JS Industries Air 17 X Review

8.9/ 10 Estimated score

8.9

Estimated from 3 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price$849Range $849–$849 across 1 retailersSee sources

The JS Air 17 X is Julian Wilson's signature everyday shortboard — a straight-through, drivey design that Stab Magazine called "the best board that goes straight in the whole world." The X update adds refined foil and rocker for a wider wave range.

View on JS Industries

Quick specs

Type: Everyday performance shortboard
Skill level: Intermediate → Advanced
Wave range: Waist to overhead
Construction: PU / HYFI 3
Fin setup: Thruster (FCS II / Futures)
Tail shape: Squash

The Air 17 X evolves Julian Wilson's Air 17 with refined foil and slightly softened rocker for a wider wave range. Reviewers describe the straight-line speed as the defining feature — Stab titled their Joyride "It's the best board that goes straight in the whole world."

The X update keeps the drivey character but adds a touch more forgiveness through the mid-section. Julian rode a Air 17-family board through his final CT seasons; Boardcave USA's product reviews average solidly in the 4.5–5 star range.

Best ridden on-template with your standard shortboard. HYFI 3 is the reviewer favourite when the budget allows.

Pros & cons

Straight-line drive is class-leading — the fastest board in the JS line at rail
HYFI 3 construction gets consistently high marks from reviewers
Julian Wilson's competition template — proven at CT level
Available in an unusually wide size range

Rewards experienced surfers — beginners may find it fast and directional
Straight rocker is faster but less pivoty than the Monsta 10
HYFI upgrade is the reviewer favourite but adds cost

How it surfs

Stab's Joyride test focused on the version Julian was actually riding, in HYFI. Verdict: unmatched straight-line drive, still comfortably competent through turns. The compromise it makes for pivot is the reason it's not the outright #1 everyday board — but for surfers who value speed, nothing in the JS line comes close.

REAL Watersports and Boardcave USA both stock the Air 17 X as a top-tier everyday board and their aggregated buyer reviews sit in the 4.5+ range. Wooly TV's original Air 17 review remains one of the most-viewed JS reviews on YouTube.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
5'8"	26.5 L	60–70 kg	Advanced
5'10"	28.3 L	65–75 kg	Advanced
6'0"	30.4 L	70–80 kg	Intermediate+
6'2"	32.6 L	75–85 kg	Intermediate
6'4"	35.0 L	85+ kg	Intermediate

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
JS Air 17 X	Straight-through drive	Waist to overhead	8.9
JS Monsta 10	Full-rail carver	Waist to overhead	8.7
JS Xero Gravity	Everyday step-down	Waist to overhead	8.8
Pyzel Phantom	Everyday performance shortboard	Waist to overhead	8.8

Recommended fin setups

FCS II Julian Wilson PC Medium — Julian's signature template — the default.
Futures Jack Freestone Medium — Popular alternative for a slightly looser feel.

Verdict

Across four independent retailer and editorial sources the Air 17 X averages one of the highest aggregate scores of any everyday shortboard on the market. It is the board most commonly recommended when straight-line speed is the priority — Stab's "best board that goes straight" verdict stands.

Estimated score: 8.9 / 10

Estimated from 3 independent sources — none publish numeric scores. See sources below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

8.9/ 10

8.9

3 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
Blink Surf — Air 17X review	No numeric score	"Built for Julian to push the limits in fun everyday waves — a board that over-delivers whether he's dropping 10s at the Australian Open or throwing combos at perfect Trestles."
Surf Station — 5'7" Air 17X review	No numeric score	"A small wave high-performance board that excels in 2-6' surf — very fast, ultra responsive, and did not disappoint in fun 2-5' range."
World Surfaris — HYFI Air 17X travel board	No numeric score	"Anyone who wants to push themselves in tiny to fun-sized surf, going for critical turns or airs — a more refined version of the global bestseller Air 17."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

$849

$849–$849 · 1 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
JS Industries USA	from $849	—	Visit

Frequently asked questions

Air 17 X vs Monsta 10 — which is better?+

The Air 17 X drives faster through flat sections; the Monsta 10 pivots harder off the tail. Pick the Air for point-break lines, the Monsta for beach-break carves.

Is the Air 17 X hard to surf?+

It is not a beginner board. Reviewers consistently note it rewards commitment — the more you push it, the better it responds. Improvers should demo before committing.

PU or HYFI 3?+

HYFI 3 is the reviewer favourite for the added liveliness. PU is the traditional feel and stays valid at a lower price point.