2026 Duotone Rebel D/LAB Review: 30-Knot Test

The Brazilian Brothers are ready to provide honest feedback on the 2026 Rebel D/LAB by Duotone. They are pumping it up and getting on the water to see how this highly anticipated kite performs in the epic 25 to 30-knot Brazilian wind.

Rubens walks across the beach and toward the water while holding the Duotone Rebel D/LAB kite under his arm.

The Rebel D/LAB kite is a five-strut powerhouse that requires little introduction for those following the big air scene. It is the kite Jamie Overbeek used to record the highest jump in history on a twintip. It has also been proven in competition by legends like Finn Flugel and Max Tullet.

New Materials and Construction

The 2026 Rebel D/LAB features the brand-new Aluula DTX material on the leading edge. This is a significant upgrade, as the material moves away from the gold Aluula that was present on the 2025 version of the kite. The five-strut design remains the backbone of this powerhouse, providing the stability and structure the Rebel is known for.

Close-up of the Aluula DTX leading edge on the Duotone Rebel D/LAB.

The Massive Upgrade: Removing Pulleys

One of the most significant changes for the 2026 Rebel D/LAB is that Duotone has removed pulleys altogether. The back lines now feature a straight connection to the kite. The front lines are also configured without any pulleys, providing direct attachments to the leading edge. This change aims to refine the kite's feel and responsiveness.

Rubens launches his kite on the beach.

First Impressions in 30 Knots

The Brazilian Brothers took the 8-meter out in conditions pushing 30 knots. Right away, they noticed the bar pressure. It is much lighter than the 2026 Rebel SLS and also much lighter than the previous version of the D/LAB. For riders who love light bar pressure, this is a nice update.

Rubens flies his kite one-handed with the light bar pressure.

Jumping and Looping Performance

In terms of jumping, the Rebel D/LAB is a beast. It offers a ton of height potential and may be the best jumping kite the Brothers have tested in Brazil. It provides massive boosts even if you don't perfectly hit the takeoff.

When it comes to looping, the 2026 version is much faster than previous generations of the D/LAB. While it still has a bit of juice and yank behind the loop, it is impressively reliable. It caught them every single time with no problems whatsoever.

Rubens does a board-off while looping the Duotone Rebel D/LAB to catch himself while landing.

Ease of Use and Wind Range

The kite stands out for its ease of use, particularly regarding its jumping ability. Even when the takeoff wasn't ideal, it was still possible to get really good boosts. Regarding the wind range, the kite seems to have a great high end. Toward the end of the session when the wind dropped slightly, it felt like it could use a little more pressure, suggesting that the low end might not be its most optimal point. However, these are initial impressions, and further testing across a wider range of conditions will provide a fuller picture of its performance.

Rubens jumps very high with the Duotone Rebel D/LAB.