Reviews You Can Rely On

BIC Sport 11 Wing AIR EVO Review

An inexpensive, family-friendly, all-around board best suited for recreational paddlers
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BIC Sport 11 Wing AIR EVO Review
Credit: BIC Sport
Price:  $670 List
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Manufacturer:   BIC Sport
By Leslie Yedor ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 12, 2018
68
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Stability - 30% 7.0
  • Glide Performance - 25% 7.0
  • Maneuverability - 25% 6.0
  • Ease of Transport - 10% 8.0
  • Ease of inflation - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

If you're looking for a solid all-around board that won't break the bank, the BIC Sport 11'0 Wing Air is precisely that. It's one of the least expensive boards we tested at nearly half the price of many other models, and maintains solid value and performance. This board is easy to inflate and holds its rigidity well. The slight nose rocker improves glide, especially in choppy water. Its narrow sidecut and single fin design make it less stable and harder to turn than some other models, but it's steady enough for beginners and fun for casual lake outings and lazy river floats. This model's above-average performance combined with its low price earn it our respect.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Quick to inflate
Convenient deck storage bungees
REASONS TO AVOID
Hard to maneuver
Poor stability is challenging in choppy water
Package Updated

The Wing Air EVO is now just called the Wing Air, and the package now comes equipped with a paddle and leash at no extra cost, in addition to the backpack, pump, and repair kit.

June 2020

Our Analysis and Test Results

The BIC Sport 11'0 Wing Air has a typical profile for an all-around board with a few added features. It is 11 feet long, 32 inches wide, and 6 inches thick, making it a few inches longer than average. Its narrow sidecut and gradual nose rocker provide agility while its flat tail helps to improve stability by increasing the surface area in contact with the water. Deck bungees near the front of the board are great for storing gear. It's perfect for an after-work paddle on the lake or exploring a quiet beach cove with the family.

Performance Comparison


bic sport 11 wing air evo - trying out some balancing poses on the wing air evo.
Trying out some balancing poses on the Wing AIR EVO.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Stability


People often associate paddleboarding with an abdominal workout and a need for good balance. While this board requires nothing extreme in those departments, it lives up to that reputation more than some of its competitors. The single-center fin and narrow profile of the nose and tail offer limited stability compared to models with a wider profile and three to five fins.

bic sport 11 wing air evo - glide is determined by the board's ability to make forward progress...
Glide is determined by the board's ability to make forward progress with the fewest paddle strokes.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

While it may not be the best for yoga on the lake, this board provides enough lateral stability to learn on and is steadfast underfoot even for a first-time paddler.

Glide Performance


This metric is all about the ability to move quickly while staying true to the course. The Wing Air provides about average performance in this area. Its nose rocker and narrow side-cut make it quicker than its larger, wider competitors, but it's no match for longer, narrower touring specific models.

bic sport 11 wing air evo - if you plan to turn with forward paddling, move gingerly towards the...
If you plan to turn with forward paddling, move gingerly towards the back of the board. With poor lateral stability, comes poor maneuverability.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Othe boards are able to cover longer distances with greater ease, but such high performance comes at a pretty steep price. The Wing Air is best suited for cruising at mellow speeds and for those who don't want to invest an arm and a leg in their board.

Maneuverability


You can turn your board and negotiate obstacles by either backstroking or forward paddling. You can facilitate either by weighting the rear of the board. The Wing Air's reduced lateral stability makes moving towards the back of the board a slow and careful endeavor. This hinders the overall maneuverability of the board.

bic sport 11 wing air evo - the deflated board fits easily into its oversized backpack that...
The deflated board fits easily into its oversized backpack that boasts padded waist and shoulder straps.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Back paddling is a fairly easy way to turn, but it requires you to sacrifice your forward momentum. Unfortunately, it's the best way to turn this board. Using forward paddling to change the Wing Air's direction is no easy feat, and it requires a fairly large radius turn.

Ease of Transport


Transporting this board is quick and easy. It comes with a backpack that fits the board and the included pump and repair kit. It also has a front pocket that fits the fin. Weighing in at 23 lbs, the board is comfortable to carry in the backpack. This method works great for transporting the board from the parking lot to the beach or other short distances.

bic sport 11 wing air evo - the board's lower volume made for faster than average inflation times.
The board's lower volume made for faster than average inflation times.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The backpack is made of a fairly durable material and, even more importantly, closes with a burly zipper. We expect this backpack's lifespan to be similar to the other boards with proper care. Our main complaint with the backpack is that it lacks straps to cinch down the loose material, making it floppy while in use.

Ease of Inflation


This board is quick to inflate compared to some of its competitors. Its narrow side-cut reduces the overall volume, making it one of the easiest boards to hand pump to the desired 15 psi.

bic sport 11 wing air evo - this model features a single large detachable center fin, deck...
This model features a single large detachable center fin, deck bungees for carrying gear, and a diamond pattern deck pad that provides great traction.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The included pump has comfortable grips, but like most other raft pumps, a narrow base that makes the process of pumping a little unbalanced. While the pressure gauge seemed to be accurate when compared with other brand's pumps, the hose is prone to leaking at its attachment points.

Value


The Wing Air offers great bang for your buck. It's half the price of many of its competitors and boasts more than half the value. While it doesn't outperform in any particular metric, its better than average scores in most categories make this a great all-around board that won't break the bank.

bic sport 11 wing air evo - this model received an average score for stability, but it's still...
This model received an average score for stability, but it's still lofty enough to be beginner and kid-friendly.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Conclusion


While not our absolute favorite product of the lot, we genuinely enjoyed using this board. Its above-average scores and low price tag nicely compliment how fun it is to ride.

Leslie Yedor