The 2014 Rally is a medium aspect 5-strut kite that our testers praised for its medium bar pressure, impressive range with quick pivot style turns and above average hangtime.
The Vision is a 3-strut medium to lower aspect kite with simple sewn in graphics and overall freeride performance our testers recommended for beginner and intermediate kiters.
The Obsession is a 5-strut medium aspect kite with swept back wingtips that earned high praise from our testers.
The 2014 Catalyst is a 3-strut medium aspect kite that Ozone markets as a versatile performer for freeride, freestyle and surfing in the waves.
The Evo is a 5-strut medium aspect kite that North markets as their all around kite which excels in freeride, freestyle and waves.
The Dice is a 3-strut medium aspect kite that North markets as an all around performance kite that works well for wakestyle, freestyle and the waves.
The NRG is a unique 4-strut high aspect freeride kite which impressed our testers with its wide range, low end power and light to medium bar pressure with good bar feedback and overall hangtime in the jumps.
The Envy is a 3-strut medium aspect kite featuring a really solid build quality with good attention to detail that our testers found stable with good downwind drift and impressive hangtime.
The Wild Thing is a 5-strut medium-aspect kite that our testers praised for smooth steady pull through turns and commented on its fast turning speed and impressive boost in powered conditions.
Gaastra started from the ground up with the all new Toxic to create a 5-strut medium to high aspect canopy designed for wave riding and freeride kiting.
This year Gaastra started from the ground up with the all new Spark line of kites which our testers praised for its medium bar pressure, low-end power and solid upwind ability.
The Bandit 7 continues as a 3-strut medium aspect delta kite that our testers praised for its quick turning speed, range, and ability to drift.
The Screamer is a 5-strut medium aspect kite ideal for big jumps and lofty hangtime that our testers found to be quick turning with medium bar pressure, solid feedback and direct steering response.
The TKB test team highlights the most popular features found in 2014 kite equipment.
The Tango is a 3-strut C-style medium-low aspect kite that CrazyFly bills as a jack of all trades that our testers found to have lighter bar pressure, easy relaunch and lots of low end power with average turning and upwind ability.
The 2014 Sculp is a medium aspect 3-strut kite that is billed as CrazyFly’s freeride / freestyle kite we found to have excellent low end power while still going upwind relatively well with middle of the road jumping performance.
The XR3 remains a 5-strut delta like shape with swept back wingtips that testers praised the direct steering response and reported impressive upwind ability, big boosting and solid hangtime.
The Switchblade is a medium aspect 5-strut kite marketed as an all-around freestyle kite which testers praised for its solid steering response, power building in its sweeping turns, easy relaunch and ability to go upwind.
The Vector is a moderately low aspect 3-strut free-ride kite that shines with its precise steering response, and dependable power delivery.
The Trigger is a 3-strut medium-high aspect kite that testers praised for its excellent boost for big lofty jumps and its predictability even in gusty conditions.
The Cabo is a medium aspect 3-strut kite that proved to be an excellent freeride kite and would be great for beginner and intermediate kiters looking for an all around performer for casual freestyle or dedicated wave riding.
The Best TS is medium aspect 5-strut C-shaped kite that our testers found extremely stable with good upwind ability, making it an excellent choice for intermediate riders looking for a casual freestyle kite that will perform for wakestyle and wave riding as well.
This year the Varial X shed two struts, becoming a three-strut medium to high aspect bridled-C design that works extremely well for boosting freestyle and earned very positive reviews.
The Lithium is a moderately low aspect three strut delta hybrid kite offering medium bar pressure and direct steering response with a pivot style turn that generated very predictable power and relaunched well from dead downwind.
It’s a tough job testing all the year’s new gear, but someone has to do it
Features video resolutions up to 4K, 12MP photos up to 30 frames per second, built-in Wi-Fi, SuperView, and Auto Low Light mode. Waterproof to 131’
For 2014 Xenon completely overhauled their twin tip models and added a new surfboard to the line.
Underwave offers a full line of wetsuits, harnesses, and other softgoods and accessories for kiteboarders.
For 2014 Slingshot is particularly excited to introduce state-of-the-art laser cutting technology to their twin tip line.