Forums > Wing Foiling General

2025 Duotone Unit Review

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Created by Icebergmansion > 9 months ago, 30 Oct 2024
Icebergmansion
WA, 73 posts
30 Oct 2024 12:15AM
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-Advanced foiler, almost all wave foiling.
-5m SLS wing w/the new boom, coming from the 2023 Slick. Also had a 2022 Unit back in the day.
-At least a dozen sessions in flatwater at Stuart Causeway, waves in Fort Pierce and Bahamas.

Overall: This wing is very different from the slick. Very grunty and much worse upwind. Pulls hard downwind which makes it harder to build speed for takeoff on a high aspect foil. I'd say it has 2-3 knots less low-end than the comparable slick. Wider wingspan so it hits the water easier especially using a sinker board. Also much higher bar pressure/grunt.

Positives are that it surfs better, very stable when flagged out and tacks/flies very smooth. Probably jumps better too.

Overall for me I think the older Slick is a significantly better wing. New boom is great and the next slick will undoubtedly have it. Unit does flag very very well but the gruntiness and lack of low-end do not make up for it in my opinion.

warwickl
NSW, 2351 posts
30 Oct 2024 6:39AM
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I demoed the SLS and preferred my older dlab.
Then demoed the 2025 dlab Unit with a boom and bought it as it is significantly better than both.

leepasty
423 posts
30 Oct 2024 6:03AM
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Select to expand quote
Icebergmansion said..
-Advanced foiler, almost all wave foiling.
-5m SLS wing w/the new boom, coming from the 2023 Slick. Also had a 2022 Unit back in the day.
-At least a dozen sessions in flatwater at Stuart Causeway, waves in Fort Pierce and Bahamas.

Overall: This wing is very different from the slick. Very grunty and much worse upwind. Pulls hard downwind which makes it harder to build speed for takeoff on a high aspect foil. I'd say it has 2-3 knots less low-end than the comparable slick. Wider wingspan so it hits the water easier especially using a sinker board. Also much higher bar pressure/grunt.

Positives are that it surfs better, very stable when flagged out and tacks/flies very smooth. Probably jumps better too.

Overall for me I think the older Slick is a significantly better wing. New boom is great and the next slick will undoubtedly have it. Unit does flag very very well but the gruntiness and lack of low-end do not make up for it in my opinion.



I cannot believe you think the 23 slick is a better wing? the 25 unit sls has more low end and top end I think you just need to change your pump technique. also I think the boom effects the upwind ability especially if you are tall with long arms. Try the handles I much prefer them, they also give better pump.

i can use a 4.5 unit sls in same low wind as 23 slick 5m and stay on it longer than slick 4m. And as you say it's way better flagged out

here I'm on the 4.5 using 620 glide and 50L board when others are on 6m wings. The Armstrong at the end is a 5.3. I'm 87kg
www.instagram.com/reel/DBtfUAlorLz/?igsh=OW84ajRuc25hNDc4

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
30 Oct 2024 12:51PM
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Relative to my SLS Slick, the '25 DLAB Unit does everything better (especially the tips not striking the water, lol). It does pull harder though and I prefer the Slick SLS boom (round shape and less aggressive grip).

FranP
126 posts
31 Oct 2024 7:20PM
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Fully agree with LeePastry. I upgraded my gear from 4 wings Unit V3 (2023) to Units V5 (2025), and they are way more powerful, stable, do handle way better gusts and wings are easy in free wing surf.

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
31 Oct 2024 10:30PM
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Select to expand quote
FranP said..
Fully agree with LeePastry. I upgraded my gear from 4 wings Unit V3 (2023) to Units V5 (2025), and they are way more powerful, stable, do handle way better gusts and wings are easy in free wing surf.


And it doesn't doesn't flip over anywhere as much as the old wings.

Icebergmansion
WA, 73 posts
1 Nov 2024 8:32PM
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Well it's certainly better than old Units as expected, but I like the slick style (less pressure, more upwind/forward pull) much better.

