Gili Air 10’6 - Review 2023

Review

• DIVEIN.com Score: 4.3/5
• Construction: 4/5
• Stability: 4.5/5
• Maneuverability: 4/5
• Portability: 4/5
• Price/Quality: 4.8/5

The Gili Air paddle board provides a stable and affordable board for beginners to the sport of paddle boarding. The stability of this board will allow riders to feel comfortable on the water and allow them to quickly progress to some intermediate maneuvers such as the back-step turn.

In terms of maneuverability, the board tracks well in the water due to the Gili Sports fin system. That said, this board does become challenging to ride in harsher wave conditions or when the wind picks up. Additionally, the board is quite lightweight and portable and is fantastic for travellers who want to take their board on holiday. The travel bag provided is not only airplane friendly but also very comfortable to carry thanks to the padded shoulder straps.

This board is also very comfortable to ride on and Gili Sports has made it a priority for the rider to feel comfortable with the implementation of a large and plush EVA traction pad. In calm conditions, this board can be used to transport another passenger and even for some basic yoga flows.

Features

• Extra long grooved EVA traction pad made from foam with added grooves that gives sufficient grip and comfort as well as room for another passenger or space for yoga.
• Neoprene handles at the center and nose can be used for easy handling, with the nose handle doubling as a tie-up point.
• Includes a 6 point nose bungee system on the front of the paddle for attaching gear.
• This board features 9- D rings in total. Center D rings for attaching a kayak seat and rear D rings for your leash and bungees for extra luggage.
• The Gili Air comes in four different colors (light blue, blue, teal and green) and can be customized to your liking.

Accessories

The Gili Air paddle board package is equipped with all the necessary accessories to get you set up and out there on the water. Gili Sports provides you with a Gili Aluminum 3-Piece Adjustable Paddle that is great for travelling. This package also includes a coiled leash, a manual two stage hand pump and a Gili Inflatable SUP Backpack.

• Paddle: The Gili Aluminum 3 Piece Adjustable Travel Paddle is a great paddle that compliments the Gili Air paddle board. Made of high strength aluminum and accented by a nylon shaft, this paddle is not only durable but also very lightweight.
• Additionally, it floats in water so that you don’t need to worry about losing it if you drop it while paddle boarding. Nevertheless, the lighter weight and durability of a carbon fiber or fiberglass paddle would have been preferable.
• Leash: The Gili 8’ Coiled Ankle Leash has a comfortable neoprene ankle cuff that fits any ankle. The leash can stretch to up to 5 times its length. As well as having tangle free double swivels, it also has a compact design to minimise drag.
• Fin: Included in the package is the Gili snap in center fin that can be attached quickly and securely to the paddle board. This fin is designed for all conditions and aims to make this board one of the best all rounders on the market.
• Pump: The Gili 2 stage pump inflates your board on each downstroke and upstroke and allows you to inflate your paddle board within 7-8 minutes. It is a very efficient manual pump compared to what some of the other brands offer.
• Backpack: The Gili Inflatable SUP Backpack is essential for carrying the Gili Air paddle board and all the included gear. It not only looks stylish but also has comfortable padded shoulder and waist straps. It is very useful for taking your iSUP on holiday as the backpack can protect your gear in airplanes.

Stability

Although the Gili Air weighs in at just 19lbs the board offers riders plenty in the way of stability due to its rounded design. This is impressive given that 31 inches for width tend to make for pretty lively boards. The board is stable in most conditions and provides an enjoyable and smooth ride on the water. As the paddle board is not only lightweight but also extremely stable, the Gili Air is recommended for beginners.

Maneuverability

The Gili Air offers its rider superior maneuverability as well as great tracking in almost any condition. Twists and turns are fun to do because it’s easy to shift one’s weight (for intermediate paddlers) with a step back to turn on a dive. The decent level of stability makes this less daunting too.

Another point in the Air’s favor for maneuverability can also be a disadvantage though. The board is a portability darling because its weight is pretty light. That means, while it’s easy to propel and turn, it also means it’s more subject to the whims of the wind should it blow up.

Portability

The Gili Air comes with an inflatable SUP backpack that is extremely lightweight and comfortable. It is also very airplane-friendly and can take the  bumps and knocks, leaving your board and gear unscathed. Deflating and packing the board into the backpack isn’t too challenging and all included accessories fit into the volume of the bag, making for an easy check-in item.

Price/Quality Ratio

The Gili Air offers the same quality and design as some paddle boards that cost twice as much. Although it is not a competitive or performance paddle board (and wouldn’t compete well against such models), the price/quality ratio of this brand and model is very competitive. Considering the price the Gili Air package costs, beginners who purchase this paddle board package can get a real feel for what paddle boarding is all about on a quality board.

Optional Accessories from Gili

• GILI 12V electric iSUP Pump
• GILI High Flow Triple Action Hand Pump
• GILI 3” River Fin
• GILI 4.5” Speed Fin
• GILI 9” Touring Race Fin
• GILI 8′ Coiled Leash
• GILI waterproof dry bag
• GILI Paddle Board Carry Straps
• GILI Kayak SUP Conversion Kit
• GILI Kayak and Paddleboard Anchor Kit
• GILI Action Camera/GoPro Adapter
• GILI Paddle board deck cooler bag

Do we recommend it?

We definitely recommend the Gili Air for beginners looking for an all rounder board with great stability and versatility. The Gili Air is also extremely travel-friendly and features stunning designs, depending on your choice of color. 

Paddling on knees or with the additional kayak set for paddle boarding increases the versatility of this iSUP for beginners and intermediates alike. Ultimately, this board is for anybody who wants to get into paddle boarding with an all-inclusive, high-quality package that is available at an affordable price. 

Apropos cost: part of the price tag also includes a portion that goes to environmental causes, including clean-up initiatives.

If you want to see how the Gili Air stacks up against other Gili boards, check out our list of the best Gili paddle boards.