Flysurfer SONIC5 Kite

The SONIC is a foil kite built around big air. Not an all-rounder that also jumps — a tool whose whole purpose is height and hangtime. Flysurfer rate it intermediate to professional and offer just four sizes: 7, 10, 12 and 15.

Aspect ratio is high and climbs with size: 6.4 on the 7, 6.6 on the 10, 6.8 on the 12, 6.9 on the 15. For comparison, the all-round SOUL runs 4.9 to 5.8. That is where the long hangtime and vertical lift come from — and it is also what demands experience.

What was built for the landing. The FlowArc wingtip: a curved, profiled shape that generates extra lift and delays flow separation. Loops come out rounder and softer, and the kite catches you and slows your descent. On heliloops, where a mistake is expensive, that is the feature that matters.

Aero-Balance construction pairs the high aspect ratio with a carefully tuned cell architecture. The profile fills fast and evenly across the whole span, which is exactly what you want launching in strong wind. Lines stretched spanwise across the air inlets hold the rigid nose foils in place so the inlets cannot deform; overpowered, the kite flies further to the edge of the window and the depower works more efficiently.

The Chord Cut Billow — precise cuts along the chord line — smooths airflow over the leading edge, cutting drag and steadying power delivery under load.

The numbers. 47 cells on the three smaller sizes, 51 on the 15. Canopy weight with full bridle and mixer: 1.42 kg on the 7, 1.84 on the 10, 2.18 on the 12, 2.64 on the 15. Lines are 23 m throughout. FUSION bar: 52 cm on the 7 and 10, 60 cm on the 12 and 15.

Who it is not for. Beginners, and anyone wanting one kite for everything. Flysurfer draw the line themselves: the SOUL forgives, sits lower in the window and suits first jumps and learning to foil; the SONIC sits higher and is built to jump. In gusty spots and on snow the SOUL is the safer choice.

Flysurfer call the 12 m the definitive big air size for twintip riders. If you are torn between that and the 10, tell us your weight and your home spot's usual wind. Official Flysurfer dealer, worldwide shipping.