You can see my other posts, 2012 Rebels still going strong, but late 2017 rebel falling apart in similar way as yours (LE material too thin). Seems like NorthTone went for lower weight and lower mfg cost at expense of durability. I doubt my next kite will be a DuoNorth.

It's a scuff pad so it's OK if it's scuffed. If you want, you can clean, dry and apply a bit of shoe goo to restore to as-new condition

I find a plastic tube of appropriate diameter and force over the chicken finger, making it much stiffer. Always resolved involuntary unhook for me.

My experience has been to see kites 'bag out' as they age. The canopy seems to stretch at the stitching points for the panels (as you might expect because this is the bit where you puncture the fabric) and the shape of the profile changes slightly. I remember some designers changing the canopy cut ...

Really good question I was surprised what I learned over past 5-10 years. My 2012 Rebels are still going strong they refuse to die, simply because: 1. I adjust the bridle (nose lines) as they stretch 2. I coat the canopy in diluted Shoe Goo every 100 sessions or so (search the forum for Shoe Goo) Br...

I just regripped my bar with "rain type bycicle handlebar tape". The brand I got is Vivimax. They are silicon strips you roll over the bar and you fix both ends with a bit of Tear-Aid or regular electrical tape. Red tape on left, blue tape on right, it looks great. I was surprised how quick and easy...

I use a USD 1 nylon laundry bag for each kite (who pays $15 for a nylon bag??) and 5 kites fit easily into an IKEA Tostero bag that is I guess 200 liters ($ 20). Fun fact: the Ikea zipper still works perfect after 5 years, the old North (now Duotone) kite bag zippers lasted 2 years tops. P.s. I use ...

Got a 2017 Duotone in I think tri-ripstop or whatever. The canopy lasted much less than the old Duotone (north) 2x ripstop. My understanding is that what matters is the coating, not the number of ripstop thingies.

Thank you Luca. I think I found my next kite...

Luca - Mattaiken, thanks for your reviews, can I ask how is the depower? Linear with bar throw or nothing then a lot? Lots of depower on hand or not so much? Thanks