LOCO MOTION AIR 14’ TEST REVIEW
LOCO
MOTION AIR 14’
TEST REVIEW
Verdict
Loco have swung into the iSUP arena with a serious product. The Motion Air 14’ is about as far away as you can get from the typical pedestrian inflatable experience, yet it’s still friendly enough for those who want to progress. A very rigid, straight trajectory board, its performance will match the skill sets of the best of paddlers. A very sweet cruiser that really comes alive in the surf and sea.
Overview
The Motion Air is built from Duralite construction (using double layer technology) which utilises the lightest dropstitch currently available resulting in a hard, shell like board when inflated. Loco’s unique ‘hard edge’ tail promotes better holding at speed (downwind, surf) which we did appreciate. Comes with premium race fin, colour matched bag and pump, and a package option with 3pc fibre glass paddle.
Brand Claim
The perfect inflatable touring / race board for medium to heavy riders looking for the convenience of an inflatable but who crave the ultimate glide. With a host of handy tie downs these boards are perfect for carrying camping equipment for extended exploration, and at only 29” wide they’re more than capable for those after a travelling race board. The ‘hard edge’ means better tracking and less paddle switching, and the Motion Air actually surfs opening up a whole new environment.
Performance
It’s possible that in most paddling situations you won’t find the upper limit of the Motion Air’s performance; after a brief familiarisation session which we recommend – the high ride height and 29” width takes a little adaptation – we spent the rest of the time we had with it in the surf. It rolls in with purpose from the deep, picking up swells waaaay before they start to break and holds its composure the whole way down the line through some impressively sucky sections, it’s easy to forget you had to pump this board up. What does this mean for regular touring and fitness applications? Primarily, you have a board for the ‘journey’, that opens up new riding environments as your skills develop. It’s hard to see in terms of progression short of full blown racing, why you’d ever want to swap this board for another. It’s an unfussy, encouraging platform to start building proper technique on and it will take you as far as you want to go. If you’ve got real paddling ambitions, you must try this board for yourself.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
• RRD GRANTURISMO 12’6 GT WOOD
• STARBOARD TOURING 12’6 PINETEK