Flysurfer Sonic 3 Kite Review

In this video we review the brand new Flysurfer Sonic 3! While comparing to the much-loved Flysurfer Soul, we cover:
- Who the kite is best suited for (0:45)
- How it was developed (1:15)
- Launching (1:48)
- Relaunching (3:17)
- Technical data (4:30)
- On-the-water performance (7:12)
- Back-to-back comparisons to the Flysurfer Sonic 2 (12:09)
- Stability (14:51)
- Performance for hydrofoiling (15:57)
- Light wind performance (16:33)
- Overall conclusions (17:00)
We hope you enjoy!
___
Gear we use + discount codes: www.ourkitelife.com/p/gear-we...

[@MrPhoenix82]

Easily the best kite content on KZbin .. so much effort I hope U guys get showered with free gear ..

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you 😊 glad you enjoy our channel!

[@grub1962]

This video is HANDS DOWN the BEST video review of any product EVER! Well done. As a Speed 3, Psycho 4, Outlaw, Pulse, Titan and Speed 4 Owner...I have to rely on true, honest, advice from people who have actually flown the new models, when deciding to purchase a new kite.. So from the bottom of my heart and Wallet,... Thank you for making such a great video review. Much appreciated!!!

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you 😊

[@HRe956]

By far the best reviewers with the best reviews! Thanks for each of your movies and for all that may come further on. You are fully and really dedicated (and addicted) to this incomparable beautiful Sport! The spirit and playfulness of you and without exception all the friends around you is unmatched 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@nop8051]

I'm blown away, this may be first proper kite review that I witnessed. Kite market is infuriating when in comes to reviews, it's almost impossible to find independent reviewers who put enough information to make their videos useful. Usually I can find marketing videos with pro riders or reviews in publications that copy and paste manufacturers description. And it's always same thing about perfect kite, boosting big while being perfect for beginners and advanced riders. Getting information from forums is also quite hard because people rarely fly on multiple brands so tribalism becomes an issue. Also my favourite post in almost every big kite thread is made by kite dealer insisting that you can't describe kite behaviour in words at all and you should stop trying. So yeah, thanks for your effort.

[@OurKiteLife]

Wow, thank you! We definitely agree with everything you said so we try to approach reviews with complete honesty, and involving our friends & their unbiased opinions is key to that. So we owe them a big thank you for their efforts too :)

[@karelvik3475]

Well, but here they kite also only Flysurfer so they are not that unbiased at all. Even though, I like this channel a lot and believe what they are saying. But still, to get really unbiased review, you would have to do it as a full-time job and ride all the main kite brands on the market. Which would take a lot of time :D

[@OurKiteLife]

@@karelvik3475 for sure! That's why we put a lot of focus on our friends reviewing the kites =]

[@markusbroyles1884]

Great review - love you guys, best crew around... unreal grit

[@bbanl]

Thanks for this great in depth review! Really very helpful! I am considering to refresh my 2 Sonic2's for Sonic3's and this review really helps to understand what the new Sonic is about.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! Happy to hear you found it helpful!

[@KommuniceraSlash]

Love the video! you have made it very easy for people who are looking for the new gear to match their skill level. Excellent review!

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks Nikita! Appreciate all your help in making this video :)

[@ponomarevalexey3157]

Thanks for this video, it’s very interesting to watch !

[@manfredanderson2080]

Great unbiased review, cannot wait to try the new sonic

[@ronniet906]

You went above and beyond in the Sonic 3 review. Much appreciated

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks, glad you liked it 🙂

[@benmaz]

Another great video 👍🏄‍♀️💨

[@kitesurfinglessonsvietnam]

Great report! Thanks

[@oleksandrchubukov5991]

Very very good video. Best review .

[@ofircohen5703]

Love your channel! Definitely My favorite kitesurfing channel:) Can you please do a video about all of the camera gear you use?

[@OurKiteLife]

sony rx10 mk4 (used 95% of time ) (dji phantom 4 used 4.5%) (gopro 7 black used 0.4%) (gopro fusion max used 0.1% of time)

[@ihomry684]

@@OurKiteLife great capture at 07:46 , was that with the drone dji phantom 4 as well ?

[@OurKiteLife]

@@ihomry684 gopro fusion max on 1 meter stick behind the rider =]

[@ihomry684]

@@OurKiteLife much obliged, fantastic shot. !

