Curious for some real world reviews of the newest crop of wings in the market. I historically loved my 2024 North Mode Pros, but am not getting along with the 2025 Mode Pro. It's just too heavy and seams to not love being underpowered, even with good pump technique. Looking for a good all around race/freeride wing in 5.0m. Ideally one that has good forward pull, goes upwind well, but can also flag out in waves.
Would love feedback and comparisons on any of the following if people have it:
Strike v5 Aluula
Ozone Flux v2 Dacron
PPC M1X- looks like it now has a new fabric?
Armstrong v2- don't love the v1
Thanks!
Check out the Neilpryde Fly III pro, has all the qualities you are looking for. Has heaps of forward pull, flags great and is super light.
Select to expand quoteslowmotion160 said..
Curious for some real world reviews of the newest crop of wings in the market. I historically loved my 2024 North Mode Pros, but am not getting along with the 2025 Mode Pro. It's just too heavy and seams to not love being underpowered, even with good pump technique. Looking for a good all around race/freeride wing in 5.0m. Ideally one that has good forward pull, goes upwind well, but can also flag out in waves.
Would love feedback and comparisons on any of the following if people have it:
Strike v5 Aluula
Ozone Flux v2 Dacron
PPC M1X- looks like it now has a new fabric?
Armstrong v2- don't love the v1
Thanks!
I'm in a similar boat and will replace my '24 Slicks next spring looking for an all arounder, no racing or jumping...just needs to do everything else well and easily (must flag well and be pretty light, unlike my Slicks).
I have the Vayu Auras at the top of my curiosity list (not having tested any of the latest wings)...haven't seen much comparisons of the latest...but I do appreciate MeonAsh's nice series of wing reviews
I think there will be Aura x2 discounts coming soon since the x3 is coming out. That's an awesome wing.
As there is heaps of Wings in the market you might end up with a hell lot of recommendations.
Wings I have tried so far:
Duotone Slick
Duotone Unit 24, 25 and already 26
Duotone Float
F-One Swing V2, V3, V4
F-One Strike V1,V2,V4 and V5
Vayu Aura
Eleveight WFS
Armstrong V1
Honestly when it comes to allround Performance and good flagging I like F-One Strike the most. It is lightweight, goes forward and upwind very well, flags out without being nervous. Plus you have the opportunity to decide if you go with Softhandles, Hardhandles or Boom.
If you're 100% sure that you're a Boom lover then maybe consider Eleveight WFS.
What I didn't like with the Units is that they always flip around while being flagged. Still the 2026 do... they seemed to be made for freeride and jumping/rotations but not flagging. Then rather try the Float but again it offers only the boom option.
The Aura had a lot of pull on thr front handle. It therefore felt hard to control in gusts for me. Maybe there was to much pressure in the LE of the Demo Wing. It anway didn't behave that nice comparing to the Strike.
I've recently moved from 2025 Mode Pros to Armstrong MkII wings (3.0, 4.0 & 5.5). As an allrounder, I can't fault these wings. Good bottom end, great top end, super manoeverable and light feeling when riding swell, and good float when jumping. I particularly like the handles. Really comfy and easy to get on and off without tools. I was previously using the boom on the Modes but found the handles to be fine on the Armstong as the front handle is long enough to fly one handed (and booms are a PITA when packing down the wing). I never tried the v1 A-Wing so can't compare with the v2.
Best value and allround excellent performance in my opinion is the Duotone Floats. I have 3.5 and 4.5 Floats and Units in the larger sizes.
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions so far. Here are my thoughts at the moment:
Strike v5 Aluula - looks like a nice balance between some stiffness where needed but not too stiff. A little concerned about the lighter canopy material coming from the norths.
Ozone Flux v2 Dacron- Looks like the right balance of all around and race I'm looking for, but seems like some people find it a bit heavy which is what I am trying to avoid. Is it as heavy as a North Mode Pro?
PPC M1X- Not much out there on the new fabric...
