Comparison table
The current kites first, then the previous-year models. Wind ranges are the brands' own charts (Airush and Cabrinha quote them for a 75 kg rider; Duotone's table gives no unit). Prices are "from" figures for the smallest size on each brand's own store.
| Model | Sizes (m²) | Struts | One pump | Wind range (brand) | Level (brand) | From (UK) | From (EU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duotone Evo 2026 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 | — | — | 10-24 (13m) to 23-41 (5m); Duotone's size table gives no unit | beginner, intermediate, advanced | £1,189 | €1,399 |
| Slingshot Ghost V4 | 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17 | — | — | — | beginner | — | €1,039 |
| Airush Lithium v14 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 17 | 3 | Yes | 6-16 kts (17m) to 18-40+ kts (5m), 75kg rider | — | — | €1,119 |
| Cabrinha Switchblade Apex 2026 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 | 5 | Yes | 7–19 kts (14m) to 23–37 kts (5m), 75kg rider | beginner, intermediate, advanced | — | — |
| Flysurfer INDIE² | 9, 11, 13, 15 | 1 | — | — | beginner, intermediate | — | €1,149 |
| Duotone Evo 2025 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 | — | — | 10-24 (13m) to 23-41 (5m); Duotone's size table gives no unit | beginner, intermediate, advanced | — | — |
| Duotone Evo 2024 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 | 3 | — | 10-24 (13m) to 23-41 (5m); Duotone's size table gives no unit | beginner, intermediate, advanced | — | — |
| Cabrinha Switchblade Apex 2025 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 | 5 | — | 7–19 kts (14m) to 23–37 kts (5m), 75kg rider | — | — | — |
| Slingshot Ghost V3 | 2.5, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
How we chose
We went through the current freeride ranges of every brand whose site we could check (Duotone, Slingshot, Airush, Cabrinha and Flysurfer) and kept the kites each brand itself positions for beginners, progression or easy relaunch. For a first kite that matters more than anything else: you'll drop it in the water a lot, and a kite that relaunches with a simple pull on the bar saves hours of frustration.
Every spec comes from the brand's own page, listed under Sources. Where a brand doesn't publish something, like the Evo 2026's strut count, the table shows a dash rather than a guess. Core, North, F-One, Ozone and a few others aren't here because their sites couldn't be checked for this update, not because their kites are worse. This is a spec comparison, not a flying test.
The picks in detail
Best for most beginners
Duotone Evo 2026
The default first kite. Duotone pitches the Evo for riders of all levels, from first sessions onwards, and it's easy to buy in the UK straight from Duotone's own UK store.
Who it's for
Beginners who want one kite they won't outgrow, in any size from 5 to 13 m.
Who should skip it
You want the cheapest way in: the 2025 Evo does much the same job for less.
Pros
- Pitched at every level by Duotone
- Nine sizes, 5 to 13 m
- Sold directly by Duotone UK
Cons
- From £1,189 for the 5 m, up to £1,819 for the 13 m
- Duotone's 2026 page doesn't state the strut count (its 2024 page described the Evo as three-strut)
- Sizes (m²)
- 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
- Canopy
- MOD 3S
- From (UK)
- £1,189
Sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Buying used? The 2025 and 2024 Evos are the same idea for less: see the used picks below.
Best for learning, then foiling
Slingshot Ghost V4
Slingshot's beginner kite, built with what it calls single luff-strut construction. Slingshot says it's engineered for easy water starts, smooth low-end power and a confident relaunch, and pitches it for foiling too.
Who it's for
Beginners who think they'll want to try foiling later, and lighter riders (it goes down to 3 m).
Who should skip it
You want a kite with a published wind range: Slingshot's chart isn't on the page.
Pros
- Aimed squarely at beginners
- Nine sizes, 3 to 17 m
- Foil-friendly
Cons
- Package is kite, bag and patch kit only: no bar
- No GBP price from Slingshot (from €1,039 on its EU store)
- Sizes (m²)
- 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17
- Bridle
- TrimFlight bridle system
- From (EU)
- €1,039
Sizes: 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17
Best for the widest size range
Airush Lithium v14
A three-strut delta-hybrid all-rounder that Airush describes as easy to ride, light at the bar and stable in the air, with instant relaunch. Its nine sizes run from 5 to 17 m, so there's one for almost any rider weight.
Who it's for
Heavier riders who need a big size, or anyone who likes a three-strut feel.
Who should skip it
You want a kite the brand explicitly calls a beginner kite: Airush's page doesn't use level words.
