North Kiteboarding Evo 9m 2008
Reviews / Kites
12,673
At a Glance
The North Evo is a totally new kite in the line up this year and it is using a design not previously seen in the North range. The delta shape is perhaps something we will see more of over the coming years from other brands especially with two of the major brands now using it. The Evo can be ridden as a simple 4-line affair or you can set it up on the 5th Element Bar for added safety and a slightly more direct feel. The kite lacks one pump and is aimed at the more entry-level market as opposed to the top end users out there. All the struts have one-way valves though so it isn’t too much of a hardship to rig up. Funny how we are so used to one pump now it seems a real effort when it isn’t present on a kite! The 4-line bar is similar to the 5th Element bar with the same two-way cleat that allows heaps of personal trimming to suit your needs and the improved Iron Heart safety. The bridling on the kite is fairly simple with two V Bridles on the leading edge of the kite and a direct connection to the rear lines. We should also mention the chord depth of the kite, as it is quite low aspect. The chord depth simply is the length of the middle strut; a shorter length makes for a high aspect kite and a longer one a low aspect kite. The Evo is easily the lowest aspect 9m we have seen for a while. This should make the kite super stable in the air and also help reduce the chance of the kite stalling and flying backwards when over sheeted.
In The Air
Again on this kite ensure you set up the adjustable cleat to make sure the bar is set up not only to your riding style but also your body size and shape. With so much adjustment it is easy to set it up perfectly for the way you ride, it is also easy to set it up incorrectly though so a few minutes spent on the beach during your first session will reward you with hours of fun on the water. Probably the first thing you will notice about the Evo is the low-end grunt the kite has, with its deep chord depth comes heaps of low end power. The 9m really felt really powerful but it is worth noting that the pivot angle is good, as with all delta shapes, and the kite has a good amount of depower. Definitely the bottom end is more impressive than the top end though. In terms of handling the one word that kept coming up again and again was easy. This is a really simple easy kite to fly, super forgiving and just effortless in terms of getting upwind, jumping, and steering. Plenty of feedback for the rider too on the bar and you can easily feel where the kite is in the window at all times. One thing that is really worth a mention is the jumping, we were expecting this to be fairly basic in the air, but it is actually bordering on insane! Huge boost off the water and immense hangtime once you are up there will leave you with the biggest grin on your face. It is real plug and play enjoyment too. Unlike some kites that take a while to get dialled into the Evo will be sending your skywards on your first attempt and make timing those landings easy!
For
Amazingly easy to use, fantastic relaunch ability, huge air and a great low-end
Against
Is one pump too much to ask? We know it adds to the price but surely it is worth the little bit extra in manufacturing costs…
In Short
An amazing kite in a surprising package, we really weren’t expecting so much performance with such ease of use. One of the best all-round kites we have flown. If you want an entry level kite that you won’t grow out of then look no further.
This review was in Issue 8 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit North 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!
