Description
2024 North Orbit PRO Kiteboarding Kite
Not for the faint-hearted. The pro-version of our premier 5-strut kite is competition-optimised to land the highest-scoring tricks, and engineered lighter with faster steering, more extreme boosting and hangtime.
Pat & Dustin's Take on the 2024 North Orbit Pro Kite
Pat: I got a chance to take the 9m out, though I was a bit underpowered. The Orbit Pro flies phenomenally. It's pretty light in the bar with a very quick and snappy response in the air. I'm very pleased with this one and really want to get it in some overpowered conditions.
Dustin: Compared to the regular Orbit, the Pro is a lot faster.
Pat: It's got the same Orbit DNA that everyone's come to know and love. The Orbit is a staple in big air kiteboarding, and the Pro takes it to that next level. North wanted to focus on making a kite for their pro team that would help them push one step further. Really, it's a phenomenal kite.
Dustin: Yeah, they nailed it. They sought to get that Pro model, and they definitely hit it.
Pat: One big difference between the standard construction Orbit and the Orbit Pro is the size range it comes in. The Pro comes in a 6 - 11 meter range versus the Orbit, which goes up to a 14m.
Dustin: They also changed the material and bridle. The Pro uses the N-Max material, which makes the kite five times stronger than the standard and 13 percent lighter.
Pat: The Orbit Pro is for the experienced big air rider. This isn't a kite you're going to go out and learn your kiteloops and big jumps on, but if you're already looping a kite and looking to push things further, it's a great choice. With a kite that's this much faster, you can over-send the kite if you don't know what you are doing. It makes the sweet spot for the kite a little bit narrower.
Dustin: There's going to be less of a low end, too. It's not going to be the greatest kite for low winds.
Pat: If you're on the Orbit Pro, you shouldn't be riding in low winds anyways. You want to go out there in conditions that are really pushing your boundaries, and this kite can go right there with you. The price point comes in a bit lower than your other options in the premium material, so it's nice to have an item that's a little bit more budget-friendly.
Dustin: My takeaways for the Orbit Pro are:
- Super fast
- Big, loopy kite
- Geared towards advanced riders
- Friendly price point
Pat: We're stoked on the new Orbit Pro and definitely would recommend it if you're looking to push your big air boundaries.
Sizes: 6m / 7m / 8m / 9m / 10m / 11m
| Size | Wind Range |
| 6 | 21+ |
| 7 | 19-36 |
| 8 | 17-35 |
| 9 | 15-32 |
| 10 | 13-29 |
| 11 | 12-27 |
Features:
Engineered lighter
Its efficient, weight saving design features lighter N-Max Dacron, stripped back scuff guards, the lightest bladders, reduced HyperFlow hardware and steering impulse attachment points.
Podium Proven
The Orbit Pro lets you exploit increased pressure systems at altitude for greater power and delivers the hangtime you need to win the heat.
Performance Driven
At North, we know committing to overpowered airs and megaloops in gusty conditions demands unwavering trust in your kite. The Orbit Pro guarantees Incredible top-end control and performance you can rely on.
Technology:
Refined weight-saving construction
Engineered to feel as light as possible, the Orbit Pro has many weight-saving features for lighter more agile handling. We’ve used lighter N-Max Dacron, stripped back the scuff guards, used the lightest bladders, reduced the HyperFlow hardware and steering impulse attachment points. The canopy is constructed using North High Tenacity Ripstop (N-HTRS) polyester yarn canopy material for lightness, high tear strength and longevity.
Light and direct bar pressure options
The Orbit Pro has two steering line attachment points. Closest to the wingtip (-) is the factory setting your kite will be delivered with. Use this setting for light bar pressure and a slightly more direct feel in the steering. Further away from the wingtip (+) gives a medium bar pressure, firmer, more direct steering and shorter depower travel. It’s a Formula 1 feel, requiring a little more force to control the steering.
Bridle shape optimised
For nailing the highest-scoring tricks. The reworked bridles ensure consistent high-performance, especially in the high end. We’ve retained the Orbit’s controlled response and fast steering while giving the kite a more energetic feel with increased depower. Our competition athletes have put the Orbit Pro through hardcore testing in exteme conditions, enabling us to refine the steering behaviour and give the kite a more responsive feel. When you’re in inverted rotations, you’ll know where it is.
2m line extensions included
For more extreme height. The 2m line extensions create 24m lines when combined with the standard 10m + 12m Navigator Control lines. 24m lines means you can exploit the increased pressure at altitude for greater boosting power.
Extreme boosts and megaloops
Increased amplitude, faster turning, catch and recovery. The Orbit Pro is super-efficient with great power delivery. It’s also fast and responsive in the steering and flies forward through the sky quickly, so it’s able to get around and catch you, climb up and give you time to prepare for your landing.
Refined strut isolation capacity
To reduce the overall kite weight, the Orbit Pro is supplied with a single HyperFlow pinch clamp on the centre strut only. This helps to concentrate any weight in the centre of the kite, enabling a balanced load distribution for faster turning and reduced swing weight. Note: HyperFlow Pinch Clamps can be purchased separately and added to the second and third struts if preferred.
DuraLite seam protection
We’ve reduced the length of the lightweight STPU reinforcement patches that protect the leading edge from chafing and abrasion. Markcloth seam protectors on the canopy also help to protect the stitching.
Aerodynamic profile transition panels (PTP)
Refined panel cuts reduce the number of seams and ensure a precise lateral profile shape is maintained as close to the leading edge as possible, creating a smooth transition from the segmented leading edge to the curved canopy. The PTP reduce inconsistencies in the profile, resulting in a more efficient kite, with aerodynamic airflow and less turbulence.
Lightweight bladders in all sizes
Because weight matters. Lighter weight means a smaller turning radius. The lighter the kite, the faster the steering, the more lift it creates and the higher you jump. Bladders make up a bigger weight percentage than any other material used in a kite, so we’ve selected 17% lighter weight bladder material in all sizes to help the kite feel even lighter and more responsive in all conditions. This additional weight reduction improves the low-end capabilities and helps the kite fly more efficiently. It also improves the overall static balance by reducing weight in the front of the kite.
Stable 5-strut performance
When you’re chasing a storm, the Orbit Pro provides incredible top-end control. The five-strut design gives it an incredible amount of stability and wind range, and you have a lot more control over the canopy movement at low attack angles. Reduced diameter micro struts are engineered as thin as possible while maintaining structural integrity.
Segmented curved arc-design
We’ve smoothed out the shape of the LE, introducing a segmented curve arc that is slightly narrower in the shoulders and wider in the wingtips. The wingtip has more of an elliptical shape for reduced drag and slightly faster turning speed, while a slightly deeper profile in the centre creates more lift.
Recycled PET kite bag
Every North kite bag is made from a durable recycled polyester ripstop fabric. Recycled materials are also used to make our own custom webbing. The bag is generously sized to fit your packed-down kite easily, with corrosion-free zippers, stash pockets and air-vents in the bottom and sides of the bag. North kite bags also have an external Control System pocket, Kite Pump attachment and ergonomic shoulder and chest straps.
N-MAX Airframe:
N-Max is a coated composite material which ensures the airframe meets structural stiffness and durability demands without adding unnecessary weight. The multi-layer structure of this new material improves the tear strength five times. N-Max also has a more balanced weave for a crisp, lively feel. The symmetrical yarn pattern gives the material a lower bias elongation which snaps back to its original shape faster. This provides the kite with a crisp response, more precise steering and more dynamic recovery.