Comparison table

Eight current big-air kites. Wind ranges are the brands' own charts where they publish them (Airush and Cabrinha for a 75 kg rider; Duotone's table has no unit). Prices are "from" figures for the smallest size on each brand's own store: Cabrinha only prices in US dollars ($1,759 for the 6 m Nitro).

Specs from manufacturers' published data, last checked 5 October 2026. — means not published. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
ModelSizes (m²)StrutsBridleWind range (brand)Level (brand)From (UK)From (EU)
Duotone Rebel SLS 20266, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 145front bridle without pulleys09-22 (14m) to 21-40 (6m); Duotone's size table gives no unit—£1,649€2,049
Slingshot Machine V36, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1256-point TrimFlight bridle———€1,479
Airush Lift v47, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14——7-19 kts (14m) to 17-40+ kts (7m), 75kg rider——€1,399
Cabrinha Nitro Apex 20266, 7, 8, 9, 10, 125Apex bridle (thin, low-elongation lines)11–26 kts (12m) to 21–40 kts (6m), 75kg riderintermediate, advanced——
Slingshot Code NXT V27, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14—7-point fixed bridle———€2,599
Flysurfer ERA26, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 145——intermediate, advanced—€1,499
Duotone Rebel D/LAB 20266, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 135no pulleys in the bridle9-25 (13m) to 20-41 (6m); Duotone's size table gives no unit—£2,499€2,899
Flysurfer SONIC57, 10, 12, 150——intermediate, advanced—€2,249

How we chose

We kept the kites each brand itself pitches for big air, boosting, hangtime or kiteloops, from every brand whose site we could check (Duotone, Slingshot, Airush, Cabrinha and Flysurfer). Most are five-strut inflatables; Flysurfer's SONIC⁵ is a closed-cell foil kite for experienced riders. Core, North, F-One, Ozone and Eleveight aren't here because their sites couldn't be checked, not because their kites are worse.

Specs and prices come from each brand's own page, listed under Sources. This is a spec comparison, not a jumping test. If you're still working on your first jumps, a freeride kite like those in best kites for beginners is the better buy.

The picks in detail

Best for most big-air riders

Duotone Rebel SLS 2026

Duotone pitches the Rebel SLS at ambitious riders chasing lift, hangtime and controlled kiteloops, with "sheet and go" take-offs. The 2027 version is out with the same sizes and wind chart, which is why the 2026 is being cleared.

Who it's for

Confident freeriders moving into big air.

Who should skip it

You're still learning to jump.

Pros

  • Five struts, pulley-free front bridle
  • Nine sizes, 6 to 14 m
  • 2026 stock reduced at Duotone UK (Concept Blue 6 m)

Cons

  • £1,649 to £2,299 at full price
  • The reduced 6 m was the only 2026 size available on Duotone UK when we checked
Struts
5
Wind range
09-22 (14m) to 21-40 (6m); Duotone's size table gives no unit
From (UK)
£1,649

Sizes: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Check price at Duotone UK store

Best for straight-up boosting

Slingshot Machine V3

Slingshot calls it its "Old School Big Air" kite: built for massive boosts, hangtime and soft landings, with a rigid five-strut frame that Slingshot says keeps it calm when powered, and no need for advanced piloting.

Who it's for

Riders who want height and float more than loops.

Who should skip it

You want a looping kite: Slingshot's Code NXT is its new-school one.

Pros

  • Five struts
  • Pitched as not needing advanced piloting
  • In stock at KiteOutlet when we checked

Cons

  • No published wind range on the page
  • No GBP price from Slingshot (from €1,479)
Struts
5
Bridle
6-point TrimFlight bridle
From (EU)
€1,479

Sizes: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12

Check price at KiteOutlet

Best for freeride with big air

Airush Lift v4

Airush's performance freeride and big-air kite for boosting and hangtime, which it says pairs ease of use with stability in the wildest conditions. Airush publishes wind ranges for every size.

Who it's for

Freeriders who want one kite for everyday riding and big jumps.

Who should skip it

You want a pure big-air specialist.

Pros

  • Wind ranges published (75 kg rider)
  • One-pump inflation
  • Sizes up to 14 m

Cons

  • Strut count not stated
  • Euro price only (from €1,399)
Wind range (75 kg)
7-19 kts (14m) to 17-40+ kts (7m), 75kg rider
From (EU)
€1,399

Sizes: 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14

Best for kiteloops

Cabrinha Nitro Apex 2026

Cabrinha's go-to kite for height, hangtime and progressive kiteloops, rated intermediate to expert, which Cabrinha says rewards precise technique.

Who it's for

Experienced riders learning to loop.

Who should skip it

You want to buy in the UK: Cabrinha prices in US dollars and we found no UK stockist.

Pros

  • Five struts, one-pump
  • Published wind ranges

Cons

  • From $1,759 (6 m), US store only
  • No UK stockist found
Struts
5
Wind range (75 kg)
11–26 kts (12m) to 21–40 kts (6m), 75kg rider

Sizes: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12

Best for new-school big air

Slingshot Code NXT V2

Slingshot's "New School Big Air" kite, developed with Jeremy Burlando, with an Aluula leading edge and struts for fast, controlled loops and smooth vertical lift. Slingshot says it stays composed in strong, gusty, overpowered sessions.

Who it's for

Advanced riders who loop and ride overpowered.

Who should skip it

Budget matters: from €2,599 it's one of the dearest here.

Pros

  • Aluula frame
  • Built for loops

Cons

  • From €2,599
  • No UK stockist found
Bridle
7-point fixed bridle
From (EU)
€2,599

Sizes: 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14

Best for no-compromise big air

Duotone Rebel D/LAB 2026

The Aluula D/TX-frame Rebel, which Duotone calls its ultimate big-air kite, built to stay stable and hold its shape when overpowered.

Who it's for

Advanced riders who want Duotone's top-tier, Aluula-frame Rebel.

Who should skip it

You're price-conscious: the Rebel SLS is the same family for much less.

Pros

  • Aluula frame
  • Eight sizes, 6 to 13 m

Cons

  • From £2,499 at Duotone UK
Struts
5
From (UK)
£2,499

Sizes: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Check price at Duotone UK store

Before you go big

Big-air kite questions

What makes a kite good for big air?
Brands build big-air kites to stay stable and stiff when powered, to lift hard and to float on the way down. That's why most here have five struts. Each brand's own description is in the cards above.
Can a beginner use a big-air kite?
It's not a good idea. Cabrinha rates its Nitro intermediate to expert, and Flysurfer its ERA² intermediate to professional. Learn on a freeride kite first.
Is the 2026 Rebel SLS still worth buying?
Duotone's 2027 Rebel SLS keeps the same sizes and wind chart, so a discounted 2026 is worth a look if its size suits you.
Should I buy a foil kite for big air?
Only if you're experienced. Flysurfer's SONIC⁵ is a closed-cell foil kite for ambitious big-air riders, and foil kites handle very differently from inflatables.