Kitesurfing Kites Reviews
Airush One V2
This is the 2nd generation of the One from Airush, just released in September 2021. Our South African based test team were lucky to get their hands on it so early, being a hop, skip, and a jump away from Airush headquarters, located in the surfside town of Muizenberg. The One V2 has been designed with simplicity, usability, and durability…
Airwave Kiteboarding Koala
Airwave has a long history of producing products that show a true passion for flying. In the '80s, they made their first hang gliders before starting Airwave Paragliders. Now, the team has tapped into their skills and knowledge in aerospace engineering to design and release the Koala, a ram air foil kite. The Koala is a stable, lightweight foil kite…
North Kiteboarding Orbit
Since the Orbit hit the kiteboarding scene, it's done nothing short of thrive within The Big Air scene. In 2019/20, North's Jesse Richman took the first edition Orbit to a podium finish at the King of The Air, with Marc Jacobs recording the highest jump over the course of the competition. Fast forward two, the all-new 2022 North Orbit carried…
Harlem Kitesurfing Go V5
The Go has been Harlem's quintessential all-around kite since the start. Harlem calls it their high-performance all-arounder, designed for your everyday session and able to do just about everything you need it to... except get you beers! The most successful kite in the Harlem range, the recently released Go V5 is the best yet. Harlem has always done things a…
Cabrinha Switchblade
Back in 2006, the first Cabrinha Switchblade was launched. Fast forward to today, when, after 16 years of progression, research and development, the 02 Switchblade has been released. This kite has helped riders achieve world records, world championships and push the limit of the sport. For instance, in 2017, Nick Jacobsen jumped 210M off the Burj al-Arab in Dubai on…
Cabrinha Contra 1 Strut
The Cabrinha Contra 1 Strut is the second iteration of this kite. In a unique approach, Cabrinha has split the Contra range into two, with smaller sizes (up to 11m) available as the Contra 1 Strut, and the larger sizes (13m+) in a 3 Strut version, designed to keep the structure of the larger kites more intact. Back in 2020,…
DUOTONE Evo SLS
Duotone has a fantastic and comprehensive quiver of kites available to their users; there truly is something for everyone in all disciplines of kiteboarding. The Evo is marketed as the most all-around kite in the range and comes in both the standard and SLS (Strong, Light, Superior) construction. The SLS materials give this kite a much sharper, premium feel compared…
DUOTONE Dice SLS
With a large range of kites to choose from in the Duotone range, you can certainly be assured that there's a kite for exactly what you're looking for. The Dice has been a staple kite for many years, packed with performance and aimed at the more experienced rider who enjoys freestyle and aggressive loops while still having the ability to…
Ozone Enduro V3
The Enduro has been part of the Ozone line up for a while now, it’s a three strut do it all machine that is the go-to kite in their line up for riders who don’t let a particular style of riding define them. It’s designed to be able to perform at the highest levels for wave, freestyle and freeriding. Twin…
CORE Kiteboarding XR7
Core has done something exceptional with the XR. Earlier models of this game-changing 5-strut design have already catapulted big air kiters to another level, so it's hard to imagine that improving on a winner is even possible. That said, the XR7 does just that. There are very few kites on the market that can match the XR7 in its big…
F-ONE Kiteboarding Bandit
The Bandit returns for its 14th edition for 2021. Last year saw F-ONE split the Bandit into 2 categories, The Bandit and the Bandit S (for wave riding and freeride) and both kites have received amazing feedback. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the 9m and the kite from the year before it feels like F-ONE have…
DUOTONE Neo SLS
The Neo has ben part of wave kiting folklore for so long now it is hard to remember a time without it. For 2021 this iconic kite sees some major updates designed to tempt even more riders into the fold. The big news is the new SLS moniker that has been added to the name. SLS stands for Strong, Light,…
North Kiteboarding Orbit
For the past two years, the North Orbit has thrived within The Big Air scene. North's Jesse Richman took the 2020 Orbit to a podium finish at The King of The Air contest with Marc Jacobs recording the highest jump over the course of the competition. There's no denying that this kite boosts and performs to the highest level. The…
Cabrinha Contra
Here we have it, the new 2021 Cabrinha Contra, a light wind foil machine! The Contra is a primary kite within the range and has been now for quite some time. For 2021 Cabrinha have added an all new 1 strut size in the smaller kites, and kept the Contra 3 strut design in the larger sizes. You’ll see from…
Cabrinha Switchblade
The Switchblade has forever been a go to kite for both freeride performance and big air riding. Although Cabrinha cater it as their freeride and big air kite, it really does have a great all-round performance that near all riders will find enjoyable. You’ll see from the images the Switchblade features a 5-strut design, allowing the kite to really load…
CrazyFly Sculp
The CrazyFly Sculp is a staple kite within the brands quiver. ‘One World, One Kite’, this is CrazyFly’s do it all kite. Freeride, freestyle and foiling can all be easily achieved when using this kite on a session – a fantastic all-rounder. Looking at the kite design, it features a 3-strut build with an all-new Hybrid Delta Bow shape. This…
F-ONE Kiteboarding Bandit S2
Last year F-ONE split their mainstay, the Bandit, into two versions: the 2020 and the S. This year, we see the same, with the more freestyle/big air inspired 2021 and the Surf inspired S2 series. Both similar at their core; we had the S2 on test this issue in some wintery swell and winds. The Bandit S2 is a 3…
Ozone Catalyst V3
Ozone's ever-popular Catalyst is back for its third incarnation with a new shape and less struts than before! Designed as the easy to use first kite we all need when we start out, the Catalyst is simple, lightweight and fun. New for this third version, the Catalyst has changed from the 3 strut more delta-shaped kite of the V2 to…
Slingshot Rally GT V2
