Gili Air Inflatable SUP Review

Okay so you want a beginner friendly, easy to ride, super portable inflatable paddle board that can be enjoyed by the whole family?  The Gili 10’6″ Air fits the bill and not only that but the price is exceptional good for what you get.

The 10’6″ Air has a very typical all-around SUP shape with the rounded nose.  It tapers slightly at the tale but keeps the 31″ width through the main body so it feels quite stable even though it is a smaller board.

It is not a super performer but it’s easy to ride and all things considered it is quite versatile.  You can take this board on lakes, ocean or river and because it only ways 19 lbs. it is extremely easy to carry anywhere and handle.

SPECS

L x W x T	10'6" x 31" x 6"
BOARD WEIGHT	19 LBS.
MAX LOAD	280 LBS.
VOLUME	225L
STABILITY
PERFORMANCE
PRICE	CHECK PRICE

BEST SUITED FOR

Why is the Gili Air considered a beginner friendly board?  In my opinion it is beginner friendly for a few reasons:

1. It is light and portable and easy for anyone to handle.
2. It has a lower price-point that will appeal to those just getting into SUP or for those looking for a second board for family and friends to use.
3. It has an all-around shape that tends to be easier to paddle than a more tapered board.
4. It also is stable enough for many beginners to start out on but not so large and stable that there isn’t room to grow your skills.

I don’t find the Air that exiting to paddle and a more experienced rider may want to invest in an inflatable SUP that performs better.

However this board gets you on the water so you can begin to get comfortable with your SUP strokes and balance.

It’s an ideal board for travel as it is so light and easy to carry and it’s also a fantastic board for kids to paddle and learn to SUP.

Although it is considered a smaller board you can still easily fit a dog if your pup wants to come out for a ride, especially if your dog is on the smaller side.

If you have a large dog you may want a slightly wider board for more space and stability such as the Gili Adventure but it’s still doable with the Air if you’re willing to give it a go.

JUST KEEP CRUISING

This board does not glide fast but it cruises great.  With the Gili Air you’re just going to cruise around on lakes, calm rivers or ocean bays.

It plows through chop really well and is very easy to turn and maneuver.  In fact I noticed that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to paddle forward or turn quickly.

It’s a great cruiser for family fun days on the water.

SETUP

I found setup of this paddleboard to be particularly easy.

It took me just over six minutes to inflate with the included hand pump and the fins click in really fast and easy.  I can honestly be completely setup and on the water within ten minutes of arriving.

Putting it away after use is just as quick and easy.  A quick towel dry, deflate the board, remove the fins, roll it up and place it back in the convenient backpack.

Sometimes people don’t realize how quick it can be to setup and deflate an inflatable SUP.  They are incredibly convenient.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

For a budget friendly board the Gili Air is not only well made but also has some nice features.

NOSE AND TAIL BUNGEES

The nose of the board has a fairly large six-point bungee system that is ideal for storing a dry bag or two, your water bottle or any gear you need to keep safe on your board.

At the tail is a smaller 4-point bungee section.  These bungees can be unclipped and removed if you don’t want to use them and keep them out of your way.

I use the bungees all the time and personally really appreciate a board that has two bungee systems.  They are very handy and convenient for securing your gear.

SMOOTH DECK PAD

The deck pad on the Air ISUP has a few different patterns.

The center section is smooth with lined grooves.  This is the section where you stand or kneel.

It is soft and comfortable.  The lined grooves help with a bit of traction but mostly it’s just soft comfortable surface for your feet.

Moving to the back of the deck pad you’ll notice the diamond groove pad.

This traction pad design provides more grip which is ideal if you are stepping back, positioning your feet and doing pivot turns.

NOSE AND TAIL GRAB HANDLES

There is a flat nylon grab handle at both the tail and the nose of the board.

These handles are great to grab from the water if you fall in.  They are also very handy for pulling the board into shore or if two people are carrying the board.

PADDED CENTER CARRY HANDLE

The two-inch wide center carry handle has decent padding to make it more comfortable when carrying the board any distance.

18 D-RINGS

You’ll find there is no shortage of D-rings on the Gili Air.  6 are being used by the front bungees, 4 by the back bungees, plus two 3/4 of the way back on the deck pad and two on either side of the center deck pad that can be used for securing a kayak seat or shoulder strap.

