Hi all,
I have one wing at the moment, a Duotone Slick 4m which has been good but the bladder popped today in 18-20 knot winds.
I'm looking to buy a 2nd wing so... after recommendations for a wing brand / model that has less history of bladders exploding!
It was only the 4th time I've used it, still under warranty.
I'm only 162cm tall and learning on lakes and rivers at the moment, thought I would go a 3.5m approx for 2nd wing.

Armstrong A-Wing, A.Wing

i have the Ozone wasp 5m v2, and the Arm A-Wing 5.5m v1. The Ozone is a more forgiving wing, while the AWing is a grunty powerhouse compared to the Ozone and feels more like a 6m. Note: i'm new to the sport and a big guy... but unless it's a super windy day i would think a 3.5 and 4m are too similar... why not get a 5m/5.5m for lighter wind days?

F-one swing v2. Best all around wing right now.

Can you demo other wings?

Slingshot V2, the thing is bomb proof, got pounded in heavy surf and the foil hit the wing and the thing just keeps going. I've got the 6.4 and 4.4.

It really depends on your area and to what wind ranges you get, what weight you are, what level your at to determine what sizes of wings to go for.
in terms of wing choice your gonna get every opinion under the sun here. I personally love the ensis wings but anything that's v2 or newer in the main brands will do you well. I believe you will hear stories of bladder pops from most brands, the most important thing is that it's covered under warranty and you can get back on the water quickly.

I have a duotone slick 5m and a unit 4m. Never have a problem.
I had wasp V1s. Also had no problem. But the unit and slick are better in every way

Well then I would chuck in a ppc wing into the demo pot. No complaints

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eppo said..
Well then I would chuck in a ppc wing into the demo pot. No complaints

Just wondering guys if you could maybe rate the 4.5 Armstrong & 5m Fu Wings - and what do you think please?:-)

Is anyone using a wing with hand placement freedom, really going to go back to crappy wings with lots of little loops for handles? I think not.

Switching to a brand offering long handles is the only option.

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DWF said..
Is anyone using a wing with hand placement freedom, really going to go back to crappy wings with lots of little loops for handles? I think not.

Switching to a brand offering long handles is the only option.

Truth. And once you try mini boom handles you won't go back to the limp Long handles. In my opinion, the only wings doing handles right are the mantis, Brm, and the upcoming Duotone unit (and the x3 but I don't love the design other than the handles). I predict all of the performance wings will be some version of a mini boom in 2-3 years.

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Velocicraptor said..

DWF said..
Is anyone using a wing with hand placement freedom, really going to go back to crappy wings with lots of little loops for handles? I think not.

Switching to a brand offering long handles is the only option.

Truth. And once you try mini boom handles you won't go back to the limp Long handles. In my opinion, the only wings doing handles right are the mantis, Brm, and the upcoming Duotone unit (and the x3 but I don't love the design other than the handles). I predict all of the performance wings will be some version of a mini boom in 2-3 years.

Vayu and I think OR do a mini boom too. I definitely think it's the way forward.

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Velocicraptor said..

DWF said..
Is anyone using a wing with hand placement freedom, really going to go back to crappy wings with lots of little loops for handles? I think not.

Switching to a brand offering long handles is the only option.

Truth. And once you try mini boom handles you won't go back to the limp Long handles. In my opinion, the only wings doing handles right are the mantis, Brm, and the upcoming Duotone unit (and the x3 but I don't love the design other than the handles). I predict all of the performance wings will be some version of a mini boom in 2-3 years.

BRM have always had two hard handles and now do the mini-boom handles in their v2 model.

Mini boom handles with allula material... oooooh

I've tried or owned, Gong v1, v2, Takoon, Duotone v1, Slick, Fone v1, v2, Strike, Rrd, Slingshot v2. I've settled on Takoon.. Simple, light, great in waves, great to pump, small wingspan.

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IanInca said..
I've tried or owned, Gong v1, v2, Takoon, Duotone v1, Slick, Fone v1, v2, Strike, Rrd, Slingshot v2. I've settled on Takoon.. Simple, light, great in waves, great to pump, small wingspan.

The Takoon gets great reviews. The Smik is similar, exceptionally good wing.

Much prefer handles, will never go back to a heavy hard boom. The small pack up and convenience is a huge bonus.

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kiwiupover said..
i have the Ozone wasp 5m v2, and the Arm A-Wing 5.5m v1. The Ozone is a more forgiving wing, while the AWing is a grunty powerhouse compared to the Ozone and feels more like a 6m. Note: i'm new to the sport and a big guy... but unless it's a super windy day i would think a 3.5 and 4m are too similar... why not get a 5m/5.5m for lighter wind days?

