Honu Airlie 8’ 6” iSUP - Review 2025

The minimalist Honu Airlie is the nicest board on this list. Priced accordingly ($549), it’s expensive, and DOES NOT INCLUDE A PADDLE. But–with its construction, performance, quality extras, ease of handling, and four year warranty–the Airlie still manages to be worth it.

It’s one of the lightest SUPs we’ve ever seen, yet it’s rated to carry 154lbs. That ratio alone warrants pause because it’s the ideal board for growing-room. The cross-woven drop-stitch is built to stand the test of time, and the heavy duty kit echoes this quality.

The features are limited–a two-point bungee, few d-rings, and a lone center handle. But the deckpad extends to the tail with a kick pad for advanced step back and/or pivot turns. The focus is clearly on longevity and optimum performance–helping kids advance skills without buying a new board every few years. 

The all-around shape creates nice maneuvering and surprising glide, but the 27” width could be less stable than competitors. If this is a board someone grows with, they’ll be comfortable, but older beginners may want something wider like the iRocker Nautical.

Finally, the Airlie also comes in eco-friendly packaging, and 1% of each purchase is donated to environmental charities–so your investment goes back to the water!