The kiteboarding industry is on the brink of a revolutionary shift, spearheaded by the introduction of the Harlem Force, a product of Harlem Kitesurfing's innovative Game Changer Lineup. What sets the Harlem Force apart is its rare combination of high speed, exceptional hang time, and reliable performance in down loops. It's not just a kite; it's a testament to the possibilities of combining high performance with environmental consciousness.
Origins and Inspirations
Back in 2016, a dedicated family of kite repair experts ventured into designing kites that not only perform exceptionally but do so sustainably. Their journey led to the creation of the Game Changer Lineup, with the Harlem Force at its forefront. The goal was clear: to merge cutting-edge performance with sustainable practices and offer customizability unheard of in the industry.
The Magic Triangle | Material, Design, Manufacturer
Achieving the perfect balance between material, design, and manufacturing is referred to as solving the "Magic Triangle." To conquer this, Harlem partnered with Brainchild Production. This collaboration ensures that every Harlem Force kite is a product of the finest materials, impeccable design, and ethical manufacturing, all powered by 100% solar energy.
Sustainable Practices in the Heart of Europe
Brainchild Production, nestled in the heart of Europe, takes advantage of its location to source high-tech and recycled materials efficiently. Their commitment to sustainability is further highlighted by their reliance on solar power for all production processes. The innovative PROWELD technology used in the Harlem Force kites eliminates seams, increasing the structural stiffness and altering flight characteristics for better performance.
Design and Customization | Unleash Your Creativity
The Harlem Force breaks new ground with its fully customizable design. Enthusiasts can personalize their kites in any manner they wish, thanks to the new digital printing technology that significantly reduces waste and conserves water. Each kite, including the fabric and the bag it comes in, is designed with future recycling in mind, promoting a sustainable lifecycle.
Performance That Earns Trust
Kitesurfers who have experienced the Harlem Force note its predictability and control in the air. The kite's design allows for fast loops, a stable boost, and a smooth descent, ensuring safety and confidence even when performing complex maneuvers. It's lighter and stiffer than traditional kites, qualities that seasoned kiteboarders and kitesurfers find invaluable.
Join the Revolution and Change The Tide
The Harlem Game Changer Lineup invites you to be a part of a movement that values performance, innovation, and sustainability equally. With the Harlem Force, you're not just choosing a kite; you're supporting a sustainable future and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in kitesurfing.
The Harlem Force is more than just a kite; it's a symbol of the future of kitesurfing. By choosing the Harlem Force, you are participating in a sustainable revolution, all while enjoying a kite that meets the highest standards of performance and innovation.
Join Harlem Kitesurfing in this exciting journey and help change the tide in the kitesurfing world!
Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:01:56 +0000
Duotone Ventis 2025 | What's New?
If you're familiar with Duotone's Ventis, you know its specialty is freeriding in light wind. The 2025 release features significant advancements for riders who want effortless performance. What's changed to deliver this?
Three Strut Design
The three-strut design and re-engineered wingtips facilitate easy takeoffs without the need for advanced pumping techniques. This means you have more fun riding without having to split your focus on getting up and on foil.
Deeper Profile
A deeper canopy profile delivers more low-end power and improved upwind performance, which are essential for riding in light wind.
Refined Tip Twist
Light wind days aren't known for having especially consistent wind, and the new tip twist will help smooth those gusts out while improving responsiveness. It also helps keep your wingtips out of the water, preventing drag.
Ergonomic Center Strut and Handles
The center strut is now angled to be more ergonomic, and the extended carbon front handle gives you more hand position options, including one-handed. These features combine to reduce hand and arm fatigue on the water, resulting in longer, more comfortable sessions.
Consistent Canopy Tension
Ken Winner has worked hard on this year's model with strategic modifications, including bringing the side stretch inwards to achieve a consistent canopy tension and profile. This paves the way for a stable flight and effective depower. The lightweight 50g ripstop promises durable performance without additional weight.