Slingshots Rally GT V2 is an update on a loved classic. A tried and tested design, it has been revamped for 2021 to ensure a longer lasting kite with a bigger wind range and more usable performance. A 3 strut future Retro-C design, it is a proven shape to get the most out of all conditions with versatile performance for…
Ozone Alpha V2
With many people wanting to get more time on the water (even in light winds) and the travel restrictions making places with consistently strong winds harder to access, the popularity of single strut kites has increased exponentially. As most kiters’ local spots do not have as consistent a breeze as they would like, people are looking for a “do it…
CrazyFly Hyper
The Hyper 2021 is the newest edition of the renowned big air machine from CrazyFly. The kite design is a 5 strut, delta bow shape, which translates to great hangtime and boosting capabilities! CrazyFly is a leading kite manufacturer since 1999. Based in Europe, the brand is known for having the longest warranty in the kite market: 3 years which…
North Kiteboarding Reach
2021 sees North Kiteboarding bring out their second model of the Reach. Your ‘Desert Island Kite’ is the go-to kite in the range that does everything exceedingly well. This kite has no boundaries. A playful kite that boosts well and shoots upwind while also having the ability to drift nicely in the waves and be accessible for all levels. Looking…
Flysurfer BOOST
The age-old saying goes, don’t change a winning formula. Although I have seen this classic phrase abused in every aspect, you can absolutely apply it to great kite gear, and rightfully so! With FLYSURFER’s commitment to only release new products when the potential to improve the design calls for it, we’re always excited when news of a new release arrives.…
North Kiteboarding Pulse
2021 has seen North bring out their second model of the Pulse. Already a favourite amongst freestyle riders, the Pulse is North’s freestyle/wakestyle kite providing the rider with explosive pop, sharp turns and quick steering, precisely what you want when busting those moves. This hybrid C kite consists of a 3-strut design with a pulley-less bridle system. The new improvements…
Nobile Kiteboarding V-Ride
The 2021 Nobile V-Ride is Nobile’s Freeride/Wave kite. What they’ve done is take their knowledge and experience from earlier models and given the kite a proper makeover. Not so much the kite for Freestyle or Wakestyle, but the V-Ride certainly delivers for big air, wave and freeride rider styles. It’s a 4-line kite with pulleys on the bridles; there are…
Gin Kiteboarding Spirit
At Gin Kiteboarding, the Spirit is their all-around freeride foil kite. Use this kite on the water, out in the snow or on the land… you choose! This versatile closed-cell foil kite is a fantastic choice offering easy handling with great low wind flying capabilities whilst also performing efficiently in high winds for the smaller sizes. Light and easy to…
Eleveight Kites RS V5
The crew over at Eleveight have six inflatable kites in their lineup, from progression friendly to light wind and foil compatible, all the way to performance freestyle and wave. The 3-strut RS, in its 5th version, has cemented its spot as Eleveight's best-selling kite, and we can see why! The Eleveight RS V5 is described as crossover freeride, which indicates…
Eleveight Kites XS V2
The XS is a recent addition to the comprehensive line of leading-edge inflatable kites from Eleveight. Peter Stiewe, Eleveight CEO and Designer, brings nearly 20 years of kite and board design experience to this brand, so you can be confident that they are delivering quality gear. On test today is the 9m XS V2, the second iteration of Eleveight's XS,…
Flysurfer SOUL 2
When it comes to foil kites, FLYSURFER is known for performance. The SOUL, first released in 2018, was packed full of performance features that make kiting feel effortless. It earned its reputation as a kite that provided riders with precise control and fantastic bar feedback, making it a genuinely forgiving and very user-friendly foil kite. The newly released 2nd edition…
Cabrinha Contra
The Cabrinha Contra has been a stalwart of the range for a long time now, it’s a behemoth of a light wind weapon and has saved many a session over the years. Available in four sizes (13, 15, 17 and 19m), there should be a kite for just about everyone in the range. The kite is aimed at getting you…
Naish Kiteboarding Boxer
The new Boxer from Naish is a big statement from the brand in the one strut kite market. Damien Girardin has been working on this design for several years now, if you remember the no-strut Trip kite which was incredibly light and perfect for travelling the Boxer now fills that brief and then some. By using a single strut, the…
Ozone Hyperlink V2
Ozone have been the brand to watch of late, this dedicated small group of passionate riders have been pumping out incredible products for a long time. In recent years their innovation seems to have taken things up a notch or two. The Hyperlink is a case in point. Launched a couple of years ago, the kite aimed to bridge the…
North Kiteboarding Carve
The Carve from North Kiteboarding is a three strut wave kite; the clue is in the name, designed to offer fast turning, excellent drift and impressive depower. Suitable for both strapless freestyle and waves it’s the kite in the range you want to be looking at if you spend your days with a surfboard beneath your feet. It’s a medium…
North Kiteboarding Orbit
We had seen a few prototypes of this kite being used by the likes of Jesse Richman and Nick Jacobsen at the King Of The Air in South Africa. The Orbit is as the name suggests, is a freeride and big air kite for boosting. It’s a 5-strut design with a high aspect swept wingtip design and a flattish profile.…
CrazyFly Sculp
One of CrazyFly’s longest standing kites, the Sculp is back for 2020 as part of their line up. An all-rounder, it has been designed with freeride, freestyle and foil riding in mind. The 2020 Sculp houses 3 struts, a flat delta shape and a higher aspect ratio for increased forward drive and power delivery. The kite itself is made using…
Eleveight Kites RS
Eleveight’s all-round freeride kite the RS, is back again for 2020 complementing their five kite line up as the freeride/crossover model. Designed for use by a range of people in an array of disciplines, it would suit those riders who do not wish to be locked into a certain style. The RS features 3 struts, a simple bridle, effective 1-pump…