Gili Meno 11’6 Paddle Board Review

Stability is one of, if not the most important factor when it comes to stand up paddle boarding, especially for beginners. 

I’ve tested the Meno 11’6 in various water conditions and paddling styles, including a windy day with 12 knots of wind. In both headwind and sidewind situations with some small waves, the Meno had good stability.

Compared to other 11’6 paddle boards, the Gili Meno 11’6 was the most stable paddle board I have tested. It was slightly more stable than the Blackfin XL (which is one inch narrower) and noticeably more stable than the Isle Switch and Bote HD Aero.

Speed is always a factor to consider when shopping for an iSUP. I know I do! So naturally, when I got my hands on the Gili Meno 11’6, I was eager to see how it would perform in terms of speed. 

Now, I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by how fast the Gili Meno was for a large inflatable SUP. You might think that a bigger board would translate to slower speed, but that wasn’t the case here. In fact, during my speed test, the Gili Meno proved to be remarkably fast for a board of this size. 

Interestingly, when compared to the Blackfin XL, I found the Gili Meno to be slightly faster, although this could be due to the larger paddle blade that comes with the Meno. I have a hunch that if I were to test both boards with the same paddle, they’d have similar speed capabilities. But hey, I can’t complain about a little extra speed, right?

I also compared the Gili Meno’s speed against other popular boards like the Bote HD Aero and the Isle Switch. Turns out, while the Meno was a bit faster than the Blackfin XL and the Bote HD Aero, the Isle Switch took the crown for being the fastest board of this size that I’ve tested. However, it’s essential to remember that speed isn’t everything when it comes to SUPs.

So, what’s the bottom line here? Well, due to its size, it’s clear that the Gili Meno 11’6 isn’t going to break any speed record. But for a board with these dimensions, it’s definitely one of the faster options out there.

Tracking refers to the ability of a paddle board to maintain a straight course in the water. It’s influenced by factors like board shape, fin setup, paddle technique, and water conditions.

I’ll say right away that I  was pleasantly surprised by the Meno’s tracking performance.

The Meno comes with three center fins (9.5″, 4.5″, and 3″) and two side fins, allowing you to customize your fin setup for different water conditions and situations. As expected, I found that the Gili Meno tracks the best with the large nine inch hatchet fin.

Of course, even the best fin setup won’t save you if your paddling technique is all over the place. Thankfully, the Gili Meno is pretty forgiving in this regard. With the right paddling technique, it’s super easy to maintain a straight course on this board.

In fact, I found myself making fewer corrective strokes than usual, which meant more time enjoying the ride and less time fighting to keep on track.

When compared with the tracking abilities of other boards, I’d say that the Meno is right up there with the best of them. In my experience, the tracking on the Meno was slightly better than that of the Isle Switch, and about on par with the Blackfin XL and Bote HD Aero.

Maneuverability refers to the ability of a paddle board to change direction, turn, and steer around obstacles. 

The Gili Meno is a big board, measuring 11’6 x 35″, so naturally, you wouldn’t expect it to be as maneuverable as a shorter and narrower board. 

During my test, I found that it was easy enough to turn the board or change direction, feeling pretty responsive on the water. 

In terms of the other boards I’ve paddled for comparison, I found that the Gili Meno’s maneuverability was better than both the Blackfin XL and the Bote HD Aero. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that the Isle Switch, with its more pronounced nose rocker, was slightly more maneuverable than the Gili Meno. 

Overall I’d say that the Gili Meno 11’6  is pretty maneuverable, especially for its size. Of course, it’s not going to be as nimble as a smaller board, but it still holds its own against the competition. 

It’s worth noting that I’m just over six feet tall, and while I had no trouble handling the 11’6 Meno, smaller paddlers might not have the same experience – so be sure to take this into account.

The Gili Meno is made of dual-layer fusion laminated PVC, which is a fancy way of saying it’s super stiff and lightweight. 

Gili Sports added carbon fiber rails for extra rigidity, stability, and durability. The result? A very rigid paddle board that doesn’t weigh a ton and can handle a variety of paddling conditions and loads.

The ‘Bend Test’

While the high PSI and carbon fiber rail additions definitely add to the rigidity of Gili Meno, what does this actually mean? How rigid is the Meno in reality? 

This is where the “bend test” comes in. In this test, I rest the paddle board on two sawhorses a set distance apart and place 150 lbs of weight near the center of the board. I then measure how far the board bends. 

It’s a nice way to get some extra data about a paddle board that isn’t readily available in the board specs or manufacturer’s website. 

While this test isn’t an exact replication of how the board would perform on the water, it’s a quantifiable way to measure the rigidity of a paddle board and compare it with other boards.

So, how did the Gili Meno do in the bend test? It bent 13/16″, which is to be expected from a board of this quality. 

For comparison’s sake, the Meno bent the same as boards of similar length like the Blackfin XL. The Bote HD Aero bent slightly less at three-quarters of an inch, while the Isle Switch bent considerably more at 1 3/16”. 

One of the first things I noticed about the Gili Meno bundle was the variety of fins included with the board. It comes with three center fins (9.5″, 4.5″, and 3″) and two side fins, allowing you to customize your fin setup for different water conditions and situations. 

I found that the Gili Meno tracks the best with the large 9” hatchet fin. 

The other fins are super useful in shallower waters where the 9″ center fin would hit the ground and where being able to paddle takes precedence over tracking.

The large deck pad offers plenty of grip and is color-matched, which honestly, just looks cool (though is pretty common nowadays). 

The large six D-ring bungees on the nose and tail allow you to strap down all the gear and dry bags you could ever want! 

With 22 D-rings available, there’s more than enough space to attach your leash, an optional kayak seat, and tie down extra gear. 

Gili has also added some extra grab handles on the bungees, which makes carrying the board around so much easier. 

I’m not sure why other brands haven’t caught onto this, but it’s a small detail that does make it easier to handle to board. 

The board also comes with handy Velcro paddle holders for those times when you’re SUP fishing or practicing SUP yoga.

With five action mounts and two Scotty mounts, you’ll have plenty of points to attach your fishing racks, action camera, rod holders, cup holders, or other gear. 

Accessories Included with the Gili Meno 11’6

Now, let’s talk about the premium iSUP accessory bundle that comes with the board. It includes a pump, leash, rolling backpack, paddle, fin kit, and repair kit. Everything you need to get started right away. 

The pump is manual, so it’s worth noting that it could be worth investing in an electric pump in the future – but it’s enough to get you started.

The paddle itself is pretty solid, but I did have to use a small screwdriver to tighten the screws in the carbon shaft to prevent the top piece from rotating. 

I prefer a paddle with the holes and pins like the one from Blackfin, but it’s not a deal-breaker by any means. The paddle also has a nice wide blade, which is great for getting some serious power behind your strokes.

You have the choice of upgrading from a carbon paddle with a nylon blade, or a full carbon paddle for an extra cost. 

I think it would be worth splashing out to have the carbon blade, but this is down to personal preference. The nylon blade would be fine for most people.

The accessory bundle also includes a good-quality backpack and an 8′ coiled leash. 

All of these accessories add to the overall value of the Gili Meno 11’6, making it a great option for beginners looking to get into paddle boarding.