Summary
All these features combine seamlessly to amplify power, smoothen your ride through gusts, and offer a comfortable, fatigue-reducing grip for longer freeride sessions on the water.
If you ride in an area with multiple light wind days and need a wing that'll let you get out and have a great session on those marginal days, the 2025 Duotone Ventis D/LAB is worth a look. Why is it up to the challenges presented by light wind conditions?
Efficient Design
The Ventis D/LAB has been engineered with an advanced three-strut design and has been crafted from premium Aluula material in the leading edge and struts. This innovative combination not only ensures an ultra-lightweight build, but also delivers remarkable efficiency and power generation. Now even marginal conditions are an opportunity for unparalleled freeride adventures.
Rider Comfort
However, it's not just about power and performance. The Ventis D/LAB's canopy incorporates a lightweight 50g ripstop to further minimize weight. It's also got an extended carbon front handle that makes one-handed riding possible. The angled center strut is ergonomically designed for ease-of-use and to reduce fatigue. We all know this translates into longer, more enjoyable sessions on the water.
High Performance
This year's Ventis D/LAB has been refined to feature a deeper profile shape and optimized tip twist. This translates to increased power and a smoother response in the gusts that can accompany light wind days, positioning the wing as the lightest, most responsive, and highest-performing wing for ultra-light wind conditions.
Novice-Friendly
While advanced riders will appreciate its upper-end features, the design of the Ventis also focuses on stability and minimal drag. The reduced tips and relocated side struts help eliminate tip drag and the need for advanced pumping techniques. Newer riders will enjoy the easy takeoffs with the lightness, responsiveness, and power offered by the Ventis D/LAB.
Summary
The Ventis D/LAB sets a new standard in light wind foiling. It will unlock the full potential of your light wind sessions with improved direct power for early lift and stable draft positions for smooth gust handling. The effective tip reduction results in effortless starts and minimal drag for a great freeride experience in light wind.
Foil Drive | Essential Maintenance Tips to Help Enjoy Your Ride
Ryan from MACkite takes a few minutes to chat with Ben from Foil Drive and pick up some tips on maintaining your Foil Drive gear after a session so it's always ready for the next session. Water, and especially salt water, can be tough on electronics, but fortunately there are some simple things you can do to extend the life of your gear.
1. Remove Your Battery
The first thing to do as soon as you come off the water is to remove your battery. Whenever the battery is plugged in, the electronics are actually powered up, including the Bluetooth module and speed controller. If you leave your battery plugged in once it's already drained from your session, you risk running it flat and damaging its ability to take or hold a charge.
2. Rinse the Externals with Clean, Fresh Water
While the inside of the main box should always be kept dry, be sure to hose down the rest of the system with clean, fresh water.
3. Remove and Rinse Rotor
Pull the rotor straight off the mast pod and rinse it thoroughly with clean water, inside and out. Rinse its mount on the mast pod as well. Make sure there isn't any sand trapped in there and dry them off. Leave them separated until your next session so that everything can dry thoroughly without trapping water anywhere. You can put a little marine grease on the motor shaft to make it easier to slide on and off, especially if you ride in salt water.
4. Grease Plugs
Regularly check the connections on your battery and the motor plug. If the grease is wearing off or has gotten dirty with sand, clean the connections thoroughly and reapply from the tube that came with your Foil Drive.
5. Deep Clean
Depending on how often you ride, once a week to every few weeks you should completely disassemble your Foil Drive setup. Remove all the screws and clean them, as well as where they go. The minerals in water, and especially salt water, can react with the materials in your gear, so it's important to keep them clean.
6. Recharge Battery Halfway
Although these batteries can be recharged, they do have a finite number of charges and are considered a consumable. However, you can improve the longevity of your battery with one simple tip. Lithium batteries are happiest when about halfway charged, so once you come in with a depleted battery, put it on the charger long enough to get it to around 50 percent full. If you know you're going out again in the next day or two, you can go ahead and charge it to full, but ideally you'll do that right before your session. A battery checker is a great tool to have handy to make sure your battery is at that happy medium as much as possible.
