Reedin HyperModel vs. Duotone Evo D/Lab

The Reedin HyperModel and Duotone Evo D/Lab are both freeride kites made with the premium Aluula material, but is one better for you? Pat and Dustin rode both 9m kites on the same day in order to see how they compare.

Dustin: As soon as we swapped kites, I immediately noticed that the Reedin bar pressure was so much lighter than the D/Lab.

Pat: I thought the exact same thing. When I got on the D/Lab, I thought the wind had ticked up because the bar pressure on the Evo was that much stronger. I never thought of the Evo as being a very high bar pressure kite because I've never ridden it back-to-back with such a light bar pressure kite, but hopping between the two, they're completely different flying kites. I thought they were going to be a lot closer with the Evo being the main Aluua three-strut kite on the market in multiple sizes. The Flight is only three strut in the bigger sizes, so it's cool comparing the Evo with another D/Lab kite in three struts.

Dustin: Yeah, I thought they were going to be super similar, but they are very different kites, which was a surprise. I think the Evo has a better low end.

Pat: I'd agree. I don't know if it actually has the better low end or if it's perceived because we're both riding fine and jumping well. It might be perceived because of that heavier bar pressure, so you feel like you have more pull.

Dustin: The Evo feels a bit more grunty. I prefer the medium bar pressure, grunty kites.

Pat: And I actually prefer the lighter side of things. I think it this comes down to what we're both used to riding. I gravitate towards those lighter bar pressure kites, especially in the smaller sizes when I'm doing kiteloops in higher winds. You can tune the bar pressure a bit on both these kites by changing the settings on the wingtips, but that being said, if it feels lighter on the factory bar pressure setting, it's probably going to remain slightly lighter overall. So while you can increase it slightly, it's not going to make a night and day difference as far as how heavy that bar pressure actually is.

Dustin: Right. This is our comparison right out of the box.

Pat: I feel like the the HyperModel turned a bit faster. The loops were a bit tighter and a little faster-feeling. It wasn't pulling me as much through the loops, where when I got on the Evo, I felt like whenever I was downlooping it, I was getting that little yank or punch from it.

Dustin: I would love to get the HyperModel in that 30 knot range. We were in about 25 with a gust every once in a while, so neither one of us were throwing loops, just downloops and tossing around in the waves.

Pat: I noticed that the whenever the HyperModel gets hit by a gust, where some kites tend to get pushed downwind, the HyperModel really shoots forward in the window, which actually helps to absorb some of those gusts by pushing up into them instead of getting pushed downwind by them, which I always like. It makes it feel like it can handle a little more wind. On an overpowered day, the HyperModel will definitely excel. I feel like the HyperModel is more of that all-around style. It's still good for big air, but I feel like it definitely is a little more versatile than the Evo even though the Evo is also an all-around kite.

Dustin: Definitely. The Reedin is a little bit better for looping.

Pat: I wouldn't necessarily say it's better, but I would say it's a faster, tighter loop. I guess it depends on what you're looking for in your loops. The Evo is going to be a more powerful loop. It generates more power and it gives that little bit of a yank in your loop, where the HyperModel is going to pivot right on itself and go right back up to zenith. I felt like the Evo D/Lab had a higher hang time, but you could make up for it on the HyperModel with a bit more active flying of the kite. As long as you're moving it across the wind window while you're up in the air, it tended to hold up a little bit longer than something like the Evo. The Evo is more sheet-and-go; it's simple and brainless where you don't have to actively fly the kite as much.

Dustin: Totally. So who are they for?

Pat: They're for anybody who's looking for that next step up in their kite performance. I like to compare it to a full-suspension carbon mountain bike versus aluminum. Not everybody needs it, but it is nice to have so you get the next step up in performance. What size options do we have for the Evo?

Dustin: We have 7 through 13m.

Pat: And for the HyperModel you've got the 6 through 14m, minus a 13m. Honestly, I feel that the way they spread them, you're probably going to get a similar feel out of the HyperModel 14m and the 13m Evo. It's a good size range for both and I don't think I'd want any more or any less options for those.

Dustin: The HyperModel weighs 5.6 lb, whereas the Evo D/Lab came in at 5.2 lb, so it's a little bit lighter weight.

Pat: I'm guessing the main difference comes in from the other materials they are using on the kite. I know Duotone is using their SLS material as the reinforcing patches, where the HyperModel is using more of a lightweight Dacron. It could also just be how they're stitching each kite, but they're really pretty close and I wouldn't let that number be my deciding factor in which kite I went with. And there's probably a little bit of sand in each of them at this point, so those are "beach numbers", so take them with a grain of salt. Or sand.

Dustin: On the beach, don't forget your adapters. Get the Duotone adapter for the Evo D/Lab.

Pat: And for the HyperModel you're going to need the MaxFlow valve. You do get two MaxFlow valves with the kite when you buy it; there's one attached to the outside of the bag and there's one inside the front pocket as well, which is nice since not everybody has that.

Dustin: The Duotone adapter is not included, so don't forget to add that onto your purchase if you don't have one.

Pat: If you have any questions about either of the kites, let us know and we'll get back to you.

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