DUOTONE Neo SLS 9m 2024
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
The Neo SLS is the ultimate wave riding kite in the Duotone lineup, and for 2024 it has been tweaked for even better performance. The kite features new Hybrid Flex Struts, which have been straightened and given a wider, squarer wing tip shape. These changes improve the handling and responsiveness of the kite, allowing for smoother turns, faster steering, and a shorter depower stroke. The Neo SLS features construction with Penta TX and Trinity TX materials, which reduce the weight of the kite and improve its drifting capabilities.
The Neo SLS features a high-quality construction with a range of materials and design elements that enhance its performance and durability. The canopy is made from Penta TX, a lightweight material that has five times higher tear resistance than standard Dacron. This ensures precise and reliable steering, even in strong winds. The leading edge and struts are made from Trinity TX, a 3x2 canopy material that is exclusive to Duotone Kiteboarding. Trinity TX offers superior durability and dynamic performance, allowing the kite to withstand the harshest conditions and maintain its shape and responsiveness.
The Neo SLS also incorporates a range of design features to improve its performance and safety. Load-Distribution-Panels spread the forces evenly across the kite, ensuring consistent performance in any riding situation. The heavy-duty closing seam at the leading edges improves the kite's durability and resistance to high tensions and diagonal forces. Kook-proof line connection points prevent accidents by ensuring that the lines are correctly connected. Anti-Snag webbing on the tips prevents the lines from tangling, making water starts and relaunches easier and safer.
The Neo SLS is available in sizes 4m to 12m, giving riders a wide range of options to choose from depending on their weight and riding style. The kite is designed to offer the perfect balance between power and performance, making it suitable for a variety of conditions. Whether you're riding down-the-line waves or throwing big strapless airs, the Neo SLS is sure to impress.
Sizes: 4m, 5m, 6m, 7m, 8m, 9, 10m, 11m, 12m
In the Air
The Neo SLS is a true wave-riding machine, offering a perfect balance of power, control, and responsiveness. The kite feels incredibly light and nimble in the air, with an impressive turning speed that allows you to carve tight lines on the wave. The kite can be turned even when fully depowered, which is great for making quick adjustments on the wave.
One of the standout features of the Neo SLS is its drift capabilities. The kite has excellent stability and can stay in the air without pulling you off your line. This allows you to ride down-the-line waves with confidence, knowing that the kite will be there when you need it.
The Neo SLS has a wide wind range, with plenty of low-end power to get you going in lighter winds. The kite generates a good amount of forward pull, which helps to keep your speed up on the wave. It also has great upwind performance, allowing you to get back to the lineup with ease. The depower throw is quite short, and you have lots of control at your fingertips; when overpowered, the kite is stable and predictable, and it is easy to dump power when you need to on the wave.
Strapless freestyle on the Neo SLS is a lot of fun, with the kite delivering a smooth and predictable lift. The profile provides plenty of hangtime, allowing you to perform stylish grabs and rotations in the air. The kite also has a good amount of depower, which makes it easy to control the height and landing of your jumps.
The Neo SLS is a very predictable kite with a stable and consistent pull throughout the window. It is easy to relaunch, even in light winds, thanks to the Anti Snag webbing and the lightweight construction.
Overall
The Neo SLS is an excellent wave-riding kite that offers a perfect balance of power, control, and responsiveness. The new Hybrid Flex Struts and wider wing tips improve the handling and turning speed of the kite, making it even more dynamic on the wave. This is one kite that keeps getting better, and the 2024 version should be on your radar if you like riding waves and strapless freestyle. If you're looking for a high-performance kite that can handle anything you throw at it, the Neo SLS is definitely worth a look.
Videos
This review was in Issue 104 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit DUOTONERelated
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!
