doesn’t provide as much grip.
The rear of the traction pad is diamond grooved, which provides a little extra grip if stepping back and securing your footing.
MULTIPLE CARRY AND GRAB HANDLES
The main center carry handle is padded and feels sturdy and comfortable when carrying the board.
There is also a carry/grab handle at both the nose and the tail as well as two grab handles attached to the front bungees.
So there are lots of options for both carrying the board and grabbing it from the water.
LOTS OF D-RINGS
There are 18 durable stainless steel D-rings on the Gili Air so plenty of tie down points if you need them.
On the sides of the board you’ll find D-rings specifically for securing a kayak seat if you would like to paddle the Air kayak style as well.
NICE ACCESSORY PACKAGE
With the purchase of the board you also get a few nice accessories.
PADDLE
You have the choice of choosing an aluminum paddle or paying a slightly higher cost for a fiberglass paddle.
If just starting out a durable aluminum paddle is a nice way to go. It keeps the cost down and aluminum paddles can take quite a bit of abuse, they hold up well.
However aluminum paddles tend to be heavy so if you’d like a slightly lighter option then for an extra $45 the fiberglass paddle is the way to go.
LEASH
The coiled SUP leash secures to your ankle and to the back D-ring on your paddle board. This keeps your board from floating away from you if you should fall in the water.
It’s a really important safety item and it’s always nice to get a leash included in your ISUP package.
The Gili leash is good quality and comfortable to wear. The coiled leash stays out of the water of your feet and avoids drag in the water. It’s also kind of cool that they have matched the leashes to the colors of the boards.
PUMP
The dual action high-pressure hand pump can inflate your board easily up to the recommended air pressure of 12-15 PSI.
The foot and hand pegs can be removed from the pump so that it is more compact and easy to pack away in the SUP backpack.
The pump includes a pressure gauge so you can watch your progress as you are pumping.
*Tip: Want to avoid the sweat of hand pumping? Gili also sells a 12V electric pump that works well with their paddle boards!
BACKPACK
The Gili backpack is large enough to fit the board and all accessories. It has padded adjustable shoulder straps and waist straps plus a chest strap for added support.
The backpack is really well designed with multiple pockets for storing the accessories and other small items. You can organize all your paddling stuff really well with this bag.
The mesh padding at the back of the bag helps it to stay cool and feel comfortable when carrying the package any distance.
So although this backpack does not have wheels for pulling it’s a nice bag and perfect for storing or transporting you iSUP.
FINS
Included with the Gili Air paddle board are three removable snap-in fins.
There is one 9” race fin that secures to the center fin box and two 4.5” side fins.
I found that I most enjoyed the performance of this board with all three fins attached.
However you can configure the fins based on where you are paddling and how shallow the water is.
The fins easily snap into place and take only seconds to attach and remove.
COLOR OPTIONS
There are a whopping 6 color choices for the Gili Air so you can choose which color suits your personality best.
Color choices include:
- Green
- Blue
- Teal
- Coral
- Camo
- Orange
WARRANTY
All Gili inflatable paddle boards come with a good 2-year warranty. Gili also offers a 60-day ride it guarantee.
If after 60 days you are not happy with your board you can return it for a full refund minus a 20% restocking fee.
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST DEAL
You will always find the best deal for the Gili Air on the official Gili Sports website.
At the moment this board is on sale for a really great price and they are offering a ton of free accessories with your purchase. This is a great time to buy!
Plus with every board purchase Gili donates a small portion to a charity of their choice to help save our oceans, reefs, and endangered sea creatures. Bonus!
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