Blade Kiteboarding Vertigo 10m 2011
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
We’ve been impressed with the Blade range of kites before, over the years they have matured as a brand and these days the kites are well built and priced at a sensible level. The Vertigo is a 3-strut delta design that is designed to be easy to use and intuitive to fly. It is aimed as a more freeride design, a do it all machine rather than a specific wave or freestyle kite. The bridle is simple and short and the kite features one pump as standard. There are reinforcements on the kite and it is well made, but it isn’t as well built as something from one of the big 5 in terms of expensive materials like Kevlar. But then the Blade will cost you a lot less than one of those kites! Graphics look good this year and there is some nice detailing on the leading edge. The bar is short and simple, utilising a pull pull webbing trim system and 4 lines. The chicken loop release is well thought out, be sure to rinse it after use though, we found the salt deposits on ours had a tendency to make the release sticky. It is very easy to reconnect once released allows you to untwist your lines while you are riding.
On the Water
Easy, that’s the word that springs to mind when you fly the Vertigo for an hour or so. It’s real plug and play kiting this, predictable, reliable and always ending up exactly where you expect it to go with no nasty surprises. It is actually pretty good at making you look like a better rider! The Vertigo has a smooth power delivery and flies around the window with no sudden power bursts delivering a solid pull that will allow you to perform unhooked moves and freeride boosts alike. It’s fast too, which helps when you want to throw it around the window and get some hangtime! Once you’re up in the air the kite delivers good float when it is above your head. Just redirect it at the perfect moment for a sweet landing. In your hands the bar pressure is medium, not too heavy and not too light. Gusty winds get eaten up too; the depower throw is quite short so you have a lot of control at your fingertips when the wind gets a bit mental! The wind range is really impressive, although be careful and ride within your limit at the top end.
For
Great value, well made, good looking kite. Solid performance under the bonnet; great for jumping and very easy to fly.
Against
For the price you pay you can’t really complain about anything here.
Overall
If you looking from a well made solid dependable kite from a boutique brand that is a little different then the Vertigo has a lot to offer. Perfect for riders who want a kite they don’t have to think about.
This review was in Issue 27 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit Blade KiteboardingRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
