I really think the Mantis went under the radar for the V1, I rarely see any in the UK. It's an exceptional wing particularly for waves. Its a ridiculously easy wing that is great upwind, well behaved de-powered, bullet proof and the handles are awesome - everyone is only just moving to these handles a year or more later. There's definitely more grunty wings out there but for me it's easily my favourite and I've tried/owned loads!! I own a 3,4 and 5 Mantis and 5.8 PPC (when it's really light).

My question has anyone upgraded from V1 to V2? I'd love to hear a non-sponsored Joe Averages take on the V2. Cheers

Yup, I have..

My main reason was because my wife and I (and our 2 kids) share a quiver and the new .5 increments made it easier for us to be on the water at the same time .. I basically have a 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 and she has a 3, 4, and 5.. and my 6 year old son has his name on the 2m (!)

Tbh my initial thoughts were that the new ones weren't much different but theres a subtleness to the improvements that have snuck up on me.. The silence of the flutter-free canopy / leech, the slightly improved bottom end, and the increased flagging stability to name a few. The wingspan of the 5m seems slightly narrower than V1 too but I haven't measured it. Amazing wings and the handles have been refined as well ..

The best thing for me though has been that the 3.5 and 4.5 sizes suit my needs perfectly 80% of the time.. (68kg, 36L Autopilot, 899 / 1099 ART foils)


My wife on 5m / 4'10 Ap / 880 in 12 knots

My son on 2m on JP SUP with Slingshot SUPwinder in 12 knots ..

Coming from an wavesailing and SUP background I ignored Cabrinha as an kitebrand quite a while. To me it doesn't had the WOW! factor that it might have for kiters, but they do make excellent gear and actually suits me really really well.For me it started last month when I demoed there Fusion H-series 1200 on advice of the shop and that is such an freaking good foil. I ordered one an 1200 and a 1000 as well because I liked it soo much.They know i,m not 100% happy with my Duotone Slicks and offered me to try a Mantis V2 5m for a week or 2.
I haven't tried the V1 so can't compare them but I liked the 5m V2 with windows so much that ordered an 6m (without window) straight away. The 5m are sold out, otherwise I would get one too. I tried lots of wings but they seem to fit like a glove.Compared to my Duotone Slicks the Mantis are imo are easier to pump, have a bit more grunt at low end, easier to handle overpowered and way more stable when flagged in the surf. Maybe the Slick is better when racing, maybe the SLS is better too, but so far the Mantis suits me way better. Compared to my Smik 5m V2 (yes I got 2 diff 5m wings) it is more powerful and feels more solid/slightly heavier, partly du the window, but it is also build like a rock and this are the only stiff handles that I tried I really really like and giving it with that an benefit over the Smik V2 that is imo one of the wings that suits me really well.

If I had to point one thing that I really miss on the Mantis, then it is an 2th tube or dumpvalve for easier in/deflating.Haveg a wing with just 1 tube for deflating is a bit wing-stone age style.

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Jeroensurf said..
Coming from an wavesailing and SUP background I ignored Cabrinha as an kitebrand quite a while. To me it doesn't had the WOW! factor that it might have for kiters, but they do make excellent gear and actually suits me really really well.For me it started last month when I demoed there Fusion H-series 1200 on advice of the shop and that is such an freaking good foil. I ordered one an 1200 and a 1000 as well because I liked it soo much.They know i,m not 100% happy with my Duotone Slicks and offered me to try a Mantis V2 5m for a week or 2.
I haven't tried the V1 so can't compare them but I liked the 5m V2 with windows so much that ordered an 6m (without window) straight away. The 5m are sold out, otherwise I would get one too. I tried lots of wings but they seem to fit like a glove.Compared to my Duotone Slicks the Mantis are imo are easier to pump, have a bit more grunt at low end, easier to handle overpowered and way more stable when flagged in the surf. Maybe the Slick is better when racing, maybe the SLS is better too, but so far the Mantis suits me way better. Compared to my Smik 5m V2 (yes I got 2 diff 5m wings) it is more powerful and feels more solid/slightly heavier, partly du the window, but it is also build like a rock and this are the only stiff handles that I tried I really really like and giving it with that an benefit over the Smik V2 that is imo one of the wings that suits me really well.

If I had to point one thing that I really miss on the Mantis, then it is an 2th tube or dumpvalve for easier in/deflating.Haveg a wing with just 1 tube for deflating is a bit wing-stone age style.

Funny .. coming from a windsurfing background, I was immediately drawn to Cabrinha for their 'wow' factor being (at the time) a Neil Pryde associate, .. The gear oozes quality ..


Found another pic of (my son's) 2m V2 when he let me try it out ..

I have a V1 and my only complaint is the front handle has gone floppy then the interior components started wearing through the webbing. Unsure how I managed to do it since other folks haven't reported that problem.
Bought used so haven't tried for any warranty but I might.

note to myself: don,t forget to bring my 3m to ireland