[@EveMcWinston]

Nice review! I had to laugh, when I heard, that the new Sonic got double cells on the trailing edge. Many Pansh kites have this feature since many years^^ xD

[@OurKiteLife]

Well you can't really compare Pansh kite vs Flysurfer... With that said we are planning on doing it :)

[@EveMcWinston]

@@OurKiteLife hm... I just said, that Pansh has this technique since many years... no comparison at all^^ but nevertheless: why I can't compare a high AR foil kite (maybe Soul) with another high AR foil kite (Aurora)?

[@dafunkyy]

Great review, really talks to me, I've followed improvments since speed2, got a sonic1, sonic2... This convinces me to get a sonic3 even if aspect ratio is a little lower !

[@OurKiteLife]

Just to be clear, Sonic3 feels more powerful than Sonic2 even with lower aspect ratio. There's more to performance than just AR, like cell count, profile, thinner bridles, etc..

[@MatDGVLL]

Very interesting ad/review 😜now I want one too 😄

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you - haha yes, we imagine a lot of people will want one :)

[@michaeldieker8902]

Thank you for explaining the kites.....

[@OurKiteLife]

No problem :)

[@lukash84]

great review guys!!! I share it

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you! :)

[@siddallj]

Really in depth review, great job guys. Would love to see the 360 cam setup one of the guys was using. The new Insta 360 one R looks mega for filming kitesurfing

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! Yes, the insta360 is something we will be trying out soon :)

[@ryanmitchell2160]

@@OurKiteLife I have a 360 camera and am also interested in the backpack that was used in some of the filming. Here is a shot of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaiwXmWXYq6firc and here is a shot from it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaiwXmWXYq6firc. Do you know if that is a DIY backpack or can you provide a link to it? It would be greatly appreciated.

[@OurKiteLife]

This is a DIY backpack our friend made for himself - when we do a review video we’ll include it

[@ArmandSharp]

@@ryanmitchell2160 I use a "Wizmount" (with an adapted straight end link) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnmUk3ufaJiNjrM ... www.wizmount.com/products/cu2pack/ but the one in the video looks like a DIY (its a great viewpoint) as I couldn't find a similar commercial one..there is 3rdPersonView camera mount "direct on harness" (from Netherlands) but its slightly different view

[@bbanl]

It's a DIY setup. You can buy a professional setup for 140 euros from sailvideosystem.com I got one and it really is great! Very strong (pretty crash proof) and versatile.

[@flamewave0]

Hey guys another great vid! Are you planning to move to new Sonic or stay with Soul? I was wondering as well what sized of Souls you have in your quiver?

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! We enjoy both kites, so won’t be replacing one for the other. We currently have Soul 8, 12 and 15m

[@s2oooo]

So I've been learning how to tune foil kites. Yes you can lengthen C/Z wingtip connections to reduce ear folding but that also would reduce turning speed 🤷. Coming from tube kites I can't get my head around that you guys tune your bar to stall slightly.I suppose this helps if the kite trys to overfly in a gust ,or to slow you down if you get out of control on a Hydrofoil (sheet in to slow down).

[@OurKiteLife]

We don't really tune the bar to stall slightly, it's just what happens when the lines shrink and the bar gets out of whack. Stalling the kite does help to keep the kite from overflying

[@dafunkyy]

it really depends of the wind speed and the riding speed. You will enjoy having a little more control with back stall which transforms to more power when you gain speed.

[@s2oooo]

@@dafunkyy thank you . How much stall on the bar should I try. 60mm or less 🙋

[@josephskiteboardingadventu9983]

It's interesting to compare them in similar wind conditions(but in different types of wind power, like light wind, medium and strong) with inflatable kites!

[@OurKiteLife]

Comparing foil vs LEI would result in a lot of controversy. If we were to go about it we would probably take a dozen people and then let them try both in various conditions and report back on what they like more

[@mrmonkeboy]

Whats that goPro backpack thing? It gets amazing footage. Do you have any footage in waves? Could you have it so you and the wave are in the shot at the same time?

[@OurKiteLife]

thats a DIY backpack with a gopro fusion. Waves, we rarely get them :(

[@Den-tp6er]

Very good

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks!

[@jubnx2781]

how low windy are your beaches cause I usually use a tube 9 m and I always have to trim it and be careful, orelse it lifts me up off the ground when at 12 o'clock. I should probably get a 7m huh.

[@OurKiteLife]

10 to 20 knots usually

[@Ryy22]

Ive only been kiting for a year now (weekly tho) and want to get into a foil kite, I dont like slow turning (have had a 15m tube which was absolute hell in turning and steering) so that would put me in the sonic box, however, the sonic requires allot of skills, so I would be best off starting with a soul?

