2022 North Orbit Kiteboarding Kite

2022 North Orbit Kiteboarding Kite

**5m and 14m Only Available in Red Color**

Sizes: 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 14

2022 North Orbit Product Review

The 2022 North Orbit is made for overpowered wind conditions where air time is ignited to a whole different level. The 5-strut bomb-proof construction finds its home at the upper levels of the kite’s wind range. The Orbit demands that its user  ride a meter larger when others are inflating a smaller kite.  Strong upwind ability, intuitive steering, big boost, and hangtime beg every kiter to have at least one Orbit in their quiver for when it’s nuking. 

• Changes that have been made on the 2022 Orbit:
• Small bridle refinements improve its stability, ease of looping, and provide medium to light steering feedback compared to other kites on the market
• Lighter weight and thinner diameter bladders (17% lighter) add to its light, playful, and responsive feel
• The inflation system has been updated for easier opening and closing
• An extra panel has been added between the leading edge and the curved canopy which provides a smooth consistent transition that increases the ease of airflow

Features

• Orbit’s proven 2-stage arc design creates a flattened, more open arc shape through the power-producing region of the kite. This design produces insane amounts of hangtime and power delivery
• Customizable wing tip rear bridle adjustments for personal bar feedback preferences
• Manufactured using high tenacity polyester yarn canopy material for lightness, high tear strength
• No-pulley bridle lines

Session Review by Jeff 1/13/2020

I unboxed a 10m Orbit to test North’s claim that it performs best in overpowered conditions. I weigh 175 pounds and the wind was blowing 25-33 knots, so typically I would inflate a 9m in these conditions.  As I unwrapped the kite, I noticed that it has a very high-end build quality and feel that loyal North riders expect.  As I self-launched the kite, I was immediately impressed with its predictable and intuitive feel. It was gusting to over 30 knots and with little bar input I felt in control and observed the canopy retaining its open arc shape with little to no flutter.  My kite of choice in the North line up is the Reach, so the opportunity to fly the Orbit in overpowered conditions was a first and one I was excited to experience. 

I launched from the beach into the water and immediately felt the power that was generated from the kite. As I felt the high end of a gust, I sent the kite for a jump. I noticed right away that the kite was a little less responsive than the Reach but faster than some other 5 strut kites I have flown.  As I edged and sheeted in, I felt a consistent pull off the water into the air and experienced what the Orbit is made for – big airs with a lot of hangtime.  As North claims, it is an overpowered boosting machine. 

I threw a few downloop air transitions and felt the kite loop slightly faster than other 5 strut kites. The canopy shape provided a soft landing. In these overpowered conditions, the 2022 10m Orbit quickly gave me the confidence to throw other freestyle tricks that I typically would not be as confident to do on other kites I have flown in similar gusty conditions.  It became apparent to me that I appreciated the slightly slower kite speed compared to the Reach as it gave me more confidence to do my go-to freestyle tricks in gusty high wind conditions. 

The only downside I experienced during my session was during the lulls. The Orbit definitely likes to be powered up. When the wind dropped a bit the steering quickly became dull, unresponsive, and felt like it did not have the low-end grunt needed.   Its great intuitive feel and consistent pull powered up changed once the wind dropped more so than other designated big air kites I have flown. I was able to stay upwind despite the kite’s feedback, but I was a bit disappointed.  After more time on the Orbit sending overpowered airs, front rolls and back rolls, its lack of consistent flying characteristic in the lulls was overshadowed by its lofty hangtime. 

Overall, the Orbit is what it claims to be – A Big Air Kite!  It also loops and steers quite fast for a dedicated big air kite. It performs best powered up so that it can truly do what it is built for.  I would not switch my entire quiver over to the Orbit, but I would have either a 9 or 10 meter for the days when I want to send it in overpowered conditions.

2020 Red Bull King of the Air Winner

Committing to overpowered airs and megaloops in gusty conditions demands an unwavering trust in your kite. Our iconic premier 5-strut kite delivers incredible top-end control and allows you to hold down more power than any other kite per square meter. Big jumps. Big hang time. Big wind range. This kite was designed to rocket you upwind fast, with effortless steering, extreme boosting and hangtime guaranteed to take your breath away. Tested by nature, proven on the podium. The Orbit has your back when the rules of gravity don’t apply. For 2022 we’ve made small refinements to the bridle, so the Orbit retains its light steering impulse, stability, high-end performance and kiteloop recovery. We’ve also further reduced the weight of the kite with new lighter weight bladders across more sizes, so the kite feels even lighter and more responsive in all conditions.

Wind Range & Performance

Kite Size	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	14
Wind Range (knots)	23 – 38	21 – 37	19 – 36	17 – 35	15 – 32	13 – 29	12 – 27	10 – 25	8 – 22

*Recommended for an average-sized kiter riding a twintip with intermediate to advanced skills.

Lighter rider/beginner? Take 5 knots off the high end of the range.

Foiling? Drop 2-3 sizes to suit the conditions.