Armstrong v2- Seems like more of a modest upgrade of the v1 which I didn't love.
i dont have them but if freeride / race is the focus id thought Duotone Unit SLS would be the go (i might get one in my biggest size eg 5.5 or 6m)
Select to expand quoteslowmotion160 said..
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions so far. Here are my thoughts at the moment:
Strike v5 Aluula - looks like a nice balance between some stiffness where needed but not too stiff. A little concerned about the lighter canopy material coming from the norths.
Ozone Flux v2 Dacron- Looks like the right balance of all around and race I'm looking for, but seems like some people find it a bit heavy which is what I am trying to avoid. Is it as heavy as a North Mode Pro?
PPC M1X- Not much out there on the new fabric...
Armstrong v2- Seems like more of a modest upgrade of the v1 which I didn't love.
Yes a bit heavier than average, but probably a reason being dacron, built to last. I'd be careful of dacron wings that are super light. I've had light dacron before, small diameter tubing etc.. they got blown out (on one side) pretty quickly. The big takeaway with the Flux V2 is the range imo, huge compared to some. I'm reluctant now to change down when the wind increases. My Flux is a 5.0.
My 4.0 is a Pryde firefly pro (aramid), exceptional wing in so many ways, but be wary of the dacron version - standard firefly - same small tube diameter as the pro, read above..
A brand / wing Ive been hugely impressed with - hold the sniggers - is Gong, the aramid Droid, super light, stable, playful and powerful. If it had windows I'd buy a complete quiver of these wings.
Select to expand quoteslowmotion160 said..
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions so far. Here are my thoughts at the moment:
Strike v5 Aluula - looks like a nice balance between some stiffness where needed but not too stiff. A little concerned about the lighter canopy material coming from the norths.
Ozone Flux v2 Dacron- Looks like the right balance of all around and race I'm looking for, but seems like some people find it a bit heavy which is what I am trying to avoid. Is it as heavy as a North Mode Pro?
PPC M1X- Not much out there on the new fabric...
Armstrong v2- Seems like more of a modest upgrade of the v1 which I didn't love.
I found the Ozone heavy. I think most of that weight is in the handles, which are just kind of clunky. The long strut also adds luff weight. It does offer the forward pull you are seeking, but it comes at a cost.
I switched to the Vayu Aura III and X2 and in my opinion they feel a lot more nimble, they luff lighter, and they are nearly as good upwind as the flux. X2 is VERY close to Flux power and upwind. Also prefer the boom to handles. Personally I'm very happy with the switch from Ozone to Vayu for my type of freeride / surf style of riding. If I were doing mostly powered riding and limited surfing, the Flux might be a better option, but even then the X2 is probably more versatile.
Just to add, a lot of talk about canopy materials stretching, just as important, in fact more so imo is the ability of the frame to hold its shape over time, a twisted frame, as Ive experienced on two occasions, isn't a good look. Some bagged out wings probably have poor frame tension. I'd rather go slightly heavy on dacron for durability. Aramid / Allula etc is another story, if you want a light weight, low profile frame, all good, but obviously there's a price..
Select to expand quotemoosh said..
Just to add, a lot of talk about canopy materials stretching, just as important, in fact more so imo is the ability of the frame to hold its shape over time, a twisted frame, as Ive experienced on two occasions, isn't a good look. Some bagged out wings probably have poor frame tension. I'd rather go slightly heavy on dacron for durability. Aramid / Allula etc is another story, if you want a light weight, low profile frame, all good, but obviously there's a price..
Agree. I don't mind baggy canopies at all but riding a frame that has lost its tension and shape is pointless for me. I think this is likely part of why I have loved the Ocean Rodeo AA wings so much. They came with baggy canopies but the frame was locked in for thousands of miles. I do wonder if a tight canopy puts more load on the frame and the result is frames are more likely to deform because of that. I have no way to test that theory but it makes sense to me.
Not much info here on the new AFS Stream. Looks like a really nice allround wing, that is also pretty lightweight. Anyone tried it?.
