Gili Komodo Inflatable SUP Kayak Review

I’ve loved the Gili Komodo paddle board since it first came out and this latest model does not disappoint.  This hybrid SUP/kayak offers the ultimate in versatility and the convenience to take it anywhere.

The length to width ratio will suit the majority of people.  The Komodo is stable, lightweight at only 21 lbs. and very easy to paddle.  Even brand new riders will feel good on this board really fast.

KOMODO SPECS

• LENGTH:  11′ long
• WIDTH:  33″ wide
• THICKNESS:  6″ thick
• WEIGHT:  21 lbs.
• VOLUME:  235L
• MAX LOAD:  325 – 410 lbs.
• WARRANTY:  2 years

BEST DEAL

The best price for the Gili Komodo SUP can be found at GiliSports.com.

WHO IS THE KOMODO BEST SUITED FOR?

The Komodo will suit just about any recreational paddler.  Whether you are paddling solo or planning to take out a child or a dog for a ride, whether you are a new or advanced rider, and whether or not you want to stand or sit while paddling, the Komodo will handle all situations quite well.

I like riding the Komodo on my local lakes and calm rivers.  The 33″ width make it feel very comfortable right off the bat yet the tapered nose and 11′ length keep it gliding smoothly

I don’t find the Komodo fast but it makes up for the lack of speed with total comfort and ease of use.

It has a stable enough platform to use for SUP yoga as well.  Especially because the nose and tail bungees are removable so you can clear the board for more space to practice those yoga poses on the water.

RATHER WATCH A VIDEO?

CHECK OUT MY VIDEO REVIEW BELOW.

SUP OR KAYAK?

Not sure which you want to do?  The Komodo allows you to do both!

Included in this package is a kayak seat, a thick foam kayak cushion for added support, inflatable foot rest and kayak blade.

If you don’t feel like stand up paddling you can secure the seat and foot rest and switch over to paddling kayak-style.

This provides excellent versatility for those who want the option to sit or stand on their paddle board.

I personally prefer to stand as opposed to kayaking but it is really nice to have the option to sit if needed in certain situations.

Pro Tip:  If you start off by standing on your board you can take the kayak gear with you by securing it all under the deck bungees.

However I would not recommend trying to attach the seat and foot rest to the board while on the water.  Instead it will be much easier to dock on shore and then attach the kayak seat and foot rest and secure the kayak blade.

HOW STABLE IS THE KOMODO?

I find the Komodo to be very stable.  The newest model has been lengthened slightly to 11′ long.  The length combined with the 33″ width provides a good stable platform.  A board much wider than that can get quite sluggish.

This size is ideal for easy recreational paddling, cruising with friends and exploring shorelines.

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT FEATURES?

The Komodo is an easy board to love.  Mainly because it looks great, is comfortable to ride and has all the features you could possible want for an awesome day out on the water.

It is loaded with great features that are sure to provide an excellent paddling experience.

COMFY EVA DECK PAD

The EVA deck pad covers the length of the board so there is lots of room to maneuver.  Embossed with the Gili logo the smooth deck pad is durable and comfortable for standing, kneeling or sitting.

Under the tail bungees the deck pad is diamond grooved providing more grip if you are stepping back or performing other moves.

NOSE AND TAIL REMOVABLE BUNGEES

The two bungee areas are quite large.  There is ample space for securing lots of gear.

However if you don’t want the bungees to be in the way they are very easy to remove by unclipping them.  This is a great feature.

SIDE PADDLE HOLDER

Gili has long included a side paddle holder on their boards.  On the right side of the Komodo you’ll find two velcro straps that can be used to secure your paddle when not in use.

This allows you to be hands free if needed without the fear of losing your paddle.

3 REMOVABLE SNAP-IN FINS

The three fins are extremely easy to secure.  They slide into the fin boxes and secure by pressing down on the lever.

There are no extra parts to keep track of and it takes mere seconds to secure and remove the fins.

The board comes with a 9″ main fin and two smaller side fins.  The fins greatly help to keep the board paddling straight and balanced.

LOADS OF D-RINGS

There are D-rings all along the length of both sides of the board so there are lots of options for positioning the kayak seat and foot rest.

All of these connection points make it easy to secure any gear you want to bring along for the ride.

GRAB HANDLES

You’ll find one grab handle at both the nose and tail as well as grab handles on each side of the nose and tail bungees.

These grab handles are ideal if you are in the water and need to grab your board or if you are carrying the board with two people.

PADDED CENTER CARRY HANDLE

The center carry handle has some neoprene padding that really helps make it more comfortable to carry.

THREE ACTION MOUNTS

I love that many paddle board companies are including action mounts on their boards now.

These mounts are fantastic because they allow you to secure an action cam such as a GoPro or even secure a cup holder, speaker or fishing rod holder.

Check out the Gili Accessories page for a list of action mount attachments.

HOW GOOD IS THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION?

The Gili iSUP’s are made with military grade PVC and constructed with fusion laminated technology.

