North Kiteboarding Evo 9m 2013
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
The Evo has been ion the North line up for a while now, originally their first “delta” it has changed a lot over the years, but remains a delta-orientated design. Billed as being the most versatile kite in the North range it is used by Jaime Herraz as his weapon of choice, while freestyle ripper Tom Herbet uses it for his aggressive style of riding. It can be flow with either a 4 line bar or the 5th Element safety system. The kite ships with the 5th line tucked neatly into a pocket so you can make a decision as to whether you want to use it or not. There is a fairly simple bridle and the kite has a two point connection on the rear lines. The kite is well built as you would expect and is littered with reinforcement points on the leading edge. It is a 5 strut design, using the new 3 in 1 strut system which allows them to control the airflow over the entire canopy of the kite.
The Bar
Wow, springs to mind, the North 5th Element bar has always been well thought out, designed and engineered, but often it has been argued to lack the simplicity of other systems. North have managed to put one of the tidiest bars we have seen on the market keeping all the same features as before whilst adding a revolutionary length change concept. The integrated floats that make the bar so beautiful pull out from the bar ends and twist 180 degrees to lengthen or shorten the attachment point for the rear lines and subsequently the effective length of the bar. Add to the that the Iron Heart safety, 5th line reliability and total depower, improved Warrior Cleat for the trim system and a super comfortable grip and you have a winner!
In The Air
If you are looking for a one kite does it all, then the Evo should be on your list of contenders. Weighing in at the blue corner it comes out fighting with some serious performance in its gloves. The kite flies around the window exceedingly precisely allowing you to position it wherever you want in an instant, it is fast and but also predictable. In the waves it is easy to use it to generate power when the waves are lacking it and it floats down the line well. Unhooking the kite remains stable and you don’t need to trim the depower range too much to get it to perform unhooked. The depower throw is also very short giving you total control. We have always enjoyed boosting with the Evo in the past and this year is no exception, it delivers and impressive pull when you send it and the slightly lower aspect ratio gives you lots of hang time. Kiteloops are also progressive through the turn developing plenty of power. The low-end power is very impressive, we had the kite going on a surfboard in winds where others were riding 11 and 12m kites. Would suit the freerider who knows is looking for a kite that won’t hold him back no matter what style of riding he choses for the day.
Overall
Fantastic build quality that is really in a class of it’s own, the bar is the icing on the cake this year. If you want a free ride do it all machine then the Evo should definitely be one to consider, hangtime, speed, direct feel it has it all.
Videos
This review was in Issue 35 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!
