Review North Evo 2016

« Return to search results
Riding type: Freeride/Allround
Year: 2016
Brand: North kiteboarding
Size: 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 13m, 14m
Type: SLE
Share:
Buy: Buy Now

Rider Profile

The all-rounder who like to change his ridingstyle

Designers goals (manufacturer text)

Simply put, the Evo is the all-round maestro from the North Kiteboarding range, guaranteed to get the job done! Any job. We’ve done things different by giving this freeride machine 5 struts instead of 3 struts, because we believe in it. Why? Because with our 5-strut design that has been refined year after year, we’ve achieved a kite that offers up an exceptional wind range, greater stability, superior depower and progressive sheet and go characteristics.

If you’re looking for one kite to do it all then look no further, the Evo will have you flying high like Tom Hebert, coming in hot at the line-up and slashing waves or simply freeriding. For those looking to ride unhooked every now and again, it has just the right amount of freestyle performance you’re looking for. Riding waves, you’ll be surprised by the turing and drift. Delivering a precise and direct feel with power, whatever your style you’ll feel right at home with the Evo. In addition to all its greatness, for 2016 it features the improved LazyPump system with a greater airflow; getting you on the water first. 

There are many kites out there that claim to ”do it all”, try the Evo and decide yourself what it can’t do!

Windrange north Evo 2016

Windrange North Evo 2016

North control bar 2016

North Evo 2016 product video

Details:

Riding type: Freeride/Allround
Year: 2016
Brand: North kiteboarding
Size: 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 13m, 14m
Type: SLE
One pump: Yes
Bridles: Yes
Number of struts: 5
Colours: Various
Line length: 19m-22m-24m-27m
Bar length: 35cm - 45cm
Bar: 4 lines
Depower: Clamcleat
Safety: Push
Swivel: Yes
Variable bar length: Yes
Oh shit handles: No

Kitereview North Evo 11m 2016 

Conditions

Wind: 9 - 25 knots

water: flat - small waves

Bar setting: 22, 24m & 27m lines

Board setting: twintip, wave & hydrofoil

Pictures

 North Evo 2016 kitesurf kite bridles & pulley north evo 2016 North Kiteboarding one pumpcenter strut North evo 2016

north kite evo 2016 inflate North 2016

Conclusion

The Evo 2015 was the most viewed North kite serie in 2015. Why? Because it's a great ride in lots of conditions. Last year we tested the 9m Evo, we wrote about the high end performances. This year, it's all about softness and control. Did North change the kite feel or is it the kite sizes that made the 11m softer than the 9m?
Compare the Evo with the other North series and this kite is the most versatile. The Rebel has a more explosive lift and more float, but less turning speed, the Neo is faster & has the better drift, but not the long high-end range and soft power control as the Evo. This Evo is great to go out anywhere, in all kinds of conditions. If you like to go more specific with a kite, know you most important kite characteristics and choose your best gear.

 Scroll Down for more test details about the North Evo 2016

Basics

Kite stability

Unstable Stable

Windrange

Limited Wide

Wide windrange, especially in it's high end

Total depower

Still pressure Total depower

Total depower, even in overpowered conditions

Kite re-launch

Difficult Easy

easy steering line relaunch

Safety system

Difficult Easy

great, 4 & 5-line safety possibility. Good control in overpowered conditions

Oldskool

Lift

Gradual Explosive

Not to explosive, pretty gradual

Low-end

Small range Large range

Depends on the board, we tested the Evo on the Twin tip, wave board an hydrofoil. Hydrofoil gives the best low end off course. Loved the Evo 11m set up: a hydrofoil, 27m lines in 10 knots of wind

Glide phase

Short Long

The Evo has a wide wind window. Tip: Mid Air! Turn the kite a quarter turn, pointing to the direction you want to land for the best gliding phase

High-end

Small range Large range

Good kite control in its High end. Gradual power building

Wave

Drift

Poor Good

Turning circle

Large radius Small radius

Feedback at edge of wind window

Minimal Great

Good feed back

Steering with low line tension

Not so good Good

Long de-power stroke witch steering control

Reaction to steering action

Slow Fast

Race

Kiteposition in wind-window

Middle Edge

Going upwind

Hard Easy

The Evo has the intention to widen its wind window. This goes with a gradual power upload.

