Does spending less also means getting less? Not for the latest big air kite from Fluid. The blasting performance is what you can expect from a modern five strut big air kite. At some points it even beats some other big air kites. For example the predictable handling with a relative sweet bar pressure makes this kite more accessible. A good match for kiters at almost any level whom are keen to get into the big air game.
5 struts
Big air means 5 struts. 5 Struts means a slower and more rigid kite over a 3 strut one. But it also has some major benefits. You can jump higher, longer and a lot further. And a so called second lift is a very common feature. These kind of kites require a decent amount of skills from the rider to get some proper air time. Compared to almost every ‘normal’ Dacron 5 strut kite (not being Aluula for example) the Sky is quite easy to handle. Even in big winds. Even when the back lines are connected on the last position the Sky has enough bar pressure to know where the kite is. Overpowered riding means some more effort from the kite but it is still managable and less overwhelming as some other big air kites.
And the Fluid Sky feels more comfortable and is on the friendly side of similar 5 strut kites. Without any major set backs in big air performances. We even managed to push it up to 17 meters. It can easily compete with kites like the Airush Lift.
Drawbacks
The obvious drawback is the second hand market price of the Sky. The other one has to do with the performance. When the kite gets in an angle that it isn’t supposed to be it will back stall. Which happens typically in wind lulls or when you let it go too far down in the edge of the wind window. When the bridle is set on ‘foil’ this will happen less. This setting makes the kite also more mellow. We prefered the more spicy big air setting. Than it does what it should do best: going big at 25+ winds.
Extras
The Sky comes with some nice extras. 3 Years of warranty. 2 settings on the bridle. And the 9m on triple ripstop only weighs 3.2 kg. The same as a North Orbit 2024 9 meter made out of double ripstop.
The real bonus however is the expierence and dedication of the designer Gilion Goveia. He doesn’t only design kites. He is also into line & bar repairs and organized kite trips. This makes us believe that for example one of the most affordable bar around won’t have any functional issues. Not to forget it also comes with 3 years of warranty.
Unbelievable how he still got the time to post an overwhelming amount of social media comments. Always more than ready to provide an impudent insight. And now he has the answer to the high cost of new big air kites.
List price
Fluid Sky 9m (kite only) EUR 1099,-
Fluid CSG bar (4* 22m lines) EUR 389,-