Aluula Kites - for those of you who already have some hands-on experience

[JTKiter]

The OP asked for input from riders with hands-on experience.....

I've had a 14.5 Flite in Aluula construction for over a year. Snow, ice, water, land. Gliding, foiling, skis, skates, twintip, surfboard, mtn board. I never thought I'd get another big inflatable--much less enjoy one--but this kite is exceptional. Until you've flown one of these a few times, it's hard to understand what the lighter weight allows you to do. (I have no affiliation with OR, no particular brand loyalty.)

For me it's simple: the wider range of performance justifies the extra expense. I don't need a 12m any more. When the wind is too strong for the 14.5 Flite, I grab a 10m Edge.

[JTKiter]

The OP asked for input from riders with hands-on experience.....

I've had a 14.5 Flite in Aluula construction for over a year. Snow, ice, water, land. Gliding, foiling, skis, skates, twintip, surfboard, mtn board. I never thought I'd get another big inflatable--much less enjoy one--but this kite is exceptional. Until you've flown one of these a few times, it's hard to understand what the lighter weight allows you to do. (I have no affiliation with OR, no particular brand loyalty.)

For me it's simple: the wider range of performance justifies the extra expense. I don't need a 12m any more. When the wind is too strong for the 14.5 Flite, I grab a 10m Edge.

[Havre]

I would argue you hardly need 14.5 - 12 - 10 in the first place. So I don't see how having an Aluula-kite changes anything?

And this isn't me bashing Aluula. Really cool with new development, but to me it doesn't sound like Aluula has done that much for the wind range - if anything at all.

[Windigo1]

I don't own an Aluula kite but I have flown several sizes of Flites and Roams. The flite is a great freeride kite it jumps very well and it will stay in the air in very little wind the reduced weight means less inertia so the kite turn quicker and are really smooth in gusty wind. For you weight the Flite 17m would be a great kite to own. The Roam is a great foiling kite and a great wave kite when very powered but it's not a very powerful kite and it doesn't jump particularly well. If you are not going to foil then I would go with Flites. Personally I would go for 3 kites the 17M Flite and then a 12M and 9M for your weight if you can't afford 3 Aluula go with the 17M in Aluula and regular kites for 12M and 9M or keep what you have in those sizes. You will need a lot of wind to be powered on the 10M Roam it's a pretty big gap with the 17M you would probably have to switch around 15 to 20 knots depending on board size. It would be doable too but not ideal I always like having the perfect size but that's me.

[droffats]

I have flown Aluula's since the first demo's three summers ago at AWSI, have made a couple of demo videos, and have flown every size from 8m on up in both models. I do find that the light weight helps at the low wind speeds and the stiffness helps at the high wind speeds so the range is better than a dacron kite.

Since I have been kiting I have noticed that one of my impressions disagrees with almost everyone, and that is that a 17m kite always got me going on a tt in lighter wind than the 14m or 15m. Other people would say, "unless you are 200+ pounds.....". But that was never the case for me.

Therefore, I still say 17m and 12m Aluula Flites. Maybe a 10m in stead of the 12m. Maybe.

[whiteout]

If your over 100kg a 17m and and 11m will get you a nice range. Three kites will get you more depending upon location.

[Joostio]

GingisHan 70.

Check your pm's

[JTKiter]

I would argue you hardly need 14.5 - 12 - 10 in the first place. So I don't see how having an Aluula-kite changes anything?

And this isn't me bashing Aluula. Really cool with new development, but to me it doesn't sound like Aluula has done that much for the wind range - if anything at all.

To me it doesn't sound like you've had many sessions on an Aluula kite in the larger sizes. In a very friendly way, can I ask if that's true or false?

[Havre]

I would argue you hardly need 14.5 - 12 - 10 in the first place. So I don't see how having an Aluula-kite changes anything?

And this isn't me bashing Aluula. Really cool with new development, but to me it doesn't sound like Aluula has done that much for the wind range - if anything at all.

To me it doesn't sound like you've had many sessions on an Aluula kite in the larger sizes. In a very friendly way, can I ask if that's true or false?

So why don’t you enlighten us?

14.5 and 10 is a fairly acceptable split with normal kites (fairly similar to my 17 and 12). So how does that help the OP reduce the number of kites in his quiver?

[JTKiter]

Havre: You're quite right that most folks are fine with a 14m to 10m gap or 17m to 12m. I like a 2m gap myself so the 14.5 Aluula has eliminated the need for one kite for me.

I'm curious whether you have some sessions on a bigger Aluula kite or not. I truly hope I don't seem rude in asking but it seems pertinent given the OP's original request.