I've recently reluctantly switched from the 5.5m Unit V2 to the Slick SLS and can add to the review above. Although only 2 short sessions in, I can say that the feel of the SLS is very similar to the Unit v2. It does feel heavier then the Unit in zero wind but similarly neutral with a few knots. I do wonder if with the neutral/ slightly more lift feel of both wings, whether weight is an issue at all? Also noticeable is the less likeliness of catching a tip when pumping in light conditions, when compared to the Unit.
Select to expand quoteflatchat said..
I've recently reluctantly switched from the 5.5m Unit V2 to the Slick SLS and can add to the review above. Although only 2 short sessions in, I can say that the feel of the SLS is very similar to the Unit v2. It does feel heavier then the Unit in zero wind but similarly neutral with a few knots. I do wonder if with the neutral/ slightly more lift feel of both wings, whether weight is an issue at all? Also noticeable is the less likeliness of catching a tip when pumping in light conditions, when compared to the Unit.
I have also done the same switch with 5.5 unit to Slick SLS. I had the same experience as what you mentioned. I like how direct the pumping is with this wing, it feels more stiff than the standard unit and with so many panels in the canopy It really holds the wind nicely. Almost like a windsurf sail ( no bagged out feeling like the old slick...). Yes the wing tips don't catch on the water but there is a small trade off and that is ever so slightly less positive lift feeling that the high aspect Unit gives.
What wing do I prefer?? I still do not know that answer but either way both wings kill it compared to the older V1 Slick. For those wondering should I switch to the SLS from the Unit- I think probably not unless you really like the boom. I look forward to when Duotone bring out a SLS unit.
after a few sessions on the new sls slick 6.0, i'd say it feels a bit lighter and definitely tighter than the original slick. didn't really notice any power change or anything else. unfortunately, the problem with it flipping over every chance it gets remains, and may even be a bit worse than the original. if you flag it from the leash, it WILL flip over. there's just something about this wing that makes it want to fly upside down. and it will not right itself. but i can't live without the boom, so i'll stick with it.
Select to expand quotebeached57 said..
after a few sessions on the new sls slick 6.0, i'd say it feels a bit lighter and definitely tighter than the original slick. didn't really notice any power change or anything else. unfortunately, the problem with it flipping over every chance it gets remains, and may even be a bit worse than the original. if you flag it from the leash, it WILL flip over. there's just something about this wing that makes it want to fly upside down. and it will not right itself. but i can't live without the boom, so i'll stick with it.
I agree! I filled in some gaps in my original Slick quiver with the SLS (4.0, 5.0 and 6.5). The SLS has a very tight canopy and feels a bit lighter -- but that could be the carbon boom, which I really like and also now use it (I have two) with the original Slick as well.
From a performance point of view the SLS is definitely different -- it seems to point tighter to the wind and has little to no leach flap. While not in the hands it is more unruly than the original Slick and closer to the Echo. The original Slick seems to give more feedback while flying, which I like. The SLS is probably a higher performing wing but I'm not convinced it is a "better" wing for just having fun. I'm glad I kept my original Slicks and will happily use both when the situation demands.
Maybe after a few more sessions I'll change my mind but I feel that the original Slick still has a place and is a great wing and I guess Duotone does as well since it is still in their lineup.
It's the best wing on the market for beginner to intermediate. I can't speak for pros who surf huge waves and jumps. The leading edge and strut are much smaller in width so it's easier to handle on gybes. It has more low end grunt than the V1. It points higher into the wind than any other wing I've tried. It's very fast and powerful. With the small leading edge and strut, It's also easier to reach under the wing while kneeling in the chop, grab a big boom (rather than small, floppy handles), and take off before the waves roll you over or wash you out.
Two more "grassy" flat water sessions on the 5m SLS Slick. Fully settled in by the second session, pretty much like I've been riding it for a year. That's a good thing. One bone headed mishap with my slippery DIY boom resulting in a swollen left hand, but soon to be remedied with some Chinook boom grip. Excited to try my 6m and 4m when the conditions are right. I bought a new 3m standard Slick right before the SLS release so figured I'd hang onto it for awhile. It's amazing how quickly this boom wing has evolved. Fond memories of flailing around on the original version back in fall of 2019
Select to expand quoteFishdude said..
