North Reach

We got our hands on the latest 2025 North Reach, the legendary do-it-all kite that has been North’s versatile workhorse since its debut years ago. For this test, we were generously equipped with almost the entire size range, giving us the perfect opportunity to put it through its paces across all wind conditions!

The Reach features a 3-strut delta design and for 2025, it comes with a slightly higher aspect ratio than in previous years. North is now offering the Reach in sizes ranging from 4m all the way up to a massive 19m! On the construction side, the entire airframe is built using what North calls N-Max2 Pro, a slightly lighter Dacron than standard that comes paired with lighter bladders to help reduce overall weight. That lightweight build brings all the usual benefits in terms of responsiveness and drift, as we shall see later. The canopy sticks with the proven 2×2 yarn and we found reinforcements right where you’d expect them for durability. North offers two steering line options this year: one tuned for a faster, lighter bar feel and another for those preferring slower, more weighted steering input. All in all, the 2025 Reach has a clean, refined construction that reflects exactly what you’d expect from North: attention to detail and smart material choices.

Our first session on the 12m was in dying wind conditions and the first thing that stood out was the impressive low-end performance. The kite delivers plenty of power and pull, with medium to high bar pressure. While most people were packing up or leaving the water, we were still out riding comfortably. Even in these marginal conditions, the kite felt playful and nimble, reacting quickly and allowing for some fun despite the lack of wind. Thankfully, subsequent sessions brought better winds, allowing us to properly test the 7m, 8m, 10m and 12m across their full performance range. If we had to sum up this kite in one word, it would be: balance. Everything you want in a do-it-all kite is present in just the right amount.

The Reach proved to be a super accessible and user-friendly kite for beginners and intermediates. Its positioning in the wind window delivers effortless upwind performance and super easy water relaunches, while the intuitive power delivery makes it comfortable to ride. During our freeride and Big Air sessions on the 7m and 8m, we enjoyed solid lift and hangtime with a wide, forgiving sweet spot for jumps. The kite’s forward flight path while jumping keeps things simple for those attempting their first jumps. Kiteloops are tight and manageable, but more advanced riders will appreciate that, with the right bar input, it can still deliver a powerful and stylish loop.

As a true all-rounder, we wanted to see how it performed across multiple disciplines, so we took it for both foil and wave sessions. On the foil, its low-end power and tight loop made it easy to get going even in marginal winds. Thanks to its decent drift, riding downwind wasn’t overly technical either. Of course, it doesn’t match the performance of a super lightweight, foil-dedicated kite, but it’s absolutely capable of giving you a good session when conditions aren’t ideal to twintip. And in the waves? Its fast, pivot-style turning and solid drift allowed us to catch a few nice ones and have a lot of fun. Again, while it’s not offering a pure wave kite performance, it holds its own surprisingly well. That’s really the beauty of the Reach, it might not be best-in-class in any single discipline, but it’s good in every scenario and leaves you stoked at the end of each session.

We tested all sizes on the Navigator Pro bar which is a solid setup but we felt lacked just a bit of depower, especially during the strongest gusts or when riding waves. It’s likely the trade-off for all that low-end grunt and sheet-and-go power. Still, it’s something to consider if you’re regularly riding in overpowered conditions. Thankfully we had all of the sizes so could come in and change down if the wind picked up!

The North Reach 2025 stands out as an exceptional all-around performer that grows with riders at every level. For those just starting out, it delivers exactly what’s needed: strong low-end power, super easy water relaunch and effortless upwind performance. It’s no surprise this kite is a favorite in kite schools around the world. For advanced riders, the Reach shines as the perfect quiver-of-one solution. Whether you’re grabbing your twintip for freeride sessions, reaching for your surfboard when the swell picks up or pulling out the foil for lightwind days, this kite adapts seamlessly to whatever board you choose based on the day’s conditions. Its versatile performance means you’re always ready, no matter what the wind or waves bring.