Page 3 of 3

Re: Firewire Evo versus Vader

Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:57 pm
by Matteo V
Onda wrote:
Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:32 pm
The Pro Wam looks boring by its shape, but this board is really, really great.
Welcome to reality! The vast majority of surfboard shapes in surfing and kitesurfing are just that way because what "looks cool" sells. If you were a blind kitesurfer, you may have a chance of buying the perfect board for your riding style.

Re: Firewire Evo versus Vader

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 2:17 am
by mmac
I've owned both. The Vader is power hungry and needs more wind to plane. However on a wave, the Vader is the quickest board rail to rail that I have ever ridden. The Vader is great on good waves. The Evo is more of an all rounder and planes much earlier. The Evo is better when underpowered. The Evo can be ridden in a wider range of conditions and is more fun on small to mid-size waves. I'm not much of a freestyler, but the qualities of the Evo would also be better for freestyle riding. Both work best with a thruster setup for me. I'm an OG and other boards give me knee pain. The best thing I can say about the Vader & Evo is that my knee pain disappeared riding these boards. The Evo is my choice for an everyday board but the Vader is fun for occasional thrills on good waves.

Re: Firewire Evo versus Vader

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 7:42 pm
by nicor
I would say Vader.

I ride a 5'2'' BWS Stallion (185 lbs) from 12-40+ knts. Love that board to death. Amazing in chop and waves of any size. jumps wells.

I've ridden a 5'1'' vader a number of times in good conditions, its also surprisingly good in chop, and super fun to carve. I would own this if I couldn't get another stallion.

I ridden the a 4'10'' evo in light wind and small waves. I also have and 6' evo for surfing (way too big for kiting). and yes if feels like its levitating (sort of)

My sense is the evo would have the edge in light wind and flats. Heavy wind, chop and steeper waves goes to vader.

Evo might be marginally better for a beginner, but I wouldn't select the board on this criteria. you'll get your jibes down and wish you had bought the board you really wanted.

Re: Firewire Evo versus Vader

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:23 pm
by TheJoe
mmac wrote:
Wed Nov 06, 2019 2:17 am
I've owned both. The Vader is power hungry and needs more wind to plane. However on a wave, the Vader is the quickest board rail to rail that I have ever ridden. The Vader is great on good waves. The Evo is more of an all rounder and planes much earlier. The Evo is better when underpowered. The Evo can be ridden in a wider range of conditions and is more fun on small to mid-size waves. I'm not much of a freestyler, but the qualities of the Evo would also be better for freestyle riding. Both work best with a thruster setup for me. I'm an OG and other boards give me knee pain. The best thing I can say about the Vader & Evo is that my knee pain disappeared riding these boards. The Evo is my choice for an everyday board but the Vader is fun for occasional thrills on good waves.
Finally some one actually talked about the reason to choose one over the other WAVES. The reason I got an EVO 5.3 is our surf is crappy. The board is made for weaker waves in mind. So I would suggest you look at your waves and or how you want to ride first. If you just want to do strapless freestyle then there are going to be cheaper better boards out there for that compared to a Tomo shape. Tomo's are surf boards first then built in kite construction.