How about light wind performance? How the SLS stack up against the others, CWC, Slick, or...
In my world the 7m (Slick) gets used 95% f the time, and I'm always interested in something that can get me up and flying in a little light wind.
Hey Fishdude, I have the F-One CWC 8m and the new 7m Slick SLS. I'm 5'7 178 pounds.
The 8m CWC has the grunt to get up and going in the lightest winds. It remains king of light wind. I'm here in Florida and the wind was between 8-12 mph. I had an awesome session on the 8m CWC the day before in 12 gusting to 20 mph winds. It was a blast and other than flapping the CWC handled just fine in the gusts.
The 7m SLS once I get it up in low winds pulls like a freight train. It's really strange, how hard it pulls once up vs it's weak sauce pump.
So for me 8m remains the king of light wind. I have much more confidence I can get up onto the foil with it. The 7m SLS will be good once it get's to around solid 14-15 mph.
Today I had my first session with a 5.0 slick sls. I have been loving my quiver of 4 slicks this year. So it's easy for me to compare the new sls to the 2021 model.
The 5.0 feels a lot lighter than the old 5.0. it feels like I'm using my 4.0 in terms of ease of handling but still with the power of the 5.0 to get up onto the foil. The claim of a more stable center of effort in gusts that Duotone makes is wonderfully true! It hardly shifts back at all. Just more power in the same place! This is going to increase the wind range that I'll want to use my new sls before switching down to the 4.
It is faster. So much so that in one jibe I back-winded the wing by mistake when heading straight downwind, not realizing I had been going so much faster than the wind that I couldn't power through the turn with the wing full on the proper side.
So like the others posting here I really love the new SLS. It's amazing that Ken has made such a big improvement in one upgrade! Definitely not that much like the old slick, besides the full boom. So much better!
Used my old 4m slick while the 4m slick sls was being repaired. Old slick felt great. Pumped on foil fine, felt powerful and stable. But it just does not point up wind any where near as well and is much slower. Old slicks are now only good to learn on.
I use to be concerned about the wings blowing out. Reality is the wings are improving so fast each year I suspect they will become out dated.
Select to expand quoteSteven F said..
Used my old 4m slick while the 4m slick sls was being repaired. Old slick felt great. Pumped on foil fine, felt powerful and stable. But it just does not point up wind any where near as well and is much slower. Old slicks are now only good to learn on.
I use to be concerned about the wings blowing out. Reality is the wings are improving so fast each year I suspect they will become out dated.
I'm thinking of buying the original slick as it's on offer. ?600 for 6m compared to ?1068 for SLS (inc Alu boom)
have they changed that much? Equipment is getting crazy expensive to change every year.
Slightly off topic but how are we folding our slicks/sls. Anyone doing something different to the recommended method. Seems a pia in windy conditions.
Just giving a Select to expand quoteflatchat said..
Slightly off topic but how are we folding our slicks/sls. Anyone doing something different to the recommended method. Seems a pia in windy conditions.
Just giving a bump on this request on how to pack. Got a 4 m Slick SLS. Great wing. I followed their video but it does not fit in the bag.
I take the boom out and fold the tail to the center strut folding b/w the two rows of windows. I then place my board on top of the LE and strut trailing edge combo, fold the wingtip and canopy along the same line and roll to center. Stuff that under my board an repeat for the other side. My wings fit into the bag easily. I do this same process for the Units.
Select to expand quoteFoilnut said..
Just giving a flatchat said..
Slightly off topic but how are we folding our slicks/sls. Anyone doing something different to the recommended method. Seems a pia in windy conditions.
Just giving a bump on this request on how to pack. Got a 4 m Slick SLS. Great wing. I followed their video but it does not fit in the bag.
This is video for Slick. You supposed to fold SLS same way it was folded from factory. I actually really puzzled why they made bags so big for SLS. Correctly folded SLS occupies about half of bag.
Select to expand quotesunsetsailboards said..
