North Launches The Reach

[TheJoe]

Hi guys! Could you compare the Reach to the Orbit? I recently tested Reach, Switchblade and Evo and was impressed most with the Reach, but didn’t have a chance to ride the Orbit. Is the Reach a more developed product? Is the sacrifice on boost and hang time big?

The difference is in versatility between the 2. The Reach is an all around kite that is a little bit better than most all around kites out there. The Orbit is a big air kite. The Orbit wants more wind than what you think it does. I tried the 12m and it did not feel like a 12m it felt smaller. It all so flew too far forward in the window since It was on the low end of the kite. It jumped pretty well for the light winds I was flying in.

The Reach is not going to jump as high but it gets up there. I just got a quiver of them to be able to ride every style of riding. I'm getting older so I'm doing more big air and learning to foil. I would score it from best to worst Foil, Surf, Big air, then Freestyle. But the difference between them is not a huge gap. There just is not that much compromise in this kite. Can you ride a better kite for any of these disciplines certainly a dedicated Freestyle kite is going to be better at giving slack just like a high aspect 5 strut kite will boost higher. However you can do it all with this one kite.

If you want an all around kite, or a beginner not knowing what you want to do as your progress then the Reach is a perfect kite for you. If you just want to boost as high as possible and float forever then the Orbit will be better. I'm 100% thrilled with the Reach and not needing 3 different quivers to enjoy multiple styles of riding.

[LeoLeal]

Does anyone knows the weight of this 12m²?
Why North does not inform the weight as all good brands are doing ?

[Blackened]

Does anyone knows the weight of this 12m²?
Why North does not inform the weight as all good brands are doing ?

Knowing the weight of kites is only a relatively recent must-have. I'd assume due to the rise in foiling. I think Duotone only started doing it in 2018 for the 2019 season. I'm sure they'll get to it when the company gets into more of a routine.

Personally I'd like to see board weights as a priority as I don't bother kiting until 18kn.

[mattaiken MYS NKB]

Does anyone knows the weight of this 12m²?
Why North does not inform the weight as all good brands are doing ?

I don't have a 12m handy, but I'll get you a weight as soon as I can. Mirroring the comment of Blackened, the total static weight (dry, not moving, etc) is "a" factor in a kite's performance, and I hope, whether you choose to buy a North kite or not, please do not put too much weight into this alone (pun intended). Light wind flying ability is not entirely base on a kites weight. Anyway, wait for some numbers please.

[Jeremey76]

Hi guys! Could you compare the Reach to the Orbit? I recently tested Reach, Switchblade and Evo and was impressed most with the Reach, but didn’t have a chance to ride the Orbit. Is the Reach a more developed product? Is the sacrifice on boost and hang time big?

I got a set of Reaches 11-9-7-5 also a orbit 8m2 for me the reach is a good combination between the orbit and a pulse in jumps it has the lift like an orbit but when you loop it it feels more like a pulse but not that aggressive pull forward it is more forgiving i tested al the north kites and i am not a waver so the surf side of the reach i cannot comment on i tested the carve as wel and between all the north models the reach has the lightest bar pressure it almost feels weird. u can see 1 orbit kite in our quiver yes that is my go 2 30 knots plus kite the hangtime of the orbit is just so much fun.

[dewwy]

Does anyone have experience with the 15m for light wind wakestyle riding?

[Nickcallejo]

Does anyone have experience with the 15m for light wind wakestyle riding?
I’m a wakestyle rider and got the chance to ride the 15 meter reach in the Kite park in Cape Hatteras. The kite is an absolute weapon for freestyle/wakestyle light wind riding. The low end power and light three strut design gives you a nice sturdy feel on any features your hitting without sacrificing turning speed or upwind capability. In simple terms the reach will keep you juiced up long after everyone else has resorted to their foil.

[ShredThaGnar]

Does anyone have experience with the 15m for light wind wakestyle riding?

I got to fly the 9m, 12m and 15m Reach. All sizes unhook very well surprisingly. The kite was designed to surf, foil, boost and loop. Normally there’s always a trade off but this kite in every size has been so fun to fly. When you first launch this kite, especially in the 12m and 15m you’ll notice the light bar pressure right away. It almost feels there’s not enough. But as soon as you dive the kite the bar pressure is exactly what it should be. Medium to light which makes handle passing a breeze. The 15m was designed the be very light in the sky (lighter bladders, less Dacron etc.) so the kite is light. This allows the kite to almost float with the lines slacked. It’s hard to explain, however when you load and pop this kite feels floaty without being ripped off the water like a bow kite. But then parks itself giving you plenty of slack without sacrificing low end capabilities like most freestyle/wakestyle kites. That being said, you won’t get stuck in lightwind with the Reach in the water. The 12m and 15m will relaunch in a puff of wind. The Reach 15m is perfect for those light wind half load and powered up freestyle/wakestyle sessions. You’ll also notice the Reach does not back stall. It’s tuned perfectly right out of the bag. The Reach will be my next quiver, with the 15m being my go to lightwind wakestyle kite. I flew the 14m Pulse last week in Hood River. Amazing wakestyle kite especially in the 14m, however the Reach is going relaunch it bit easier and can be used in a wide array of styles such as foiling, surf, boosting. The advantage of the Reach is going to be low end and relaunch. If you’re a dedicated wakestyle rider I’d recommend the Pulse. If you enjoy unhooking, but also see yourself foiling, doing boardoffs etc the Reach is the choice. The only disadvantage of the 15m Reach is not having friends to unhook with in lightwinds.

I hope this answered your question. If you have any questions on North Kites shoot me a message. I’ve flown almost every model and size in most wind conditions. I’ve also been kiting for 13+ years and have flown most brands.

[LeoLeal]

Guys,
I would like some help here. I'm thinking about buy a North Reach, for most of the time i will be using on a waveboard ProVoke (wind 11 knots to 18 knots), my weight is 83 kg or 183 lbs.
Which size should i take? 11m² ou 12m²?

Is there a lot of diference between this two?

[luca]

You should go with the 12m.
I am using it as well with 75kg from 12-20 with the TT, 8-12 with the foil.