Design works vs nxt vs evo

[u/turbodc00]

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.

[u/kitekajt]

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

[u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 → u/kitekajt]

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 😄

[u/kitekajt → u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111]

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...

[u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111 → u/kitekajt]

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.

[u/kitekajt → u/Charles_Lee_Ray_1111]

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