Introducing the World's Lightest and Strongest Kites - Aluula

[droffats]

[Kitehume]

Hi how’s it compare to the standard flite in 14.5m.
Like turning speed?
And bar pressure?

Thanks

[droffats]

I didn't have them both out that day as we've sold out of all 14.5m Flites so I can't be 100% on bar pressure. But on flying, the Aluula not only turns faster but the upstroke is noticeably faster. It's like there is less mass for gravity to pull on. It also seems to have a wider usable wind range. It hangs in the air better through lulls and feels stiffer in gusts.

[Digdawg]

I didn't have them both out that day as we've sold out of all 14.5m Flites so I can't be 100% on bar pressure. But on flying, the Aluula not only turns faster but the upstroke is noticeably faster. It's like there is less mass for gravity to pull on. It also seems to have a wider usable wind range. It hangs in the air better through lulls and feels stiffer in gusts.

Love to get an in depth pro vs. cons review from you...

[jkrug]

that video makes the 14.5M Aluula Flite look like ...a 14.5M kite. didn't appear to be any less sluggish. oh well, videos aren't much of a replacement for trying. will have to wait for that.

[iriejohn]

I didn't have them both out that day as we've sold out of all 14.5m Flites so I can't be 100% on bar pressure. But on flying, the Aluula not only turns faster but the upstroke is noticeably faster. It's like there is less mass for gravity to pull on. It also seems to have a wider usable wind range. It hangs in the air better through lulls and feels stiffer in gusts.

What was the wind speed when you were flying the Aluula Flite 14.5m?

[droffats]

I didn't have them both out that day as we've sold out of all 14.5m Flites so I can't be 100% on bar pressure. But on flying, the Aluula not only turns faster but the upstroke is noticeably faster. It's like there is less mass for gravity to pull on. It also seems to have a wider usable wind range. It hangs in the air better through lulls and feels stiffer in gusts.

What was the wind speed when you were flying the Aluula Flite 14.5m?

Most of the video it was around 20mph. When someone else is riding it was coming down to maybe 12-13mph ish.

[droffats]

I got out on the Aluula 14.5m Flite in really light wind to compare it to a Chrono v3 13m . Finally! A 190lb pound guy demoed the kite and it was too light for him on a TT. A different guy on a 17m and Airush Sector ended up downwind. I was good on a hydrofoil (Nobile Freeride) with an average size wing at 190 pounds. Then I had another foiler demo it and I rode the Chrono. We tacked upwind about a mile and then came back in so little wind we almost didn't make it back. The gap between LEI and foil kites got smaller. The Aluula is faster in the sky and is stable in light wind unlike any other LEI I've flown. And the only LEI I haven't flown is a Cloud, so I can't say about that one.

Compared to the Chrono, the Chrono still beats Aluula upwind and in total power through downloops. If I were racing, I'd still use a foil kite for sure. There is a place for both kites though. For me, I have a local launch site where only a drift launch is possible and the weeds prevent hydrofoiling. In that case, Aluula is the best bet. If someone doesn't want to deal with all the bridle lines, not being able to easily self land in high wind, or is worried about self rescuing, those might be other reasons to go Aluula.

Compared to other LEI using Dacron, it's no comparison. In time Aluula or a copycat will be the LE and strut material of most kites. Maybe not beginner, school, and price point kites, but everything else.

- Stafford

[Digdawg]

Stafford,
Great write up! I appreciate the comparisons and insights.

[Ice101]

Its telling that Real + Mackite got on board with this. If it wasn’t the bees knees they wouldn’t have added it to their catalogs considering they have business deals with a bunch of other major brands who maybe are not too happy about it.
Personally if I was OR I wouldn’t let Real sell Aluula without carrying the entire OR line. I understand why. Just seems a bit unfair to the longtime OR dealers.

Stenner- OR not having catagory leading products?? The Flite has absolutely SLAYED the competition since 2014!
Mako? Check. Soul? Check. Stick shift? Yep.
Nuzzo somewhat reluctant? I thought he sounded completely stoked! must be, if they are willing to bring in aluula to compete with some premium price brands they already carry...

Its not like Im able to afford aluula at this point but if it pushes the whole industry towards actual innovation im all for it. The price is high now but its at a level where I can see it moderating down to almost reasonable in the future as production/competition increases over the coming years.

I doubt it. Once they set that mark all the other greedy fat cats will find it acceptable to boost there own products up to that price worth it or not. All the brands
Have been gradually adding a bit hear and there and all the others have though if they can o can hence kites gone from £500-£600 to now £1500-£1600 a kite average over the last ten years. The advances have been minimal for that rise. A bar you can click but does the same as a few knots, a kite that’s slightly more stable and quicker and flies in lighter wind with a slightly bigger wind range.