North Orbit V2 8 & 10M Kite Test Review

THE NORTH ORBIT V2 8 & 10M FIRST APPEARED IN KITEWORLD #107 ON OUR NEW FREE DIGITAL PLATFORM IN NOVEMBER 2020. THE PRINT ISSUE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO BUY HERE

North Orbit V2 8 & 10M Kite Test Review

“The North Orbit V2 may share DNA with the best five strut hang-time kites on the market, but it delivers a uniquely unphysical flying experience, combining the nimble handling of a three strut for a range of kite looping arcs with very easy but rewarding jumps and hang-time.

TESTED BY: JIM GAUNT AND CHRIS BULL

TEST TEAM NOTES:

After two years of raging King of the Air success, including in 2019 with the pre-launch model, the North Orbit V1 arrived with huge fanfare. A five strut kite with light steering input, it bridged the gap between the sporty kite looping nature of three struts and the thunderous hangtime stability of a five strut.

There was however one slight niggle. At the bottom end range, when you were sheeting the bar a lot and squeezing life from the back lines, there was a hint of a hiccup, occasionally needing you to sheet out a little to get the kite to move smoothly forward again. In truth, most people riding in regular ten metre conditions wouldn’t notice, but for experienced riders it was a small chink in an otherwise extremely polished big air suit of arms.

ORBIT V2:

The Orbit V2 may share DNA with the best five strut hangtime kites on the market, but it delivers a uniquely unphysical flying experience, combining the nimble handling of a three strut for a range of kite looping arcs with very easy but rewarding jumps and hangtime…

PHOTO: Ydwer Van der Heide

NORTH ORBIT V2 BALANCE POINTS:
(TEST SCORE BREAKDOWNS HERE)

Build quality: 8.5
Full package: 9
Low end: 7.5
Top end: 10
Steering speed: 6
Turning circle: 5
Bar pressure: 4.5
Water relaunch: 8.5
Drift: DT
Boost: 9
Hang-time: 9.5
Unhooked: 6
Crossover: 7
Ease of use: 8.5

SIZES: 14, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4m

(This is an excerpt from Kiteworld Magazine Issue 107)

READ THE FULL NORTH ORBIT V2 REVIEW HERE IN ISSUE #107

Support Kiteworld Magazine by subscribing to our two special bi-annual print issues (also available in digital on Zinio via our shop). The Winter Issue has just launched, featuring all our latest reviews, plus in-depth commentary on the race for Olympic Gold (on and off the track!), a colourful profile of one of the most curious designers in the industry, an interview with the woman at the helm of Duotone’s product management and much more – all carefully laid out in a rich, glossy design.