Highlights

Phenomenal loft and hangtime

The Orbit has a wide flattened 2-stage arc supported by a reinforced exo-skeleton frame, ensuring glide that is guaranteed to take your breath away. The Orbit makes the most use of its projected area, so it has the best hangtime and power delivery for its size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Predictable in the Unpredictable

A high-performance big air kite that is stable and consistent in a wide range of conditions, especially in the high end. The Orbit’s ability to fly forward and catch you in kiteloops allows you to ride the kite overpowered without it getting away from you. But at the same time, it’s like a race horse – it wants to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-gravity boosts and megaloops

Send it to extreme heights. The Orbit’s big footprint increases the amount of sail area working for you, making the kite super-efficient with great power delivery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology

LIGHT BAR PRESSURE

In 2022 we’ve made small refinements to the bridle, retaining the Orbit’s controlled response and fast steering, while giving the kite a more energetic feel with increased depower. Chief Kite Designer Pat Goodman has worked closely with team riders to put the kite through hardcore testing in a lot of wind. This enabled us to further improve the stability, the feedback and the steering behavior, and to give the kite a lighter, more responsive feel.

RECYCLED PET KITE BAG

Go Green. 33 recycled plastic bottles go into making every single North kite bag. Recycled PET fabric meets Global Recycling Standard.

 

 

 

 

HIGHEST QUALITY NO-PULLEY BRIDLE LINES

Our high-quality spliced, pre-stretched bridle lines are pre-loaded and measured before cutting to improve accuracy and consistency. This results in reduced shrinkage, reduced elongation and improved longevity. Removing ALL pulleys from the bridle improves safety and gives the kite direct and precise handling.

NEW HYPERFLOW RAPID SINGLE-POINT INFLATION

New ergonomic high volume single point inflation system with large diameter hose for rapid inflation and deflation. The cap and valve base have been updated for more comfortable opening and closing in colder conditions (when your fingers are freezing). The bayonet style main inflation valve compatible with most pumps. No adapter needed.

 

 

 

 

 

AERODYNAMIC PROFILE TRANSITION PANELS

We’ve added an extra panel that connects to the leading edge seam to ensure a precise lateral profile shape is maintained as close to the leading edge as possible, creating a smooth transition from the segmented leading edge to the curved canopy so the profiles are more uniform throughout the entire wing. The panels reduce inconsistencies in the profile, resulting in a smoother, more efficient kite, with more aerodynamic airflow and less turbulence.

 

 

 

 

DURALITE SEAM PROTECTION

Lightweight reinforcement to protect from chafing and abrasion along the struts to the leading edge. Thin foam padding is inserted underneath to form a lightweight durable buffer which lifts the kite slightly off rough surfaces, and protects the stitching along the struts and leading edge seams.

 

 

 

 

 

KEVLAR REINFORCED STRUT SYSTEM WITH BRIDLE DEFLECTORS

For the most accurate and durable connection between the strut and the leading edge. Bridle deflectors on the leading edge prevent the control lines from snagging.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HIGH TENACITY RIPSTOP CANOPY

All our kites are manufactured using high tenacity polyester yarn canopy material for lightness, high tear strength, zero porosity and longevity.

 

 

 

 

POWERFUL AND EFFICIENT 2-STAGE ARC DESIGN

Our two-stage arc design incorporates a flattened, more open arc shape through the central power-producing region of the kite, where the energy is most useful for you performance-wise. This gives you the highest amount of projected area and projected aspect ratio, meaning the Orbit has the best hangtime and power delivery for its size. Pulling the wingtips in towards the rider gives the kite more responsive steering and the smoothest transition of the profile attack angles when it’s under load.

THINNER DIAMETER STRUTS

The Orbit’s five struts are surprisingly slender when inflated, helping to keep the weight of the kite down while providing canopy stability.

 

 

 

STABLE 5-STRUT PERFORMANCE

When you’re chasing a storm, the Orbit provides incredible top-end control. The five-strut design gives it an incredible amount of stability and wind range, and you have a lot more control over the canopy movement at low attack angles. The Orbit has the widest wind range of all our kites. The fixed, no-pulley bridle is a little bit longer, and combined with its placement on the kite gives us a very stable platform in all conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

STRATEGIC CANOPY REINFORCEMENT

Lightweight canopy reinforcement material is used on the trailing edge and at the very leading edge to add strength and elongation control, protecting the lighter inner main canopy body and producing a durable kite that can hold its profile for increased performance and lift. Because the fabric is more conforming to the inflated structure than a traditional Dacron, it also helps create a smoother, cleaner entry on the profiles.

 

 

 

 

NEW LIGHTWEIGHT BLADDERS IN MORE SIZES

The lighter the kite, the faster the steering, the more lift it creates and the higher you jump. For 2022 lighter weight bladders have been adopted into more of the larger sizes in the range. This additional weight reduction helps the new Orbit fly more efficiently, so the kite feels even lighter and more responsive in all conditions – and particularly in light wind. It also improves the overall static balance of the wing by reducing weight in the front of the kite. Bladders make up a bigger weight percentage than any other material used in a kite. The new bladder material is 17% lighter than in previous bladders.

 

 

 

 

 

REDUCED DIAMETER LEADING-EDGE WITH SWEEP

Gives the Orbit a low drag profile, making it sit further forwards in the wind window for incredible upwind performance. The high aspect ratio swept design allows more area in the center of the kite for efficiency and easy roll to relaunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUSTOM-TUNED PERFORMANCE

The steering impulse options are the attachment points at the wing tip on your rear bridle. All our kites come delivered with what we feel is the optimum setting. On the Orbit, this is the lighter of the two, and gives the kite a lighter, more forgiving feeling. If you prefer a more direct steering and shorter depower travel, you’re able to move the setting forward on the wing tip. This will increase the amount of depower and make the kite a little bit firmer in the steering and in the bar pressure. It gives the kite a more sporty feel, but requires a little more force.

 

 

 

 

 

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