Which North kite suits you best depends mainly on your level and riding style. The model sets the character of the kite. The Pro or Ultra version decides how much performance you get out of it. Below you can read which North kite fits which type of rider.

You're still learning to kite. Then you want a kite that reacts predictably, sits calmly in the sky and doesn't punish you straight away for a mistake. The North Reach is a great choice here. It has a friendly character and good depower, and it goes upwind easily, which helps you get your waterstart dialled. Thanks to its slightly thicker leading edge, the kite floats well and comes off the water quickly when you relaunch. You won't outgrow it fast either. As your riding improves, you can do your first jumps on it without any problem. Also check out our other beginner kites or go straight for a complete kitesurf set.

You want one kite that does pretty much everything. Then the North Reach is again the kite to go for. It's North's all-rounder. With three struts it's light and playful, steers directly and turns quickly. The profile sits forward and generates plenty of lift, which gives you a wide wind range and good upwind drive. You can cruise around freeriding, jump, kiteloop, foil and take it into the waves. Ideal if you don't want a separate kite for every discipline. Also check out all freeride and allround kites.

You want to jump as high as possible. Then you'll soon end up with the North Orbit. Five struts keep the profile tight, even when you're overpowered, and the kite stays stable when the wind picks up hard. Thanks to its high aspect ratio, the Orbit flies far forward in the wind window. That means lots of lift, big jumps, long hangtime and strong upwind performance. Jesse Richman won the 2020 King of the Air on the Orbit. Still at the stage of your first jumps? Then the Reach is often a little more accessible. If you're really chasing height, the Orbit is the logical step into big air.

You want maximum performance. Then the North Orbit Pro and the North Orbit Ultra are worth a look. The Orbit Ultra has a frame made from N-u80, North's own Ultra PE material. That allows a much thinner leading edge and struts. The kite is lighter, has less drag, loops faster and hangs in the air longer. A 6-point bridle keeps the thin frame stable when you're overpowered. The Orbit Pro is built lighter with N-Max2, has a slightly higher aspect ratio and comes with Pro line extensions. It's made for riders who compete. The character stays the same: an Orbit Ultra is still an Orbit, just with more performance. Not every version returns in every model year; for example, there's no 2027 Orbit Pro. Check out all Aluula & Pro kites.

You mainly ride waves. Then the North Carve is made for you. This kite is designed for wave riding and strapless freestyle, and it excels at drift, depower and quick pivot turns. When you're riding down a wave and your lines go slack, the Carve drifts neatly along with you. Need power again? You steer it back quickly and precisely. Thanks to its lower aspect ratio, it stays stable and easy to control, even when things get messy in the impact zone. Check out all wave kites and the matching surfboards.

You're mad about freestyle. Then North gives you two options. Want to combine freestyle with freeride and big air? With the North Reach you can already practise your backrolls, kiteloops and first hooked tricks. Going all in on unhooked freestyle and wakestyle? Then the North Pulse is the specialist. The latest Pulse is a modern five-strut C-kite that you fly on five lines, with the front lines attached directly to the wingtips. That gives you explosive pop, powerful turns and plenty of slack for your tricks. You do need a 5-line bar for it, and the kite asks more of your technique. It's mainly aimed at experienced riders. Check out all freestyle kites.

You want to get on the water in light wind too. Then the North Code Zero is your best friend. Thanks to its single-strut design it's very light, so it flies in a gentle breeze. It sits stable in the sky and has light bar pressure. The Code Zero is first and foremost a foil kite, but in light wind you can ride a twintip with it just fine. Prefer a kite with more struts? The Reach in a large size also has a strong low end. Check out more lightwind kites or pair your kite with a lightwind twintip to get going even sooner.

You ride a foil. Then the weight of your kite matters. The North Code Zero has just one strut, which makes it super light. It stays in the air easily in light wind and drifts nicely when you ride down a wave on your foil. Foil a lot? Then the North Code Zero Pro is the next step. With its more swept-back leading edge, relocated bridle points and N-Max2 frame, it feels more direct, turns with light bar pressure and gives you more control, speed and power. The Reach is popular with foilers too, thanks to its good drift and fast steering. Check out our full range of hydrofoils.

Which size do you need? That depends on your weight, level, board and of course the wind at your favourite spot. Torn between two sizes or models? Get in touch for personal, no-obligation advice by phone, email or WhatsApp. We'll gladly compare the different North kites with you.

Your bar largely determines how your kite feels. It turns your steering input into the kite's response, controls your depower and is your safety system when things go wrong. For this, North has the Navigator control system, available in a standard, Pro and 5-line version.

The North Navigator bar is the 4-line bar that fits almost every North kite, from the Reach to the Orbit and Code Zero. You can choose from three bar widths: 38–43, 45–50 or 50–55 cm. A shorter bar steers faster and suits small kites. A longer bar gives you more leverage, which helps with big kites and in light wind. The Dyneema flying lines are 22 m long and made up of a 12 m and a 10 m section. That way you can shorten them in strong wind or let the kite fly further out in light wind. The Connect quick release opens with one movement and resets just as easily. The system meets the ISO 21853 standard for kitesurf releases. With the toolless InterLoop system you can swap your chicken loop without tools, for example when you switch to another discipline. The latest generation, the North Navigator Gen2 bar, has a stiffer bar with internal fibre-reinforced plastic reinforcement, an updated Connect V2 quick release and a smoother trim system. The Navigator Pro is also available in a Gen2 version.

Want to get the most out of your bar? Then the North Navigator Pro bar is worth a look. The bar is moulded in one piece with an internal reinforcement structure. That makes it 20% lighter and 20% stronger than the standard Navigator. The biggest benefit shows after a rotation: the front lines automatically untwist, so you don't have to keep untangling your centre line. That makes a real difference in big air and strong wind. The Navigator Pro comes in widths M and L.

Riding the Pulse? The latest Pulse flies on five lines, so you'll need the 5-line version of the Navigator. The fifth line runs to the centre of the leading edge and gives you extra control and an easier relaunch when riding unhooked freestyle. Got an older Pulse on four lines? Then the regular Navigator works just fine.

Can you use a bar from another brand? The Navigator's line connectors fit kites from most brands, such as Airush, Cabrinha, CrazyFly, Eleveight, Gong, Reedin, RRD, and Slingshot. Still, it's smart to always check your kite's manual, because depower and line length vary from brand to brand. Want to be sure it fits? Just ask us.

Check out all North bars or go for a complete kitesurf set with kite and bar. Are your depower line, front lines or chicken loop worn? You'll find all individual parts in our spare parts for your bar.