I take the boom out and fold the tail to the center strut folding b/w the two rows of windows. I then place my board on top of the LE and strut trailing edge combo, fold the wingtip and canopy along the same line and roll to center. Stuff that under my board an repeat for the other side. My wings fit into the bag easily. I do this same process for the Units.Select to expand quoteFoilnut said..
Ok, well I was in a rush when I unpacked. So any guidance??
Read Kevin's post. I don't put my board on, like he does, but idea is the same. You have to fold wing between two rows of windows. Then you fold tail of center strut to level of LE, then roll wing from two sides toward center.
On my Wings both unit and Slick sls I open the inflate valve and the dump valve on tip. never touch the dump valve on strut.
roll from end without dump valve to middle and fold the end bit of strut that sticks out in. Push down on strut to squeeze any excess air out. Continuing rolling all way to end fold in half. this way the fold line is between windows and you can do it no matter how windy without having to mess around putting board on top and stuff.
been doing it this way on kites ever since they put dump valve in tip, quicker and far easier in 30knts than rolling one way then the other 
tip- if wet and sandy put cap on inflate valve once get to middle.
Btw , all my other wings have handles. This is my first boom wing. Got my first toe side tack yesterday on Armie HS1250. Much easier with the boom. Now just need more practice to get it consistently.
Select to expand quotesunsetsailboards said..
I take the boom out and fold the tail to the center strut folding b/w the two rows of windows. I then place my board on top of the LE and strut trailing edge combo, fold the wingtip and canopy along the same line and roll to center. Stuff that under my board an repeat for the other side. My wings fit into the bag easily. I do this same process for the Units.
"I take the boom out and fold the tail to the center strut folding b/w the two rows of windows." Same here and after I do this I fold the wing tips so it is straight across over the length of the back of the wing. I then fold the front strut over so it meets the tail and the side part of the leading edge comes close to the folded over wing tips. I then roll from one side and take the rolled side and put it against a tree trunk or whatever to keep it from unrolling and then roll the other side to it -- it now fits nicely in the bag.
Some good suggestions here. I'm always amused when the recommended procedure is shown in totally calm conditions. Reality is quite the opposite. Does anyone fold the leading edge over first, as recommended before folding. I'm can't quite remember where I saw this, but this is done to make sure the bladder is flat and doesn't twist as you roll/fold etc.
Select to expand quoteflatchat said..
Some good suggestions here. I'm always amused when the recommended procedure is shown in totally calm conditions. Reality is quite the opposite. Does anyone fold the leading edge over first, as recommended before folding. I'm can't quite remember where I saw this, but this is done to make sure the bladder is flat and doesn't twist as you roll/fold etc.
As you say that's fine to do in zero wind but try doing it on the beach in 20knts. if you are packing for a flight or shipping then yeah fold in like it is when new as you will have had it out at home to dry and get sand off etc
2 sessions in on my 3.0 SLS and very impressed. Been on the 3.0 V2 Unit since last Nov. 1.45kg without boom is very impressive, carbon boom is 330g from memory so around 1.8kg. 3.0 V2 Unit was 2kg if I recall correctly.
Flags great compared to the V2 Unit, really stable even straight down wind. Not as grunty as the Unit but a bit faster according to the Waterspeed app. Doesn't boost as high and less hang. Handles gusts better, less twitchy and very stable going fast.
Better for Flakas, lower aspect ratio makes it easier to clear the tips and doesn't try to pull you over as much.
Bit more work to pump onto foil than the V2 Unit but I expect the bigger sizes will be easier with the lower aspect ratio.I didn't love the original Slick, even with the Carbon boom if felt heavy, sluggish and didn't flag well downwind. SLS is a completely different beast, great on a wave and downwind and the boom works great on a wave too.
Select to expand quoteleepasty said..flatchat said..
Some good suggestions here. I'm always amused when the recommended procedure is shown in totally calm conditions. Reality is quite the opposite. Does anyone fold the leading edge over first, as recommended before folding. I'm can't quite remember where I saw this, but this is done to make sure the bladder is flat and doesn't twist as you roll/fold etc.
