After having played around with my 3m2 trainee and a landboard it is time to step up a bit.
I'm looking for some advice about which kites perform well in upwind conditions.

Hope you can share a bit and maybe recommend a good depower kite?

Cheers

Welcome!

Upwind comes with enough power in the kite ... depower kites are fun, you just gotta figure out what you really want though land? water? crossover?

It sounds like you are looking to progress on the land board ?

Going upwind is possible with pretty much all kites.

We can help you out more knowing your weight, location ( inland or beach ) , typical winds and if you are looking for an agressive lifty kite or a more forgiving kite to handle gusts.

High aspect kites tend to run better upwind but are much more unstable. Going for a stable kite over upwind would probably be a better next step?

Are you looking for new or Used ?

Can you buy + practice hooking in to a harness with your trainer?

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner Going upwind is possible with pretty much all kites.

well said,

learn to fly the kite, not the kite flying you

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated.

I'll progress mostly on land, with a bit of snowkiting in between. The goal is snow kiting, more specific backcountry pulling myself and a heavy sledge. Currently im training on a hard sandy beach with wind between 5-18kt. My weight is ~85kg.

Def looking for a stable kite as I'll not be during many tricks

First, I'd like to agree with the previous comments. It's more your technique than the ability of the kite. Just about every kite can go upwind. Some will do it better than others (higher aspect ratio), but you can go upwind with just about any kite... just takes some practice...

When looking at kites you really need to think about whether you will EVER go towards the water. If you think it is even just a little bit possible, buy something that will work on all conditions. You will save a lot of money in the long run if you buy something now that will work for your future endeavours. Give it some long, hard, serious thought. I've known quite a few folks who blew through a lot of money because they said silly things like, "I'll never go out in the water..." But only a year later.. were doing exactly that...

HQ Apex
Ozone Access
Flysurfer Outlaw

I think Dakitze has a 7.5 Apex that would suit your bill in the sale section?

stop looking at the waves , look horizon!

keep the kite in powered spot! about 60 degrees up and pull in and slowly out as you let the board run, fall back on the kite , let the board run and progressively add pressure (back heel) to head up wind . helps to focus on a point reasonably up wind.

speed ! thats what you want, and you need to control it. allowing the board to run THEN apply guidance. it may seem like alot at first, but the kite needs it and so does the board , with enough threshold speed , there is no control just slugging and a choking kite. let it flow ,THEN drive it, not harshly! but respond to what they BOTH tell you.

Going upwind on a landboard can be a bit weird. It's probably easiest on sand or snow, as it's hard to get the hang of edging on grass lol

may have misposted previous, but it applies

+1 for Apex II's & III's and the Access XT. I do most of my buggying with an Apex II 5m & 7.5m - very stable, forgiving and easy to fly. Ozone Access XT are similar - nicer bar fittings and a bit more 'techy', but cost more.

Thanks all.
Went with a Ozone Access 8m - now I just need some good weather

Quote:

Originally posted by Dal Thanks all. Went with a Ozone Access 8m - now I just need some good weather

the Access was (maybe still is?) billed as a back-country snow kite so you will not be disappointed.

now here's some input for the little voice in your head feed...
i have a Flysurfer Pulse 2 12m. it is not a particularily high AR kite but i'd guess has a bit more +AR than Access and maybe Frenzy.
i was skiing with it and on one day due to geographical layout working upwind on was very necessary to keep parallel with lake shore and save a good walk back. on one upwinder leg in particular as i was working for all i was worth to keep close/parallel to shore when i noticed a fella (on a Flysurfer Speed2 12m) heading so far upwind that i just stopped to watch in amazement. i'd swear he was being pulled by a quad/snow machine. t'was that day when i realized what higher AR gives other than more power. i have two FS Speeds now.
yes technique has a play in it but i wasn't to shabby a kite wrangler either.
i was on a Pu2 12m and he had a 12m high AR Flysurfer so there is a low vs high AR =more power issue as well but the upwind heading he was on blew me away.
you might find the same thing if you try a Manta so think twice:yawn:.

I must say i agree with the post above. Technique is one thing, but kite design is important too.

My Manta II got upwind like nothing else did. I was flyboarding with a couple of friends that had LEIs once, winds about 45 degrees from sea. I was riding upwind back to my starting point, while both my friends weren't. We decided to see if it was the kites or the kiters causing the difference, and switched kites. Result was that i couldn't get back with either LEI, but my friends both got back using my Manta. That pretty much proved it for me: a high AR kite may not be the only thing you need to get upwind, but it certainly helps.