I’ve never had any issues with any of their boards and find them to be strong and durable.

The fusion laminated technology helps to create a lightweight board that is easy to transport and carry.

This is a board you can rely on.  With a little care it should last a long time.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?

The Komodo bundle has everything you need to paddle standing or to use as a kayak.  All accessories are durable and useful.

With the Komodo board purchase you get:

3-PIECE CARBON SHAFT, NYLON BLADE SUP PADDLE/KAYAK BLADE

The paddle comes apart into three pieces.  By removing the handle part of the SUP paddle you can then secure the kayak blade to turn the SUP paddle into a kayak paddle.

KAYAK SEAT

The kayak seat has a little padding on the seat and an adjustable back.  It secures to the D-rings on the board and I find it quite comfortable for paddling any distance.

The straps are adjustable so you can tighten them to make the back more rigid for better support.

With so many D-rings on the Komodo you can position the seat wherever works best for you.

KAYAK CUSHION

Included with this bundle is a thick foam kayak cushion that can be added to your kayak seat in order to sit up a little higher and have more cushioning.

Using this cushion is a personal choice.  I find that I actually prefer to sit with just the kayak seat when paddling and prefer not to bother bringing an extra accessory.

However many people will enjoy sitting up higher with the foam cushion and it’s awesome that the added cushioning is included in the package.

You can try it for yourself and see what feels best for you.

INFLATABLE FOOT REST

The foot rest can be inflated with the hand pump, it takes only a few seconds to fully inflate.

The foot rest can be attached to the D-rings on the paddle board.  This foot rest is a fantastic accessory that can be used if you are paddling your board kayak-style.

Although it works great as a foot rest I also found that I really enjoyed using it for support under my knees when I was sitting on the kayak cushion. You’ll notice in many of my pictures that this is where I have it positioned.

With so many D-ring options on the board you can place the foot rest where it feels best for you.

COILED SUP LEASH

The coiled SUP leash is a great safety item that will keep the board close to you if you should fall in the water.

One end of the leash secures to the D-ring at the tail of the board while the other end Velcro’s around your ankle.

The leash is durable and strong and matches the color of the Komodo.

DUAL ACTION HAND PUMP

The hand pump works great and will inflate the SUP to the recommended 12-15 PSI easily.

Start in double action mode then once it gets too hard to pump remove the clip and continue inflating in single action mode until you reach the desired PSI level.

The gauge on top of the pump will show you when you have reached 15 PSI.

THREE REMOVABLE FINS

As mentioned above the 9″ main fin and two smaller side fins quickly and easily secure to the board and greatly help with tracking.

DELUXE BACKPACK WITH WHEELS

I love the Gili SUP backpack.  It’s a great size, fits the board and all of the accessories, has wheels so you can pull it like a suitcase plus has padded shoulder and waist straps for easy transport.

The backpack is durable with strong zippers and opens on three sides making it easy to get everything in and out.

This is a great bag and a bonus in this SUP package.  If you need to carry it on your back there is decent padding in the adjustable shoulder straps and waist strap plus there is a chest strap for added support.

It has ample pockets for storing the fins, the leash and other small accessories.  If you plan to travel with your paddle board this backpack makes it super easy to transport.

REPAIR KIT

The repair kit includes a PVC patch, valve wrench and marine glue.  Everything you need to make any fixes that are needed.

DOG RESCUE DONATION BUNDLE

Love dogs?  Me too and Gili is doing something really cool with the purchase of every Komodo paddle board/kayak package.

They have partnered up with the company Max & Neo and with the purchase of this SUP package they are giving away a fantastic bundle of dog gear to a dog rescue of YOUR choice.

I was sent this box of dog gear and can tell you that I was seriously impressed.  The bundle includes over $650 worth of dog gear from Max and Neo.

Check out the quick video below to see exactly what is included in this bundle.

 

This stuff is excellent quality!  The goodies are all one ingredient healthy treats, which really impressed me.  The leashes and collars are very durable and come in an array of fantastic colors.  Plus there are some really great crinkly toys to entertain the pups.

This is a win-win.  You get a fantastic paddle board and some rescue pups in need get excellent gear, toys and treats.  It doesn’t get any better than that?

I will be dropping off this box of dog gear at one of my local dog rescue organizations close to me here.  Pictures of that to come soon!

HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY?

All Gili paddle boards come with a great 2 year warranty and 60-day guarantee.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST DEAL?

Go straight to GiliSports.com for the best price on the Gili Komodo SUP/Kayak.

BOTTOM LINE

The Gili Komodo is truly an awesome inflatable paddle board.  You won’t be disappointed with this package.  It includes everything you need for fun on the water whether you want to stand or sit and use the board as a kayak.

It is highly portable and easy to transport, doesn’t take up much space to store and sets up easily.  It’s light and easy to carry and versatile enough that the whole family can enjoy it.

The Gili Komodo is a definite winner in the inflatable SUP world!

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

Have you tried this paddle board/kayak?  Let us know what you think in the comments below.