Pros
- Three struts, one-pump inflation
- Published wind ranges for every size
- Sizes up to 17 m
Cons
- Airush doesn't say whether a bar is included
- No UK shop found beyond Airush's own store
- Struts
- 3
- Wind range (75 kg)
- 6-16 kts (17m) to 18-40+ kts (5m), 75kg rider
- From (EU)
- €1,119
Sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 17
Best for a kite for first jumps too
Cabrinha Switchblade Apex 2026
Cabrinha's own progression pick: its kite finder lists the Switchblade for stable freeride progression, beginner to advanced, and Cabrinha pitches it for everything from first jumps to big air.
Who it's for
Beginners who want a kite that will carry them into jumping.
Who should skip it
You want to buy from a UK shop: we couldn't find one, and Cabrinha's own store prices in US dollars.
Pros
- Beginner-to-advanced rating from Cabrinha
- Five struts, one-pump inflation
- No-pulley bridle
Cons
- From $1,659 (5 m) on Cabrinha's US store; no UK price
- No reachable UK retailer when we checked
- Struts
- 5
- Bridle
- No-pulley Apex bridle
- Wind range (75 kg)
- 7–19 kts (14m) to 23–37 kts (5m), 75kg rider
Sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
Best for schools and progression
Flysurfer INDIE²
A lightweight one-strut kite that Flysurfer rates Entry to Intermediate and pitches for progression, freeride and travel. Flysurfer says it's meant to make learning easier, with high stall resistance, smooth power and an effortless relaunch.
Who it's for
Beginners who need a 9 m kite or bigger, for their weight or their usual wind.
Who should skip it
You're light or ride strong wind: the smallest size is 9 m.
Pros
- Rated Entry to Intermediate
- Light one-strut build
- Good for travel
Cons
- Only four sizes (9 to 15 m)
- Sold as the kite only: budget for a bar
- No UK shop found
- Sizes (m²)
- 9, 11, 13, 15
- Struts
- 1
- From (EU)
- €1,149
Sizes: 9, 11, 13, 15
Used and previous-year picks
Kites change little from one model year to the next, and you'll crash your first one a lot. A one- or two-season-old kite of a good beginner model is often the best value there is. Before you pay, check that the leading edge and struts hold air overnight, look for repairs on the canopy, and make sure the bridle lines aren't frayed or knotted. Our safety checklist covers the bar checks.
eBay buttons below search for that exact model: prices vary a lot with size and condition.
Best for the safest used buy
Duotone Evo 2025
The previous Evo, which Duotone called its go-to kite for entry-level to advanced riders; its 2025 redesign added sweep for better relaunch and upwind. Duotone's own store had cut it to £891.75 (5 m) from £1,189, but every size was sold out when we checked, so used is the realistic route.
- Sizes (m²)
- 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
- Canopy
- Trinity TX
Sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Buying used? Two seasons of use at most on a 2025 kite: ask how many sessions and whether it's been repaired.
Best for the cheapest good Evo
Duotone Evo 2024
Duotone described the 2024 Evo as a three-strut all-rounder for newcomers and seasoned riders alike, and one of the easiest kites in its range to fly: hook in, sheet and go.
- Struts
- 3
- Bridle
- Pulley-less
Sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Buying used? Older kites have had more UV: check the canopy for crinkled, papery patches and ask for the bladders to be pumped up in front of you.
Best for a used five-strut
Cabrinha Switchblade Apex 2025
Last year's Switchblade, which Cabrinha pitched as a five-strut kite with the lighter feel of a three-strut, predictable whatever board you ride. Cabrinha's US outlet still sells it new at a discount.
- Struts
- 5
- Wind range (75 kg)
- 7–19 kts (14m) to 23–37 kts (5m), 75kg rider
Sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
Best for a simple one-strut
Slingshot Ghost V3
The Ghost before the V4: a single-strut kite Slingshot describes as dependable, with sheet-and-go control and a smooth relaunch. Slingshot gives it no model year, so don't let a seller call it a 2025 kite.
- Struts
- 1
- Sizes (m²)
- 2.5, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17
Sizes: 2.5, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17
What size kite do you need?
Size depends on your weight, your board and the wind you ride most often. By the rule of thumb behind our calculator (weight in kg × 2.2 ÷ wind in knots), a 75 kg rider needs about an 11 m kite in 15 knots and about an 8 m in 20. Lighter riders size down, heavier riders size up.
Before you buy, log the wind at your spot for a week or two at the times you'll actually ride. Most riders end up with two kites to cover their range. Start with the size you'll use most.