Kriss Sutherland has written an extensive review about the Eleveight FS 2020.
Eleveight FS 2020 general information
The Eleveight FS 2020 is a 5 struts open C-kite and a high aspect ratio kite and compared to 2019 the aspect ratio is slightly increased. This has ensured that the kite generates a little more lift than the 2019 FS.
It is a freestyle / freeride oriented kite for those who want to get the most out of their kite surfing session. The kite is ideal for big airs and thick megaloops. The FS 2020 is best suited to the average to advanced kiter who want a fast and technical kite, without limitations. Do you want to make high jumps and do basic tricks, then you can also do great with this kite.
If you want a quieter kite, more all-round / freeride oriented, the Elevight RS is better suited
Because Eleveight extends its story in all its kites in terms of construction and materials, this review is also intended for the RS and WS for a number of applications.
The kite bag
What is immediately noticeable is that Eleveight wants to continue its line with previous years. This is how the backpack looks pretty identical to previous years with a few improvements and adjustments. What was good has, of course, remained. What was missing or could be an added value has been added. On the side of the bag are clips to hang your bar. There are straps for your pump on the same side. At the bottom on the sides of the bag small pockets have been added that support your pump or bar so that it cannot slip.
The backpack is large enough and has a large U-zipper, it should fit 2 kites according to Eleveight.
The bar
At the time of writing and testing, the new bar was not yet available, but insiders told us the following:
The bar would generally remain the same compared to 2019 with some minor changes. Just like in 2019, the bar would be adjustable in length and there are 2 sizes available, 42/50 cm and 47/55 cm. The bar comes in 2 colors: red/dark gray and light gray/dark gray.
The depower line is changed from a double line to a single line and a safety line is added to the swivel. We will inform you as soon as the new bar is available and tested.
The kite FS 2020
Also with this kite you can see that Eleveight wants to continue its line with previous years. The design is sleek and clean, the layout is different from 2019, but you can clearly see that this is the successor. I think the appearance of the kite is successful.
The concept in which two main colors are used and a 3rd accent color I personally find very beautiful.
The FS is available in 4 color combinations this year:
- Turqois/orange
- Red/orange
- Gray/orange
Technoforce 4
In my view, the Eleveight brand wants to exude quality and class and is fully competing with the other major brands such as Core and Duotone.
They use the best materials. For this year too, Teijin technoforce 4 double ripstop nylon X4 will be used. 1 of the best canopy’s of the moment.
The fact that most major brands use the Teijin Technoforce D2 says enough, but Eleveight goes one step further by not using the D2 double ripstop but the 4 double ripstop X4. This fabric is known for having a very good coating, good stiffness and low elongation so that the kite continues to perform optimally even after frequent use. Eleveight uses a so-called “panel layout” for the construction of the canopy. This means that the fabric is made from smaller panels, which ensures that the fabric stretches even less and distorts less. This keeps the kite in better shape for longer and longer.
For the Dacron this year use was made of XT (extreme high Tenacity cloth) technoforce. This is the same manufacturer as the canopy fabric so this can only be good.
The shape of the dacron on the trailing edge is designed to prevent as much stretch and distortion of the kite as possible.
The finishing of Eleveight FS 2020
The finish of the kite can be summarized with 1 word namely “Great”. The kite is built with an enormous eye for detail. Check the photos, It says enough. Everywhere the necessary markings have been applied with great care. The kite can be adjusted to your liking at the wing tip. On the pigtail itself you can choose low wind or high wind.
You can move the pigtail itself on the kite. Pigtail more to the wingtip means: less bar pressure and faster turning. Pigtail further away from the wing tip: more bar pressure and slower rotation.
The kite has sufficient text and explanation of what each setting means or how hard you can/must inflate the kite.
The tips of the struts are also nicely finished and the bridle defelector on the wing tip is also provided with the necessary information. The bridle deflector on the wingtip is built differently than in 2018 and 2019. Eleveight gives the reason that this bridle deflector goes beyond the leading edge closing seam, making it harder to hang a line.
The struts are provided with the necessary reinforcements and supports. The valve to close the strut from the leading edge has remained the same compared to previous years and here too the necessary information is provided with how to operate this valve.
The valve to inflate the kite has also remained the same.
Fine tuning the FS 2020
For the FS 2020, the Eleveight team has built the kite so that you can adjust it even more and better to your own wishes. They have added the option to 3 settings to the bridles. Have not tested these settings yet, but the fact that these settings are there makes the kite even more unique and more accessible to a larger audience.
Adjusting the settings adjusts the turning behavior of the kite (more turning at the wing tip or more turning at the center of the kite). I think this addition will be the greatest added value of this kite and as soon as possible I will test and review it.
The 3 settings are:
- Pivot: for wakestyle / park style
- Standard: freestyle / freeride
- Tip: bigair / mega loop
Another innovation to the bridles is that it has become a 5 point bridle system. This means that there are 5 attachment points on the kite per bridle set. Previously there were 4 .. According to Eleveight itself this is for less “twisting” of the kite.
In the air
What is immediately noticeable when the kite is pumped up is that the kite feels nice and stiff. The kite feels lighter than 2019 and just looks good.
The bar pressure is medium to light, yet the feedback you get from the kite is just perfect, the feedback seems to me to be a lot better than in 2019. You always have a good sense of where exactly it is.
The kite flies super smooth and responds well to your steering impulses. You really feel that you have a good tight and stiff kite that I personally like. The lift that the kite generates is simply amazing. You notice that the lift is better and more pleasant than the 2019 model, this in my opinion due to the slightly better feedback from the kite. Drawing a loop takes no time and knowing that you can fine tune this via the adjustment on the bridge means that you can adjust the running of the kite to your own wishes.
It is a fast kite with which you can still correct a steering error quickly. The basic tricks that I can do with this kite are nice and smooth. The kite absorbs wind gusts well and you can deposit the kite well if necessary. This kite gives me a good and safe feeling. I am curious about how this kite reacts in other wind conditions and what the different possibilities for adjusting the kite change in its flying behavior.
Conclusion
In summary, I am more than satisfied with this kite, it looks good, it feels good, it just performs well. I have already been sold to it. I think this kite will appeal to many kiter. As for myself, this will be my new 9m kite for the next season.
If you are looking for a new set of kites, the eleveight FS or RS is definitely worth considering. I am already devoted to it for the coming season. Greets Kris.
Feedback Kai (team rider Eleveight)
The new 2020 Fs is a super fast kite that always gives me a sense of safety due to the directness of the kite.
I always know exactly where the kite is thanks to the correct bar pressure that the kite has.
The kite has an incredibly good lift that you mainly experience in strong winds.
Feedback Kim (team rider Eleveight)
I agree with Kai’s opinion.
The new bridle setup ensures that the kite is even faster, especially when you pull the kite in a loop.
The 4 double ripstop X4 ensures that it is a good rigid kite that does not flap at all in strong winds.
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