Our Rating
Gili Sports is an aspiring iSUP manufacturer that has so much passion for the game. In fact, throughout our humble experience, we met a few excellent brands and a crowd of look-alikes. However, once in a while, we do come by an authentic brand that is made for paddlers by paddlers.
Gili Sports is consequently a highly engaged brand since it is trying to make the cut & that is a sweet spot for vultures seeking a good deal.
Indeed, in an attempt to prove itself, Gili Sports is diving headfirst into the market, providing you with top-quality boards for highly competitive prices.
Now that you know a little something about the brand, let’s try to find out where you stand on their best selling inflatable paddle board.
Without further ado, here’s a detailed review of the Gili 10’6″ Air iSUP.
GILI 10’6″ Air iSUP Review – Features & Specs
Measurements
The best approach to landing the perfect iSUP for you is to make sure it fits. That being said, there are a few things you need to know about the dimensions of the iSUP at hand before you click that purchase button.
First, the Gili iSUP in question measures 10’6″ inches in length which is a formidable size for multiple reasons. Primarily, the length of this board dictates high versatility because it is fully capable of handling teen, young, and adult paddlers of average size easily. Also, the board’s universal length makes it much more beginner-friendly than a larger board.
Further, width is a critical dimension for iSUPs because it defines its stability to a large extent. Accordingly, the Gili beginner SUP stands at an impeccable 31 inches. Indeed, at this ratio, this board is given a much firmer balance point that will enhance stability and help you stay on board. Thus, if you’re a first-time paddler who’s looking for your first cheap iSUP then you’re going to appreciate this one.
Thickness often fatal to cheap boards because an inflatable board needs at least a 5 inches thick hull to maintain a solid posture. Fortunately, the iSUP at hand comes at an impressive 6 inches in thickness, leaving all those worries behind. Indeed, this Gili is not going to bend or get submerged because it can handle up to 280 pounds easily.
Quality
Quality is often a big concern for switchers & newcomers because we are familiar with the idea that anything inflatable is vulnerable. However, that stereotype is about to get debunked right now.
The Gili 10’6″ iSUP is a beast of a board and that can be directly attributed to its build material.
Indeed, this iSUP is made out of Military strong PVC material, distributed in multiple layers. Accordingly, you can expect this type of build to endure the harshest environments without suffering any serious damage.
Further, the build material is tough but that wouldn’t last long if not for a stronger build. Truly, oftentimes, it is the build technique that makes the board last longer and it is exactly the case with this Gili. Hence, the board at hand is stitched together via a double drop connection which has proven to be synonymous with perfection.
All in all, the Gili entry-level iSUP is a robust board that doesn’t require any babysitting. So, make sure you enjoy your ride instead of worrying too much.
Features
The features of an iSUP can easily help you determine how bad you want it. Indeed, features are very valuable for paddlers because they can improve your experience significantly and often times enable you to use extensions that will diversify your experiences.
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The first thing you wanna look at right now is the gripping pad because it is your best friend. Every beginner, amateur, and professional paddler knows the value of a good gripping pad & that pushed Gili Sports to put some effort into making it as practical as possible. Hence, Gili’s snakeskin gripping-pad is pretty decent, covering most of the paddler’s base and reducing your chances of losing control significantly.
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Further, the board also features a set of 6 stainless steel D-rings on the chest which are connected via a bungee cord to create a practical cargo net. Moreover, the board comes with an extra ring on the tail for ankle leash attachment.
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Because most paddlers often paddle individually, Gili Sports featured this board with a central carry handle in addition to the nose handle to help you transport the board single-handedly on land.
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Last but definitely not least is the triplefin navigation system which is primarily designed to help beginners & amateurs ride easily in the stronger current. In fact, the trio of fins is meant to serve two purposes: the central fin is meant to help you manoeuver rapidly while the smaller two are there to keep you on track when you want to cruise/glide in a straight line.
Performance
As mentioned earlier, the Gili inflatable paddle board at hand is one hell of a match for beginners because it was primarily designed to facilitate paddling. Indeed, this is one of your best options if you’re looking for a fun / easy going board that will not drop you every now and again.
Hence, the Gili 10’6″ has a bunch of beginner-friendly qualities, starting at body dimensions. Also, the navigation system and rich features make a great combo that should help you enjoy this board without having to worry too much.
Packaging
To wrap things up, Gili makes sure to ship this board with all the accessories you’ll need to fully enjoy your experience; and it includes:
- Removable central fin
- Ankle leash
- High-pressure hand pump
- Backpack carry bag
- Collapsible paddle
Pros
- Gili 10’6″ is a great all-around inflatable paddle board
- It’s well-suited for first-time paddlers
- It’s quite stable and it tracks very well
- It supports riders up to 275 Lbs (up to 300 lbs for skilled paddlers)
- It comes in a complete package
- It becomes quite rigid and sturdy once inflated to the recommended PSI (12-15 PSI)
Cons
- Nothing that we can think of at the moment.