Light Wind Kiteboarding | Should You Choose a 15m or 17m Kite?

Are you trying to decide between a 15m or 17m kite for light wind kiteboarding? In this video, I'll go over the pros and cons of each size kite so you can make an informed decision. I'll also share some tips on how to get the most out of your light wind sessions!
Thank you for sharing the kiteboarding and wing foiling stoke with us! 🤙🏽 Please join us in the comments section and get a conversation started. We're always happy to help!
🔥 LIKES and SUBS are like online BRO-HUGS! 🔥
www.mackiteboa...
P | 800.622.4655
E | mailto:[e-mail]
Live Chat: messenger.prov...
MACkite Blog and Knowledge Center:
www.mackiteboa...
www.mackiteboa...

[@Baptiste_L]

It is very nice to finally have a video where you give a clear answer. Because most of videos are "both of these kites are great and it is a matter of personal preference" NOOOOOO ! I want opinions, subjective reviews ! Keep going with your great work !

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thanks for your feedback Baptiste. We'll do our best to insert our personal favorites in videos while giving an objective review. - Tucker

[@hifly1929]

I have a 15m contra and a 19m core xr. Both I can handle to up to 18knts gusts maybe the 15 to 19 or 20knts. I don`t like working the kite to get going. 19m lets me lean into my harnass and cruze and do nice lofty jumps. I`m about 78-80kg (always using wetsuits here in norway)

[@collegepros]

I love how fast my Ocean Rodeo Aluula 17m Flite turns. It turns faster than my 13m v10 edge. Although, on really light wind days, I’ll use my 18m Soul v2 on snow. I have a feeling that once I learn how to use my foil, I’ll be using my 10m Ozone Alpha most of the time. The thing flies in 6 knots! I could only imagine how good it would be with Aluula.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Jay you hit the nail on the head. The OR Aluula Flite has awesome turning speed, it stands out so much from the rest of the light wind kites on the market, the control and power it has for being a big kite never seizes to surprise me every time I put it up. Haven't checked out the Alpha yet but it sounds like you're going to have an awesome time kite foiling once you get it dialed. Cheers! - Cado

[@collegepros]

@@MACkiteboarding I tried my buddies’ 14.5 Aluula Flite once. It’s really the best size in that lineup.

[@collegepros]

@@MACkiteboarding, the Alpha is just a single strut kite for foiling. I’m surprised that for just a regular Dacron kite, a 10m weighs 4.8lbs. However, we both know the 17m Aluula Flite weighs less than 6lbs now. 🤯

[@MACkiteboarding]

@@collegepros I agree. It also depowers quite nice as well. - Cado

[@MACkiteboarding]

@@collegepros The light weight materials are kind of a game changer for big sizes! Innovation lately has been crazy. - Cado

[@MrSpanishPeanuts]

Awesome content! I am a heavier rider and I prefer the turning speed of the 15m to generate power vs a 17m when twintipping. Foiling a 12m is all you need unless you want to boost.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Sounds like we have the same idea! We love how more people are getting out and kite foiling to take advantage of light wind days, it's such a blast. Cheers! - Cado

[@Baptiste_L]

Completely off-topic here, but I just discovered you have a Podcast "MACkite Wind Sport" and it is great ! Cool vibe, very interesting ! But almost nobody knows about it : you should promote it more. I found it completely randomly. Please continue releasing new episodes cause they are great !!!

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thanks Baptiste, We have been playing with it but wanted to build a larger catalog before we start to promote it fully. Let us know if you have any feedback or ideas for topics :) - Tucker

[@Baptiste_L]

@@MACkiteboarding Tucker, I love podcast, they are great, but there are not that many about kitesurf. I love podcast because I can listen to it while walking, biking, cooking, working.... and it is not that easy with youtube video. In my opinion, the most crucial aspect about Podcast is the regular release. Sooooo many podcasts start and just stop after 5-6 episodes. I think the best "schedule" is one episode a week at a fixed date/day. But you could start slowly with one episode every 2 weeks. You can talk about anything in a podcast. I think the most important thing is rhythm and dynamic voice tone to maintain the listener's attention.Of course, you can talk about new gear, tips for tricks, kite destinations for trips, kite competitions... and a little bit about wing.... ;-)You can also make some interview with ridersor designers (always great and interesting to hear Ralf Grosel, Damien Girardin, Pat Goodman, Decay...) . But you could also tell us a little bit more about you. What it is to work at MACKite, how does work a store that big.. ? Where do you come from, how you discovered kiting and wind sporst. And you can do these interviews with every member of the team (Aaron, Tucker, Rygo, Blake, Jake....) I think a podcast is a good platform to be more casual, relaxed and not as "polished" as a KZbin video. It is also the place to give more "subjective" opinions. I think 20-40 minutes is a good length, it give you the time to elaborate about a subject. Please continue and don't drop this project !!!!