[@OurKiteLife]

Go with the Soul - it’s hands down the best foil kiter if you’ve only flown inflatables

[@canolando3499]

Nice.. I couldn't afford a soul as I wanted one bad, but bought a pansh 15 m. Learned on the $350 kite in 5 mph winds then found a used 9m race kite, crazy fast speed and upwind. You need to do a comparison with the soul, Sonic and race Sonic.

[@OurKiteLife]

thinking of doing pansh vs flysurfer instead :)

[@stefanspirit100]

I was looking to buy the pansh 15m. Any tips on that one? How did it fly?

[@TKM11370]

Ordered my Sonic 3 15m earlier today.

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice! It's a beautiful kite, enjoy!

[@RobbieKiama]

How do you find it? Any tips? I'm about to order mine

[@TylerKaraszewski]

I want one! I don't even know what I'd do with it. My 10m Soul is currently my "light wind" kite (on a hydrofoil) and it doesn't come in any size smaller than 9m. I could get one in 13m for ultra-light days that we never have here, and only use it when traveling?

[@OurKiteLife]

Haha, well if you ever come kite in Toronto it would be your go-to kite ;)

[@TylerKaraszewski]

@@OurKiteLife If I'm in Toronto, maybe I could demo yours. :)

[@OurKiteLife]

For sure 😀

[@albertosuares2428]

Buenisimo

[@deeearnshaw9551]

Hi guys, I bought an 18m Soul a couple of years ago- I have really used it to compliment my tube kites to get me out in lighter winds when they won’t fly. It pairs well with my Lightwave Wing 165cm carbon door (not interested in foiling) Do you have any experience with a 21m Sonic? I’m wondering how much I might gain in low end twin tipping

[@OurKiteLife]

Hey, we don’t have much experience with the 21m soul - sorry! I would assume it may give you one or two more knots on the low end compared to the 18m, depending on your weight

[@gaetanomenzano2950]

Could a 13 MT soul ,3 replace in hangtime, Jump in low- Wind ( 10 to 16 knts..a quiver of 12 and 15 SOUL? SONIC 3 vs soul how Jump Better ( low Wind airstyle)...

[@mikerogers2319]

The guy at 8:30 is the most hilarious guy in kiteboarding. He needs his own channel.

[@mikerogers2319]

He's soaking wet, out of breath, maybe a bit hypothermic, but totally stoked... this is KZbin GOLD!

[@OurKiteLife]

He’s one of a kind!!

[@LatinoTropico]

Hey Laurie... I know this is a few years old now, but do you know of any new foil kites coming from Flysurfer? Sonic 4? or something else entirely? Cheers

[@OurKiteLife]

Hi Fernando, Flysurfer released V2 of the Soul in the spring of last year. As for new foil kites coming, I don’t know of any upcoming releases, sorry!

[@LatinoTropico]

@@OurKiteLife Meh all good. I still have my first FS Sonic FR 15m and it flies great!

[@filippoi.4138]

Bought today my first sonic 15. Pretty good foiler with my soul 15, but hey, this kite flys really different! I have to get used to it. Unbliveable how this review is exactly the same as my first impressions of the sonic. Just one thing. With my soul 15 I am able to get out with 4/5 knots. When I will be perfect with my sonic do you think I will be able to get out this low??

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice, congrats on the sonic15! Yes, once you get used to the kite you should be able to get out in the same light winds that you were using your soul 15 for

[@collegepros]

This is off topic, but not sure how to get ahold of you to ask privately. Also, maybe some of your viewers would have an opinion. I’m interested in getting a Soul to use when foiling in 9-18 knots. I was thinking a 9m Soul. Thoughts? Also, what’s the lowest wind speed a 9m Soul can float in? As well as relaunch? Thanks.

[@OurKiteLife]

Soul 9 would be good for foiling in 10 knots and above on a large wing. See this video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKrEiaF_hdmLjbM )where Armin managed to keep going in about 9 knots, but he has a lot of skills, so we wouldn't be able to do it. You can relaunch it in about 10 knots, maybe less, really depends on location.

[@collegepros]

Our Kite Life what do you feel is the top end of the 9m for someone who is 83-85kg?

[@OurKiteLife]

@@collegepros 30 knots on a twin tip if not more. On a foilaboard have no idea to be honest.

[@jamesbuckle6077]

Jesus, that hot launch cross-wind with no space and downwind obstacles....