Just to defend that this review is not completely out of the blue:
Prior to purchasing this wing a month or two ago I asked the MacKite guys (where I get my gear from) and Tucker gave me almost the identical description that I am now experiencing:
-he emphasized NOT better low end, possibly worse. I had wanted to drop from a 5 to a 4.5 and he specifically advised against this.
-NOT better wind range, both lower and upper.
-More grunt and less forward drive compared to Slick, good for jumps and tricks.

Gave it recently to a friend for the day coming from Slicks also and he had exact some review.

I spent $1300+ on it so I even have a sunk-cost-bias and want it to be the best wing yet, I just don't think it is for me personally. That being said I'm keeping it and will certainly enjoy it and I love the flag out stability.

kook123
116 posts
1 Nov 2024 11:16PM
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Select to expand quote
Icebergmansion said..
Well it's certainly better than old Units as expected, but I like the slick style (less pressure, more upwind/forward pull) much better.

Just to defend that this review is not completely out of the blue:
Prior to purchasing this wing a month or two ago I asked the MacKite guys (where I get my gear from) and Tucker gave me almost the identical description that I am now experiencing:
-he emphasized NOT better low end, possibly worse. I had wanted to drop from a 5 to a 4.5 and he specifically advised against this.
-NOT better wind range, both lower and upper.
-More grunt and less forward drive compared to Slick, good for jumps and tricks.

Gave it recently to a friend for the day coming from Slicks also and he had exact some review.

I spent $1300+ on it so I even have a sunk-cost-bias and want it to be the best wing yet, I just don't think it is for me personally. That being said I'm keeping it and will certainly enjoy it and I love the flag out stability.





Interesting...I'm on '24 Slicks, and the forward drive, upwind ability, and smooth power in gusts are all pretty awesome, but I'd definitely trade a bit of those strengths for better flagging, which is pretty bad in my experience...they also feel a bit heavy in the hand to me (but very stout), which makes the poor flagging more noticeable...

Jeroensurf
1072 posts
2 Nov 2024 5:24AM
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Select to expand quote
Icebergmansion said..
Well it's certainly better than old Units as expected, but I like the slick style (less pressure, more upwind/forward pull) much better.

Just to defend that this review is not completely out of the blue:
Prior to purchasing this wing a month or two ago I asked the MacKite guys (where I get my gear from) and Tucker gave me almost the identical description that I am now experiencing:
-he emphasized NOT better low end, possibly worse. I had wanted to drop from a 5 to a 4.5 and he specifically advised against this.
-NOT better wind range, both lower and upper.
-More grunt and less forward drive compared to Slick, good for jumps and tricks.

Gave it recently to a friend for the day coming from Slicks also and he had exact some review.

I spent $1300+ on it so I even have a sunk-cost-bias and want it to be the best wing yet, I just don't think it is for me personally. That being said I'm keeping it and will certainly enjoy it and I love the flag out stability.


So why did you buy it and not something else that might suit you better?

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
2 Nov 2024 10:58AM
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Select to expand quote
Icebergmansion said..
Well it's certainly better than old Units as expected, but I like the slick style (less pressure, more upwind/forward pull) much better.

Just to defend that this review is not completely out of the blue:
Prior to purchasing this wing a month or two ago I asked the MacKite guys (where I get my gear from) and Tucker gave me almost the identical description that I am now experiencing:
-he emphasized NOT better low end, possibly worse. I had wanted to drop from a 5 to a 4.5 and he specifically advised against this.
-NOT better wind range, both lower and upper.
-More grunt and less forward drive compared to Slick, good for jumps and tricks.

Gave it recently to a friend for the day coming from Slicks also and he had exact some review.

I spent $1300+ on it so I even have a sunk-cost-bias and want it to be the best wing yet, I just don't think it is for me personally. That being said I'm keeping it and will certainly enjoy it and I love the flag out stability.


The hang time is definitely noticeable. The Slick SLS dropped like a rock. On the 2025 DLAB Unit even small jumps seem to take forever.

surfdarkshores
1 posts
17 Nov 2024 7:47PM
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Icebergmansion said..

Very grunty and much worse upwind. Pulls hard downwind which makes it harder to build speed for takeoff on a high aspect foil.





