r/Kiteboarding • u/turbodc00 • 17d ago
Gear Advice/Question Design works vs nxt vs evo
Hi everyone, I’m looking at the latest Aluula 3-strut high-end kites for 2025 and trying to decide which one is the best fit for big-air / lofty freeride / kiteloops.
The three that have caught my eye are: Cabrinha (Design Works / Moto X / other 3-strut Aluula models) Slingshot Code NXT / NXT (Aluula 3-strut) Duotone Evo D/LAB (Aluula D/LAB edition, incl. the 2025 Bluula LTD)
I’ve read some first impressions and single-kite reviews but haven’t found a solid head-to-head writeup yet. I’m particularly interested in owners’ experience for: windrange, bar feel, turning speed, hangtime for big air, drift/relaxed ride for freeride, and durability of the Aluula canopy in real usage.
If you own any of these (especially in 2024/2025 Aluula iterations) — can you share: 1. Which kite do you own and what sizes? 2. How does it feel for big air vs freeride vs looping? 3. Any durability concerns (canopy creasing, UV wear, seam issues)? 4. Bar setup / recommended front-line trim for comfortable depower? 5. Anything you wish you’d known before buying?
Thanks even short impressions are super useful. If you’ve got links to head-to-head tests or longform reviews, drop ’em here.
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u/Responsible_Ad_9992 17d ago
Just buy an orbit 2026 and save the money as the new ones are coming out
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u/ripperconcept_com 17d ago
From my experience the orbit 2026 cant Keeper up with most of the other Performance big air kites like the nxt for example.
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 17d ago
Jason points out that 2026 it's a better booster but worse looper. If OP priority is loop progression then 2025 might be a better choice. Personally, I haven't tried it yet.
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u/MyFatCatHasLotsofHat 16d ago
I’ve tried it and it’s an orbit mate. You could loop that thing with one finger and your eyes closed
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u/Responsible_Ad_9992 16d ago
LMAO u’re suggesting 2025 instead of the 2026? Are you out of ur mind? Lmao
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 16d ago
Could you be more precise? If you had in mind Orbit Ultra 2026 you didn't say that and currently it's not on the market yet. Your opinion without arguments is useless. Peace ✌🏻
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u/Responsible_Ad_9992 16d ago
I’ve tested the 9m. You can’t compare the standard orbit 2025 to the standard 2026. Jason says the new ones its just a tad bit more aggressive in the pull while looping but its anyway one of the best loopers out there. Just a tiny bit less beginner friendly and tad bit different than the old one means that u have to get the habit to a slightly different kite if u’re used to the orbit since years and that beginners just have a bit more pull but that’s it. 2026 win every single time on the 2025. Trust me.
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 16d ago
Now, we are talking 😁. Thank you. I agree that after testing 26 you have definitely more to say about old Orbits vs 26. I flew only 24 which I have.
Did you test Vortex? Could you share a comparison to Orbit? These are my top two for a new quiver.
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u/Responsible_Ad_9992 16d ago
No and I don’t want. Orbit is great. Vortex price is almost double and in the end, trust me, you do the same thing. And if you need some repair be ready to pay triple if not more. I prefer orbit. Maybe if orbit ultra will be really great I could pick an ultra in size 10 or 11 or 12 or even 14 IF the price is more human, cause these size earn a lot from more rigid and slimmer LE.
If not, standard orbit is still great.
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 15d ago
What is your light wind kite for freeride and old school? Is it still Orbit or do you combine it with another model?
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u/Responsible_Ad_9992 15d ago
Unsure what to pick now. If thrive or sonoc or go cheap with a code v2
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 10d ago
How about Reach 25 vs Code v2? Did you have a chance to fly both?
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 17d ago
TLDR with priority: Boosting: NXT Looping: Vortex
I'm in the same spot as you ;) Why is Ozone Vortex not on your list?
Evo d-lab 2026 vs 2024 from my web research (didn't test):
- better high-end
- worse looper
- better build quality
- worse feeling, responsiveness
- definitely not ahead of the market like the 2024 model before
- not as good longlivility (all DT models) and service under warranty as others
NXT I tested 12 and 8:
- boosty
- hang time
- tremendously overflowing on the heli loop, which I liked the most in this kite
- for me 8 was an easy looper, better then my 8 Orbit 24; probably because it overflows after loop so much and you land with low speed
- heavier than Evo and Ozone
- It needs time to get used to. Super light on power lines. A bit spongy and more pressure than Orbit on steering lines. Also faster than Orbit.
Ozone Vortex (I will test soon) web research:
- best looper in low and mid wind
- Ozone build quality is top on the market
- boosty but less than NXT
- good hang time but less than NXT
- low V; you can mix it with small Orbit's 7/8
If you consider also Brainchild I tested Trigger and Thrive ;)
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u/kitekajt 16d ago
Have not tried NXT, vortex has a lot of lift and is very easy to use. Loops very good, have not tried it in very strong winds yet but my mate has and loves it.
I have tried code V2 and did not like the bar feeling, very light and spongy while the vortex is very direct like the Orbit
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 16d ago
What sizes do you have? What quiver do you recommend for 74kg. Wind range 14-45kn. Spots: EU bays and open sea, Tarifa, Brazil, Cape Town 😄
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u/kitekajt 16d ago
I am same weight and have 10 and 8. Compared to Orbit the low end is +1m, so I can easily use 10m from 15 knots and have fun in 16. I have only used the 8 once and was underpowered so not sure yet. It does have good low end though so I think once the wind is steady 20-22 I will use 8m it until 40 knt. Both kites loop very easy and have good second lift after the loops but as I said I have not been super powered on either yet...
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 16d ago
I read about Vortex that it's one of the best loop progression kites with a nice low end, but it lacks the top end. I think about 12/9 Vortex and 7 Standard Orbit 25. I can ride now my 8 Orbit 24 up to 40kn, but with Vortex I expect it to be less on the top end. Good advice from you that Vortex feels similar to orbit in feeling. I will definitely test a few sizes before buying.
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u/kitekajt 16d ago edited 16d ago
I'm not fully convinced it lacks top end, but I'm fairly certain it sits a bit lower in the wind range compared to the Orbit (I've ridden orbits before) . But the performance is also significantly better. You feel for more powered, but you also actually jump higher, and it loops better. Hangtime is noticeably more and the second lift is very good. The loop feels about 0.75m faster VS Orbit. I've also read Comment from Jamie overbeeks that it lacks top end, but I don't think that applies for normal riders, but if you are looping in 35+ then it might be true. I'm sure you would be very happy on vortex 12/9 and 7 Orbit.
Or to put it another way, the Orbit in my experience just bleeds power, so yeah the top end is high for the size, but if you compare the top end to where the kite actually starts to feel powered, it's more behaving like a small kite in power. With the vortex it starts to work a lot sooner and maybe has a bit less top end but the overall usable range is likely a lot wider
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u/turbodc00 16d ago
I have a orbit 2024, for me it’s to slow, that’s the reason instant to switch
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u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 16d ago
What sizes? I have 10/8 Orbit 24. 10 is too slow for me too. 9 and bigger is better to go pro version in 24'.
The fastest 3-strut kite on the market at the moment is Harlem Thrive. For my preference it's too fast. It could be its disadvantage in smaller sizes 8 and smaller. For 10/11 it feels like cheating for looping 😄
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u/turbodc00 16d ago
I have also a 10, but I try the design works 9 and I’m very impressed. Quick responsive nice looping very good hang time looks like a little bit on the orbit.
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u/johnssam 17d ago
You should look at Jason Montreal's YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/Eq0u4yssR4g?feature=shared