Gili 10′ Mako Inflatable SUP Review

A smaller paddle board has a lot of advantages, are often very quick and easy to maneuver and are also super portable and easy to transport.

The Gili 10′ Mako is an excellent all-around SUP for beginner riders looking for a versatile smaller board that can be taken anywhere.

The smaller size of the Mako is best suited for riders 5’10” and under and the hybrid shape and design makes it ideal for paddling on both calm water and in light surf and chop.

Although it is shorter in length at 10′ long it has a stable 32″ width so it still feels fairly stable even though it is not a large board.

For that reason you will likely find it easy to get used to even if you are just starting out.

SPECS

L x W x T	10' x 32” x 6"
WEIGHT / MAX LOAD	20 LBS / 260 LBS
STABILITY
PERFORMANCE
FINS	3 removable fins
WARRANTY	2 YEARS
PRICE	CLICK HERE FOR BEST DEAL

COLORS

The Mako is nice and bright and stands out well in the water.  It comes in two different color options, blue or green.

BEST SUITED FOR?

You might be surprised at just how versatile a smaller ISUP can be.

It’s always nice to have a smaller SUP option for those times when you just want a lightweight and easy to transport board that will handle well in most situations.

Or you may want a board that can be shared amongst family members as the Mako can be used by both adults and kids.

Even though it is smaller, it can still hold a lot of weight but it is going to feel more balanced for a rider with a smaller frame who is under 5’10” tall.

I like using it on lakes and calm rivers but if you feel comfortable it will be easy enough to maneuver through chop and light surf if you have the skill.

WHAT IS A HYBRID BOARD?

The Mako is considered to have a hybrid design but just what does that mean?

The two most common types of inflatable SUP’s are an all-around board that has more of a rounded nose and slightly tapered tail and a touring board that is typically a little leaner with a more tapered nose and tail.

These two styles of paddle boards serve a different purpose and they will excel in different ways.

The all-around boards are often more beginner friendly and a little more versatile whereas the touring boards are ideal for faster more efficient paddling.

I would classify a hybrid board as more of an all-around board with a slightly more tapered outline. So it’s kind of a cross between the two and therefore becomes a jack of all trades but a master at none.

The hybrid shape allows the Mako to still glide well through the water even with the 32” stable width.

In the pic above you can see the 10′ Mako on the right with the slightly larger Gili 10’6″ Air on the left.

These are both great boards that are very versatile and ideal for family fun.

HOW PORTABLE IS THE MAKO?

The board itself weighs only 20 lbs. so as you can imagine the Mako is very easy to carry both when fully inflated and when packed away in the included backpack.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to lug this SUP around.

When deflated it rolls up into quite a small package and fits easily in the well designed Gili ISUP bag that can be carried on your back.

HOW DURABLE IS THE MAKO?

The 10′ Mako is constructed with dual layer fusion technology and feels very strong when fully inflated to 12-15 PSI.. It will handle a lot and should hold up well.

Fusion technology is used by many inflatable SUP manufacturers and is known to create a durable, strong and lightweight board.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST DEAL ON THE GILI MAKO ISUP AT GILISPORTS.COM.

IMPORTANT FEATURES TO BE AWARE OF

5 ACTION MOUNTS

With the 5 action mounts attached to the board it gives you multiple points to outfit your SUP with an action cam, cup holder, fishing rod holder or other accessories.

You’ll find one main action mount right at the nose of the board, this one is perfect for securing an action cam and capturing some great shots.

Then there are two more mounts at the base of the front  bungees as well as two more at the rear of the deck pad.

PADDLE HOLDER

On the right side of the Mako just at the edge of the deck pad are two little Velcro straps that work as a paddle holder.

This is a cool feature that allows you to safely secure your paddle and be hands free if you need to be.

The Velcro straps work well and the paddle is very secure when strapped in.

GROOVED & DIAMOND DECK PAD

The main part of the deck pad where you stand has soft lined grooves.  It’s a comfortable deck pad that feels nice for both standing or kneeling.

At the rear of the deck pad it transitions into a diamond groove pattern which is known to provide better grip.

This way your feet will have more grip and traction when stepping back for pivot turns or other maneuvers.

6-POINT FRONT BUNGEES

The large front bungee section is secured to 6 separate stainless steel D-rings.

I found these bungees to be perfect for storing a dry bag, water bottle or other gear and I use them constantly.

You’ll notice there is also a padded grab handle on either side of these bungees that can be used for holding onto the board or grabbing the board from the water.

