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Ozone and Flysurfer are two brands well-known for their ram-air foil kites, so it comes as no surprise that their entries into the new parawing category are some of the most popular and top-rated. With many years of experience making non-inflatable kites, both companies have a bit of a head start into the technology that's going to produce a high-performing parawing. So how do you choose between them? First off, both are great parawings. The most important thing is to pick the right size …

Judging by the number of calls we get about the Gen2 Foil Drive, it's a popular choice for foilers wanting to get more out of their sessions, but the number of battery options can be a little overwhelming. There are two main units to choose from, each with two battery sizes (three if you count the travel batteries, though it's pretty obvious when to choose those). Ryan and Aaron are here to clear up the confusion and help you confidently choose the right combination for your Foil Drive needs. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Guest vlogger Jason Montreal is back with another big air kite review. He's going to cover two kites in this edition: the Slingshot Code v2 and the Code NXT. Even though they're both Codes and are quite similar in shape and flight characteristics, the Aluula in the NXT does add something extra, and many people are probably wondering if it's worth it for them to spring for the upgrade. Jason's been excited to try these kites, and especially the NXT since it was developed and ridde …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Ryan and Cole talk about some new Axis stabilizers, who they're for, and why you might want one in your setup. Ryan: A lot of times, the stabilizer choice gets overlooked, but it's a great way to upgrade your foil or change some characteristics about it. So today we're going to look at the Axis Progressive series stabilizers versus the Skinny series and what some of the differences are that you're going to notice when you switch back and forth between the two styles.Axis Skinny Series S …

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. …