My new set of 2026 North Nova Pro wings has just arrived (at the end of February).
Following my side-by-side comparison of the 2026 4.2 (V3) and the 2025 4.2 (V2) models, here are the changes I observed:
- Slightly thinner leading edge diameter
- Updated panel layout along with a revised load diffuser
- New RS3 triple ripstop canopy in the front section, which replaces the previous double ripstop canopy
- Overall weight reduction of approximately 200 grams (as measured) compared to the V2 model.
- An updated bag
I am eager to ride it and will share my initial impressions here!
If you have any questions or if there are features I may have overlooked, please feel free to comment.
Cheers,
Frank
www.foillifepodcast.com
Just curious what the weight of the v3 is for comparison to other brands, as north dont publish it for some reason.
Select to expand quotetvesurf said..
Just curious what the weight of the v3 is for comparison to other brands, as north dont publish it for some reason.
Still on the heavy(ier) side of whats on the market.. Dropping the shiftlock system only, would save some weight already.
Select to expand quotelarsdegroot said..tvesurf said..
Just curious what the weight of the v3 is for comparison to other brands, as north dont publish it for some reason.
Still on the heavy(ier) side of whats on the market.. Dropping the shiftlock system only, would save some weight already.
I've really enjoyed my 2025 4.2 Nova Pro. Long ago in this post I mentioned I use the smaller boom and set it all the way forward. Much easier for starts. I threw some old school duck jibes in one day and there's still a foot of boom you would never use. In addition I think if they want to stick w shift lock they could eliminate quite a bit of track toward the back end saving more flagging weight. The construction has been bomb proof and it still looks crispy after a year of heavy use. We'll see what mod's the regular Nova comes out with. Hoping they use the oval grip from the Nova Pro which feels like butter compared to the round grip on the 2025 Nova.
As long as they stick with their shiftlock or griplock thing they will be out of my view.
Maybe they are great wings, though I remember Hydro GAV making a really bad review about them. And that's usually not his style if it would not be complete rubbish.
Boring design as well for my likings
Expected more from that brand
Select to expand quotekrixikraxi said..
As long as they stick with their shiftlock or griplock thing they will be out of my view.
Maybe they are great wings, though I remember Hydro GAV making a really bad review about them. And that's usually not his style if it would not be complete rubbish.
Boring design as well for my likings
Expected more from that brand
That review was Meonash, he is here on the forum. Review has been posted in the other north thread. My experience has been the same unfortunately.
Awesome comparison. Would love to hear how the 2 wings compare on the water. As said above, the 2025 model has not received much praise.
In stark contrast to the 2024 version which I ride and absolutely love. So if the 2026 version has not improved I'll probably just get 2 more 2024s this year
Select to expand quotelarsdegroot said..krixikraxi said..
As long as they stick with their shiftlock or griplock thing they will be out of my view.
Maybe they are great wings, though I remember Hydro GAV making a really bad review about them. And that's usually not his style if it would not be complete rubbish.
Boring design as well for my likings
Expected more from that brand
That review was Meonash, he is here on the forum. Review has been posted in the other north thread. My experience has been the same unfortunately.
Shame on me. You are right. Mixed them up
Select to expand quoteShlogger said..larsdegroot said..tvesurf said..
Just curious what the weight of the v3 is for comparison to other brands, as north dont publish it for some reason.
Still on the heavy(ier) side of whats on the market.. Dropping the shiftlock system only, would save some weight already.
I've really enjoyed my 2025 4.2 Nova Pro. Long ago in this post I mentioned I use the smaller boom and set it all the way forward. Much easier for starts. I threw some old school duck jibes in one day and there's still a foot of boom you would never use. In addition I think if they want to stick w shift lock they could eliminate quite a bit of track toward the back end saving more flagging weight. The construction has been bomb proof and it still looks crispy after a year of heavy use. We'll see what mod's the regular Nova comes out with. Hoping they use the oval grip from the Nova Pro which feels like butter compared to the round grip on the 2025 Nova.
I actually have the opposite preference. I'm a big fan of round handles because oval grips tend to put too much pressure on my hands during long sessions. It's the main reason I've stayed away from Duotone after they stopped providing round booms/handles, the oval grip profile is a dealbreaker for my hand comfort.
Select to expand quoteSA_AL said..Shlogger said..larsdegroot said..tvesurf said..
Just curious what the weight of the v3 is for comparison to other brands, as north dont publish it for some reason.
Still on the heavy(ier) side of whats on the market.. Dropping the shiftlock system only, would save some weight already.
