Duotone NEO SLS 2021 Review

First Look: The Duotone Neo SLS 2021

The Duotone Neo kite has been an iconic part of the brand's lineup for so long, it's hard to imagine a time without it. For 2021, this legendary kite received significant updates, making it even more appealing to demanding riders. The big news is the addition of the SLS designation. SLS stands for "Strong, Light, Superior", defining Duotone's high-end range. You'll find it not just on kites, but also on surfboards and Twin-Tips.

For kites, the SLS designation primarily means a new high-end material: Penta TX. We've seen many material advancements over the years, though historically, these focused more on the kite's canopy. Dacron, used in the struts and Leading Edge, has always been one of the heaviest materials in kite construction. This makes kites front-heavy, leading to stalls in light wind.

Penta TX replaces Dacron on the new Neo SLS model. It's 25% lighter and has proven to be stronger, more durable, and watertight. The result is a kite that's lighter than its Dacron counterpart, with significantly less weight in key areas like the Leading Edge. Beyond the new material, the kite features new flexible connections between the struts and the Leading Edge, which improves the kite's turning speed. The watertightness of Penta TX means the kite won't gain extra weight during your session.

To learn more about PENTA TX: Click here

As always with Duotone, the build quality of these new kites is impeccable. While this new material isn't yet widely tested by riders, Duotone put it through extensive testing, and an extended warranty covers all new kites. The bag also got a redesign for 2021, now styled like a "sports bag" and made from recycled plastic. A nice touch that really completes the package!

The Duotone kitesurf kite is available in most sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12m.

On the Water with the Duotone Neo SLS 2021

In our opinion, the Neo SLS is one of the best wave riding kites on the market. Any good wave rider knows epic sessions are rare, and when they happen, you don't want to fuss with your gear. The kite needs to perform, and perform well! That's why the Neo has always impressed us. We wanted to validate this new material and see if the weight savings made a big difference compared to Dacron kites.

Regarding weight, it's worth noting that the new Neo SLS isn't the lightest wave kite available. However, it is the lightest Neo Duotone has ever released. With a 15% weight reduction compared to the previous model, we expected a definite advantage.

It's often hard to see the benefit of weight savings on smaller kites, so we extensively tested the 7m and 9m Neo for this review. In fact, we found real advantages to the Neo SLS even in strong winds, and especially for foiling in light winds.

The watertightness of the Penta TX is a real advantage, even in southern Brittany. Rain sessions or just letting your kite touch the water is enough for it to gain weight. In light wind sessions, this significantly changes the kite's behavior. With a Neo SLS, whether in the sun or rain, you're done drying your kite in the shower, and that means no more comments at home.

Handling is exactly as you'd expect: fast. The Flex Struts play their part, but its lighter weight also makes it easier to maneuver, regardless of wind strength. You truly feel a direct connection to the kite. Very quickly, you won't even think about where the kite is, because it always responds well to rider input.

The dynamics of the new Neo SLS are so next-level that the weight savings allow it to easily stay in the air.

In lighter winds, the kite flies exceptionally well and moves through the window with plenty of power. We had amazing foil sessions with the 9m and 11m Neo. This year, with the SLS material, we wanted to see if the 11m could truly work in waves. We concluded that yes, more power with incredible handling makes light wind surfboard sessions even more fun.

But the real asset of the Neo SLS is its ability to remain maneuverable even when depowered, with slack back lines. Not many kites do it as well as the Neo SLS.

Despite some initial concerns about the kite's strength, the Penta TX seems super durable. The new bridle uses thinner lines, and while just as strong, one might wonder if lighter also meant less durable. But Duotone pushed the tests on the Neo SLS, without discovering any durability issues on the kite.

Our Conclusion on the Duotone Neo SLS 2021

Duotone absolutely nailed it with this new kitesurf kite, even though last year's Neo was already a top performer. The Neo SLS still brings a ton of upgrades to the table. Expect improved handling, better responsiveness, and significantly enhanced light wind capabilities. The Neo SLS is truly at the peak of its game.

For more information on the brand and to see all products, click here.

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