7. Keep Your Battery Warm, Not Hot
Batteries also like to be moderately warm. Don't store it somewhere cold over the winter or keep it in a hot car for long. Fast charging and then immediately using it and recharging it again can also make it uncomfortably warm. The more you can keep it at a comfortable temperature, the more slowly it will degrade.
8. Prepare for Storage
If you won't be using your gear for a couple months or more, perhaps over winter, pull it all apart, give it a thorough cleaning, grease the connections, charge your battery to 50 percent, and leave it apart until you're ready for your next session. Then give it some fresh grease and you can put it all back together again. Remember to check your battery periodically while it's in storage to keep it around halfway charged. You can set a reminder on your phone if you think you might forget.
Like everything, if you look after your gear, it'll look after you... and keep you having heaps of fun out there!
North Navigator Pro Quick Release | How to Swap Yours Out With Ease
What You Need
Before starting the replacement process, ensure you have all the necessary tools and parts. Here’s what you’ll need:
Multi-grips
2.5 mm Allen key
Drift punch (less than 4 mm or 1/4 inch, ideally 3 mm)
A 3D-printed jig (optional, but helpful)
Step-by-Step Replacement Process
Step 1: Prepare the Control Bar
First, lay out your control bar and run the lines out fully. Locate the end of the landing line, grasp it, and pull through until you reach the loop-to-loop connection with the flying lines. Detach these loops and continue to pull the landing line until it is completely free. Set this aside temporarily.
Step 2: Dismantle the Old Quick Release
Attach the flying line’s end to your harness loop to prevent it from moving. Place the top of the spinning handle into the jig (if you have one) and align it properly. Use your drift punch to push out the nail pin from the spinning handle. The pin should have small dimples that help keep the tool in place. After pushing the pin out, wiggle the components apart and set them aside.
Step 3: Install the New Quick Release
Take the new QR and align the slots on the shaft with the holes in the spinning handle. Thread your flying line through the center of the QR, ensuring that the small key on the QR aligns correctly with the top and bottom of the spinning handle. Push the components together and secure them back in the jig. Insert the dual pin into place.
Step 4: Secure Everything
Use the multi-grips (wrapped with tape to avoid damage) to firmly drive the pin into place, ensuring it is flush with the handle. There should be a small gap (about 0.5 mm) to keep it spinning freely.
Step 5: Reconnect the Landing Line
Reattach the landing line by feeding it through the loop and ensuring the loop-to-loop connection is as small as possible. Remove any twists, pull it tight, and then pull on your flying line to reintegrate the landing line.
Step 6: Final Adjustments
Replace the old harness loop if necessary. Then, focus on the Quick Release itself. Use your 2.5 mm Allen key to remove the screw from the old QR body. Position the text indicating rider weight at the back of the QR, then reinsert the screw and tighten it securely.
Test and Go!
Once assembled, give everything a final check and make sure all parts are secure and functional. Test the QR in a controlled environment before heading out to the water. Safety is paramount, so take the time to ensure everything is working as it should.
By following these detailed steps, you can confidently replace the Quick Release on your North Kiteboarding Navigator Pro Control Bar and get back to enjoying your kiteboarding adventures with peace of mind.
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:38:18 +0000
Foil Drive | Essential Tips to Supercharge Your First Session
The Foil Drive makes your foiling life easier. You'll get up easier and catch more waves, but like any new skill, it does have a bit of a learning curve. You probably won't pull the trigger and ride off into the sunset on your first time out, but there are some things you can do to have a better experience on that first session.
1. Size Up Your Foil and Board
Allow yourself to focus on how the Foil Drive works while you're getting used to it. Make it easy on yourself to get up and ride. You can always size back down later once you've got the hang of things.