6-POINT REMOVABLE REAR BUNGEES

There is also a fairly large 6 point bungee section at the tail of the board.  These bungees can be unclipped and are removable.

So if you need the space or want to get them out of the way when stepping back and using the rear of the board you can simply unclip and remove them.

18 D-RINGS

There are lots of D-rings that can be used as tie down points for gear.

• There’s one attached to the action mount on the nose of the Mako
• 6 being used by the front bungees
• 6 being used by the rear bungees
• 2 on either side of the deck pad which are perfect for securing a seat or shoulder strap
• Then there is one more at the tail for securing your board leash.

FRONT, REAR & CENTER CARRY HANDLES

At the center of the deck pad is a 2 inch wide padded carry handle.

Plus there is a carry handle at the nose and tail of the Mako providing different options for grabbing and transporting the board to and from the water.

HOW WELL DOES THE MAKO PERFORM?

Overall I found the Mako to be a fairly easy ride.  It’s light and doesn’t take a lot of effort to paddle, turn and maneuver.

With the 32” width it feels stable even with the shorter length so I felt very comfortable out there.

A larger person will definitely find the Mako to feel less stable but for someone with a smaller frame it’s ideal.

I didn’t find it to be fast and you won’t be able to keep up with a longer leaner ISUP but it cruises along just fine and ultimately the ease of use and portability makes up for that.

I don’t have much surf close by so I couldn’t try it out in those conditions but I had no trouble handling a little chop and wake at times from boats.

I think most beginner to novice paddlers would be quite happy with the overall performance of the 10’ Mako.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?

Included in the Mako inflatable paddle board package is:

DUAL ACTION HAND PUMP

It took me just over 7 minutes to inflate the Mako with this high pressure pump.

The handle and the foot pegs are removable making it very easy to store and transport in the backpack.

3 REMOVABLE FINS

There is one large racing fin and two smaller side fins included.

These fins easily click into the fin boxes and make a big difference in the overall stability and performance of the Mako.

It only takes seconds to attach or detach each of the fins.

COILED SUP LEASH

An important safety item, the leash keeps you connected to your board if you should fall in the water.

There was a time when leashes weren’t ever included in SUP packages but now they typically come standard with each paddle board.

The leash attaches to the back D-ring on the paddle board and to the padded velcro secures to your ankle.

ISUP BACKPACK

The backpack is nicely designed with lots of accessory pockets for storing the fins and other gear.

It zips open on three sides making it very easy to place the ISUP into the bag and take it out.

The bag is definitely large enough to fit the board and all accessories and even a few extras if you needed to.

There’s no wheels on this bag but the Mako is so light it can easily be carried on your back with the padded shoulder straps and waist clip.

Although I do love a wheeled backpack for ease of convenience I will say that this Gili bag is very well thought out and feels comfortable and supportive enough to carry shorter distances.

3-PIECE TRAVEL PADDLE

With this Gili paddle board you have the choice of either a fiberglass paddle, a carbon shaft paddle with nylon blade or a high performance full carbon paddle.

The standard fiberglass paddle will be your cheapest option. This paddle is durable and strong but heavier than the other two weighing 34 oz.

The carbon shaft paddle with nylon blade is slightly lighter at 29 oz. and will allow you to paddle further with less strain on your shoulders and muscles.

The full carbon paddle is the most expensive choice as this is the lightest option weighing only 27 oz. It is ideal for those more interested in high performance and efficiency.

When purchasing your board you can see the price difference with each paddle option.

CHECK OUT THE PADDLE OPTIONS HERE.

WARRANTY

All Gili inflatable SUP’s come with a standard 2 year warranty plus you are able to pay extra to upgrade to a 5 year warranty if you choose.

Also I love that for every SUP purchased Gili donates a small portion to ocean reef and turtle charities of their choice.

BOTTOM LINE

All in all the Gili Mako is a great paddle board for anyone who wants an easy to use smaller ISUP that is incredibly portable and fun to ride.

It’s perfect for sharing with the family, durable and strong and quick to setup.

For a smaller SUP this board surprised me with how stable and easy it is to ride.

With the functional features and quality accessory package the 10′ Mako is a great deal at a very affordable entry level price.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST DEAL?

Go straight to GiliSports.com for the best price on the 10’ Mako with free shipping anywhere in the US.

CLICK HERE TO CHOOSE YOUR FAVE COLOR OPTION AND SEE SALE PRICE.