[@MACkiteboarding]

@@Baptiste_L Excellent feedback Baptiste! Very close to our vision for this project. We want to be sure if we comitt to it, we have regular releases and quality content. Still learning. - Tucker

[@andrewp1075]

The best 15m pump kite I've ever ridden is the 15m Flysurfer Boost. I'm 100kgs and it was good from 12 knots to 20knts. I didn't like the 18m Boost at all, but they definitely nailed the R&D on the 15m.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! 🤙🏽 Good winds to you, my friend. -Aaron

[@RMElsa]

I weigh 64kg and use a 138 X 40 Twintip with 2024 North Reach 13m2 and the standard line length of 22m at 12-15 knots without any problems.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! 🤙🏽 Good winds to you, my friend. -Aaron

[@AdamAirline]

@dlmob 0 seconds ago I just picked up the 15 Juice DLAB. Haven’t flown it yet but I imagine this is the equivalent to a traditional 17. Now which Evo Dlab size to pair with it at 78kg and winds range 10-25.

[@davep5039]

7-9m and foil for light winds!

[@MACkiteboarding]

Good call, kite foiling is probably the move for light wind riding. This is more if you're really itching to get on your twin tip! Good winds to you! - Cado

[@canolando3499]

What about a lite wind single strut 12 or 13m?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Also a great choice for light winds if you're a lighter weight rider. Might not be ideal for jumping and doing tricks but would be a blast to cruise around! Good winds! - Cado

[@canolando3499]

I'm a 140 ish # rider, I was using a 9m Reedin with a litewave 165 in 10 mph, could even jump a bit with that beast on my feet.

[@MACkiteboarding]

@@canolando3499 That's awesome, sounds like you've got your kite efficiency and building apparent wind on lock! The litewave boards have some light wind magic to them. With that being said adding a 12m to your quiver could bring you loads of more fun. Cheers! - Cado

[@canolando3499]

What is a good kite kite for tt and foil? Naish boxer or cabrinha 1 strut?

[@MACkiteboarding]

@@canolando3499 If you foil most of the time both of those are good options. We have the 1 strut Contra on our website right now for a super good deal. If you twintip just as much though I almost want to steer you toward a 3 strut kite like the Cabrinha Moto. - Cado

[@KITEFORUMcom]

For tricks it is all about power...better to have 17 and then 14/13 if wind really picks that much up. Plus, 17 is slower...gives you more control. All depending on weight as well.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Good point! It's a pretty subjective topic, we just like to throw in our thoughts once and a while and see what other people think! Good winds to you - Cado

[@Baptiste_L]

@MACkiteboarding Toby, it is of course also a matter of weight rider. But with these new very efficient light wind kite (Contra, Juice, Machine....) I don't see anything you can do in 14knts with a 17m and not with a 15m, and even with a 13m.

[@chrisduc1]

Easy answer !!!!! It is all about the riders weight ….-

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thanks for highlighting the importance of rider weight in relation to performance! 🤙🏽 Good winds, my friend. -Aaron

[@medicodelpueblo]

You need a ram air kite (foil kite) and the debate is over 😂

[@MACkiteboarding]

Hahaahaah! 😂🤙🏽 Can’t believe it took this long for a foil kiter to respond to this one. In many cases, riders are considering the maximum light wind access vs. the learning curve and added care needed to effectively fly ram air kites. They are no doubt the king of light air, however. Good winds to you! -Aaron

[@medicodelpueblo]

@@MACkiteboarding hey, i’m not English native speaker so not sure to understand really well your reply but i think that ram air Kites are quite easy to learn and i always feel secure in light wind with my 15 square meter Gin spirit. Cheers from Barcares