Most likely pointing out the obvious but to buildup speed for takeoff with this wing you have to point the board somewhat downwind and pump the wing more in front of you.
For me this actually makes it way easier to bring my high(er) ar foils up to speed.
You literally shovel yourself up on foil with only a few strokes which is really nice on my heart rate ;).
Personally for me the lowend works great . I sold my 8.0 ventis, it got obsolete with the 6.5 dlab.

I'm most of the time on a choppy lake with high frequency mini waves but this winter on capo verde for a few weeks. Curious to see if this makes a difference.

Mostly agree with the rest of the review.

kitebored
NSW, 587 posts
10 Feb 2025 12:27PM
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surfdarkshores said..




Personally for me the lowend works great . I sold my 8.0 ventis, it got obsolete with the 6.5 dlab.





I agree with your addition to the original review @surfdarkshores, for me the 2025 unit has better low end and more bar pressure than slicks, and I do find it goes upwind really well just a different technique (hence the bar pressure).

Had a great session yesterday on the 6.5 unit (SLS) and was ripping around in 6-10knts (900 glide v2, 85L board, I'm 95kg). I also agree with facing the board more downwind and pumping (vs slicks), and shoveling in the air is a good analogy.. if I wanted to go lighter wind I'd go a larger foil and keep the 6.5m unit, no need for a larger wing.

As far as adding to the review.. Duotone is going through a larger change in their offer this season with no new slick coming and the float being introduced. This will result in some slick riders move to unit with boom when they upgrade (like me), and some unit riders moving to the duotone float for the surf..

MrPieMan
21 posts
10 Feb 2025 4:26PM
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Here's a recent review from a good YouTube channel:

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
11 Feb 2025 9:31AM
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MrPieMan said..
Here's a recent review from a good YouTube channel:


Most are complaining that the Unit is too freestyle-oriented. Here the complaint is that it's now making too many concessions to waves. Can't please everyone!

MeonAsh
107 posts
12 Feb 2025 6:10AM
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Faff said..


MrPieMan said..
Here's a recent review from a good YouTube channel:




Most are complaining that the Unit is too freestyle-oriented. Here the complaint is that it's now making too many concessions to waves. Can't please everyone!



This is my video and I think it would be wrong to characterise the video as a complaint.

I point out that if you want stability and wave riding capability then it's gone that direction - which is great if that's what you want from your wing.

If you want a playful wing that tacks really well then the 2024 wing was better in that area, it would be difficult to move in the direction of stability and flag out whilst also retaining playfulness and tacking ability of the previous generation wing.

Horses for courses - you have to pick the wing that suits your need, I don't wave ride that much so for me it moved away from what I would prefer.

Shlogger
519 posts
12 Feb 2025 6:28AM
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MeonAsh said..


Faff said..




MrPieMan said..
Here's a recent review from a good YouTube channel:






Most are complaining that the Unit is too freestyle-oriented. Here the complaint is that it's now making too many concessions to waves. Can't please everyone!





This is my video and I think it would be wrong to characterise the video as a complaint.

I point out that if you want stability and wave riding capability then it's gone that direction - which is great if that's what you want from your wing.

If you want a playful wing that tacks really well then the 2024 wing was better in that area, it would be difficult to move in the direction of stability and flag out whilst also retaining playfulness and tacking ability of the previous generation wing.

Horses for courses - you have to pick the wing that suits your need, I don't wave ride that much so for me it moved away from what I would prefer.



Totally got that as a takeaway. Keep the reviews coming.

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
12 Feb 2025 3:09PM
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MeonAsh said..
Faff said..


MrPieMan said..
Here's a recent review from a good YouTube channel:




Most are complaining that the Unit is too freestyle-oriented. Here the complaint is that it's now making too many concessions to waves. Can't please everyone!



This is my video and I think it would be wrong to characterise the video as a complaint.

I point out that if you want stability and wave riding capability then it's gone that direction - which is great if that's what you want from your wing.

If you want a playful wing that tacks really well then the 2024 wing was better in that area, it would be difficult to move in the direction of stability and flag out whilst also retaining playfulness and tacking ability of the previous generation wing.

Horses for courses - you have to pick the wing that suits your need, I don't wave ride that much so for me it moved away from what I would prefer.


