newer gen wave kites ?

thurmondmb · Since 10 Jul 2018 71 Posts

I'm currently rocking older SSTs for waves and was curious if anyone has a good recommendation for an upgrade. I'm not brand loyal. Just looking for something with a nice wind range per size, drifts well, goes upwind well. I have the V2 ufo for foiling and like the way those handle so anything comparable with 3 strut would be great

Thanks

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 907 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Not going to mention any brands because I don't want to start the this verses that brand debate. With production wave kite designs being decades old at this point, I believe most of the brands produce good designs for 3 strut wave kites. The real question about what wave kite to buy is how much money are you willing to spend on material construction to drop the weight of the kites in your quiver. You can now spend up to $3K for a single aluula built kite or still buy standard dacron built kites for a little over a grand.

I went the route of lighter is better several years back when the new materials first came available. Super stoked with the drifting, turning speed, and upwind performance of the lighter and more expensive materials. Thus, I am now addicted to the superior lighter materials and will never go back.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2107 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Lots of good brands out there. And I’m going to name a brand because I’d love to start a brand vs brand to generate some traffic on the site…

I love my Ozone Reo. They also make one with the lighter materials.

https://ozonekites.com/kite/kites/range/wave/

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2633 Posts The 503 METAL

I think you can say that a good wave kite naturally will not be great at "going upwind".

A good wave kite turns really well (can pivot direction without yanking you off your wave), sits back in the window, and drifts with you as you ride down the line. Whereas a higher aspect racing type kite will ride forward in the window in order to rocket you upwind.

I've flown the SST and would say it's an okay kite but kind of clunky compared to the Ozone Reo which is a precise turning wave kite that you can operate easily with one hand and forget about it while you crank top-to-bottom turns. It just stays up there and refuses to fall out of the sky when the lines go slack.

shred_da_gorge · Wed Apr 22, 26 10:15 am

Agree with prior post on the characteristics. Back in the day they said the North Rebel was a good wave kite, and I found it excellent... until I started riding waves (hence they came out with the Neo). I've now been on two generations of Naish Pivot and found them to behave exactly as described - they turn easily, apply power and depower linearly with input, and sit back in the window and follow you downwind without Hindenburging.

I've tried to SSTs and just plain didn't like them, but that's just my personal taste (actually I have a friend's 8m and 12m that I should post for sale).

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 625 Posts Addicted

Yup to all of the above
The Ozone Enduro has a wave setting that doesn’t make it a Reo but it does go upwind a bit better. Not what I think about with a wave kite but they do exist to some degree. I seem to remember the SST had a sort of ‘cam’ feel to the bar pressure where it would go upwind ok but if you were sensitive with the bar pressure and pulled the bar in just slightly it felt like it would kick in a gear and go upwind better. Only kite I’ve ever felt that on. Been a while since I rode one though.