[@RobbieKiama]

So if I want 2 kites, a big one for a very low wind and a mid sized for more agile fun... My thinking is this: Soul : 10m Sonic: 15m I'm 80kg rider, fairly experienced, tried soul 12m a few times, fell in love immediately. All experience up till then, with blow up kites. Any thoughts/suggestions? Especially if you're a current owner. Much appreciated.

[@OurKiteLife]

There is a bit of a hole between soul 15 and 10, especially in terms of a sweet spot. We have 15, 12, 8, souls. We have a guy on a beach with 15 and 10m souls, and from time to time neither kite is perfect for the wind. Hard to say, as we never really tried a 10, but apparently thats the best size

[@RobbieKiama]

@@OurKiteLife actually you got me really interested in 8m. Can you tell me - at what wind speed range you actually use it?

[@kinouillek]

Liked the video but I'm afraid to watch it.... let me rephrase this... My credit card is afraid... And my marriage :D :D

[@OurKiteLife]

Hahaha - just do it :P

[@HRe956]

Hahaha...i knoooow what you‘re talking about 🤪🤪🤓😂🙃

[@RobbieKiama]

Same boat, and I know the force is strong with flysurfer

[@ABCDEF-cx1ic]

what bar would you recommend for the soul 6m?

[@OurKiteLife]

We use the medium Force bar - the small may be better but we haven’t tried it

[@juanpasala]

Would like to see a review of sonic 3 vs VMG

[@OurKiteLife]

Maybe one day :)

[@tadasmikalauskas3566]

Good review! As I see behavior of Sonic 3 in the air it looks like pure race kite problems: wing tip folding, wing tip turning around bridles. Does it flies like a race kite? So I would prefer Sonic 3 vs Sonic race review. Regards!

[@OurKiteLife]

Tips fold mainly during first few sessions before you get used to the kite, otherwise they don't. We probably made it a bigger issue than it really is as when you adjust to the kite. It flies like a race kite but handles like a Soul. I personally prefer how it flies over Soul.

[@Popas1]

I've seen that the upper wind range of the sonic 3 has been shifted to a lower value than the one of the sonic 1 or 2. Have you felt this feature during your test ? Or is it just that flysufer had trouble with people flying previous sonic overpowered, like I did, haha?

[@OurKiteLife]

Sonic3 has a good depower and wind range, with that said we see where they are coming from, personally we have 8m Soul and 7m LEI for high winds. The issue with high winds is that the wind is often more turbulent and the kite will overfly more, especially when you enter or leave water.

[@Popas1]

I do have a Sonic 1 and adore it. My question was more about difference between anonciated wind range for sonic 1,2 and 3. For an 11m the wind range given by flysurfer was 9knot to 32 for sonic 2 whereas for the 3 it is 10knots lower. So I was wondering if sonic 3 testors find it harder to handle at its upper wind range than the sonic 2. BTW thank you a lot for your review, it is as pro as usual ! Really liked it !

[@OurKiteLife]

@@Popas1 sonic3 performed as good as soul or sonic 2 or speed 5 in upper wind range. Hope that helps

[@Popas1]

Thank you. So its just a marketing choice to reduce upper wind range indication on the website :)

[@michaeldieker8902]

I am 2.5 years into the sport. I have never foiled of flown a foil kite. I get frustrated with folks fly and drop a foil kite into a crowded launch area. Can you comment on kite etiquette for foil kites in crowded areas. So many lines and a bit of a mess on the ground.....

[@OurKiteLife]

That can be frustrating for sure. We do talk about etiquette in some of our other videos, but a lot of it is common sense - which unfortunately not everyone has. In our experience, it's best to talk to people who are putting others (or the kite spot itself) at risk

[@linuslindquist9437]

why would you choose sonic for TT? shouldn't you foil with it????

[@OurKiteLife]

sonic works phenomenally well with twin tip, nothing wrong with using with twin tip

[@kmin0605]

how do you film like @8:01?

[@OurKiteLife]

gopro fusion on a meter long stick attached to a backpack that the kiter wears

[@kmin0605]

@@OurKiteLife Thank you. I have a boost 3. Kite with a flysurfer sponsored shop out of Socal. like all of your videos. :)

[@deanraddick9041]

Hey! I’m from the Hamilton area too! Do you guys have a shop in town? I wanted to come visit and look more into flysurfers?! Be great to connect with you cheers!

