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Foil Drive riding has pushed board design in a very specific direction. Efficiency, foil feel, and clean integration now matter more than ever, and few brands have leaned into that reality as effectively as Appletree Surfboards. After riding both the Appletree Zapple and the Appletree Zapple S back-to-back for a full season, Ryan and Hunter from MACkiteboarding break down where these two boards overlap, where they clearly diverge, and, most importantly, who each board is actually for. This i …

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 …

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 …

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, …

The Brazilian Brothers love big air kites, but they also know that they're not all created equal. They'll all boost you high enough to pull some impressive moves or just enjoy the view from up there, but each kite has its own personality. In their Versus series, the Brothers break down the differences between two kites to help you find the perfect match. Up this time are the 2026 Duotone Evo D/LAB and the Harlem Thrive, and testing day brought 25-30 knot winds, perfect for a big air sess …

Foil Drive has just released a new model, the Fusion. What is it, and should you get that or the Max? They're similar but have some important differences, so Ryan and Hunter are here to go over those and what sort of rider might enjoy each one. What Is the Foil Drive Fusion? Some people enjoy using their Foil Drive in eFoil mode, with the propeller low on the mast so it's always in the water. The Fusion has embraced that use and offers a longer, more powerful runtime. With the ability to …

You've probably noticed an eFoil or two while out on the water. Two of the most notable brands on the market today are Foil Drive and Waydoo. We’ve been riding both here on Lake Michigan and at our spring demo sessions, and each system fills a pretty different niche once you get it out on the water. Ryan and Hunter wanted to break things down as honestly as possible so you can figure out which one fits your riding, your crew, and the type of spots you hit. What These Systems Actuall …

At first glance, the 2025 F-One Trigger and Harlem Thrive seem pretty similar. Both are big air kites designed by Ralf Groesel and made at his Brainchild facility, have amazing digitally printed graphics, and use Proweld construction to make them extremely lightweight. But that's where the similarity ends, and one will probably meet your needs better than the other. The Brazilian Brothers have spent a lot of time on both and have some observations to help you sort out which one is right f …

Ryan and Caden were out testing wake gear in Lake Michigan. Caden's been behind wake boats for a while and is currently a Junior on the Michigan State Wakeboarding Team. Ryan's no stranger to the foil but can usually be found riding the wind with a wing. They started out testing various brands, but then a screw decided to take a swim, so the guys switched their focus to the toolless, no-hardware-needed One-Lock foil system from Slingshot. What did they ride, and did they agree on the best …

Nash has doubled down on their wing collection for 2026, with the latest update being a split between the ADX and ADX Nvision. While both wings are built with similar principles, there are distinct differences between the two. Naish's Head of Design, Noah Hoffman, breaks down the differences. Construction Differences The ADX is built with a traditional Dacron T-bone construction with a 2x2 canopy, with the center segments and trailing edge reinforced with a bit sitffer Dacron. This keeps …

Introduction Mast length is one of the most important, and personal choices a foiler makes. It determines how high you ride, how stable you feel in chop, how much lean you can throw into carves, and how easy it is to get started in shallow or tricky water. Code Foils simplifies the decision with just three length options: 75 cm, 80 cm, and 85 cm. Each available in both High Modulus carbon and the stiffer Ultra High Modulus Plus layup. This streamlined lineup avoids overwhelming choices, while s …

"Should I ride a carbon mast or stick with aluminum?" It's a common question here at the shop, especially for those progressing in their wake foiling skills. Honestly, both have their place. We're spoiled here at the shop with access to nearly everything, and we've spent plenty of time on both setups. Caden and Ryan go over the differences, how each impacts your riding, and when to use each option. Pros & Cons of Aluminum Masts Aluminum masts are a smart option for those learning to w …

Welcome to another edition of Versus! This time we're looking at a couple Starboard foilboard models: the Take Off and the Above. While they're both for foiling, they do have some important differences, and Tucker and Jeff are going to try to help you decide which one is better for your quiver. Starboard has been making boards for a long time. Jeff rode them back in his windsurfing days. Needless to say, they're doing something right, and the Take Off and Above are both produced in the Co …

With the release of the FLITELab AMP, you might be wondering how it compares to Foil Drive and whether one is better for you. Cole has experience with both and is ready to share his insights into which he would choose for different foiling disciplines. What's the Difference Between Foil Drive and FLITELab? First off, what are they? Both are foil assist products meant to help you get up on foil and then turn off so you can do your thing, though the Foil Drive can be ridden as a full-time e …

A lot of the time, price gets overlooked as a factor when comparing products. Although we at MACkite usually bring it up to some degree in our blogs and videos since we talk to real customers every day and we understand the reality of having a budget, we're not completely blameless. After all, it can be hard to talk about the price when we're excited about an item that's using all the latest and greatest materials. In this edition of "Versus", we're putting price front and center and are …