Liquid Force Kites Envy 9m 2014
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
Now in its 5th generation, the Liquid Force Envy is packed with lots of new features for 2014. It is marketed as an all-terrain freeride/freestyle/wave kite. It has a hybrid shape with a 3-strut platform and dynamic swept back wing tips. The kite looks great with its stylish graphics and varied colour schemes. The Envy comes as a standard 4-line set-up and in almost every size; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.5, 12, 13.5 and 15m. The compact bridle system is pulley-free, this short bridle system aims to eliminate tangles when the kite gets rolled on the water during a crash. The Envy is seriously well put together too, with its Synergy Split Strut design and the bomb proof Technoforce T9600 Ripstop material for the canopy. There are adjustable connection points on the trailing edge for adjusting bar pressure and turning speed to suit different riding styles. Pumping up and getting out on the water in minutes has never been easier with the one-pump inflation system and Max Flow valve.
The Bar
The CPR control system comes as a 4-line set up and looks solid and uncluttered. Holding the bar is very comfortable due to the EVA grip and the whole set-up is very clean and tidy. The non-mechanical push away quick release uses its simplicity to avoid any complications and it works very well. There are two options for attaching your leash, if you are unhooking then you can attach to the trim strap which depowers the kite mostly all the way, if you want 100% depower then you can attach your leash to the safety ring. There are three size options for the bar, 45, 50 and 55cm. The lines are German engineered and stretch resistant, 20m in length with 3m extensions.
In The Air
The Envy is an exceedingly stable kite in the air, which makes it perfect for learners and intermediates wanting to progress without getting any nasty surprises. It is also great for wakestyle riders as it pulls like a train and will always be where you left it in the sky. If you like waves, however, you may find the kite a little slow to turn, which makes it tricky to use in onshore conditions. If you put plenty of rider input into the bar, then the kite will react accordingly, but this is definitely not an ‘angry bee’ of a kite. This stability and predictability make it really easy to fly and a great platform for you to learn new tricks underneath. The depower throw is quite short and there is plenty of control at your fingertips in gusty conditions. We tested the kite in a variety of wind strengths and found the top end to be almost as equally impressive as the low end. Ease of use is what you feel when riding the Envy, it’s very mellow to fly. I enjoyed the kites jumping ability and long hangtime. When bearing away in the waves there’s plenty of drift, just remember to crank that bar when it is onshore. The swept back wingtips help make re-launching quick and easy.
For
Beginners will enjoy the optimised safety and stability of the Envy, intermediates will like the great wind range, hang time, and all condition capabilities, whilst wakestyle riders will enjoy it’s cable like pulling characteristics.
Against
The Envy isn’t a super fast kite, so if you want a whippet for the waves or enjoy throwing your kite around like a hooligan then there are faster kites out there. This is more of a wakestylers machine or a stable platform for learning new tricks, or even just the basics.
Overall
A great kite for all conditions and varied riding styles, what the Envy lacks in turning speed it makes up for in power and stability. The Envy packs lots of safety features making it one of the safest kites on the market.
Videos
This review was in Issue 43 of IKSURFMAG.
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By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