I'm small and relatively light female, the 4m has been great for 12-16 knot winds but need to go down slightly in wing size for over that.
I'm really aiming just to have 2 wings so when one gets damaged I have a back up!
Someone told me Duotone have a reputation for popping bladders...

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A.Wing said..Someone told me Duotone have a reputation for popping bladders...

Especially the V1 version they were ordinary. Newer ones seem better.
Any bladder will pop if you unseat them by hanging the wing up to dry and do not shake the bladder back into place as you pump it up. Sand inside with the bladder is not good, nor are thorns, or dogs or any contact with the foil. My biggest wing killer is waves with four major repairs needed. They are fragile compared to kites and windsurf sails.

The only wing I had a bladder pop was a Doutone Unit 4m that was only a month old. They fixed it under warranty, but I sold that sucker ASAP! To me everything about the Doutone screams, "just good enough to get the job done". From the beachball valve to the cheap drawstring stuff sack.

For a smaller female, you might want to look into North. They make very high quality wings, in 2.9, 3.5 and 4.2.
My wife who is petite, usually rides the 3.5 when the wind is 15kts or more, 4.2 most other days. They are light and strong. Compared to Doutone quality, it's like a Porsche vs. a VW.

...the issue with Wing recommendations is that the majority of people have only used their own wing...and typically rate it!

Ian here seems to be an exception!
IanInca said..
I've tried or owned, Gong v1, v2, Takoon, Duotone v1, Slick, Fone v1, v2, Strike, Rrd, Slingshot v2. I've settled on Takoon.. Simple, light, great in waves, great to pump, small wingspan.

Ian - you seen the Takoon v2?

Ive tried lots of wings. They all have their pros and cons. Need to demo, not ask questions here.

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northy1 said..

...the issue with Wing recommendations is that the majority of people have only used their own wing...and typically rate it!

Ian here seems to be an exception!
IanInca said..
I've tried or owned, Gong v1, v2, Takoon, Duotone v1, Slick, Fone v1, v2, Strike, Rrd, Slingshot v2. I've settled on Takoon.. Simple, light, great in waves, great to pump, small wingspan.

Ian - you seen the Takoon v2?

Hey Northy, yeah I was a bit gutted as I'd just taken delivery of the 5.5m. Tbh they havnt changed that much. The shape remains but just some minor tweaks mainly the handles and I'm OK with the ones atm.

I'm convinced Wings are a very personal thing. Knowing I had owned an v1 Fone my local shop said come and demo the Strike. They love it and all use one and they were convinced I would. I really didnt get on with it. I purchased the Slick 5.5m blind having not demoed it and I enjoyed it for a few months but the boom is a pain to pack down, in very light wind the weight made it drop in transitions and I couldn't pump any better than with handles.

I should have also said my 2nd favourite is the V2 Slingwing. The 6.4m is always the one I steer newbies towards. Really light, small wingspan and loads of grunt.

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eppo said..
Ive tried lots of wings. They all have their pros and cons. Need to demo, not ask questions here.

Tbf, there's alot of people out there with no hope of demoing anything. I think it's worth getting non-sponsored average riders opinions as shops do tend to sell what they have which atm isn't alot..

I use the 4.8 m PPC Surge. It's the only wing I own and works good for lite conditions. Have used it once in 20+ knots, and worked fine. Most folks at my local have Takoon wings. A buddy who only uses Takoon rode the PPC for a session. He said it had good low grunt and was a decent wing.

Where I sail, wings are represented by at least 10 different companies, and all various rider skills.
To a rider, every one seems to ....dislike their old wings....like their current wings....and looking at other company wings.
Yesterday, Sunday.....maybe 20 wingers showed up.

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IanInca said..

northy1 said..

...the issue with Wing recommendations is that the majority of people have only used their own wing...and typically rate it!

Ian here seems to be an exception!
IanInca said..
I've tried or owned, Gong v1, v2, Takoon, Duotone v1, Slick, Fone v1, v2, Strike, Rrd, Slingshot v2. I've settled on Takoon.. Simple, light, great in waves, great to pump, small wingspan.

Ian - you seen the Takoon v2?

Hey Northy, ...
I should have also said my 2nd favourite is the V2 Slingwing. The 6.4m is always the one I steer newbies towards. Really light, small wingspan and loads of grunt.

The Slingwing V2 6.4 m has loads of power, so much my elbows would be sore after a session.

I sold it after getting to that stage where efficiency gets better, but can say it's definitely a good big guy beginner wing .