Brazilian Brothers Review the 2025 North Reach Kite

The Reach is a three-strut all-around freeride kite by North. It's been the do-it-all kite in North's lineup for a few years now, so the Brazilian Brothers were excited to see how the 2025 version performed from a big air perspective.

What's New with the North Reach?

There are two big improvements to the 2025 Reach. The first is that the leading edge now uses N-MAX 2. This material allows for a leading edge with a reduced diameter, which not only makes it lighter, but more aerodynamic as well. The other improvement is an increased aspect ratio to give the kite better lift.

How Does the Reach Fly?

The first thing you'll notice once you have the kite in the air is how light the bar pressure is. It also feels very direct since there are no pulleys. Once you begin to fly, you'll find that the Reach is nimble, intuitive, and easy to fly. Any level rider will feel comfortable on this kite.

Can the Reach Jump Well?

For a freeride kite, the Reach performs quite well. The increased aspect ratio has made a noticeable difference in jumping height and hangtime. Of course, it's a 3-strut kite and won't be able to compete with a kite like the Orbit, but it still jumps surprisingly well.

Can You Kiteloop on the Reach?

Yes, the Reach performs very well when it comes to looping. It has a small, fast loop with a nice degree of recovery after the loop. The Brothers were able to pull off some maneuvers almost immediately, including boogies.

That said, it's not a dedicated big air kite, so you're not going to have as much second lift as you can get on the Orbit. You'll have to work pretty hard to do a good heli-loop and come down nice and soft.

Is the Reach Easy to Use?

This is where the Reach shines. Whether you're taking your first lesson or learning your first kiteloops, the Reach is easy and intuitive. It's easy to relaunch, so putting your kite in the water isn't a big deal. It's also got great low-end ability. If you have a 15m in your quiver, you'll be able to get those elusive light wind sessions.

Is There Anything Else I Should Know?

The high end could still use some attention in the 2025 model. The 8m behaves very well between 25 and 30 knots, but much above that it starts to get hard to control because there just isn't enough depower. If you ride in nuking conditions, take a look at something that's more comfortable when it's overpowered, like the Orbit.

Is the Reach Right for Me?

The Brothers recommend the Reach for people of all levels who might be interested in not only riding a twintip, but also foil and strapless boards, thanks to its amazing versatility. They love the Reach's light bar pressure, increased aspect ratio, and ease-of-use. If you ride in overpowered conditions, check out the Orbit, but if you're out in light to moderate winds, the Reach is a great pick for anyone wanting to sample multiple disciplines.

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