Plus there is also one D-ring at the tail of the board for securing your board leash and one attached to the action mount at the very tip of the nose.

KAYAK SEAT AND SHOULDER STRAP ATTACHMENT

The two D-rings on either side of the center deck pad are specifically for securing a kayak seat or carry strap.

This board could be a lot of fun to paddle kayak-style if you wanted to secure a seat and add a kayak blade to your package.  Gili sells both of these as well.

SIDE PADDLE HOLDER

The side paddle holder is a pretty cool feature.

The paddle secures in two velcro straps on the right side of the board.

When secured in the velcro straps the paddle stays secure.  This can be really handy to keep your other hand free when carrying the board or if you want to keep your paddle off the deck pad while doing yoga, fishing or just hanging out on the water.

There’s nothing worse than losing your paddle in the water (and it happens!).  This paddle holder keeps your paddle safe and secure when not in use.

THREE ACTION MOUNTS

The action mount at the nose of the board is ideal for securing an action cam for taking those great shots.

There are also two smaller action mounts at the front of the deck pad that are perfect for securing a phone mount, a cup holder or other accessories.

SNAP-IN FINS

All three fins are removable and very easy to clip into the fin box, it only takes seconds to secure them or remove them.

There are two smaller 5″ side fins as well as one longer center race fin.

Unless paddling in very shallow water I would suggest using all three fins as they really help with tracking and better performance.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?

Included with your Gili Air paddle board you’ll also get:

• A Backpack Carry Bag
• 3-Piece SUP Paddle
• Dual Action Hand Pump
• 8′ Coiled SUP Leash
• 3 Removable Fins
• Repair Kit
• Owners Manual

BACKPACK

The backpack is really nice.  It has great padding on the shoulder straps and the back making it quite comfortable to carry.

The bag zips open on three sides so it is easy to remove the contents as well as pack it back up.  It can hold the board and all accessories easily and is perfect for storing the board in a small space when not in use.

The shoulder straps, waist strap and chest strap are fully adjustable for a good fit and there are multiple mesh and zippered pockets that can be used to store the fins, repair kit and other small accessories or gear.

This is a very functional backpack that makes it easy to transport the Gili Air anywhere.

3-PIECE SUP PADDLE

You have the choice of an aluminum or fiberglass paddle with the Air package.

The aluminum paddle is a little heavier and adjustable from 64″ to 86″.  This paddle is very durable, floats and breaks down into three pieces.

If you want a slightly lighter paddle then the fiberglass paddle is a good choice.  It is adjustable from 67″ to 86″, floats as well and breaks down into three pieces for easy storage and travel.

If you are just starting out the aluminum paddle is just fine and it will help keep the price down a bit.  As your paddling skills improve you may want to upgrade to a lighter paddle down the road.

DUAL-ACTION HAND PUMP

The hand pump has two settings so that you can easily inflate your board to 15 PSI.  This isn’t a large board and it only took me just over 6 minutes to fully inflate with the included hand pump.

Hand pumping is always a little work but it’s no big deal and you get used to it quickly.

The nice thing about this pump is that the base and handles are removable so the pump is a little more convenient to be packaged away in the backpack.

8′ COILED LEASH

The coiled SUP leash is strong and durable.  It secures around your ankle and to the D-ring at the tail of the board.

This leash will make sure your board is never swept away if you should fall off your board.

3 REMOVABLE FINS

The three fins as mentioned before are all removable and easily clip into the fin boxes.

There are two smaller side fins as well as once larger center race fin.  These fins really help to keep the board on a straight course and help to keep it performing well.

COLOR OPTIONS

The Gili Air comes in several different fun bright color options.  Flick through the photos below, there’s a color to suit everyone.

WARRANTY

All Gili inflatable stand up paddle boards come with a great 2-year warranty and a 60-day ride it guarantee.

The accessories included in the package come with a 90-day warranty.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST DEAL

Go to Gilisports.com – They have the 10’6″ Air on for a really great sale price right now.

*Plus if you purchase two boards you can also save an extra $80 with coupon code BUY2SAVE80.

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