North ORBITBig Air / Freeride2024

Even more predictable in the unpredictable

For 2024 we’ve fully reworked the bridles, so the kite feels even more stable and forgiving. The kite will not front-stall in overpowered, gusty conditions, but still maintains that ability to fly forward and catch you in kiteloops. This predictability is one of the key features of the Orbit, and it allows you to ride the kite overpowered without it getting away from you.

Extreme boosts and megaloops

The Orbit has a very big footprint in the sky. This increases the amount of sail area working for you, making the kite super-efficient with great power delivery. It's also fast and responsive in the steering and flies forward through the sky quickly, so it's able to get around and catch you, climb up and give you lots of time to prepare for your landing.

Segmented curved arc-design

The wingtip has more of an elliptical shape for reduced drag and slightly faster turning speed, while a slightly deeper profile in the centre creates a little more lift. Changes to the wingtip led to a fully reworked bridle – in combination with moving the attachment points – for the most stable Orbit yet. We’ve made the Orbit more stable and forgiving, without losing its looping capabilities or that incredible catch.Riders of all abilities can experience the best of both worlds now, worrying less about overflying or the kite’s position in the sky. It is our most reliable, stable Big Air/Freeride kite yet. We’re confident it will do it all, but with the added stability, it’s suitable for everyone.

Fully re-engineered bridles

We’ve retained the Orbit’s controlled response and fast steering, while giving the kite a more energetic feel with increased depower. Working closely with our pro team riders to put the kite through hardcore testing in a lot of wind enabled us to further improve the stability, the feedback and the steering behaviour, and to give the kite a lighter, more responsive feel.

Aerodynamic profile transition panels

There’s now only one panel segment instead of two, this reduces the number of seams, and helps to smooth out the profile entry, ensuring a precise lateral profile shape is maintained as close to the leading edge as possible and creating a smooth transition from the segmented leading edge to the curved canopy. The new panels reduce inconsistencies in the profile, resulting in a smoother, more efficient kite, with more aerodynamic airflow and less turbulence.  In the smaller sizes you’ll notice better hangtime and a faster/tighter turning radius. In the bigger sizes the kite is more lively and reactive with increased low end.

Lightweight bladders in all sizes

The lighter the kite, the faster the steering, the more lift it creates and the higher you jump. Bladders make up a bigger weight percentage than any other material used in a kite, so for 2024 we’ve introduced 17% lighter weight bladder material in all sizes to help the kite feel even lighter and more responsive in all conditions. This additional weight reduction improves the low-end capabilities and helps the kite fly more efficiently. It also improves the overall static balance of the wing by reducing weight in the front of the kite.

High Aspect Ratio Design

For 2024, we’ve lowered the aspect ratio in the smaller sizes for more hangtime. They have a better catch and loft, more hangtime and you always know where the kite sits in the sky.

Stable 5-strut performance

Highest quality no-pulley bridle lines

4x Bar Pressure options for precise steering and depower

On the Orbit, this is second from the wingtip and gives the kite a lighter, more forgiving feeling. For more direct steering and shorter depower travel, move your connection forward on the wing tip. Setting A – closest to the wingtip, is one of the two original settings. It is the lightest bar pressure or steering impulse option. It requires less strength to turn the kite, but you need to pull the bar a greater distance to steer. It also gives you more depower travel. Less sensitive and the least responsive, this setting gives the kite a lighter more forgiving feeling. Setting A is ideal for lighter riders, and for cruising in lighter winds, when you don’t load up the kite fully. Setting B is the factory setting your kite will be delivered with. Use this setting for light bar pressure and a slightly more direct feel in the steering. Setting C gives a Medium bar pressure and firmer, more direct steering and shorter depower travel. It gives the kite a sportier feel but requires a little more force to control the steering. Setting D is our megaloop setting – this gives the heaviest bar pressure or most direct steering impulse. It is the most stable choice in high winds and is recommended for stronger, heavier riders. Marc Jacobs: On the inside setting you will know exactly where the kite is during mega-loop manoeuvres - especially on the smaller sizes. With slightly more pressure you can send the kite lower during the loops, with confidence, and execute your trick properly. Ideal for heavier riders, it also supports the wingtips more on those crazy 40knot + days.

Durable highest-quality Dacron inflated structures

We’ve used a layer of markcloth to reinforce the trailing edge. This adds strength and elongation control, protecting the lighter inner main canopy body.

High Performance N-HTRS canopy

DuraLite seam protection

Thin foam padding is inserted underneath to form a lightweight durable buffer which lifts the kite slightly off rough surfaces and protects the stitching along the struts and leading edge seams. Markcloth seam protectors on the canopy also help to protect the stitching.

HyperFlow rapid single-point inflation

Recycled PET kite bag

Recycled materials are also used to make our own custom webbing. It’s generously sized to fit your packed-down kite easily, with corrosion-free zippers, stash pockets and air-vents in the bottom and sides of the bag. North kite bags also have an external Control System pocket, Kite Pump attachment and ergonomic shoulder and chest straps.