2. Practice Away from Others
Don't jump straight into the lineup as a new Foil Drive user. Go off, away from other people, where you can make mistakes without risking the safety of other people. Even if you're a good foiler, this is a new experience and you'll need to re-learn some of the things that have worked for you in the past. In fact, the better the foiler you are, the longer it can take to unlearn some of that muscle memory.
3. Experiment
You'll probably need to change where you have your weight to keep the board flat while using the Foil Drive. It'll feel strange at first, but don't be afraid to figure out what works and practice it until it becomes second nature.
4. Transition Off the Motor
Learning to transition off the motor is a skill you will need to acquire. You can prepare ahead of time by watching Foil Drive's videos.
5. Use Good Etiquette
The Foil Drive gives you a huge advantage in the lineup. If it's busy, remember that you can catch waves others can't, so go for those. Chat with the others in the lineup to educate them on what you have and reassure them that you won't be cutting them off in the lineup. Remember, in boating right-of-way, sailboats have priority over motorboats, and this is no different; yield to those without an assist. Just be respectful, recognize that you have an advantage, and look out for your fellow watermen.
2024 Duotone Slick Wing Review | What's New in This Year's Model?
The Duotone Slick has been a favorite of many for several years. Pros love it for its speed, but it's also smooth and easy enough to use for a beginner. It works well in a wide range of riding styles. It's fun and playful, encouraging you to progress your skills. So what's new for 2024, and is it still the same wing we already love? Tucker has ridden it and is ready to share his findings.
Honestly, not much has changed for 2024, yet it's a more refined version of itself that feels like a level-up from what the Slick has ever been in the past. It's been getting better every year, and this one does not disappoint. It's a wing you can look forward to grabbing for a session.
Features
Surf Handle
In the past, the surf handle was perhaps a bit flimsy, but this year it has been stiffened up quite a bit, and now it gives you lots of control. It barely even flexes anymore. It's sleek and slim and gives you a nice grip with one or two fingers, or even your whole hand. It's close to the wing, yet has enough space for gloves and gives you a very direct feel. Underneath is a nice neoprene patch.
Leash
A leash is not included with Duotone wings, which lets you choose the style and brand you prefer or already own without paying for something that you might not use. The attachment point is right below the surf handle and is nice and secure.
Inflation System
Duotone uses the Airport Valve, which looks similar to a hose end fitting, but is not. If you don't already own this adapter, be sure to pick one or two up. It's always good to have a spare in the car in case the one you pack in your bag gets misplaced.
The Slick uses a one-pump system, but the strut connection does have a lockout so you can isolate the bladders, which is a nice safety feature in case a bladder goes while you're on the water. There is a 9mm dump valve on the side of the strut, as well as out on the wingtip, so it's quick and easy to deflate. Just remember to plug both valves up before pumping up for the next session.
Mini Boom
The Slick uses a Mini Boom. If it's in your budget, the Platinum SLS version is a lightweight and stiff carbon fiber with a narrower diameter, but the more affordable aluminum Sliver Edition is also great. The Mini Boom is special because it's not handles; it's one solid piece so you can grab it anywhere. You can even hold it one-handed in the middle.
If you use a harness line, you have endless options for placement with a boom. You can place it towards the front while controlling the wing with your back hand. You can move it if the wind changes and you need to readjust your balance.
The only real downside to a boom is that you do have to travel with a 4-foot pole that does not break down into two pieces. However, you've probably also got a board with you, so you can always toss the boom in your boardbag and then pack the wing down even smaller than ones with handles permanently attached. Some seasoned travelers actually find the Slick easier to travel with for this reason.
Center Strut
The center strut on the Slick is unique, with a cutaway area to make room for your hands along the length of the boom. The boom is in line with the rest of the strut, which gives you a very intuitive feel to know where the wing and the boom are. It adds one more layer to the ease-of-use you get with the Slick. Other wings with booms don't have this, and it does make a positive difference.
