Latest News, Blog & Videos
Wing Foiling Innovations | Are Booms Really Better Than Handles?
All of a sudden, it seems like wings with booms are everywhere. Maybe you've been to a recent event and noticed that many of the best riders were using them. If they are, should you be? Well, it depends. Like so many gear choices in watersports, it comes down to things like your riding style, weight, experience, and personal preference, among other considerations. So what's the deal with booms, and should your next wing have one?Benefits of a BoomA lot of brands are now giving riders the c
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30th Dec 2024
2025 Duotone Unit SLS Review | Boom or Handles for Your Riding Style?
The Duotone Unit has been around for quite a few years now, and with good reason. It's easy to ride, it has a lot of grunt, it's intuitive, and it's easy to get up on foil with it. The larger sizes are effective in light wind. It's just a nice, all-around wing with very good performance, and it's a favorite of many.
This year Duotone added a third version of the Unit. The standard Unit has gotten a canopy material upgrade to reduce weight, and the D/LAB still has a full Aluula frame, pl
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30th Oct 2024
Mid-Length Boards or Downwind Boards | Which Is Better for Wing Foiling?
MACkite's top wingnuts, Tucker, Ryan, and Jeff, are chatting about boards today. Downwind boards are gaining in popularity, but the really hot boards are hybrid, or mid-length boards. There seems to be a bit of misunderstanding about these two types of boards and their applications, especially with all the recent innovations, so the wing crew has gotten together to talk about their experiences on them and when they like to choose each one. If you're moving past the beginner phase of your wi
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15th Oct 2024
2024 Reedin SuperNatural Wing vs. the HyperNatural Aluula Wing
Jeff and Ryan have had sessions on both the Reedin SuperNatural and its Aluula brother, the HyperNatural, and they're ready to share how the two compare. Does the Aluula make enough of a difference that it's worth the extra cost?
Jeff had a chance to get on the two back-to-back, while Ryan got out on them separately but in a wide variety of conditions for both. They agree that both are fantastic, well-designed wings. In fact, Ryan's had the SuperNatural in his car most of the summer and fe
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22nd Aug 2024
Foil Drive Prop Comparison | 2-Blade vs. 3-Blade | Which is Better?
Foil Drive systems come standard with a 2-blade propeller, and it works great. However, they also offer a 3-blade prop as an upgrade. How is its performance different from the stock propeller, and which one is right for you? Ryan got a chance to get out in the water to test both back-to-back and was able to make some interesting observations.What Are Some Differences?Ryan was out in small, challenging conditions where the assist from the Foil Drive was pretty much a must. He was surprised
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11th Jul 2024
Axis Foil Drive Board vs. Omen Flux
The Axis Foil Drive board has just arrived at the shop, and the guys managed to get a quick morning session in small conditions on it. It's quite similar to the Omen Flux, but there are a few differences. What are they, and how did the Axis Foil Drive board stack up to the shop favorite Flux? Ryan's got it broken down for us.
Shape
Both the Axis Foil Drove and the Omen Flux are a bit longer and narrower than your typical prone surfboard. This makes them more efficient and easier to pop
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2nd Jul 2024
North Mode Ultra Wing Review | Innovative Design and Cutting-Edge Materials
In today's episode of Wing Wednesdays, Tucker has the all-new 2024 North Mode Ultra. You're probably familiar with the Mode, North's speedy race wing, as well as the Mode Pro that was introduced last year as an upgraded construction model, but the Ultra is on a whole other level. What makes this new entry to the Mode lineup so special?
What is the Ultra?
The Mode Ultra is North's top-tier, no-compromises wing construction. It delivers with a level of performance that hasn't been seen b
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14th Jun 2024
2024 North Nova Pro Wing Review (and Vs. Mode Pro?)
It's Wing Wednesdays, and this week Jeff and Tucker have the North Nova Pro. They had a chance to ride it and have some insights to share on how it feels and how it's different from the Mode Pro and what's been upgraded from last year's version of the Nova. North is a brand that is known for quality materials and design, and the guys have high expectations.ShiftLock Handle/Boom SystemThe 2024 Nova Pro has the new ShiftLock System, which is a rail that you clamp your choice of handles or bo
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16th May 2024
2024 F-One Strike V4 Wing Vs. Swing V4 | Which One is Right for You?
Tucker and Jeff are back with some more winging goodness for Wing Wednesdays. Today they're looking at two wings from F-One, the Swing and the Strike. What's new with these wings for 2024? How do they compare to one another and previous versions? They got some time on the early releases of these wings and have some insights to share.Low-End vs. High-End PerformanceLast year, the Strike lost some of that low-end grunt in exchange for more performance at the high end. Some Strike fans even m
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8th May 2024
Code S Series vs. Code R Series Foils | Which One Is Right for You?
Welcome to Foil Fridays with Tucker! Today, Tucker introduces Code Foils, and-...Wait, MORE foils? Tucker, what's up with that? Care to explain yourself??Does Tucker Have a Foil Hoarding Problem? You Decide...This is a new brand for us in the shop. Arguably, we probably don't need another foil brand; we do have a ton of amazing foil brands, but after riding the Code foils, we had to add them to our lineup because they are just that special! Their system is pretty simple and straightforward
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1st May 2024
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 str
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19th Dec 2023
The Aluula Kites Breakthrough | Who Should Make the Switch?
Dustin and Pat take a look at some kites made with Aluula. What is it, and is it worth the hype? Is it right for you?What is Aluula?Dustin: Aluula is a step up from your normal kites. It's like the carbon bike of the kite world.Pat: Absolutely. It's that carbon fiber frame mountain bike in the kite industry. Is aluminum or steel good for most people out there? Yes. Do you need carbon? Probably not, but is it a nice upgrade and do you get some performance benefits from it? Absolutely.What a
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29th Nov 2023
Axis Spitfire Vs ART | The Foil Wing Comparison You'll Want to See
Ryan and Cole have been fielding a lot of questions about how the Axis ART and Spitfire front foil wings compare. Here, they take time out to discuss where each excels and what sets them apart.Pumping
Ryan: How does the ART pump compared to the Spitfire? What are the differences that you've noticed there, Cole?
Cole: For pumping, the clear winner is going to be the ART. The ART is a sick wing for pumping because of that high-aspect design. This thing just glides through the water, with
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22nd Nov 2023
2024 Duotone Unit D/Lab Wing | Worth the Upgrade to Aluula?
The Duotone Unit is now available in the Aluula construction, known as D/LAB. How is it different from the standard Dacron construction, and is it worth it?Benefits of Aluula
If you compare a 5m standard Unit with a 6.5m D/LAB Unit, one of the first things you'll notice is that the leading edges are very similar in diameter. This isn't because they stay the same across the range; the D/LAB material is so strong and stiff that it becomes possible to reduce the diameter of the leading edge
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22nd Nov 2023
2024 Duotone Ventis Vs 2024 North Loft Pro | Which Light Wind Wing is Better?
Getting Up and Riding | Ease of Use
The primary purpose of a light wind wing is to get you up and riding with ease. Jeff and Ryan both agree that when it comes to “get up and go,” the North Loft Pro takes the win. It's easier to handle and builds speed effortlessly. The Loft Pro offers excellent stability and doesn't require aggressive pumping to get moving, even in sub 10 knots conditions.
The Duotone Ventis, on the other hand, isn't far behind. It may require a bit more technical handli
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1st Nov 2023