As is always the way, Flexfoil reduced their end of line stock to almost half price which was a bargain too good to refuse...........or was it?

A brief history of moi

I've been kitesurfing for almost 3 years now and have flown only Ocean Rodeo kites in that time. OR are famous for their build quality and I wasn't disappointed at any time during my 2 years of flying them......so,despite the phenomenal bargain I was getting, it was with great trepidation that I decided to change my allegience to the UKs very own Flexifoil.

FLEXIFOIL ION3 8.5/12.5m2

Build quality

As with all Flexi products, the attention to detail is breathtaking. From the well designed and sturdy bag, to the scuff pads at the wear points on the leading edge, everything just screams quality to you. On first inspection it's very hard to pick any faults with anything. The kite material feels tough compared to other brands, the one pump system is as simple as you could want, meaning easily replaced bladders and the bar system, as with the kite, is quite obviously made from the finest materials Flexifoil could source.

The Bar

Coming from kites which had a below the bar depower cleat and a moveable stopper, the short throw and pull/pull system of the Ion3 was pretty daunting at first. The moveable stopper of the OR bar meant if the wind got up too much all you had to do was move the stopper up slightly and you could spill a whole load of power from the kite., now I would have to rely on my edging skills with my board to do the power control. As already stated, all materials used in the bar construction are of the highest quality and look as if they'll last forever.

The Ion3 is a hybrid kite and is able to be flown in either 4-line SLE mode or 5-line freestyle mode, the modification can be made to the bar in no time at all but be warned that the 5-line conversion kit for the bar is not included and costs an extra £25.........I found it really easy to make my own using 3mm spectra rope andthe 4*5m line extensions. Up until this review I have been flying both kites in 4-line SLE mode.

Performance

I'm not going to beat about the bush on this one, the low end of these kites is nothing short of shocking in 4-line mode. coming from an OR Rise 12m2 which could get me up and going at 13/14kts, I find it completely disgraceful that a kite with a whole half metre square more material takes a further 5kts to get you going and even then seems to spill power all too easily meaning you are forever working the kite to keep it in the powerzone......to say I am disgusted at the performance of my 12.5 would be putting it ever so mildly.........truth is, if it doesn't improve by a great deal in 5-line mode then it shall be sold to fund my return to Ocean Rodeo

The 8.5 on the other hand is a completely different kettle of fish. On one day recently where the wind was blowing......well I wouldn't want to guess.......three of us were out, One on a 9m who lasted 10 mins before wisely packing up as he was just too over powered and another on a 7m who again packed up early as he too was struggling to cope with the conditions.....I, meanwhile, was just cruising up and down the beach with no dramas whatsoever. The 8.5 is beautifully stable and stunningly quick, I've had to completely re-tune my backloops due to the speed of the 8.5 in the turn. It also boosts huge with hardly any effort too, on a recent trip away I tried going for a mellow little jump as I'd been struggling to dial in my jumping with the change of brand and I ended up going huge........put a wee grin on my face that one!!!!

In summary

If I had just bought the 8.5 on its own, I would definitely be rushing out to buy the 12.5......the 8.5 is just such an awesome kite, super stable, quick through the turns and a fantastic bar system, this kite ticks all the right boxes and leaves you inspired to try new moves with confidence.................

.................on the other hand........If I'd bought the 12.5m first I would have sold it and never looked at another Flexi product for as long as I lived, the lack of bottom end really puts a dampener on this kite......admittedly, it turns quick and is so well built, but I just can't get past how badly it performs at its lower windrange

I'm going to have to update this once I have flown the 12.5 in 5-line mode to see if the bottom end improves but for now I will leave you with the fact that the 8.5 really is a terrific little high wind kite and if you were umming and ah-ing over getting one.....then go for it........you will be blown away!!!!!