The strut gets much thicker at the front and rear where the boom attaches to it, so there's plenty of contact and control over the torque. It also provides extra flotation when you're sinker starting and lean on the back of the wing to have something to push off of.
Behind the strut is a vented baffle to control the shape of the wing while allowing free airflow across the canopy. This equalizes the pressure on both sides of the strut and makes the canopy feel super smooth and crisp. It's an efficient, speedy design, and Ken and the team have done a great job refining it to this point.
Windows
The windows provide a nice field of view whether the wing is in front of you or up a little higher. Segmenting it into two sections helps when packing the wing down, and the material is durable and will hold up in cold temperatures.
Canopy
The canopy is made from a wing-specific material called MOD3. It's stiff and durable and will maintain its performance level for a long time. If you do get a cut or tear, it's resistant to ripping, so your canopy won't explode in half on you. It's the same material as last year's, but it works so well there isn't any reason to change it.
The colors look great, but there is also an eco-friendly colorway that isn't dyed. It's called Concept Blue, and it reduces the impact dyes have on the environment.
Leading Edge
The leading edge is the main change for 2024. It has a more refined, rounded shape so it's less angular. The wingtips also have a bit more curvature. This gives you a smoother-flying wing that's more efficient and has better upwind. When you tip strike, it's going to release a lot easier since you can just rotate out of it. These changes really have made a big difference in the way this wing flies.
Tucker's Review
Compared to previous years' models, the 2024 Slick is faster and smoother, but you might want to size up slightly. This year the Slick is more forward-pulling, which will create more apparent wind, more board speed, and amplify your speed better. It'll also handle being overpowered more easily and get upwind better. However, when you gain those benefits, the tradeoff is the low-end lift and grunt. The Slick does still have enough, and it's easy enough to get up that it's fine for a first-timer, but you will want to be properly powered. If you're not riding a longer, narrower board, you may want to size up half a meter or even a full meter, especially since it handles being overpowered so well.
The Slick has a better wind range than many wings. You may even be able to get away with just two Slicks to cover the same range as many wings need three to cover.
The surf-ability of the Slick has seen a huge improvement. While it's always been a decent surf wing, with the stiffening of the surf handle and the refined shape, it's so much smoother and more stable now. Combined with the boom, this is a wing you could grab and be happy with it in the surf, especially on a smaller day where you might want to one-hand the wing for a little extra pop or leverage or throwing an air. Having the boom is really handy, especially if you're using the wing actively. It's so intuitive and easy since it's always right where you need it. You don't need to think about the wing; you just have to focus on shredding and having fun.
Slick vs. Unit
If you're a more experienced freestyle rider, do you want a Slick or a Unit? That's probably going to depend on your conditions and what you want to do. While the Unit does have that easy jump-ability, loft and pop, the Slick is so much faster and cleaner into the wind, especially for those upwind tricks and spins, that many freestylers gravitate towards the Slick. The boom also improves handling and opens up the possibility of one-handed tricks and handlepass-style maneuvers. Because the Slick is faster, board and foil choices can change as well.
Tucker's Nitpicks
It's hard to find something to complain about with the Slick. It's been through so many refinements over the years that a lot of the kinks have been worked out. However, it does use the Airport valve. It's a great valve and works very well. It's durable and has proven itself over the years. But having to keep a specific adapter on hand that's just for Duotone's wings is a bit annoying, especially since it isn't included in the package. That little part can kill a session if it goes missing.
Also, the deflate valves work fine in warmer temperatures, but once it gets cold, they can be a bit troublesome. They get stiff and it's hard to push them in or pull them out before or after a chilly session. Of course, you can use the inflate valve to deflate, so technically the deflate valves are just a nice time-saving option when they do work properly.