Depends on your what you have for reference. Compared to my 2012 SLS Slicks, the 2025 DLAB Unit tacks like a dream (ditto for Heineken gybes). In fact, going back to the SLS, I don't know how I managed to learn to tack on it at all. And the hang time is amazing (the SLS Slick drops like a rock no matter how strong the wind). I guess it's easier to be satisfied when upgrading less frequently.
Maybe you should upgrade less often, LOL. I

Jeroensurf
1072 posts
12 Feb 2025 4:44PM
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All the reviews here are comparing the Unit to older DT models. Its rare when a brand doesnt make any progress so from that point of view I can see all the positive reactions. But if I compare them to other brands from the same year wich makes to me more sense DT is losing ground quickly imo. IMO the Ozone Flux V1 released in 23 still outperforms the 25 Units and SLS 3+4+5 I owned for 3 months (and sold) in low end high end and flagging while being an great wing in tacking as well. I ride strapless so have no clue about jumping.

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
12 Feb 2025 8:08PM
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Jeroensurf said..
All the reviews here are comparing the Unit to older DT models. Its rare when a brand doesnt make any progress so from that point of view I can see all the positive reactions. But if I compare them to other brands from the same year wich makes to me more sense DT is losing ground quickly imo. IMO the Ozone Flux V1 released in 23 still outperforms the 25 Units and SLS 3+4+5 I owned for 3 months (and sold) in low end high end and flagging while being an great wing in tacking as well. I ride strapless so have no clue about jumping.

Flux looks nice. But I don't understand the point of a longer rear handle and the huge gap between handles. (Same as the Armstrong wing.)

CraigGDuotone
46 posts
12 Feb 2025 9:37PM
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Jeroensurf said..
All the reviews here are comparing the Unit to older DT models. It's rare when a brand doesnt make any progress so from that point of view I can see all the positive reactions. But if I compare them to other brands from the same year wich makes to me more sense DT is losing ground quickly imo. IMO the Ozone Flux V1 released in 23 still outperforms the 25 Units and SLS 3+4+5 I owned for 3 months (and sold) in low end high end and flagging while being an great wing in tacking as well. I ride strapless so have no clue about jumping.


Hi Jeroen,

Would be interesting to get your feedback on our new Float, launched today and could be something interesting for you/other wave and flagging/downwind oriented riders. Pretty hard to combine all the different disciplines into one Wing, which is why we have now separated the lineup into the Float for wave/downwind use, whilst the Unit will cover freeride, freestyle and will also be ok for waves (it is actually quite a bit more stable for wave use in 2025 than 2024, as per Ash's review, a touch slower on the tacks). So will be interesting to see the appeal to riders oriented towards waves/manoeuvres/neutral types of wings.

The Ozone's I have tried are also pretty stable and nice wings, as well as some other more wave oriented wings - but they all have their weaknesses in certain areas/for certain types of riders. So far feedback on the Float from average riders (non sponsored or non-Duotone customers) seems we have really hit the spot on the exact characteristics you and some other customers mentioned you would like. Let's see how it goes, orders and good and wings being delivered, so pretty sure some customers can chip in here soon to give a neutral feedback vs mine.

Jeroensurf
1072 posts
13 Feb 2025 4:50AM
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Hi Craig,I,m very intersted to demo one when they become available, although most demo days are at the lakes instead of the Northsea beaches (and its freezing down here now).As mentioned, the wave-ability of the Unit was a bit underwelming to me. I totally see that no wing can do it all, but in nov the Unit was still presented as the wave wing, while it is imo way more freeride/freestyle even when it is better as last years. The 4m was close to my liking, the 3 and 5SLS a personal mismatch.

btw, I didnt post this to bash Duotone stuff, but when comparing gear, I rather see it in a wider spectrum, so compared to other brands wings instead of just in 1 ecosystem.

