thanks for making the review.. really helps getting reviews on new stuff because i'm the only winger in my area.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

No problem! Glad you felt it was helpful.

Gunnar designed, Tucker approved, can't go wrong with that. 4.2m mode, exactly what I've been looking for for those bigger days when my 4.2m strike just won't go upwind anymore. Upwind seems to be the biggest factor nowdays for big high wind swell riding at one spot since we're clearing so much dw distance on the rides. Speed will be great to race the windsurfers back out in 40 kn too. Should also help jump in those conditions where I just can't quite point high enough with the strike to hit a ramp. Which is pretty much always for a regular in our dominant storm direction on east vancouver island.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

LOL, for sure. Gunnar and I typically agree on most things so no surprise that I like a wing he provided feedback on. Dano is a genius designer and seems he can do no wrong.You've got the right idea -Tucker

thank you for another good review ... this wing has the widest range of use, at 63kg used the 7M comfortably from under 8kts to well over 20kts

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Agreed.This wing has a massive range. I ride the 7m to mid 20s and the 5.5 to the upper 30s without much trouble. Haven't found the top end of the 4m yet-Tucker

great review! It would be cool to compare the weight with SLS and Dlab and low end power.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Similar weight to SLS, bit heavier than D/lab but flags out nearly as well. Unit D/lab has more lift and grunt so it's easier for new riders but intermediate+ riders will appreciate the momnetum and forward pull. -Tucker

@scp8412

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding your tha man! Thanks

I received mine. Haven't ridden yet. I will say that I was shocked with the weight of the wing/bag compared to the Dlabs. About twice the weight - super noticeable! I'm hoping when I open them the weight is due to North putting in their 2023 full page color catalogue!

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Can't wait to hear your thoughts Joe. The bag is pretty heavy so that could be the issue. -Tucker

@thomas_ulbricht

Жыл бұрын

Same here... it felt heavy at the first look indoor. But today i found out it floats like a feather even in very light wind. I absolutely like it!

Thx for the review. I'm ordering a 4.2 and 5.5 mode soon. One question on the low end. I normally ride a Nova v1 4.2 from the low teens to mid 20's, how will the Mode pump when the wind cuts off?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Pumps really well if you have a decent technique. Not quite as user friendly as the Nova for beginners but for anyone with a little experience it's far better. -Tucker

Nice!

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing the stoke with us, my friend! 🤙🏽 Good winds to you. -Aaron

I'm a little torn.. if it is low on grunt then I might need to step up from the 4.2m (I have the 2021 nova 4.2m and that struggles abit on our borderline days) to 5.5m, but I already have a 5.8m PPC wing and that feels like a tank and don't enjoy maneuvering it around. Does it feel like a big wing?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Feels pretty compact to me. It doesn't have that downwind/lifty grunt but if you know what you are doing pumping it has a surprisingly good low end. It might take a couple more pumps but once you are up it's worth the extra speed and apparent wind. -Tucker

North say the 4.2m is good for 40+ knots. Can you comment on how the wing behaves at the extreme upper end? Other very stiff wings I've used tend to flutter excessively and can pitch and surge violently. It can be very uncomfortable when the wind picks up.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

The Mode is the most comfortable wing I've ridden in overpowered situations. It's very stable and easy to ride in those high winds. - Tucker

Yes I agree, would love a 3.5m

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Honestly, treat the 4m like you would any other 3.5m and you'll be in love. I bet I can fly that 4m to near 50kn -Tucker

@renauddespax8581

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding My purpose would be to own just one wing from 18 to 35kt, for 72kg, and I don't like to be overpowered, so would this 4m suit my goal ?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

@@renauddespax8581 Yes, with the right board/foil and skills you could make that work. I'm 93kg and the 5.5m does that for me. - Tucker

Hey Tucker, Thanks for the excellent and informative review. Quick question: How would you compare the North Mode 5.5m2 to a Slingshot V2 5.4m2? My Slingshot V2 served me well in summer 2021, helping me learn how to wingfoil on a big board. However, I had difficulty this year launching a sinker board with this wing; perhaps due to my intermediate-level pumping. While the Slingshot is a full 1.6m2 smaller than my F1 CWC 7m2, it felt like two steps down instead of one. Will the North Mode 5.5m2 be noticeable different despite not having low-end grunt, as you say? Or, rather, how noticeably different will it be? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, -Stuart

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Hi Stuart, The Slingwing has more grunt on the low end but the Mode can cover far more range on the top end. It's also notable faster, better upwind, and more comfortable overpowered. Personally, I like the boom style handles better than the long loops. In terms of low end I'd say the 5.5m compares to a 5m slingwing -Tucker

I do intend to use the 4.2m in high winds. My strikes bagged out pretty quick from riding them lit. Do you think the Mode's stiffer frame and canopy material/layout will hold up to those 40kn days? An average day here in the winter is probably 25-40kn. Or are we still looking at a 3 month canopy lifespan until stronger canopy material is available?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