There are 3 reviews on this product:

North Evo 2016 13m
Name:
stefarius 
Weight:
91 
Riding style:
allround  
Personal page:
Water conditions:
flat, chop  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 8 knots up to 12
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
13m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
drift
 
HardSoft
user friendly
 
PoorGreat
total depower
 
Some pressureTotal depower
windrange
 
LimitedWide
up wind
 
HardEasy
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
boost
 
SoftStrong
kitefinder.com - 06.03.2016 at 16:56 hour
Comments:
12m or 13m Evo on a Hydrofoil. The 13m has the better drift, more low end, more kite feedback and a bit more bar pressure. The 12m is a bit faster in reaction and has the better upwind performance on a hydrofoil. In low wind gusts both kites are very stable.
If you like the fastest kite, go for the 12m. If you like more pressure and feedback the 13m is the best size. 
8 kudos - +

Replys to this review

Be the first one to reply, leave a comment!
Submit your reply Make your own review
North Evo 2016 12m
Name:
stefarius 
Weight:
91 
Riding style:
allround  
Years of experience:
15 
Personal page:
Water conditions:
flat  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 9 knots up to 15
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
12m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
up wind
 
HardEasy
kite reaction
 
SlowQuick
total depower
 
Some pressureTotal depower
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
slack line steering
 
SlowQuick
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
windrange
 
LimitedWide
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
boost
 
SoftStrong
drift
 
HardSoft
kitefinder.com - 30.11.2015 at 13:24 hour
Comments:
12m Evo on a Hydrofoil. In gusty winds I tried the new North Evo on my Hydrofoil. Fun Foiling in gusty winds is all about controlling the 2 wings. Its about the synergy between the hydrofoil and the kite. With the hydrofoil you have so much more direction to ride too. The kite has to lead or follow. Sometimes you glide on the hydrofoil, the kite is following. Sometimes you need wind power and the kite is leading! This playful game between the wing under water and your kite wing in the air is a great new feeling. It also gives mid size kites (12/14m) a new position. You can use a 12m as the ultimate light wind kites on a hydrofoil or as a hang time kite in the higher wind range.
This small review is about light wind hydro foiling and I loved the trustfulness of 12m in gusty conditions. Stable, good power/depower control and fast steering to change kite position when needed. The drift can be a bit slow if yo go for the wider carving turns, down looping was the remedy!
Can't wait to test this kite in it's high-end. Let's see if the new Evo is the ultimate all-rounder :-)  
5 kudos - +

Replys to this review

Be the first one to reply, leave a comment!
Submit your reply Make your own review
North Evo 2016 07m
Name:
stefarius 
Weight:
91 
Riding style:
allround  
Years of experience:
15 
Personal page:
Water conditions:
small-waves  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 18 knots up to 25
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
07m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
kite relaunch
 
DifficultEasy
up wind
 
HardEasy
boost
 
SoftStrong
kite reaction
 
SlowQuick
lift
 
GradualExplosive
windrange
 
LimitedWide
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
drift
 
HardSoft
glide phase
 
ShortLong
kitefinder.com - 18.11.2015 at 11:13 hour
Comments:
Neo & Evo. Had 2 sessions with the 7m North EVO next to the North 7m Neo. The big difference is the basic kite feel & handling kite characteristics. Where the Neo sits a bit more back in the wind window and generates a more all time grunt. The EVO makes it wind window a bit wider, gives the EVO a basically lighter kite feel, easier upwind performance and more drive forward. The EVO 7m is also a bit more aggressive in its power. More explosive lift and boost.
On the kite positions 9 or 3 O'clock the Neo has the tendency to fall back a bit, what temporize the turning speed. The EVO reacts direct and fast. Liked that fast reaction in the waves. For the Big Air the difference between the Neo and EVO was the more explosive lift of the EVO. The gliding phase was the 7m Neo better for my 91 kg weight. So heavier riders who like to go big and floaty! Take a bigger EVO size. No worries the feedback & depower will take care of the safety!
 
5 kudos - +

Replys to this review

Be the first one to reply, leave a comment!
Submit your reply Make your own review


Write your own review