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
13 Feb 2025 7:56AM
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Select to expand quote
CraigGDuotone said..
Jeroensurf said..
All the reviews here are comparing the Unit to older DT models. It's rare when a brand doesnt make any progress so from that point of view I can see all the positive reactions. But if I compare them to other brands from the same year wich makes to me more sense DT is losing ground quickly imo. IMO the Ozone Flux V1 released in 23 still outperforms the 25 Units and SLS 3+4+5 I owned for 3 months (and sold) in low end high end and flagging while being an great wing in tacking as well. I ride strapless so have no clue about jumping.


Hi Jeroen,

Would be interesting to get your feedback on our new Float, launched today and could be something interesting for you/other wave and flagging/downwind oriented riders. Pretty hard to combine all the different disciplines into one Wing, which is why we have now separated the lineup into the Float for wave/downwind use, whilst the Unit will cover freeride, freestyle and will also be ok for waves (it is actually quite a bit more stable for wave use in 2025 than 2024, as per Ash's review, a touch slower on the tacks). So will be interesting to see the appeal to riders oriented towards waves/manoeuvres/neutral types of wings.

The Ozone's I have tried are also pretty stable and nice wings, as well as some other more wave oriented wings - but they all have their weaknesses in certain areas/for certain types of riders. So far feedback on the Float from average riders (non sponsored or non-Duotone customers) seems we have really hit the spot on the exact characteristics you and some other customers mentioned you would like. Let's see how it goes, orders and good and wings being delivered, so pretty sure some customers can chip in here soon to give a neutral feedback vs mine.


Thanks for the update. Do you have plans for pure race wings?

DWF
707 posts
13 Feb 2025 6:34AM
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Jeroensurf said..
Hi Craig,I,m very intersted to demo one when they become available, although most demo days are at the lakes instead of the Northsea beaches (and its freezing down here now).As mentioned, the wave-ability of the Unit was a bit underwelming to me. I totally see that no wing can do it all, but in nov the Unit was still presented as the wave wing, while it is imo way more freeride/freestyle even when it is better as last years. The 4m was close to my liking, the 3 and 5SLS a personal mismatch.

btw, I didnt post this to bash Duotone stuff, but when comparing gear, I rather see it in a wider spectrum, so compared to other brands wings instead of just in 1 ecosystem.



The Float is a lot different than the Unit. I've ridden it. During the development, the team tested all the "known best" wave riding wings from competitors. I think I was told 6 competitors. The goal was the best wave wing for Finn and Spencer in competition.

CraigGDuotone
46 posts
13 Feb 2025 5:00PM
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Select to expand quote
Faff said..

CraigGDuotone said..

Jeroensurf said..
All the reviews here are comparing the Unit to older DT models. It's rare when a brand doesnt make any progress so from that point of view I can see all the positive reactions. But if I compare them to other brands from the same year wich makes to me more sense DT is losing ground quickly imo. IMO the Ozone Flux V1 released in 23 still outperforms the 25 Units and SLS 3+4+5 I owned for 3 months (and sold) in low end high end and flagging while being an great wing in tacking as well. I ride strapless so have no clue about jumping.



Hi Jeroen,

Would be interesting to get your feedback on our new Float, launched today and could be something interesting for you/other wave and flagging/downwind oriented riders. Pretty hard to combine all the different disciplines into one Wing, which is why we have now separated the lineup into the Float for wave/downwind use, whilst the Unit will cover freeride, freestyle and will also be ok for waves (it is actually quite a bit more stable for wave use in 2025 than 2024, as per Ash's review, a touch slower on the tacks). So will be interesting to see the appeal to riders oriented towards waves/manoeuvres/neutral types of wings.

The Ozone's I have tried are also pretty stable and nice wings, as well as some other more wave oriented wings - but they all have their weaknesses in certain areas/for certain types of riders. So far feedback on the Float from average riders (non sponsored or non-Duotone customers) seems we have really hit the spot on the exact characteristics you and some other customers mentioned you would like. Let's see how it goes, orders and good and wings being delivered, so pretty sure some customers can chip in here soon to give a neutral feedback vs mine.



Thanks for the update. Do you have plans for pure race wings?


