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Sizes Available: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.5m
Sizes Tested: 10, 12m

JN Kites Says:

Being focused on one style is good, but serving all styles is even better. With our JN 3D approach, the hybrid shape for 4 and 5 lines, we focused on a more performance orientated Wild Thing than ever. The 6th generation of the Wild Thing provides an even faster turning, strong static pull, powerful lift and enhanced low wind performance. The Wild Thing benefits from the rich innovative features from JN, like Perfect Round Arc Shape combined with the best materials available to the industry.

We accepted no compromise in quality. To answer the low wind requirements with a performance model there are the sizes: 12 and 14. Easy four lines bridle kite offers the benefits of a fast responding performance weapon when you need it. With the Wild Thing expect a sportive, fast turning, well balanced modern 4 with optional 5 line kite concept serving classic freestyle or freeride/wave riders.

Visit for more info: www.jn-kites.com/gear/kites/wild-thing-6

Our Testers Say:

“Lots of grunt, flies very far forward in the window.” // Paul Holcomb

“Bar grip is very aggressive, decent power, medium bar pressure, stable but not the fastest turning kite.” // Davey Beard

“C-kite like performance with depower, ideal for boosting big powered airs, gutsy kiteloops with good unhooked bar feel for new-school freestyle.” // Tkb Staff

Meet Our Testers

TKB Says:

The Wild Thing falls into its own category of a performance freeride kite with its C-shaped canopy, super thin leading edge, 5-line setup and five strut layout. There are three settings on the wingtip for adjusting bar feedback and the front bridle features three settings (red, blue and green) with a fixed attachment point that does not employ pulleys to change the angle of attack. This kite features the large diameter bayonet style inflation valve that requires no nozzle on the end of your standard pump hose for a quick and easy pump up. The front bridle attachment point ends in a loop, the wingtip attachment points end in a knot and the fifth-line attachment ends in a loop. The Wild Thing is one of the few kites tested at our Freeride review that doesn’t have a ton of swoop in the leading edge and resembles a classic C-kite. Interestingly enough, the Wild Thing offers the pull and acceleration of a C-kite with the user-friendly depower that you find in a freeride kite. With fairly crisp steering response, the Wild Thing turns in a somewhat wide steering arc that generates good power through the turn. When adequately powered it delivers excellent lift for big boosting airs, but power delivery isn’t progressive through the length of the sheeting throw–a characteristic you often see in a C-kite. Relaunch on this style of kite is a little bit harder than a regular freeride kite, but if you end up nose down you have the fifth line to force the kite to roll over and pivot to the side of the window. While the Wild Thing offers some of the user-friendly freeride characteristics you might find in the Mr. Fantastic, this kite is more of your grunty old-school specialist ideal for kiters who want a bit of user-friendly comfort combined with an edgy kiteloop machine that works great for big air and unhooked freestyle.

The Master’s Craft Bar is a 5-line adjustable length bar (45cm to 55cm) that features a unique push away quick release: a one piece loop separates from the quick release body above the loop, so the chicken loop stays with your harness hook and the quick release leaves with the bar. This swivel-less bar features a single center line depower that ensures solid flagging when needed, with a high V split to the kite’s leading edge bridle and a Clam cleat for adjusting the power. The center lines end in loops while the outside lines end in knots with clear labels that help you choose settings while rigging the kite. The Master’s Craft uses a PVC covered throw line for durability and the bar floats are separated from the bar and can easily be pushed up to adjust the length of the outside lines. The bar ends have substantial room for winding the lines at the end of a session and bungees to ensure it doesn’t come undone in the back of your car. With a fairly aggressive pattern this bar won’t slip out of your hands during the heavier moments, but riders with sensitive hands may take issue. Overall, the Master’s Craft bar features a number of solid adjustment options in a simple, fairly lightweight package.

Visit for more info on the bar: https://www.jn-kites.com/gear/control-systems/masters-craft-bar-2-water


 

Want more gear reviews all in one place? Read detailed and objective reviews on the 30 kite models and 33 board models that Tkb and freeride testers reviewed for the 2018 Freeride Gear Review Guide.