High Aspect vs. Low Aspect Foils

High Aspect vs. Low Aspect Foils

Are you having trouble finding a proper foil? Maybe you're looking for a setup with a different feel? Well, you've come to the right place; there are some many different things to consider when searching for the perfect foil. Things like aspect ratio, surface area, fuselage length, and wing constructions are all parts worth heavy consideration for building your foil.

In this blog, we'll focus on aspect ratio.

What is Aspect Ratio?

It's the difference between the wingspan and the chord length of the wing. You can calculate the aspect ratio of a wing by dividing the wingspan by the chord length.

A low aspect wing looks chunky and round (right) while the high aspect wing looks long and thin (left).

Low Aspect

Low aspect wings are known for a rather aggressive lift with rapid acceleration in addition to a limited speed range. Because of their narrow wingspan, they have a tendency to roll edge-to-edge; this also means they have less glide which will hinder the pumping effect. 

You may also not be able to keep up with a wave if you reach the top-end speed of your wing. With that said, these wings are popular for kite foiling and for people looking for a "carvey" playful foil.

High Aspect

High aspect wings are known for slower acceleration, but have a much greater speed range over the low aspect. These are awesome for pumping and have an exceptional glide. With a greater top-end speed you can catch up to waves and pump forever! 

These wings are starting to become very popular for SUP foiling, foil surfing, and winging. The ability to pump longer and easier is due in part to the narrow chord. The narrow chord limits the amount of drag when changing the angle of the front wing on the upstroke of the pump.