Hi Faff, no plans for pure race wings, we prefer to use our resources to make the best possible wings for our customers, rather than chasing the current super high end race area, as seen in kite/windfoiling. If however the racing formats and rules allow a more open competition and equipment limitations, to allow a bigger group of consumers to join in, then we would of course be interested. Right now with 4000?+ foils which change at each event, specialised custom boards and wings, it's pretty far away from the actual market. Fun if you are in the scene and can afford it/ or are sponsored, not so much for an average consumer. :-)

CraigGDuotone
46 posts
13 Feb 2025 5:05PM
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Jeroensurf said..
Hi Craig,I,m very intersted to demo one when they become available, although most demo days are at the lakes instead of the Northsea beaches (and its freezing down here now).As mentioned, the wave-ability of the Unit was a bit underwelming to me. I totally see that no wing can do it all, but in nov the Unit was still presented as the wave wing, while it is imo way more freeride/freestyle even when it is better as last years. The 4m was close to my liking, the 3 and 5SLS a personal mismatch.

btw, I didnt post this to bash Duotone stuff, but when comparing gear, I rather see it in a wider spectrum, so compared to other brands wings instead of just in 1 ecosystem.


absolutely, this is an open forum and the only way to improve products is through constructive criticism, compliments are nice but they don't help to move forward - blindly always believing you have the best products on the market is one approach but mostly a mistake. We are well aware of our competitors strengths and are not afraid to cross test products which we did with the Float R&D - any designer worth his salt will always then try to find his own way to match or improve performance, without copying competitors, at least in my experience.

northy1
488 posts
13 Feb 2025 6:20PM
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Thanks Craig for posting on here and your open and honest approach.

FYI in the same vain - heres a few things with the Duotone wings im a little unsure of in terms of "hardware" - not show stoppers for me, but they are considerations for Me (YMMV):

1) One pump (with connector between the leading edge and strut) - feels like more to go wrong (and certainly did with a prior f-one wing the elbow that joined the connector failed). Why do Duotone continue this vs seperate independent valves (2 pump)?
2) Kinda related to the above, the dump valve stopper seemed to be weak (my old original Unit v1 stopper came off and i know riders say not to use it)
3) The Duotone valves are (IMO) more prone to issue compared to Boston valves or the F-one SUP style valves. Certainly that was my experience with my Unit V1.
4) Why dont you inc a $1 adapter for the above proprietary valves?

PS
as a F-one Swing user, I cant wait to try out a Float (will need to see if i can borrow from Nik Baker!)

DWF
707 posts
13 Feb 2025 8:53PM
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There is one key feature of the Duotone main inflation valve that is better than the F-one, and Boston valves. The Duotone valve is open flow in both directions full time with hose connected and using pump. That means the Duotone is the only pump reading real live pressure from inside the wing.

All those other inflation valves, have built-in back flow prevention flaps. Check valves. So when you stop the pump stroke, the valve back flow spring or flap, shuts off the live pressure reading from inside the wing. You are only reading pressure "inside the hose", not the wing. During the pump down stroke you are reading live pressure, but false pressure, because down stroking speed, affects the reading. Not an accurate pressure reading. In fact, it's more of a guess reading. In my opinion, this is why so many riders go for higher gage readings than recommended. Because they really are not over inflating. The pump reading is way off, way low, because they are reading hose pressure, not wing pressure.

The Duotone valve closes by the action of twisting the hose to remove it, thus making the twist to close feature activate.

Duotones valve provides accurate wing pressure, so you can trust the recommend pressure. Yes, they reinvented the wheel with this valve, because the market had no valve fit for purpose. Giving accurate pressure of these wings. Critical to giving you the performance as designed.

MeonAsh
107 posts
13 Feb 2025 10:51PM
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Just to pick up on the comment as to why reviews compare to the previous Duotone wing. For my part I review wings from all manufacturers and in those reviews I say what the characteristics of the wing are (which is in comparison to the market as a whole) - if I compared each element individually to every wing on the market it would be an extremely long review.

Duotone I think I am right in saying have the biggest share of the wing market and the majority of people looking at the review will be those coming from the previous generation of the wing. Equally a lot of those who don't own the previous wing may well have ridden it as the previous wing is both popular and been around for a whole year - so comparison to the previous Duotone model is the most sensible and efficient approach for a review.

