Size tested: 7m Suggested retail: $ 999 (7m Kite only)
Sizes available: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14m
Test Team Report
The Blade Trigger is in its sixth generation and retains its position as a solid progression kite that can handle waves and freeride with high levels of comfort and performance for every level of rider. Test Team riders scored it high for its levels of depower and quick, nimble turns. The depower is available with a shorter throw than some models, and power is shed at easy arm’s length push-away towards the kite. This quick depower combined with nimble pivot turns make it a great option for waves, and also ensures that less-experienced riders will have the ability to turn off the pull when necessary. With a light and stable frame, the Trigger drifts well with decent balance and quick re-engagement to get you out of the impact zone when you need it to.
The Trade-off:
Quick depower sometimes results in more on/off power surges in gusty conditions.
Best For:
The progression rider or wave enthusiast who wants an easy kite that has lots of depower and nimble handling.
Designer Notes:
When any kite is out on the market for a number of years, it forms some type of personality and gains a reputation of some sort. If the reputation of the kite is good and the customers come back with good feedback, it’s always wise to preserve that personality in the new design of the kite. This past year we’ve reached a great balance between power, turning speed and ease of flying. The comments that have been coming back from various beaches around the world have been very positive and so we didn’t want to change something that our customers have already grown to love and get familiar with. On the other hand, there is always room to improve. For the bigger sized kites, we felt they could use a little more power and better performance in low-end conditions. The smaller sized kites were tweaked along the bridle to be less twitchy and gusty conditions. We have also added an 8m to the line-up, which is great for those who need a compromise between a 7m and 9m!
For the smaller sized kites, we have modified the bridles so there is better airflow along the kite. This is good for stronger conditions where the bar can sometimes get jittery from bumps (also called pockets) in the wind. For the bigger sized kites we have made a stronger static profile so the riders will be able to begin kiting about 1 knot earlier and the sweet spot will begin about 2 knots earlier.
The standard setting is recommended for most riders. This is the setting where the kite is most stable and gives maximum directness in relation to power. The wave setting changes a few of the characteristics of the kite. When in this setting, you will feel the kite position more forward in the window which increases depower range, drifts better and better upwind performance, but at the same time the turning of the kite is less direct and a bit less stable. This is why we recommend standard setting for most cases but wave setting can work well in the waves and stronger conditions.