D/LAB vs. Standard
There is a D/LAB version of the Slick with Aluula struts and leading edge. It is next level in terms of lightness, stiffness, and speed, but the average rider isn't going to notice these enough to justify the extra expense. The standard Slick is top-notch in terms of quality and is still extremely light, stiff, and fast. It doesn't flex or taco, even at Tucker's 200lbs. But if you've got the budget for the D/LAB treatment, there are no downsides other than the cost.
Summary
All the changes to this year's Slick are positive. If you've loved it in the past, you'll love it even more now. You can do anything you want on it, from wave riding to light wind, especially with the right size wing and an efficient board. It's definitely a nice wing to have in the car for whatever the day hands you when you want to get out there and have a lot of fun.
Lightwind Kiteboarding in Key West with Kristen and RyGo | MACkite x Airush
Kristen and Rygo are headed down to Key West in the RV, where they'll hook up with the crew from Light Wind Watersports. They'll camp along the water at Curry Hammock in Marathon along the way to test out some fresh Airush gear.
The wind was fairly light the next morning, so Kristen took out the 14m Lift and had a great session. That evening, Rygo got a turn as well for a fantastic sunset session.
The next morning Rygo and Kristen completed their trip and met up with Bronza and Rose from Light Wind Watersports, along with Bronza's brother, Gannon. True to the name, the wind was pretty light, but they all hopped in the truck anyway and headed down to the boat with their gear.
They took the boat out to Cottrell Key, where they did find a little breeze. They pumped up the Airush 17m Team Lithium to give it a go. Bronza headed out first and looked surprisingly powered. He got in a few tricks, so they pumped up the 14m Lift as well.
Once the guys had had their fun, it was the ladies' turn. Bronza got out his drone and captured some beautiful footage. One thing that makes the Keys so magical are all the hidden gems for kiteboarding. If you have a boat, you can go out to any number of sandbars and set up there for a private session in paradise.
Once everyone was in from kiteboarding, the crew had a quick lunch on the boat, then decided to do some snorkeling. The water was sparkling clear and they spotted some beautiful fish. They also caught a few for dinner, which they prepared once they arrived back at the dock. It was an amazing day that only scratched the surface of all there is to do in Key West.
What's New with F-One Foils? Eagle X and Seven Seas Updates Explained
F-One has released some exciting new options and refinements in their foil lineup. Tucker, Ryan, and Jeff take a look at what's new for those in the F-One ecosystem in this overview, with more complete reviews to come once they've had a chance to ride them.
Seven Seas Front Wing
The Seven Seas is one of Jeff's favorite wings. It was named "Seven Seas" for its aspect ratio of 7, but this one actually has an aspect ratio of 8 for a bit more glide and speed. It's still going to have the lift it's known for as well.
Jeff is excited for the 1100 because the 1200 has been his light wind wing, and the 1100 should have the glide, speed, stability and lift he loves about the 1200, but scaled down for more powered conditions.
The Seven Seas is smooth when riding at speed and decent at pumping. If you're an intermediate rider who's looking for a one-foil quiver, it's a solid choice because it does everything quite well.
Eagle X Front Wing
Like the previous Eagle model, the Eagle X has nice downwind ability and likes to glide. It's a very efficient wing. They've stepped up the aspect ratio for this year, but have kept the winglets for traction so that it doesn't get too skatey on you.
Even in the smaller sizes, the Eagle X could be enticing for winging for those who are looking for something speedy with good glide, but who don't want as much span. The 700 and 800 sizes could be interesting for that, with more lift than you'd expect from a foil that size and aspect ratio. In fact, F-One is known for maintaining good lift and efficiency across their range, making it easy to get up and on foil.
The Eagle X won't be replacing the Eagle line. With an aspect ratio of 12, the Eagle X is made to glide. It's going to be most exciting for those who enjoy downwind riding or want to glide on rollers and connect sets rather than ripping turns on the face or ride in breaking waves. For those, use the SK8 or smaller Eagle or Seven Seas wings. The Eagle X is a glide machine.
