Blade Trigger (2010)

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.

The Blade trigger was a great kite for us in 2009. We got so many good reviews from beginner and interemediate kiters.

For 2010 they have improved yet again . You only have to read the great review from IKsurf mag to see how impressed them guys were, but here are my own findings.

First of all the kite is lighter in 2010 giving more low end and greater stability. That's perfect if you are just starting out or like to get out on those sunny sub 14 knot days.

The new reflex relaunch system is a doddle. The kite will relaunch in even light winds with minimal effort, yet will not suprise you either.

The wind range as per last year is massive, and a 10m should be enough to get an 80kg rider out from 14-28 knots easily.

The build is top notch which is great if you consider the price tag that is a little lower than the other brands.

The new bar is again really nice, the QR works a dream and flags out onto on line if needed, but normally just letting go is enough to depower the kite to safe limits. The swivel dome system works a treat and has an improved load on last year.

All in all if you are just starting out, or want a kite that does everything, this kite is very very hard to beat. Factor in the price, and its head and shoulders above the competiton.

I weigh 100kg and I used the 10m with winds between 14 and 20kts with a 136x43 board.

The kite has an excellent low end, very manoeuvrable and very powerful. If you want to make big and long jumps is ideal kite. The relaunch on weather is excellent. The build quality is very good and the bar is very functionally.

For my weight this is the kite for use between 14 and 30kts.

Good winds