I've really enjoyed my 2025 4.2 Nova Pro. Long ago in this post I mentioned I use the smaller boom and set it all the way forward. Much easier for starts. I threw some old school duck jibes in one day and there's still a foot of boom you would never use. In addition I think if they want to stick w shift lock they could eliminate quite a bit of track toward the back end saving more flagging weight. The construction has been bomb proof and it still looks crispy after a year of heavy use. We'll see what mod's the regular Nova comes out with. Hoping they use the oval grip from the Nova Pro which feels like butter compared to the round grip on the 2025 Nova.
I actually have the opposite preference. I'm a big fan of round handles because oval grips tend to put too much pressure on my hands during long sessions. It's the main reason I've stayed away from Duotone after they stopped providing round booms/handles, the oval grip profile is a dealbreaker for my hand comfort.
I get that. Half the crew here likes round, half like an oval. We do a lot of gear sharing.
Select to expand quoteSA_AL said..Shlogger said..larsdegroot said..tvesurf said..
Just curious what the weight of the v3 is for comparison to other brands, as north dont publish it for some reason.
Still on the heavy(ier) side of whats on the market.. Dropping the shiftlock system only, would save some weight already.
I've really enjoyed my 2025 4.2 Nova Pro. Long ago in this post I mentioned I use the smaller boom and set it all the way forward. Much easier for starts. I threw some old school duck jibes in one day and there's still a foot of boom you would never use. In addition I think if they want to stick w shift lock they could eliminate quite a bit of track toward the back end saving more flagging weight. The construction has been bomb proof and it still looks crispy after a year of heavy use. We'll see what mod's the regular Nova comes out with. Hoping they use the oval grip from the Nova Pro which feels like butter compared to the round grip on the 2025 Nova.
I actually have the opposite preference. I'm a big fan of round handles because oval grips tend to put too much pressure on my hands during long sessions. It's the main reason I've stayed away from Duotone after they stopped providing round booms/handles, the oval grip profile is a dealbreaker for my hand comfort.
I don't get the oval thing either. But with a harness it doesn't really matter either way.
I like oval handles in general and the North ones in particular. The oval boom fits my hand very well.
Possibly more important is that the top and bottom of the oval section is EVA padding to reduce bar impacts on the board. A couple of my boards have dents where harder handles have hit. Similarly the boom ends have a ribbing pattern that protects the board from impact.
I sort of like Shiftlock. When it works it's quick and easy. It's better and stronger than a direct screw in attachment, and not as ugly as having empty handle attachments when using a boom.. When it doesn't work it can be a minor nuisance, or you can lose screws and parts of the fittings.
The screws are a little too short. If you unscrew them enough to pop the boom ends off there's only a single turn of thread holding the bracket in place. It only takes a tiny bit of movement for the end to fall off. If that happens you're screwed. The screws are a non-standard 23mm length. It's easy enough to replace them with standard 25mm screws but then the end of the thread sticks out which is not ideal.
Using a boom the ability to shift position isn't particularly useful and I suspect the standard position would be fine for most handles. The designers say they use a long handle and a short one for precise positioning, and also paddle and camera fittings. I suspect they're trying to sell people on their "innovation".
I would happily exchange Shiftlock for a tool free system that is quick and easy to fit and remove.
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..
I like oval handles in general and the North ones in particular. The oval boom fits my hand very well.
Possibly more important is that the top and bottom of the oval section is EVA padding to reduce bar impacts on the board. A couple of my boards have dents where harder handles have hit. Similarly the boom ends have a ribbing pattern that protects the board from impact.
I sort of like Shiftlock. When it works it's quick and easy. It's better and stronger than a direct screw in attachment, and not as ugly as having empty handle attachments when using a boom.. When it doesn't work it can be a minor nuisance, or you can lose screws and parts of the fittings.
The screws are a little too short. If you unscrew them enough to pop the boom ends off there's only a single turn of thread holding the bracket in place. It only takes a tiny bit of movement for the end to fall off. If that happens you're screwed. The screws are a non-standard 23mm length. It's easy enough to replace them with standard 25mm screws but then the end of the thread sticks out which is not ideal.
Using a boom the ability to shift position isn't particularly useful and I suspect the standard position would be fine for most handles. The designers say they use a long handle and a short one for precise positioning, and also paddle and camera fittings. I suspect they're trying to sell people on their "innovation".
I would happily exchange Shiftlock for a tool free system that is quick and easy to fit and remove.
The F-One tool-free boom connection is very stiff. I suspect Armstrong's is the same (they look very similar).
