Choosing the right kite gear can be a mission, even if you have been kiteboarding for a few years. There are tons of different brands, models, types and sizes. Let us make it easy and transparent. Once you know the basics, it’s not rocket science.
How many kites and what sizes do you really need?
You can easily start with just one kite and manage your first few seasons with it.
Once you get tired of having to stand on the beach, when the wind is too much or too little for your kite, having the right kite sizes can make so much difference. There are many who have three or four kites, but two is enough for you to seize your moment on the windiest days.
1. Step: Choose your kite size - What is the best kite size for you?
Once you decide you are ready to invest in one kite in the beginning, you need to consider two things: your kite destination and your weight.
Your weight is very important when selecting the kite size. If you are kiting mostly at low wind areas, an 11-12 square meter is a good maximum size for a rider around 55-70 kgs (divide your weight in pounds by 2.5 to get your weight in kilograms).
If you are touring the globe and chasing the wind seasons, and weigh around 55-70 kgs, I would suggest you need a 8-10 square meter kite.
If I (at 60kg) was selecting a kite size for my travels, my choice would be 10 square meter which would be suitable for most of the kite spots in their season.
If you are to opt for two sizes, then a 7 square meter and an 11 square meter is a great combination for kite ladies around 50-60 kgs. For ladies between 60-70 kgs, then go for an 8 square meter and a 12 square meter. Many people find the smaller size kites to be the most fun to drive, as they are faster and easier to move around.
2. Step: Choose the kite type - Which kite type should you choose?
There is talk of C-kites, freeride kites, wave kites, freestyle kites, hybrid kites, bow-kites, SLE kites, LEI-kites, foil kites, and shsssssssss. All the terms can be super confusing at the beginning. Let me simplify it in two basic steps:
There are two main categories: Inflatable kites (LEI or tube-kite) and foil kites
LEI (Leading Edge inflatable) or tube-kite: the kite is pumped up and these are by far the most common type of kite.
Foil Kite: These kites do not need to be pumped up but keep their profile by the wind filling the kite’s cells with air. Their main use is on snow and land, but there are varieties that also work well on the water.
The choice is simple. If you are a beginner go for an inflatable kite!
Choosing from the variety of inflatable kites can be even more confusing.
Start with this simple advice. If you are a beginner, a C-kite is not recommended
Choose instead any of the other types; SLE kite, bow-kite, delta kite or hybrid kite. They have many different concepts, but they all have one thing in common; they have much less power making it easier and safer for a beginner to get started.
Most kite manufacturers have a kite model that is primarily intended for beginners.
Just because a kite is beginner-friendly it doesn’t need to be boring. “High Performance” kites are less suitable for beginners because they are uneasy in the air, have explosive force and are more difficult to water start.
Few tips for us ladies
Kites are much more fun in the air than in water. As a first kite, it is good to choose a model that is easy to water start. To water start a big kite in light winds requires the right technical experience, which takes a while to learn.
If you are a shorter girl like me (163 cm) you will appreciate a kite bar which is suitable for shorter arms. This type of kite bar allows you to reach the bar easily. It changes the whole experience; the kiting is way more fun and the extreme situations are less stressful. Plus, your riding feels and looks much better and more elegant. Choose from our value for money KITE PACKS to get one like that.
No kite is good at everything, even if the kite’s product info often claims the opposite. Think about the type of riding you will devote yourself to in the upcoming season, and then you can select the kite (starting with freeride and continuing with freestyle, wave style, wake style kite…)
Used kiteboarding gear
It may be more affordable to buy used kiteboarding gear as kites have a relatively poor resale value.
Just be aware that the development of kites has gone very fast, even if it has closed off slightly in recent years. If you buy a kite from 2010 or newer, of the more common brands, you can be sure that you get a good kite with a good security system. Look out for damage and weariness caused by sand and sun. Test and see if it wears well on the fabric and seams.
Kiting is still an extreme sport and you need to invest in your safety. Good gear is not just about improving your riding ability but also your safety. Once you can trust your gear and feel confident about it, you can fully focus on your progress and enjoy the ride!
If you wanna dig deeper, here is a bit of theory
1. LEI (Leading Edge inflatable) or tube-kite: The kite is pumped up and these are by far the most common type of kite.
1A: C kite are freestyle/wakestyle machines, therefore very fast and powerful. C-kites are the oldest style of LEI used for traction kiting. They typically come with four lines, and some have the option of an additional 5th line for safety and easy relaunching. The main difference between C-kites and other LEI styles is that they do not have any lines that support the leading edge of the kite (called bridles). The lines on a C-kite attach to the four corners of the kite.
1B: SLE kite (Supported Leading Edge): Leading Edge supported by so-called bridle-lines. All kites on the market, except for C-kites, fall into this category:
1B- 1: Delta Kite: Kites with a very rounded tip. When flat, laid-open, these kites are almost triangular in shape.
1B-2: Bow kite: Bow kite is a type of SLE kite having a convex edge, and based on Legainouxs Bruno patent.
1B-3: Hybrid kite: this kite could be a little bit of anything because as the name suggests it is a mixture of different kite types.
2. Foil Kite: These kites do not need to be pumped up but keep their profile by the wind filling the kite’s cells with air. Their main use is on snow and land, but there are varieties that also work well on the water.
See you at the kite spot ladies!
Barb