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When riders ask us about flotation, the first thing we usually have to do is slow the conversation down. Not all vests are built for the same purpose. And if you kiteboard or wing foil, what you need on the water looks very different than what a boater might need. The Ride Engine Empax Vest has become one of our go-to recommendations because it strikes a balance that actually works in real riding conditions. We’ve used it kiting in powered summer sessions, winging in choppy Lake Mic …

Brainchild DNA | Two Very Different Big Air Personalities The Brazilian Brothers are back with another high-level big air showdown—this time comparing two of the most hyped five-strut kites in the game. Both are built at the Brainchild Production facility and designed by Ralf Groesel, but that’s where the similarities start to diverge. On paper, they look like close cousins. In the sky, they feel radically different. This breakdown covers: Jump performance Loop characteristics B …

The Brazilian Brothers are back with a comparison that many riders have been waiting for—a direct breakdown of the Trigger Brainchild versus the Bandit Brainchild. While both kites share the same design lineage and manufacturing DNA, they deliver drastically different experiences on the water. This is not a subtle tuning difference. These are two kites built for different missions. If you are deciding between explosive big air performance and all-around versatility, this breakdown will …

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 …

Choosing between the North Reach and the North Orbit is one of the most common questions riders ask when building or refining their quiver. On paper, both kites come from the same design DNA, share North’s build quality, and cover overlapping size ranges. In practice, they are built for very different riding styles, wind ranges, and priorities. This comparison breaks down how each kite actually performs on the water, where each one shines, where each one falls short, and how to spend y …

F-One sent the Brazilian Brothers a Trigger TEC to try out, so they headed down to the beach in Prea where Rubens geared up, pumped up, and launched, excited to see how it handled and whether he could get some good jumps in the 25 knot conditions. What Is the Trigger TEC? Available in sizes from 6-12m, the Trigger TEC is a 5-strut high-performance big air kite that shares its DNA with the Trigger Brainchild, but is more intuitive and forgiving. Its leading edge and struts use CODE-TEC, a …

The Peak is a big air/freeride kite from Harlem, and there was quite a bit of buzz around its release when Lorenzo Casati pulled off the highest kiteloop in history with a prototype. Of course, he's a pro rider, so what does that mean for your sessions? Rubens of the Brazilian Brothers has the breakdown on the Peak's performance. What Is the Harlem Peak? Like all Brainchild designs, the Peak was developed by Ralf Groesel, and he brought his years of experience to the table. Here's what t …

This episode brings together three purpose-built five-strut big air kites and one of Brazil’s most exciting big air talents, Josue “Baby Shark” San Ferreira (Instagram @josuesanf), for a true side-by-side comparison. No hype, no marketing spin—just real feedback from a rider throwing powered tricks in challenging, gusty conditions. The Brainchild lineup: Reedin MasterModel F-One Trigger Harlem Peak All three are five-strut designs aimed squarely at big air riders wh …

The Brazilian Brothers from MACkiteboarding got their hands on the Eleveight Kiteboarding RS Pro V2 and wasted no time putting it straight into real conditions for a true first-impressions session. With winter wind delivering a rare January opportunity, this was a chance to see how Eleveight’s flagship freeride kite feels right out of the bag, before any long-term tuning or familiarity sets in. This session focused on setup, build quality, bar feel, jumping, looping, and overall usabil …

The RS platform has long been the backbone of the Eleveight kite lineup, serving as the brand’s benchmark all-around freeride design. Now entering its second generation, the RS Pro V2 represents the most refined, no-compromise interpretation of that platform to date. In a beachside conversation at MACkiteboarding, Eleveight’s Kevin Wade breaks down how the RS Pro V2 came to life, why certain material decisions were made, and who this kite is ultimately designed for. Rather than c …

Choosing the right big air kite can feel overwhelming, especially when brands offer multiple high-performance options with overlapping capabilities. In this comparison, the Brazilian Brothers from MACkiteboarding take a closer look at two of Reedin’s most performance-driven kites: the Master Model and the HyperModel. Both kites are designed for riders who want serious airtime, fast handling, and progression potential, but they approach those goals in very different ways. This breakdown …

The Harlem Lead has become one of the Brazilian Brothers' favorite kiteboarding control bars, and for good reason. Not only does it have an auto-untwist system, but it works flawlessly, and they'd have a hard time going back to a bar without it. But there are a couple little things that aren't quite perfect, too. So is this still a bar they'd recommend? Auto-Untwist System The standout feature of the Harlem Lead bar is its auto-untwist system and, even after a couple months of hard use, i …

When it comes to modern big air kiteboarding, few comparisons spark as much interest as the matchup between the North Orbit and the Cabrinha Nitro. Tested in Brazil by the Brazilian Brothers under real overpowered conditions, this comparison digs past marketing claims and into how these two kites actually feel, perform, and differ when ridden hard. At first glance, the Orbit and Nitro share a lot of similarities. Both are designed squarely for big-air riding with a twin tip under your feet, …

Introduction In this review, the Brazilian Brothers share their long-term impressions of the Jacobsen Project YES Kite after months of testing in Brazil. The focus is on the things riders actually care about—jumping, looping behavior, stability, ease of use, and overall value—so readers can quickly decide whether this kite fits their riding style and goals. Who This Kite Is For The YES Kite is positioned as a versatile, confidence-building freeride kite that punches above its wei …

The 2026 Duotone Rebel SLS arrived with a lot of anticipation, and for good reason. The Rebel has long been one of the most recognizable and trusted big-air kites on the market, with a loyal following that values its powerful low end, easy vertical boost, and predictable handling. For 2026, Duotone made a bold design decision that immediately caught attention: the complete removal of pulleys from the front line attachments. That single change alone sparked plenty of conversation before the k …