[@OurKiteLife]

Hey we don't have a shop, but we recommend www.silentsports.com for everything flysurfer related. They are located in North Toronto, ask for Dave or Rob as they are both experienced. Also you can always msg us on our website if you have any questions. Cheers :)

[@deanraddick9041]

Our Kite Life thank for your quick response! Awsome! 👏 I’ve met dave before he’s pretty cool! where you guys are launching from in the Hamilton area, is it 50 point? Or is there a designated recommended launch spot for kiters? just don’t wanna get fined...

[@OurKiteLife]

@@deanraddick9041 with regards to hamilton, we have not kited there in over a decade, we usually go to municipal beach in St. Catharines when we head that way :)

[@deanraddick9041]

Our Kite Life wow! Cool, never knew.... thanks for the tip! Will have to check that out 🤙

[@MrTeabag55]

Speed4 definitively my favorite (for hangtime and height, fly mainly very overpower). Should I go Soul or Sonic? (For height/hangtime/construction for overpower)???

[@OurKiteLife]

Sonic jumps very nicely, for lower wind ranges go with sonic, for higher go with soul

[@MrTeabag55]

@@OurKiteLife Thanks. (I would have went with Sonic 3 if construction was as strong as soul, which is not strong to start with) Soul it is. Thanks again. *** Owned 2 Psycho4, then 3 x Speed3 and 2 x speed4, I really, really wish that they would put bridle lines bigger/stronger. These kites overpower rock!!! ***

[@normsbigwindow9379]

I love your channel and watch it regularly but I’m getting the slight feeling you may have tipped over into being a FS marketing channel (which maybe the intention and your benefit). If not, you’re all heavily indebted or merchant bankers given the ‘wolf of Wall Street’ level FS habit. 😀 Just some feedback. Will love your channel either way but just making an observation on the direction.

[@OurKiteLife]

Appreciate the feedback! Full disclosure - we are Flysurfer brand ambassadors, and those are the kites we fly, so naturally they'll be in the majority of our videos. We're also located in a light wind spot, so most of our fellow riders use them too. That being said, we are open to reviewing other brands (and having our friends who are not associated with any kite brands try them out too). We do try to mix in different types of content to balance things out - and we’re always open to video idea suggestions!

[@mrmonkeboy]

That flappy self inflating looks scary as hell. Imagine doing that in 35mph - 40mph? Fuck that. It's scary enough launching a LEI in those conditions. Throw in sea spray and rain and gusts and sand sticking to everything .... why isn't there a better way to pre-inflate these kites?

[@OurKiteLife]

there is and it can be done, with that said for higher winds soul is much better and it can be safely side launched.

[@drlv3250]

Well is there a giveaway for an Sonic 11

[@OurKiteLife]

Haha we wish!

[@N1ghtf4ll666]

in this video it is perfectly shown how not to launch a Sonic... directly after the kite getting up in the air pls pull the bar slow but steady to full power and the kite will infalte immeadiatly...

[@AceHardy]

📝

[@bowmosexual]

Good video. 171kg lol thought i was hefty at 130 :) Yeah sounds a bit like hard work this kite. I've always been super happy on a quiver of Chrono's. The v3's are epic, no wing tip fold no matter where the bar is, and in any of my sizes 13 15 18 C3's and 11m HYPERLINK V2 starting at 7kt they sit perfectly anywhere in the power window.

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice, we haven’t tried those kites but will take your word for it

[@Den-tp6er]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWTYgaePna12d7M

[@alchabal1373]

I don’t get why you say that the folding tips is something OK

[@OurKiteLife]

Because that is something that only happens when you land a jump during the first or second session when you are not used to the kite. You just have to have more tension on steering lines and they don't fold anymore. It only re occurs later when you make a mistake. Folding tips happen with all foil kites including Soul whenever you make a mistake. It is easier to make a mistake with Sonic. By mistake we mean when you don't redirect the kite during the jump sufficiently downwind upon landing, or when sometimes you oversteer the kite too aggressively as you land.

[@alexfolidaire]

@@OurKiteLife thanks a lot for the answer. never had such problems with my 15 soul. Great review by the way keep it going

[@unacuentasindueno1616]

& Knuckles

[@thorineichenschild2692]

i got the Lotus and the Speed 5 an i spent 2500€ an 21 Meter Lotus, including the Bar... that was expensive... A Sonic 3 in 15 meters would be @ about 3000€ including the bar.... Thats two North, Caprinha, Duotone, ...Kites !!! I would have bought one 4 about 2000€ but 3000 is def. perverted.... Sorry

[@user-ds6zf7ud4b]

вето вето вето на планы серых

[@CharleswoodSpudzyofficial]

Looks like it sucks out there