AT A GLANCE

The RPM from Slingshot has been pushing the boundaries of what can be done with a hybrid kite for just over a year now. It is one of the few bridled kites used by a top 5 PKRA rider. Youri Zoon has demonstrated that this kite really can be a freestyle machine as well as a freeride weapon. When you consider he could easily choose the Fuel as his ride that says a lot about the RPM. The kite was originally released quite late in 2009, and not a lot has changed on the kite for the 2010 version. The bridle is the same, the panel layout very similar and the kite features all the usual triple stitching and reinforcement that Slingshot is famous for. The biggest change for 2010 is the completely redesigned bar.

THE BAR

New for 2010 the Comp Stick control bar addresses some of the issues found on the 2009 bar. Probably the biggest change is the chicken loop, for a couple of years now Slingshot have been running the same design and while it worked perfectly safety there was an issue with unhooking. Because it was a pull release it was fairly easy to activate it when grabbing the chicken Loop to hook back in. This year they have adopted a push release system and it works really well. The trim rope is also thinner and has a tighter weave so wear issues on that should be reduced. The centre line safety system remains, although a new addition is the sure-fire spinner. This device allows the front lines to truly untwist. It is the first time we have seen a system like this that really works and it is very impressive. Only time will tell how sand and salt affects it, but the kite we were testing wasn’t new out of the bag and had been on demo a while and it was still working really well despite a few weeks of abuse. All the other usual Slingshot features are there, o’shit handles, 800lb front lines and the active stopper ball.

IN THE AIR

The RPM uses an open C profile; essentially it is a C shape kite with an arc that has been opened out. The manufacture of the leading edge, the full suspension bridle, the panel layout and the profile all, combine to ensure it holds its shape in the air and the kite is certainly solid. It is fairly high aspect and looks long and thin compared to some of the kites on the market today. Delta haters will be pleased to know this is about as far from a delta shape as you could get. The performance is impressive, the kite really penetrates the edge of the window pulling you upwind and the open profile and lightweight three strut design combine to give the kite a really impressive low end. The high aspect nature of the kite allows the top end to be almost limitless and the kite realty depowers when you want it too. The new bar is fantastic, we tried and tried to twist the front lines up, but the sure-fire spinner always did its job. The top end performance of the kite is very similar to last year; it boosts high, unhooks nicely and is very well behaved. There are no nasty surprises here, you can take your eye off the kite and pull your moves without worrying where the kite will end up. The bar pressure and feel in the turns combine to give you a kite that flies with precision around the wind window. Kite loops are impressive with the kite delivering a smooth pull all the way through the turn.

FOR
The RPM packs a mean punch; it can mix it with high performance C shapes and still win. The new Comp Stick Control bar is a very welcome upgrade.

AGAINST
The kite itself is almost unchanged from 2009, and while it was a great kite then we would find it hard to recommend upgrading your 2009 version for the 2010, just upgrade the bar. Of course if you don’t own an old RPM then you will be laughing!

OVERALL
Loaded with performance and a range that impresses, the RPM is about as solid as kites get, predictable and stable with the potential to scrape the sky...

AT A GLANCE

The Envy is a 3 strut design that Liquid Force dub’s as a Delta Hybrid. It keeps the diamond wingtips of the Havoc and the same USB 2.0 bridle. The build quality of the Liquid Force gear has always impressed us. In the past they have always paid lots of attention to the detail and the Envy is no exception. There are some really great touches in the design and layout, little things that make you realise they have thought about the final product. Black on black print on the struts is there purely for your pleasure. One-pump is standard and the kite is well made with plenty of reinforced stitching in all the usual wear points.

THE BAR

In a nod to their wakeboard roots the CPR control system is about as simple as you could make it. While simple though, it retains all the features you would need - they are just in a very tidy package. Oshit handles for added safety, a centre line safety and the all new CPR chicken loop. The loop is great, fully moulded with no moving metal parts it simply snaps on and off. One of the best systems we have seen so far it inspires confidence in your set up. There is also a sliding stopper ball and the whole bar is colour coded to ensure you set it up the right way.

