The Best Kites for BOOSTING and LOOPING | 2020

- Big Air, solid loops -
Slingshot's 2020 RPM & Raptor

You want to go BIG. Not going big as in a 4,000-calorie glutton-fest at an all-you-can-eat buffet in Vegas “big”, but big as in boosting to heights worthy of an FAA alert or a KOA title… big as in fearlessly throwing down megaloops… big as in launching over massive land gaps, ramping off waves, and gliding seemingly forever before floating into a smooth landing with precision and style.

Step One? Get the right kite. Yes, with the right combination of world-class technique and commitment you can boost and loop with just about any kite, but for the vast majority of riders seeking to push their limits, you’ll want to run a kite that’s designed specifically for getting you in the air higher, longer and farther—one that’s bred for the massive airs and loops of your dreams. Enter our all-new Raptor and the refreshed and ever-iconic RPM: kites designed and optimized to deliver big-air boosting and quick, predictable responses in crucial looping moments without sacrificing versatile freeriding performance.

RAPTOR

The RAPTOR is a hard-charging, high-flying, big air freestyle/freeride crossover designed for riders who want big-time boostability and high-performance versatility.

RPM

The RPM delivers big boosting and smooth predictable loops. The load is distributed throughout the canopy, resulting in a smoother, cleaner, more powerful performance.

There’s a trio of crucial performance characteristics to consider when choosing the best kite for going big: Lift, Loft and Looping.

 

LIFT:

Lift off is the crucial first step in going big. You need a kite like the Raptor and RPM that zooms across the wind window and loves to be ridden overpowered, so you can edge harder and generate more energy at liftoff. The Raptor, with its impressive high-end wind range, especially performs best when ridden a full two meters in size overpowered. The Raptor and RPM have a smooth, consistent pull, so even when overpowered you won’t get yanked off your edge, allowing you to hunt down those wave ramps with strategic control and then boost it to the moon.

LOFT:

Without question, a hybrid C-shape kite with a medium-high aspect will provide the best balance of loft and speed—crucial performance criteria for any big boosting. Yes, the higher the kite aspect the more feathery the loft and landings, but keep in mind that too much of a bow shape in the canopy trades off to decreased speeds and input response (translation: sluggish performance while looping). The hybrid Open-C shape of the Raptor and RPM, however, combines the best of both worlds: keeping you in the air for as long as possible and easing you back to earth smoothly (like a bow-shaped canopy) but with the boostability and loopability of a C-shaped canopy. If max glide is what you’re after, choose the Raptor—its slightly higher aspect (as compared to the RPM), has an especially long glide ratio that’ll keep you soaring.

LOOPING:

No surprise that this is where confidence in your kite selection is key—there’s a very small allowance for error while megalooping and you want everything in your favor since you have to fully commit to the loop knowing there won’t be any response delay or throttle ease-off from the kite. The RPM, with its slightly deeper C shape (as compared to the Raptor), tight turning radius and smooth, consistent power is the kite you want if looping is your main focus.