Select to expand quotelarsdegroot said..
Not much info here on the new AFS Stream. Looks like a really nice allround wing, that is also pretty lightweight. Anyone tried it?.
If flagging is important, the two wings to consider in my mind are F One Swing or Duotone Float. The flagging on the Float is still better especially when doing 180 degree turns on the wave where the wing is following. The Swing needs a push w my back hand on the leading edge to come around whereas the Float just follows without requiring any input. Float gets up much earlier and easier to pump (less technique). Upwind angle the Strike is definitely better and the Swing maybe a touch better. In tacks the Float goes from side to side nearly as easily as the Unit (which is like a butterfly, needs virtually no input). Swing needs to be pushed actively w some force, the Strike even more, feels unwilling to go overhead (again, not a dealbreaker but just feels less willing/stiffer). While I wasn't a fan of the boom, I've come around and love it - I can pistol grip in slow waves, and with just one hand slide to the middle of the boom, get some power to stay on the waves and let it slide to pistol grip again. Float is not as draft stable as the Strike and Swing, going in a straight line I'm always hunting for the right sheeting angle, it never feels fully locked in like a Unit does. Again, for me flagging is the most important, followed by lots of low end so I can ride small board/foil/wing in waves. That's why I went w the Float after trying the Fones, PPC, Neil Pryde, Ozone. The flagging and the early get up of the Float is unreal and I can deal with the shortcomings. I got a whole set, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3.
Select to expand quotegeorgsurfer said..
If flagging is important, the two wings to consider in my mind are F One Swing or Duotone Float. The flagging on the Float is still better especially when doing 180 degree turns on the wave where the wing is following. The Swing needs a push w my back hand on the leading edge to come around whereas the Float just follows without requiring any input. Float gets up much earlier and easier to pump (less technique). Upwind angle the Strike is definitely better and the Swing maybe a touch better. In tacks the Float goes from side to side nearly as easily as the Unit (which is like a butterfly, needs virtually no input). Swing needs to be pushed actively w some force, the Strike even more, feels unwilling to go overhead (again, not a dealbreaker but just feels less willing/stiffer). While I wasn't a fan of the boom, I've come around and love it - I can pistol grip in slow waves, and with just one hand slide to the middle of the boom, get some power to stay on the waves and let it slide to pistol grip again. Float is not as draft stable as the Strike and Swing, going in a straight line I'm always hunting for the right sheeting angle, it never feels fully locked in like a Unit does. Again, for me flagging is the most important, followed by lots of low end so I can ride small board/foil/wing in waves. That's why I went w the Float after trying the Fones, PPC, Neil Pryde, Ozone. The flagging and the early get up of the Float is unreal and I can deal with the shortcomings. I got a whole set, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3.
You try the Naish Neutron? Seems like a similar design brief to the Float
I agree with what georgsurfer said.
Even though I don't really see the reason to go for the swing instead of the strike/strike aluula. Imo the swing does not have much more flagging ability than the strike but strike is faster and has a better upwind angle.
Duotone Float is also very good for flagging and easy to use but again the fixed boom is pita when it comes to packing. And yes I doesn't go upwind that good/fast compairing with the strike
Haven't tried the new Flux, the old Flux was quite nice though.
Curveball as it doesn't fit in as a "new wing" - but have you tried the Flows? I tried a bunch of newer wings and I find myself always going back to my 3.6/4.3/5m Flows.
+1 for the Ozone Flow. Imo a highly underrated/unknown wing.
After a set of Flux V1 5.7, 4.3, 3.6 ich changed to a Flux V2 UX 5.5 and a Flow 4.3.
And what can i say, the Flow feels like a refined Flux V1, almost more low end but still a decent top end and sooo nice and neutral when flagged on a wave.
The Flux V2 i think is more of a freeride/freerace wing, gaining some handling in the UX version, but as an overall freeride and wave wing I'd highly recommend the Flow.
