F-One Bandit 18 2027 Kite

A comfortable all-round kite from F-One with plenty of control

The F-One Bandit 18 2027 Kite builds on the all-round character that has drawn so many different riders to the Bandit for years. Cruising on your twintip, big jumps, catching a wave strapless or carefully starting out with kiteloops: you don't have to swap kites for any of it. For this eighteenth generation, F-One focused on one thing above all: making the kite feel easier and more natural without losing that versatility.

The biggest change is in power management. F-One has refined the depower a little further and made the speed of the kite more controlled. The Bandit builds its power more gradually as a result, and stays easier to handle when the wind turns gusty or gets seriously strong. You notice that difference most in the high end.

That calmer character pays off in choppy water too. The Bandit pulls evenly through the window, so you control your speed more easily and keep more consistent pressure on your rail. Edging for a jump feels more natural because of it, and you need fewer corrections at the bar to hold the right amount of power. It gets planing quite directly, so after a water start the kite gets going quickly without you having to steer it aggressively through the window.

On construction, F-One stays close to the successful base of the previous Bandit. The Delta C-Shape combines direct steering with broad usability, while the Staggered Seams help keep the profile of the kite as tight and smooth as possible. The canopy panel layout has also been optimized to keep performance, stability and comfort in balance with each other. New for the Bandit 18 is the 160 g Dacron on the leading edge. This material is stronger and more durable, and helps the leading edge hold its shape when the kite is under load. Together with the three-strut construction it gives you a stable, controlled profile, even when conditions get rougher.

At the bar the Bandit feels direct and precise without being overly heavy. You get enough feedback to sense exactly where the kite is, without constantly fighting high bar pressure. It steers predictably and keeps its speed nicely in check, which also makes it interesting when you want to try your first kiteloops. You know where the kite sits, how fast it turns and when the power comes back. Exactly what you want when you're working on new tricks.

That is where the strength of this Bandit kite ultimately lies. It isn't a kite that tries to pin you down to one discipline. It's built for the kitesurfer who simply wants to do a lot with one setup, a genuine all-rounder. From your first comfortable freeride sessions to jumping higher, riding strapless and landing your first loops, the Bandit grows with your level.

F-One Bandit 18 2027 Kite specifications

• All-round | Freeride | Strapless | First kiteloops
• Suitable for all levels
• Three-strut construction
• Delta C-Shape
• Staggered Seams for a tight, smooth profile
• New 160 g Dacron leading edge
• Stronger, more durable leading edge construction
• Optimized canopy panel layout
• Refined power management
• Wide, controlled depower
• Calmer, more controllable speed
• Comfortable power in the high end
• Direct planing start
• Precise, comfortable bar feedback
• Stable across a range of conditions
• Available in several sizes
• Kite bag included
• Bar and lines sold separately