Which all around/ freeride kite has the best hang time?

[lizards]

Hopefully this question isn’t too subjective. Every brand has an “all around” kite, which one is the best for jumping? Switchblade, evo, pivot, rs, nexus, enduro? Most of these are 3 strut kites except the switchblade. All the other brands except cabrinha and naish have other more dedicated big air kites so I’m thinking it might be between the pivot or switchblade.

[TheJoe]

My guess would be the Switchblade but not sure. It would be which ever one is the highest aspect kite. I don't know but maybe you can filter out the kites and compare on the Woo leader boards. They added a kite filter for tracking. I personally have not really looked at it other than accidentally filtering my kites out and seeing where I landed on the boards for them.

[SMJ]

lizards,
All of the all around kites I've ridden have good workable hang-time. Of course they don't compare to the high aspect bow style kites, but they are probably second best to the dedicated hang-time kites.

All the kites you mention above have decent hang-time and will work for you in that arena.

One thing to remember (as you state that Cabrinha doesn't have a dedicated big air kite anymore - and you are correct) is that this year (2021) is the first year in many many years that Cab has decided to drop their high aspect bow kite class. Remember back to the Crossbow, Velocity, Apollo, and my personal favorite the AV8. The AV8 had the best hang-time of any kite I've ever flown - albeit came at the cost of ridiculous bar pressure.

I guess the real question is why are you asking about all around kites and hang-time? What are you really after?

[Mike101]

Demo demo demo. Or listen to everyone that loves the eleveight RS (I'd take Evo as a close 2nd).

[Leon van Bergen]

Lizards, Core XR and Duotone Rebel are freeride oriented kites and also have very high aspect, these are the one you are looking for for Hang Time.

[Vinda]

Which dedicated Hangtime Kite is good for Freeride?

So far I've been on a 7m & 9m North Orbit 2021 and they have been pretty sweet. Drifted on the wave better than I expected as well

[SMJ]

Which dedicated Hangtime Kite is good for Freeride?

Hey Vinda,
That's an easier question to answer. The Core XR is under-rated in its all around freeride capabilities. Not great for unhooking, waves, or foil, but it can still pull it off.

[lizards]

Lizards, Core XR and Duotone Rebel are freeride oriented kites and also have very high aspect, these are the one you are looking for for Hang Time.

Thanks but I’m trying to compare all around kites, not performance free ride kites. It would be useful to to be able to lay all these kites on the ground to see which has the highest aspect ratio. The switchblade is pretty high AR but also has pretty squared off wingtips. The Evo has pointier wingtips with gives it the appearance of having a high AR. Those are the only 2 kites on the list that I’ve flown.
Enduro and nexus have very boxy wingtips so I assume they are more surf/freestyle oriented.

In my first post I forgot to add the reach which is definitely lower aspect ratio than the switchblade or evo but people say it has great hangtime. Is this actually true? I’m wondering if there are any factors other than AR that play into a kites jumping abilities.

When I replace my switchblades I’m thinking of going with a faster 3 strut all around but not if it means sacrificing any jumping ability/ hangtime.

[Tony in FL]

Every brand has an “all around” kite, which one is the best for jumping? Switchblade, evo, pivot, rs, nexus, enduro? Most of these are 3 strut kites except the switchblade. All the other brands except cabrinha and naish have other more dedicated big air kites so I’m thinking it might be between the pivot or switchblade.

I think the Moto is considered Cabrinha' s most all around kite at this point - which has 3 struts. And the Switchblade is marketed as a performance freeride / big air (but also considered an all around kite).

[Robsw6]

A tester mate, was not impressed with Motos - for me, the Reach felt a bit woolly, but has reasonable/good hangtime, the Reedin (v1) felt sharper than the Reach, with similar/slightly better hangtime, XRs are XRs - in that they boost but not much else, Pivots are still a very nice boosting freeride design (not feeling as sharp as a Reedin - but for me, more boost)... but the Orbit2 is the game changer - 3 strut feel with 5 strut performance - boosts better than an edge when properly powered, but very user friendly landings and a great allround freeride kite