SYNOPSIS: THE BANDIT XV CONTINUES TO DELIVER–AS IT HAS FOR A DECADE AND A HALF–BREAKING THE BARRIERS OF PERFORMANCE WITH MORE BOOST AND GLIDE AND SWEET, GUST EATING PULL WITH TIGHT RADIUS TURNS AND MORE HIGHLY REFINED HANDLING THAN EVER.
Likes: With 15 years of refinement and evolution, the F-One Bandit XV continues to dominate in the cross discipline kite category with its outstanding flying characteristics and feel. A standout in the test for overall performance, the Bandit XV has some of the tightest, smooth pulling loops ever produced from a kite. With more hang time and better boost, it offers solid big air performance but with the versatility that refined, light, three strut frames provide. Solid low- end power with easy jumping performance from a kite that provides great boost and ideal control overhead. New tweaks for the 2022 Bandit include a new revised and lower diameter leading edge shape, revised profile and new trailing edge material. More stable and reactive than ever, the Bandit’s three strut, Delta C canopy is crisp and light in the air and its narrow leading edge and low profile struts let it drive nicely upwind. This is a kite that you can also take to the slick and work on unhooked freestyle moves with. Unlike some three strut kites, do-it-all models, or even 5 strut big air kites, the Bandit XV has the right pull and unhooked slack line drift to work well in the park or the slick for the advanced freestyle crowd. With plenty of depower, shut off and great stability, drift and balance overhead, the Bandit is great for foiling or wave riding with surface riding boards. For riders that are looking to do more foiling and surf riding versus big boosting Kiteloops or unhooked freestyle, the Bandit XV follows the same platform but has bridles tuned for more depower and better wave and foil riding capability.
Minus: With more low end and even better boost and glide, the Bandit XV moves forward in performance in 2022. Some riders still prefer a low V control bar set up which the Bandit is not designed around.
Best For: Any level of kiter can use the Bandit, but it is most suited to the kiter that wants one kite model for any situation; from twintip or freestyle, to waves or foil riding.
