Slingshot Code V2 & Code NXT

After a long time waiting to test the latest Slingshot Code, the opportunity finally came and with a double surprise! We got our hands on both the Code V2 and Code NXT. The Code has been Slingshot’s answer to the booming new-school Big Air segment and it’s the weapon of choice for their Big Air star Jeremy Burlando, who has racked up wins and podium finishes at major events using these kites. Our test coincided with perfect storm conditions and the sessions delivered exactly the kind of conditions these kites were designed for.

The Code is a 3-strut kite (more on that in a moment) with an open-C shape and bombproof 4×4 canopy fabric. It’s reinforced in all the right places and features a Dacron strip along the trailing edge, helping it survive in nuclear winds – definitely a kite made to last. The main construction difference between the Code V2 and the Code NXT lies in the materials used for the airframe. While the V2 uses high-quality Dacron in the leading edge and struts, the NXT version steps it up with Aluula Gold, a lighter and stiffer material that gives the kite a noticeable performance edge. Design-wise, both models look quite similar at first glance, but there are subtle tweaks in the shape to adapt to the different material properties and of course, a clear difference in overall weight. We also loved seeing that Slingshot still includes the good old-fashioned adjustment knots on both the front and back lines, making it super easy to fine-tune the kite, a nice touch that’s becoming rare these days.

For our first session, we chose to ride the Code NXT, as the wind was nuking and we expected this version to offer a bit more range on the high end. When we pumped it up and laid it out on the grass, something immediately caught our eye, the shape looked suspiciously like a 5-strut kite than a typical 3-strut design. At first glance, it seemed like a risky shape for handling strong winds, but then we noticed the added battens designed to support the canopy structure. Combined with the stiffness of Aluula, we figured it might hold up well… and wow, did it ever.

The Code NXT is fast, nimble and, above all, predictable. It delivers that intuitive “sheet and go” feeling, excellent stability and super direct feedback with light-to-medium bar pressure. All of this translated into instant confidence. Now, back to those struts. This is where the real magic happens and engineering genius shines. The Code NXT is a 3-strut kite with all the benefits of being light, agile and responsive, but its shape and construction bring in the best of a 5-strut design, notably, massive lift and incredible hangtime, without the usual trade-offs like extra weight or sluggishness. The result is a lively, high-performance kite that feels both sharp and floaty in the air. Kiteloops are tight, with a smooth and consistent pull. And because the kite is so predictable and delivers constant feedback, it lets you focus entirely on your rotations and tricks, instead of constantly checking where the kite is mid-air. From the very first moment, we felt completely in sync with this kite. The lift and hangtime are next-level, making this kite a true Big Air machine. We wrapped up the session blown away by the NXT’s performance and, honestly, a bit skeptical that the V2 could come close. But Slingshot still had a surprise waiting for us the next day…

We faced slightly less wind during our V2 session, with gusts not peaking as high as the previous day. As we set it up, we noticed very subtle differences in the shape and just four battens, though it keeps the same 6-point bridle attachment system and most other features. From the very first jumps, it was clear that this was essentially the same kite we flew the day before, just with a touch less sharpness. It still rides comfortably, delivers that familiar sheet-and-go feel and offers great lift and hangtime. That said, it’s a bit harder to get those massive, vertical boosts compared to the NXT. In terms of raw performance, the V2 sits just one step below the NXT, but honestly, that was exactly what we expected. The Code V2 is still a solid choice if you’re into Big Air, but we’d probably classify it more as a high-end freeride kite than a pure Big Air machine.

So, which one should you choose? That really depends on what you’re looking for in your sessions. If you’re a rider who’s all about Big Air and wants to push your limits, then the NXT is hands down the way to go. But if you’re a freerider who wants a kite that’s easy, comfortable and fun to ride, but still capable of boosting very high when the wind kicks in, then the V2 delivers super impressive performance…