high wind replacement for 6m + 8m sst..Reo or something else?

[snowflake]

Dear readers,

I currently own Slingshot SSTs in 6 and 8m (2016) I love them in their comfort zone and they are fun for foiling. However towards the highend or when overpowered they become very very grunty which I also attribute to the deep position in the wind window. Before that I had a LF Wow v1 7m, I often found myself overpowered on it so I thought I need smaller kites and replaced it with the SST in 6 and 8m. The Wow was higher aspect, and had much thinner tubes so it could be depowered pretty effectively by strong edging and sheeting the bar. I believe the 6m SST has a similar high-end. The curved front tube of the SST is amazing for water starts but annoying for snowkiting. Hard to self-land as the kites won't stay on the ground.

I am around 83kgs(182lbs) and ride the kites mainly with surfboards but also with twintips, foil and snowboard. My homespots are very gusty lakes near the alps and mountains. Unfortunately I only find waves on holidays and due to that I don't have much wave kiting experience yet, but I still enjoy riding the surfboard during our winter storms (sometimes gusting over 40knots) practising first jumps ducktacks and tacks.

A friend of mine told me I should simply try the newer SSTs? I would be willing to sacrifice a bit of the SST's amazing drift capabilities for a bit more high-end. I wonder whether the Reos could be what I am looking for or maybe someone has a different recommendation? I am looking for stable kites with very smooth power delivery which can be looped in a very controlled fashion and that feature a precise bar feel. Regarding the 8m I am leaning a bit towards the RPM as I am very happy with my 10 and 12m RPMs?

Thanks for your help!

[bragnouff]

I've recently renewed my wave kite quiver to the HB Legion 5-7-9. (there's a 6m in the range). There's a LOT of control of the power over all of the windrange, while retaining good steering. Thin-ish leading edge, high pressure, pulleyed bridles. I didn't get a chance to try the 5 yet, but I can't praise the 7 and 9 enough. Used them on surfboard which is their core program, but also on foil, buggy, and recently I've had 3 snowkiting sessions on the 7m, and it's an awesome kite to whip around, very precise in the steering, tight loops, wide loops, good backwards relaunch, and behaved very well whenever self landing. Definitely a super responsive kite that rewards your piloting skills. Highly recommend you give them a try if they're available in your part of the world.

[atomic-chomik]

Ocean Rodeo Roam or Duotone Neo

[or6]

why not add, instead of replace? Get a 7 SST, ride your kites in the sweetspot if you dislike being overpowered? No need to lose money selling your gear. Maybe even get a 5 meter. That's not that large when foiling, or on a directional.

If it's mainly when foiling that you're not convinced of your SST's...can't really help you there. Look for a lighter kite; Airush comes to mind, or the Kauper XT Maverick. Very light, made for foiling and waveriding, apparently also ok as a freeride kite. I've got the 5 m Maverick, but can't really review it, having only flown it on the beach.

Actually, just noticed you're thinking of the Reo. That would be a good choice, on foil and waveboard. No idea how it would work on a TT. Have only used it on a diredctional. It ís quite popular here in Holland, as a wavekite.

[Da Yoda]

Check out Ocean Rodeo's Prodigy. It's design is awesome for strong winds.
https://oceanrodeo.com/kites/prodigy/

[GregK]

Check out Ocean Rodeo's Prodigy.

Would also recommend the Ocean Rodeo Crave, great do-it-all really well kite, although 7m is the smallest they make in the Crave.

May also want to consider a 7m Aluula Roam, the useable range on the Aluula kites is fantastic, could easily be replacement for a 6 and an 8m Dacron kites.

[Rob112]

The description of what you want in a kite seems to fit my experience of the F-one Bandit-s. I had great fun on a 6m in gusty 35-45 knots on my SB. Would have been having hard time on my 6m Pivot, even though all round I still prefer my Pivots.

[snowflake]

Thanks for the replies so far. Hmm I multiple 7 meters before and it was often too big so I want to have a smaller sized kite in my quiver. The wind at my home spots is very gusty and changes rapidly. On the fun days with the 6m I had so far I would have probably always opted for a 7m and then be overpowered because the wind usually picks up unexpectedly during the session, of course the 5m would then have been the better choice in hindsight but is hard to predict the future

[plummet]

I'll put in a vote for ozone enduro. A sweet do it all kite.

[snowflake]

I still wonder how the reo behaves when overpowered, anyone?