IN THE AIR

The Envy is a real powerhouse, it has loads of deep down low end power; the lower aspect ratio obviously helping to deliver some grunt. Bar pressure is minimal, just enough to give the rider good feedback as to where the kite is in the air. Steering is fairly direct, it isn’t as snappy as a direct connect rear line, but the bridle doesn’t hinder the experience too much. The instant depower that you get from the bridle set up is a welcome aspect and the diamond wingtips obviously help give the kite its range. The canopy was pretty solid, even when heavily depowered and the pull through the air was very smooth. The Envy has a tendency to sit a little further back in the window; this means that while it has lots of low-end power it is hard to get it to cruise upwind at the bottom of its wind range. Once the wind picks up a little this ceases to be a problem. Unhooked performance is great and the kite is very well behaved when you initiate moves. Jumping is impressive and the kite delivers plenty of boost when you send it back through the window. It is a fun kite that is easy to fly and lots of riders will get a great deal out of the Envy. If you are a heavier rider it definitely works better in the middle and towards the top of its wind range.

FOR
Welt built all round freeride kite which will come alive when the wind gets up. Jumping and unhooked riding is really impressive.

AGAINST
White it has lots of low-end power, it comes at a cost of upwind ability in light airs.

OVERALL
A well thought out and welt made kite that will appeal to lots of riders. The low-end power will excite wakestyle riders, it works well as a park and play kite. At the same time if you enjoy a freeride blast then the kite has plenty to offer you.

AT A GLANCE

The Nomad from Cabrinha is a totally new kite for 2010. It fills that gap that was previously empty for a high performance freestyle kite for pro riders. Cabrinha spent the best part of a year listening to their pro riders and creating a kite that fulfilled their wants and needs. It is about as close to a C-kite as Cabrinha dared to take it, yet it retains all the great features of a hybrid. It benefits from easy retaunch and a simple bridle set up. As standard the kite comes with the IDS safety system.

THE BAR

The bar this year from Cabrinha is an improvement on last years excellent design. It is simple, functional and has everything just about where you would want it. Arguably the neatest system on the market every aspect of the design has been well thought out. New for this year the IDS system is fitted inside the depower protective tube; this tidies up the set up even more. The trim straps are neatly placed above the bar and are easy to reach and the quick release is simple and functional.

IN THE AIR

Ever since Cabrinha launched the Crossbow in 2005 they have been missing a kite like this from their range. The Switchblade was used by the likes of Andre Phillip for his wakestyle riding and the Crossbow was a freeride machine that in recent years has had a hint of race applied to it. The Nomad bridges that gap and it is a stunning kite. The turning speed is rapid and when powered up the Nomad will put a smile on your face like no other. The kite launches you into the air with some impressive force and leaves you hanging there. Whip it into a loop and it turns in a wide arc around its wingtip generating heaps of power. The bar feedback is excellent and the rider knows where the kite is all the time. There is no heavy bar pressure often found on some of the other kites in the range. The Nomad is light and extremeLy responsive. The responsive behaviour also lends the kite really well to wave riding, you can flick it around the window whilst you are tearing waves to shreds and it behaves immaculately. Upwind the kite performs well, flying far enough forward in the window to get you there quickly, but retaining a good amount of pull at the same time.

FOR
A true high performance kite from Cabrinha, if you like hardcore freestyle then think of it as a return to form from the brand. And if you enjoy shredding waves you won’t be disappointed.

AGAINST
It depends on your riding style as to whether you will enjoy this kite or not. If you enjoy the way the Switchblade lies in a solid, locked in and predictable manner, be prepared for a different beast altogether. We loved it!

OVERALL
Fast, responsive handling with pinpoint precIsion the kite flies fairly far forward in the window, which allows it to fly upwind. The kiteloops are excellent and it realty filLs a gap that had previously been empty in the Cabrinha range.

AT A GLANCE

The Octane is an all new kite from Slingshot for 2010, based on the Rev, one of their best selling kites of 2008 and 2009. Essentially they have taken the Rev, which was originally designed to be used as a user-friendly wave/freestyle kite, and opened up the trailing edge to allow it to fly faster through the sky. This gives a little extra spike to its power and turning ability. They have pretty much kept the simple bridle system and the bombproof kite canopy layout. Finally no Slingshot kite would be complete without Slingshot’s pioneering one pump system.

