North
Engineering-led kites from the group behind North Sails. Refined, quietly capable, and built by people who have been solving the same problems on water for sixty years.
A famous name, rebuilt properly
North has the most confusing history in kitesurfing, so let’s clear it up first, because it changes what you’re buying. The name was licensed to another company for years — that operation is today called Duotone. In July 2018 North Technology Group, the group behind North Sails, ended that licence and brought design and manufacturing in-house, launching an entirely new range in August 2019. So this isn’t a rebadge of anything: it’s the original name, back with the sailmakers, drawn from a blank sheet.
That first range was drawn by a team including Pat Goodman, designer of the Cabrinha Switchblade. What you get is a range with unusually little noise around it: polished rather than exciting on the first tack, and then you notice you’ve had your best session in months.
What you should know before you buy one
North is the brand we most often have to explain rather than sell. Here’s what we actually tell people across the counter.
Why you’ll love it
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Properly engineeredSix decades of sailmaking in the parent group shows in the materials, the seams, and how these kites hold shape at the top of the wind range.
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The Orbit boostsA reference point for big air since the relaunch, and it does it in a controlled, repeatable way rather than a frightening one.
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The Reach suits almost everyoneStrong low end, easy relaunch, forgiving manners — one of the easiest kites here to recommend for a first kite after lessons.
What it asks of you
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The name still confuses peoplePlenty of riders assume North and Duotone are the same thing. They aren’t, and it’s worth knowing before you resell.
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Refined, not rawIf you want an aggressive, edgy personality, this probably isn’t it. Some riders read the tuning as calm; others read it as tame.
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A smaller UK presenceYou’ll see fewer North kites on a UK beach, so there’s less peer advice around — part of why we’re happy to spend time on it with you.
North is the brand people walk past on the way to something louder, and then come back to six months later having demoed one. We’re very happy to let the kite do the arguing.
Ask us before you read another review
The model names don’t map onto the categories other brands use, the range gets refreshed often, and most reviews you’ll find are a season out of date. Tell us your weight, your board and how often you get out, and we’ll tell you which North makes sense — or say when one of the other two suits you better.
The range worth demoing before you decide
North is tuned to feel composed rather than dramatic. That never comes across in a video — but it’s obvious within ten minutes on the water.
Want the full picture first? Demo & hire details →
Which one suits you
Two families cover almost everyone: the Orbit if you want to go up, the Reach if you want one kite that does everything.
First kite after lessons?ReachWant big, controlled boosts?OrbitChasing maximum hangtime?Orbit Ultra
Everything North we stock
Live prices and stock, straight from the shop.
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New
Kites, Kitesurfing, NorthNorth Reach Ultra
Price range: £1,849.00 through £2,449.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Kites, Kitesurfing, NorthNorth Orbit Ultra
Price range: £1,729.00 through £2,349.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Kites, Kitesurfing, NorthNorth Reach
Price range: £1,149.00 through £1,999.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Kites, Kitesurfing, NorthNorth Orbit
Price range: £1,279.00 through £1,799.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Twintips, foils, bars and accessories are stocked alongside the kites.
A premium kite deserves premium backup
Free pre-season check & tune-up
Buy your North from us and bring it in before each season. We’ll go over canopy, bridles, lines and trim — free of charge.
We’ll beat any UK offer
Seen it cheaper at another UK retailer? Talk to us before you click buy — we’ll beat any genuine UK offer. See our price promise.
Our three flagship kite brands
We stock a lot of brands. These are the three we build the kite wall around — each one there for a different rider.
Worth ten minutes of your time
North is the range most people know least about and end up liking most. Come and get one in your hands at Greatstone, ask us the awkward questions about the brand’s history, and we’ll give you the straight version.
