Best Kite for Big Air Boosting / for 70kg

[ralu81]

Hate to break it to you but its not the kite.

Well.... My 2016 rebels definitely jump higher than my bandits. And my Peter Lynn Hook jumps higher than my rebels.

Yes, a kite does make a difference but if you read his description you would understand why I wrote that. Changing to a different kite that are the same size will give you some height and hang time but not a big jump in overall height compared to going out on the biggest kite you can handle and using good technique and kickers. He didn't want to hear about technique so I pointed out the glaring issue that he is using undersized kites especially if he is just going for height.

[Greenturtle]

It is interesting to note in this thread that at KOTA 2020 the biggest highest hucks came from different riders, but pretty consistently from the same kite model.
Not trying to prove anything here just making the statement.

[Robsw6]

Personally, if you just want to go high without too much effort, then XR6s are the way to go, if you have a bit more skill then go for an Orbit, Rebel or Edge.

But you have to be lit to hope for big air - I usually go for one or two sizes larger...if people say they are maxed on a 7m, I would take a 9m, but even at a 9m (or above) there are diminishing returns in using a larger kite, caused by drag. All of this is redundant with poor or average (in my case!) technique. ie. watch/learn the big air tutorial videos until you can visualise the technique with your eyes closed.... then learn to land !

[luca]

Go with the KOTA 2020 Leader-stuff.

[Matt_TYRCZ]

I had the same question a while ago and now I can recommend

absolutely XR6 is all you need
no CKites no 3 strut kites !

only 5 strut free ride/big air kites ,
Ozone edge , Crazyfly Hyper , good choice as well

Wait for more review on North Orbit , so far not so good , as a first version of that kite needs improvement.

[Blackened]

Guys, the parameters given were that he wanted to use his Y lined bar. None of the other kites mentioned ride on a Y.

[1234567Simon]

I am not 100% sure....
duotone Rebel and Core XR have got a high Y.

Maybe some one knows 110% sure.


Thanks all for naming some kites.

[nothing2seehere]

See if you can demo them before buying. I'm 73kg now and I definitely prefer the rebel to the xr5/6 as it has a more balanced pull between the harness and bar. I find the xr5/6 to be more grunty through the harness which the heavier lads prefer.

At my weight I'm normally on the same kites as most others down - though I'm average at boosting (no woo so comparable figures aren't really available) so take my recommendations with a pinch of salt.

Haven't tried the edge but I can confirm that both the Rebel and XR 5/6 go very well in moderate winds (you don't need to be lit to go high)

[rofnil]

it's down to this:

1. Location..location..location - You need to live somewhere with cold dense air where it really blows hard (northern Europe, Cape Town, Northern USA etc). Does your spot regulary blow 30 to 50mph ? You need kickers, ramps like incoming waves to boost off, on flat water you are unlikely to get much over 15m.

2. Technique is far more important than the kite. There's plenty of people not hitting their best height due to technique. The king of good technique this is Kevin Langree, his speed..bare off down wind..power, edge and release is key. Local "good" riders might be getting 12m, but a pro with real big air technique will be getting 16 to 18m in the same conditions.

3...Kite...a few big air kites (in no particular order)
- Ozone Edge
- Naish Torch & Duotone Vegas
- Core XR6
-Flysurfer Soul & Sonic
- Naish Pivot & Dash
- Epic Screamer
- North Orbit
- Cabrinha Switch Blade

Make Crazyfly Hyper be in this list

[Blackened]

I am not 100% sure....
duotone Rebel and Core XR have got a high Y.

Maybe some one knows 110% sure.


Thanks all for naming some kites.

I'm 100% sure, that's why I listed them. If you want to use the same bar that you have, your choices are XR and Rebel. If you are open to getting a new bar, or if the Gaastra bar has an adjustable Y setting, then you can look at other kites other than these two.

None of the other kites listed thus far are designed to fly on a Y. I don't know why KF always decides to go on tangents about people's favourite gear.

viewtopic.php?t=2403052 to somewhat help.