That said I do reference other wings in my reviews - the Duotone 2025 review mentions the tacking of the Flux and Flow wings for example.

I just wanted to explain why reviews typically highlight previous generations of the same wing.

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
14 Feb 2025 1:02PM
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Select to expand quote
CraigGDuotone said..
Faff said..

CraigGDuotone said..

Jeroensurf said..
All the reviews here are comparing the Unit to older DT models. It's rare when a brand doesnt make any progress so from that point of view I can see all the positive reactions. But if I compare them to other brands from the same year wich makes to me more sense DT is losing ground quickly imo. IMO the Ozone Flux V1 released in 23 still outperforms the 25 Units and SLS 3+4+5 I owned for 3 months (and sold) in low end high end and flagging while being an great wing in tacking as well. I ride strapless so have no clue about jumping.



Hi Jeroen,

Would be interesting to get your feedback on our new Float, launched today and could be something interesting for you/other wave and flagging/downwind oriented riders. Pretty hard to combine all the different disciplines into one Wing, which is why we have now separated the lineup into the Float for wave/downwind use, whilst the Unit will cover freeride, freestyle and will also be ok for waves (it is actually quite a bit more stable for wave use in 2025 than 2024, as per Ash's review, a touch slower on the tacks). So will be interesting to see the appeal to riders oriented towards waves/manoeuvres/neutral types of wings.

The Ozone's I have tried are also pretty stable and nice wings, as well as some other more wave oriented wings - but they all have their weaknesses in certain areas/for certain types of riders. So far feedback on the Float from average riders (non sponsored or non-Duotone customers) seems we have really hit the spot on the exact characteristics you and some other customers mentioned you would like. Let's see how it goes, orders and good and wings being delivered, so pretty sure some customers can chip in here soon to give a neutral feedback vs mine.



Thanks for the update. Do you have plans for pure race wings?


Hi Faff, no plans for pure race wings, we prefer to use our resources to make the best possible wings for our customers, rather than chasing the current super high end race area, as seen in kite/windfoiling. If however the racing formats and rules allow a more open competition and equipment limitations, to allow a bigger group of consumers to join in, then we would of course be interested. Right now with 4000?+ foils which change at each event, specialised custom boards and wings, it's pretty far away from the actual market. Fun if you are in the scene and can afford it/ or are sponsored, not so much for an average consumer. :-)


Then you may be leaving money on the table. I sail, I mean wing, a spot with quite a few ageing slalom sailors. If I kicked their asses off the wind, they would have another reason to take up winging (besides ageing knees and backs). I don't see any youngsters getting into slalom windsurfing (or any kind of fin windsurfing). I do see youngsters getting into windsurf and wingfoil racing.

Faff
VIC, 1370 posts
14 Feb 2025 1:12PM
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MeonAsh said..
Just to pick up on the comment as to why reviews compare to the previous Duotone wing. For my part I review wings from all manufacturers and in those reviews I say what the characteristics of the wing are (which is in comparison to the market as a whole) - if I compared each element individually to every wing on the market it would be an extremely long review.

Duotone I think I am right in saying have the biggest share of the wing market and the majority of people looking at the review will be those coming from the previous generation of the wing. Equally a lot of those who don't own the previous wing may well have ridden it as the previous wing is both popular and been around for a whole year - so comparison to the previous Duotone model is the most sensible and efficient approach for a review.

That said I do reference other wings in my reviews - the Duotone 2025 review mentions the tacking of the Flux and Flow wings for example.

I just wanted to explain why reviews typically highlight previous generations of the same wing.


Your reviews are great, and the effort greatly appreciated. Keep doing them!

marc5
180 posts
14 Feb 2025 11:23AM
Thumbs Up

Speaking as an intermediate winger starting third wing season after 40 years windsurfing. I've collected five Slicks now, my most recent purchase just this month. I like the boom, I like the handling. I free ride, mostly inland lake, no plans to downwind or do much wave sailing. Slick seems best to suit my needs from what I read from the pros. Moving boom (I have two) from wing to wing is a great feature; wing packs well without boom. I don't understand why Duotone is killing Slick.



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"2025 Duotone Unit Review" started by Icebergmansion