Rider:70 kg,,advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Weather,,20 to 28 knots
Build Quality: ?10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: shop owner

My Comments:had the chance to take a Taboo 8 m to Wedge Island for 2 days,,,
First ,,this kite looks awesome,,recon one of the best kites build from best,,every detail is there,,and its done very well,,reinforcements,stiches,,it just looks solid,,,
No pulleys?was wondering how could they do it,,surprise,,,it reminds me an old yarga,,,it looks like a c kite,,feels like a c kite but it turns so fast and smooth that is not a c kite anymore,,,grunty with lots of depower and explosive lift,,,using a twintip the kite feels and delivers power like a truck---but needs wind,,its a kite for high end wind,,the bottom end its not like a waroo or kahoona,,,but on strong wind just delivers that feeling of power that we all love when 25 knots are there,,,with the surf board the kite feels like its just towing you down the line,,the reaction is straight super responsive ,,loops are power full with no back stall,,,,im in love with this kite,,,,,,remember needs wind maybe 3 to 4 knots extra then the warro or kahoona,,and its not a beginner kite,,,,kahoona will do this job easyer for a beginner,,,,

Have you tried the 10m out? Haven't seen a review yet

Yes mate,,was going to write about a 10 tomorrow,,,,took the 10 on wedge island for a few hours but the wind got stronger and stronger,,,,the 10 its a diferent kite that the 8,,,looks much bigger more grunty more old school,,and freestyle ,,,its more for unhooked and boosting,,found it was a bit to grunty for the waves,,more bar pressure and same as the 8 needs a bit more wind,,rock solid in the window,,you can feel all the time the kite,and doesnt moves up or down when edgeing the board,,when unhook the bar doesnt moves on the back lines like most of kites with bridles,the kite likes presure on the back lines,,its a really nice kite just need to take it out again to see how relaunch and safety works ,,,,hope you can demo one and tell me your feed back,,,thanks heinzi

Cheers

How would the bottom end/top end compare to a 9m 2010 switchblade which is what I am replacing?

To be honest i haven't ridden one for a while... Been a few seasons :)
My thoughts are the 10 Taboo on the top end will be more solid and stable... It is a very stable kite in the air... I recommed you try find a demo, if u want one and can't get one let me know i'll see what i can do. Worth the effort they are the Bomb.
This is one of the best built kites from BEST kiteboarding - whole year testing and research.
Each size is made specific for those conditions, having it's own DNA. So flying a 8m is different than flying a 10m. You know sometimes how the kite is an awesome 9, but crappy 7m.... and too slow 11m???

Anyways try one out :) let me know...

Thanks for the reply. I have a 10m coming today! can't wait to get it on the water!
Will let you know how it goes.