2024 North Code Zero Review

This is Jeff at MACkiteboarding.com, and we've gotten our hands on the brand new 2024 Code Zero V2 from North. I was able to take it out in very light winds on three days now.

The New North

As a brief aside, I'm excited about what North is doing this year. They're rebranding back to their North Sails (NS) roots, and I love that. It reminds me of when I was windsurfing back in the day. North's products have always been high class and well-thought-out.

First Impressions

While I'm on the Wing Team here at MACkite, I've also kited and kite foiled for years, though I haven't kite foiled in about a year. I mention this because, when I got on the 8m Code Zero in about 10 - 12 knots, I was blown away at how easy it was to engage with it and feel confident on it. I was powered, yet it didn't have much bar pressure and was steady in the sky. I was amazed at how light it felt as it floated in the air.

What's New?

So what's different for the V2 Code Zero? There have been a few upgrades that are worth mentioning, and I felt the changes they made did translate into how you pilot the kite with the feedback that it gives.

AnMax Leading Edge

The leading edge uses North's new AnMax material. It makes it lighter, yet lends more rigidity to the frame. North also made the bladders lighter. A lot of kites are making their leading edges lighter and stiffer now, and I feel that North did a wonderful job with this for the Code Zero V2.

N High Tenacity Yarn Ripstop Canopy

Brands are looking to lighter, stronger materials for their canopy, and I could feel the difference in North's material while the kite was in the sky.

Reworked Bridles

North moved the bridle attachment points further back on the leading edge. This increases the kite's direct steering and reduces the load in the middle of the kite, which makes it feel light and playful in the sky. That's exactly what I felt when I got on the kite. Although I hadn't been on a kite foil in about a year, I was blown away at how light it felt on my first downstroke to get up on foil, yet I always knew where the kite was.

The combination of the increased stiffness of the leading edge and the bridle adjustment gave the kite a direct, yet light feel, which is exactly what you want when you're wing foiling. The days I went out were very light wind. One day had flatter water, but the other had some waves that I needed to focus on, rather than worrying about what my kite was doing. The Code Zero nails it here. I never felt like I had to look at it to see where it was; the kite was always exactly where I felt it should be according to what I was feeling at the bar.

Flight Characteristics

I put the kite into some situations where it might backstall, such as walking downwind with the kite straight up in the sky. It just hovered there and stayed in the air. You can park it and drift it incredibly well, thanks to the lighter materials. That's just what you want in a kite you're using for foiling. I didn't have to worry about the kite whatsoever.

I did do some transitions without downlooping the kite. I usually like to downloop a kite in light wind to make sure that, if I mess up and end up in the water, the kite is already on its way up. Even without the downloop, I was impressed at the kite's ability to be in the sky exactly where you're steering it. It doesn't deviate much from that spot. Even though it's got light bar pressure, it's very intuitive.

It's also very fast. To have a kite that's light, responsive and playful, and fast, yet doesn't feel out of control, makes an excellent foil kite. North also says you can use it in waves, though I didn't get a chance to try that yet. However, I feel that it is a kite that could do well in waves.

I have been on some other single strut and no-strut foil kites. I think the Code stands above the others in that new bridle position. When you downstroke to get power on this kite, you don't lose it. It doesn't fold in on itself or feel like it sucks that power up. You can feel the power, but it's not so much power that it feels out of control.

It has a very good balance of power to get you up on foil and low end grunt. I was on the 8m in 10 - 12 knots and I weigh 175 lbs, and I didn't feel like I needed anything larger. In fact, I think this kite would be a bit much in 14 knots and above.

You hear a lot these days about lighter and stronger materials and bridle adjustments, but the 2024 North Code Zero's refinements did transfer into a kite that performs like it should.

Who's It For?

If you're looking for a foil kite or even a wave kite that's playful with light bar pressure, yet you'll always know where it is, drifts well, has power, and flies quickly while you still feel in control, this is the kite for you.

Reach out to us at the shop if you have any questions. Enjoy the stoke!

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