I knew I was going to get this question eventually. It's been my experience that a stiffer frame is a key feature in keeping a wing from bagging out quickly. If the frame flexes, it puts more stress on the canopy. That energy into a more focused area will stretch. Dano the designer said the same thing and tells me they've seen a remarkable improvement in canopy elongation with the stiffer frame. -Tucker

@3421Greg

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding So how is the Mode holding up after another 3 months? Any sign of bagging in the canopy?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

@@3421Greg No, no notable bagging in the canopy yet. In the video you might see some bagging in some of the shots but that was a pre-production with a looser canopy. - Tucker

Thanks for the review, looks like a great wing and I like the new material idea. It's ridiculous that North mentions the new material being 40% lighter and makes the wing 25% lighter overall but they don't tell anyone the weight though. If you get the wings, can you update your website with that info?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Brands don't like to publish weights generally because they have variances in production. This wing is quite light but certainly not the lightest on the market. -Tucker

@sikguystg

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding North ended up giving me some info on the wings, reposting back here: 4.2M 2.2 kg 5.5M 2.6kg 7.0M 3.1kg (+/- 10%)

Nice video! Does the Mode have more low end power than 2023 Cabrinha Vision? Mode 5.5 "equals" Vision 6.0 when getting up?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Hey, there-great question, my friend. 🤙🏽 This one would best be handled with a phone call. Got a moment to chat? (800) 622-4655

Thanks for the review! I would really appreciate if you can state the actual weight of this wing if it's possible?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Hi Seid, I don't have the exact weight at this time but check back with me in a few weeks. This one was a prototype and we are sold out at the moment. Pretty average in terms of "scale weight" but it is very light feeling in use and carries it's weight well. -Tucker

it seems it creates good apparent wind... in that case does it create apparent speed while taxing? meaning can I built up speed without pumping and thanks to apparent speed once I catch speed taxing start pumping than. Or is apparent wind only kicks in once you on foil? Thank you.

@MACkiteboarding

9 ай бұрын

Yes, both. Although to make apparent wind on the water that has a lot to do with the board design as well. Longer narrower boards will be more efficient and make more apparent wind on the water. -Tucker

@Ericz131313

9 ай бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding Thank you.

What sizes should you get for a 2-wing quiver if your an intermediate 150 pound guy that don’t care that much for the super light days? Feel the sizing charts are a little strange.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, always ignore brand size charts, they are super misleading. I'd go for a 5.5m and 4m in your situation. - Tucker

Assuming budget is not an issue, how would you compare the Mode with the Ocean Rodeo A series?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Yessssss, that's the big question. Still love my A-Series but the Mode is replacing them for the most part in my daily sessions. It's a bit more compact and comfortable riding overpowered, goes upwind at a better angle with VMG. It is a little more technical to wave ride with in light wind since it's slightly heavier but the long hard handles make up for it and you just change your hand position to adapt. More front handle riding from the middle in really light/downwind conditions and pistol grip in most other conditions since it doesn't flag as nicely as the A-series from the LE. -Tucker

Somebody should market carbon upgrade handles for the recent Novas and for this Mode. Winging on very high aspect foils, I like my Nova 2 but I think that I will really love these Modes.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

That would be an interesting idea. I'm not sure it would take much weight out though. -Tucker

Hey Tucker - have to say this Mode has really interested me - seems its design and features are really well considered (dump valve, clamps, bladder strings, stiff material etc!) My question - do you think it excels also in waves and swell as well as blasting and high end, or do you think others like the Mantis v3, the newer Unit, the F-one Strike or even the new north Nova are better for waves (and why?)

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Great question Northy! I'd say it's good in waves but not perfect. I'm primarily a wave guy and this is my favorite wing. However, if you are looking for ONLY wave performance and don't care to ride powered then there are probabloy better options. The Nova V3, Units, Strike, and Mantis are top choices in the waves. They'll all have a bit more grunty power and easier luffing but you'll sacrifice top end range. -Tucker

@northyvids

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding Thanks Tucker - appreciate the speedy response! I reckon a 5.5 Mode could effectviely replace my bagged out Strike v2 5.0 and cover a lot of my winging (195lb) as a do-it-all, especially if i keep my CWC 6.0 for the light stuff (even though the numbers would suggest this overlap is daft). Just need to see the new strikes and then make a decision but i have to admit as a med-larger guy i reckon the harder handles on the new Mode could be the go. PS A friend tried a Mode prototype and thought the luff/surf handle was a bit loose and floppy...any thoughts on that?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

@@northyvids Yes, keep that 6m CWC for the light stuff. The 5.5m Mode will really "turn on" when you get blown off the 6 CWC around 17-20. The production surf handles are much stiffer, not floppy at all. - Tucker

@bennis123

9 ай бұрын

​@@MACkiteboarding I'm between the Mode and Unit 2023 Dlab at the moment, but the dlab is 500$ more expensive. Is the Mode still you favorite over the Unit?