It's got a broad speed range, so if you've got inconsistent wind and need to be able to glide through the lulls without worrying about stalling out too quickly, the Eagle X would be a good choice.
Monobloc Stabilizers
Last year F-One moved to a one-piece fuselage and stabilizer system. This allows for a clean, smooth taper between the stabilizer and fuselage and makes the energy transfer between that and the rest of the foil so much tighter, stiffer, and more responsive. Everything happens a little faster and more predictably. However, some ability to customize and fine-tune your setup was traded off with this upgrade, so this year more options are being added.
145 Downwind Stabilizer
The 145 stabilizer uses the small fuselage, which is still quite a bit longer than the XXS fuselage. This combination of a small stabilizer and longer fuselage is going to offer a lot of stability at speed with great glide and pumping ability so that you can ride fast with the smaller Eagle and other wings and still have that high-end performance without losing your low end.
When you're on something with a 12 aspect ratio and a huge wingspan, you're really not too concerned with ripping 24-inch radius turns, especially at high speeds, so having more stability and foil to push off of makes it less twitchy and more predictable, allowing you to ride in that power carve style. It'll also support more glide if you just want to glide for miles.
170 Downwind Stabilizer
This stabilizer is a bit bigger than the 145, but has the much shorter XXS fuselage. You might use this with the Seven Seas for more stability at slower speeds. It'll give you something to push off of while pumping, but the shorter fuselage will give you a tighter turning radius and a bit more responsiveness at those slower speeds when you want the board to come about a little faster since you're not going as fast.
There are even more Monobloc stabilizer options available than just these two, so be sure to check them out to find your ideal combination. F-One has even made suggestions on which wings and stabilizers to pair, so unless you want to try unusual combinations, it's easy to choose.
We'll be riding these and coming back with more information, but you should always feel free to call us up for suggestions for your riding style. The fit and finish on these feels great and is just what you'd expect from F-One: very stiff and solid with lots of high modulus carbon. We're excited to try out these new additions.
Dakine Compression Bags for Kiteboarding and Wing Foiling
Today Aaron takes a look at a product he's been using for a long time, the Dakine Compression Bag. They used to come in multiple sizes for your different kite sizes, but now it's one size fits all. What does Aaron think about that and, more importantly, will these bags let him fit his entire quiver of three North Carves into a single Carve bag?
Dakine Compression Bag Features
The bag is made from a heavy duty nylon that holds up surprisingly well as a daily driver. It's a simple bag with only the features you need to keep it as light and compact as possible. This makes it great for travel. Your kites will pack up small and fit into your travel bag much better than with the bag that came with the kite.
It's got a drawstring closure at the top and four cinch straps on the sides to compress the kite. On the back is a messenger-style strap so you can sling the bag on your back for the trip down to the beach. There's also a place to write any information you want: your contact info, kite size, etc. It's pretty basic, but that's the point.
Packing
These bags are intended to store one kite each. If you fold your kite properly and take the time to get all the air out, you'll be able to save quite a lot of space compared to the stock backpack your kite came in.
While this bag used to come in different sizes, having one size doesn't add much weight or bulk, and it ensures that every bag will fit every kite, even up to a 17m.
Bonus Benefits
These plain black bags won't attract any additional attention as they sit in your car. No one will be able to tell if you've got the latest kites from a premium brand, so it may make your gear less attractive to theft.
For those of you with over-attentive accounting departments at home, you may also find that these bags can mask unauthorized purchases.
Will It Fit?
So, just how much space can these bags save? Can you fit a whole quiver of Carves into the largest kite's backpack?
Sadly, no. Even two was a bit snug. You may have better luck with your brand's backpack, but it wasn't going to happen with this one. But it will still make it easier to pack your golf bag for a trip.
Conclusion
Aaron swears by these compression bags and has used them on a daily basis for years. If you want to save some space or simply be a little more discreet about what you've got, this could be a great solution for you.
Spot Locations