As you say that's fine to do in zero wind but try doing it on the beach in 20knts. if you are packing for a flight or shipping then yeah fold in like it is when new as you will have had it out at home to dry and get sand off etc
Gusting to 27knt earlier this week and was able to do it, but more interested in those who have found a better way to fold.
Select to expand quotebeached57 said..
after a few sessions on the new sls slick 6.0, i'd say it feels a bit lighter and definitely tighter than the original slick. didn't really notice any power change or anything else. unfortunately, the problem with it flipping over every chance it gets remains, and may even be a bit worse than the original. if you flag it from the leash, it WILL flip over. there's just something about this wing that makes it want to fly upside down. and it will not right itself. but i can't live without the boom, so i'll stick with it.
One persons downside is another's upside. I consider a boom wing more of a freestyle wing meaning lots of different connected transitions in my case of strapless winging. A wave/bump rider just wants a wing to get them upwind then flag out and "disappear".
As soon as you start trying more challenging freestyle upwind transitions (heelside tacks, handle-pass-tacks) you'll appreciate the wings desire to "roll" (or flip as you say) easily on its own as it passes through the eye of the wind rather than having to help it roll over with a free hand. In a behind-the-back handle pass tack you don't even have a free hand option to help roll the wing over. SLS's roll a wee bit better than standard slicks. That's a plus for me. Most wingers never even consider the "roll" ability of a wing
Select to expand quoteRelapse said..
2 sessions in on my 3.0 SLS and very impressed. Been on the 3.0 V2 Unit since last Nov. 1.45kg without boom is very impressive, carbon boom is 330g from memory so around 1.8kg. 3.0 V2 Unit was 2kg if I recall correctly.
Flags great compared to the V2 Unit, really stable even straight down wind. Not as grunty as the Unit but a bit faster according to the Waterspeed app. Doesn't boost as high and less hang. Handles gusts better, less twitchy and very stable going fast.
Better for Flakas, lower aspect ratio makes it easier to clear the tips and doesn't try to pull you over as much.
Bit more work to pump onto foil than the V2 Unit but I expect the bigger sizes will be easier with the lower aspect ratio.I didn't love the original Slick, even with the Carbon boom if felt heavy, sluggish and didn't flag well downwind. SLS is a completely different beast, great on a wave and downwind and the boom works great on a wave too.
Thanks for this. I came here to ask about the smaller sizes as I'm going to Maui in about a month and need a small wing. I like my 5.0 SLS more than my 4.5 Unit 2 or 6.0 Unit 2, so I figured SLS this is where I'm going with the small wing, but wanted to check how they were in the smaller sizes. Im thinking 3.5m for my 82kg. But mayyyybe a 3.0 instead?
Select to expand quoteFoilWays said..
Thanks for this. I came here to ask about the smaller sizes as I'm going to Maui in about a month and need a small wing. I like my 5.0 SLS more than my 4.5 Unit 2 or 6.0 Unit 2, so I figured SLS this is where I'm going with the small wing, but wanted to check how they were in the smaller sizes. Im thinking 3.5m for my 82kg. But mayyyybe a 3.0 instead?
Maui is not that windy in fall time. Used there 3.0 few time in November, but mostly 5.0 and 4.0.
I'm 85 kg.
Select to expand quotemotogon said..FoilWays said..
Thanks for this. I came here to ask about the smaller sizes as I'm going to Maui in about a month and need a small wing. I like my 5.0 SLS more than my 4.5 Unit 2 or 6.0 Unit 2, so I figured SLS this is where I'm going with the small wing, but wanted to check how they were in the smaller sizes. Im thinking 3.5m for my 82kg. But mayyyybe a 3.0 instead?
Maui is not that windy in fall time. Used there 3.0 few time in November, but mostly 5.0 and 4.0.
I'm 85 kg.
I know. I used to live there. :) I love October-November before the wind shifts South. I used to kite, so I wasn't a fan of summers... too windy, too gusty, no waves. Fall has waves often and wind is less nuclear.
Thanks though. That answers my question. Since I have a 4.5, I'll order a 3.5 to cover the high wind days.
Anyone heard anything on the smaller dia carbon mini boom that's supposed to be released?
