Tech Talk: 2026 Neo D/LAB

Sky Solbach:

The Neo D/LAB is a kite that we spent a lot of time developing and tuning this past season, and we have managed to make some pretty significant improvements in the performance of this kite. The first thing you'll notice when you see the kite is the implementation of the new D/TX Aluula Leading Edge material. This material we found to be especially good for a kite like the Neo D/LAB, where we want to have really quick steering and a lot of comfort, but also a lot of performance.

Patri McLaughlin:

Throughout the entire development process, I've noticed that the D/TX material works really well for this kite. The twist allows the kite to turn really quickly, but also, for drifting down the line, it feels more comfortable. It’s smooth through the gusts. It absorbs choppy, gusty wind, really well. It feels like a much better Neo D/LAB than last year's, and I'm confident in saying it's the best Neo model we've ever made.

Sky Solbach:

We were able to open the Arc, and make it fly wider compared to last year's Neo D/Lab. The tips are also a more neutral angle compared to last year’s model, they don't pinch in as much on the wing tips. That allows the kite to drive forward more in the window. It still has really great drift, and it hasn't lost any of its drifting characteristics that everyone knows from a Neo D/LAB, and the light wind performance is still amazing. It drifts down the line incredibly well and allows you to position your kite exactly where you want it. You can even bottom turn without line tension, and still have the ability to steer the kite even with slack lines.

With that change in Arc and the more neutral tip angle, the kite always wants to drive forward. So it always wants to seek the edge of the window and continue forward, it'll drift, but it doesn't want to continue back stalling. It will actually drive forward and give you that extra bit of power in the bar that you need to complete your turn. The other point, with the more neutral wing tips, is it has better top end. So we managed to also give it better de-power, so you can shut off the power completely when you sheet out.

Patri McLaughlin:

How well it turns while de-powered is huge to the performance. When I'm out riding waves, I'm trying to surf and position myself in a certain spot on the wave, and you don't want the kite to pull you off your line. So being able to sheet out and de-power the kite and still have quick turning speed with it not pulling you out of position is a huge advantage, and I think something really special that we have achieved with this kite.

Sky Solbach:

I think the special thing about the Neo D/LAB is that it has a bigger wind range than any of our other wave kites, more than the Neo or Neo SLS. It's really lightweight and has such good drift. You can ride it in really light wind, and then when the wind picks up, and you start getting overpowered, you can continue to hang on to it for much longer. You just push the bar out and de-power. It’s also a really comfortable kite to ride and the D/TX material is very comfortable. It absorbs the gusts really well, in a similar way to Aluula gold. It feels very reactive and very responsive, but also really comfortable at the same time, and now with the more flexibility in the torsional plane, the D/TX allows the kite to steer a little bit faster and initiate a turn quicker, and feel smoother in general.

To summarise, we managed to make some big improvements to the turning speed and also the way it drives forward. It sits in a place in the window where it's always there for you. You can sheet out the bar and still have good steering. It's our top-performing wave kite and the best wave kite that we have ever made. So if you ride waves, you should definitely try one. You won't regret it. I hope you guys get a chance to get out there and ride it.