Hi for racing would you recommend Mode or Duotone Unit DLAB?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

It would depend on the course but for most races I'd choose the Mode or Ozone Flux. They offer better upwind angles and are more comfortable to ride overpowered. If you had a downwind style race, the Unit would be great sice it has more lift and downwind grunt. -Tucker

They look really cool, but North has also the name to be on the heavier side wich doesnt help with flagging a bigger wing. What does these wings weight?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Great question. They aren't "crazy light" but "light enough" in my opinion. They flag well from the leading edge handle and front wing pistol grip. Charging downwind on the 7m can be challenging as with any large wing but the long handles let you choke up and fly it one handed or point it into the wind easily. -Tucker

How does the weight of the 4m Mode compare to the 4.2 Nova (V1)? This could be an ideal replacement

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

The weight is slightly less but the performance upgrade is astronomical. -Tucker

@3421Greg

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding I am riding a demo Nova 4.2m and it weighs 2.6kg. Earlier in this thread the 4.2m Mode is 2.2kg.

Could you please suggest. I’m looking for a wing for low wind. 175lb , 1850R north foil , 100 liter board, windsurfing background. What wind range I can cover with this wing? I have 5m WingHeir wing.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Great question, my friend 🤙🏽 For reference, what is your wind range with your current 5m wing? -Aaron

@secondlife7976

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding I live in Miami. From what I see average is from 10-18mph. Not sure how precise my calculations is 😅 last week I unable to do anything with 5m and people was able to fly with 7-8 meters wings. I took windsurfing board of my friend with 6.5 sail and was happiest person during gusts 😂

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

@@secondlife7976 In that lightwind zone a good light wind wing is a must. I'd look at some 7s. -Tucker

@secondlife7976

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding thank you Tucker! Is Mode wing in this case is make more sense? I thought if Mode could handle bigger range of wind then other 7m wings, in this case make more sense to pay this price.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

@@secondlife7976 No, I wouldn't suggest the Mode in your case. It requires more wind so you treat it more like a 5.5m. Some good wings for low end grunt are CWC, NOVA LW, Slick. -Tucker

These look great and I am seeing more and more of them on the water. Seems strange however that nobody has addressed the question of why there are no smaller sizes. In San Francisco Bay I'm used to using 3.5 quite often and even a 2.8 in high wind -- and it blows way harder in Gorge and on Maui than it does here. Even if the 4.2 mode is reasonably manageable overpowered, why would you want to use more sail than necessary? And so, why aren't there smaller sizes of the Mode?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

That's a great question, my friend. 🤙🏽 A quick phone call might be the best way to suss this one out. Got time to chat? (800) 622-4555

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

You may be pleasently suprised this fall....we'll have to wait and see. Honestly, I think the popularity of the wing caught North a bit by suprise. It was iniitially designed as a race product but they realised near the end of RnD that it would have more appeal so they re-named it. By the time they realized how popular the wing would be it was too late to add additional skus and RnD for more sizes. If you want a high wind companion for your Mode wings, I'd suggest the Nova V3 as it shares a lot of the same design DNA. -Tucker

@bdwelle43

Жыл бұрын

@@MACkiteboarding Thanks for the reply and that makes sense. My point is that North--and reviewers like you guys--has done a great job with this wing but the first question that experienced riders are asking is the one that I did, i.e.. where are the smaller wings. They should just spell it out on the web site as you did to me here, because otherwise it seems like they are trying to convince people that you can somehow use a 4m were we know that we all use smaller wings. It creates confusion by way of avoiding the obvious question. Cheers!

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

​@@bdwelle43 For sure. I suspect they intend to remedy that with the 2024 product this fall. - Tucker

What is the grunt like?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

It has enough to make it easy to get up but it's not a super grunty/lifty wing. Because of that it makes a lot more apparent wind and board speed. Also maximizes it's use-able range and upwind ability. This wing is beginner friendly enough to start on but really excels for experienced riders- Tucker

Funny when Jeff says: 'Gusty conditions". Next we see him free riding in very calm conditions. I guess he hasn't experienced real gusty North Sea conditions with north wind dragging in shower depressions.

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

We've tested it in gusty conditions for sure. It works great. We were riding it in Hood River a few weeks back in 10-30kn. Yes, 20kn swings every 30-60 seconds. It worked great! Probably my #1 choice for a wing in gusty conditions at this time. -Tucker

Am I missing something… the review is about the new Mode wing yet the reviewers are showing a Nova?

@MACkiteboarding

Жыл бұрын

Good question! Initially, this wing was going to be named the "Nova Race" but after testing they decided to change the name to "mode". The shots in this video were of the prototype but we've also tested the production version. The production version is even better. Tucker