THE BAR

Slingshot have really stepped it up for 2010 with the all new Comp Stick bar. They have pretty much ticked every box; with a whole new chicken loop using a friendly push away QR. A locking pin on top of the chicken loop locks out straight when unhooked to make hooking back in as easy as possible. There is an all-new centre line swivel that removes any twist left in the centre lines after spinning the bar after rotations and kiteloops. The de-power cleat and cleat line have been slimmed down for easy use, furthermore the bar features a removable chicken loop dick and a attachment for a suicide leash as well as the usual o’shit handles on both sides of the bar.

IN THE AIR

After a fast responsive Rev2 for 2009 we didn’t think the Octane could be improved by much, but by opening up the trailing edge and a new stiffer shape from the new strut lay out and tweaked bridal they have managed to squeeze a bigger wind range from a kite that travels through the sky quicker than ever. After moving the rear lines up a knot or two closer to the kite to tighten the steering tines up, the kite becomes very responsive enabling it to turn on a sixpence allowing the rider to be able to throw impressive kiteloops without any drastic consequence. Boosting with the Octane has been fun with the kite turning and moving faster, however the kite demands extra kite piloting skills to use its full jumping and hang time potential. This kite seems to demand input and likes to keep a nice forward speed. Without a good amount of board speed and keeping the rear lines tort, the kite will fly further around the wind window then desired. Any inexperienced riders will want to use the most inner pigtail attachment point on the wingtips. Riding waves with the Octane is more fun than ever, being able to stick the kite where you want it and have confidence the kite will keep up with board speed on lighter wind days. It parks realty well and just hangs in the sky allowing you to ride down the line.

FOR
Wave riding and freestyle on this kite is a dream. The all-new bar is a pleasure to use leaving only the riders to hold themselves back.

AGAINST
Any riders looking for a kite they can lock down and load a rail for wake style tricks should stick to the RMP or Fuel.

OVERALL
The Octane is a quick responsive kite with a huge wind range and great up wind potential to make ground up after ripping up a huge wave down wind or some big lofty jumps. The build quality is as ever second to none!

AT A GLANCE

With a pretty good year in 2009 Blade are able to hold their heads up high knowing that they are on a similar level with the larger kite brands producing quality hard wearing kites. In 2010 this doesn’t change. The Trigger has come through with a real feeling for quality and the kite as a whole has been made to take a beating, if it hasn’t got a tough bumper pad or a piece of kevlar on it it would have been reinforced with double stitching. Blade have now split the bridle attachment points getting rid of the pulleys between them, which seems to be the general trend now with performance freeride kites. The Kite has a nice simple one pump system with a clever clip holder to keep everything tucked out the way of any bridles or loose lines if you end up in the washing machine of any waves.

THE BAR

The bar has a clean functional design that drew a few positive comments on the beach. The grip is 3D moulded and extremely comfy to hold. There are o’shit handles for added safety and a stopper ball should you wish to use them. The trim strap is made up of a pull-pull webbing affair, which is situated above the bar, whilst the chicken loop is very impressive too, an update to last year’s swivel and ropes to ensure maximum durability. The entire system also swivels so you are able to untwist your lines if you choose to spin one way with your rotations.

IN THE AIR

In the sky, the Trigger has quite a high aspect shape and with the new bridal layout you will have yourself believing you are in for an aggressive ride. However, the kite is like a pussycat compared to its high-end performance Prime in the Blades range. I would describe the bar pressure as moderate and not to heavy, similarly there is a sense of connection in the middle, which enables you to throw the kite around when you really want to give it some, giving you time to not have to concentrate when trying something new. When you do amp things up and give the bar some real heavy handed input you can get this machine to kiteloop really well, even sending the Trigger out in front of you without the consequences you receive from the Prime. With help from the kites AR (aspect ratio), the kite surges forwards searching for any extra board speed you might want to carry. Unhooking disables you a little from being able to throw the kite around as well as you can when hooked in, its performance has enough grunt for the majority of riders, but as you would expect from a high aspect design, it lacks that real Low down power, that said the top end is fantastic. The Trigger works well in some swell and is responsive enough to ride waves of all sizes.

FOR
The trigger is great for getting stuck in, with plenty of performance for most to try everything you dare to but without the sting you get from a dedicated freestyle kite.

AGAINST
Think of the Trigger as a freeride kite with some real performance, but if you want a dedicated freestyle kite look to the Prime.

OVERALL
A well built strong kite, perfect all rounder, allows you to try new things enabling you to feel like you can take your kiting to the next level without being punished for any mistakes.