FEEDBACK: ELIPS ARAMID 2026

Review of our pure wave riding kite in sizes 6 and 8.

Kitesurfer: Airton, GONG team rider, on the Lethal EPS, kite Elips Aramid and FeelX kite bar.

First impressions with GONG Elips 2026 Aramid 6m and 8m

“The perfect kite for Gran Canaria (coming from an Elips DP 10m and another brand).

Hey everyone! I recently moved to a stronger wind place and my old quiver just stopped making sense. I needed something smaller and more specific for the island's conditions: more wind, more waves, more strapless.

I initially had both the Perf and Aramid versions in my cart, and price was a big factor. But GONG hit me with a flash 20% off on the Aramid, which basically brought the price down to match the Perf. With that small a gap, the decision was easy, I went for the high-end range. I was also going back and forth on whether to just grab the Elips 2024 DP instead (it's at 50% off on the last units and it's still my favorite kite), but there's so little info out there about GONG kite products that it made the decision harder. So hopefully this review helps some of you out.

Like I mentioned in my previous review, I've spent years flying another brand (10m and 12m) and more recently the Elips 10m DP 2024. That last one is a kite I absolutely love, especially for its "wow" effect in light wind, tons of days out there with 12-15 knots, cruising perfectly on the 10m. That said, on strong wind days it gets a bit too fast.”

First impression of the new Elips: butter-smooth in extreme conditions

“I broke in the 6m with 30-40 knots of wind. Everyone on the beach was struggling to get their kites up... and I launched the Elips like it was a 20-knot day. That smoothness and control in gnarly conditions was the first big surprise.

Once in the water, the difference from my old 10m DP was obvious. The DP is way more nervous/twitchy; this new Elips is completely different, it lets you disconnect from the kite when you're on the wave, and it recovers quickly and predictably. Exactly what GONG promises with its "clean drift": the kite sits in the air, slides downwind while staying stable, and lets you link maneuvers without constantly having to check on it.

Compared to my previous kite from another brand, I actually prefer the new Elips because of its near-"infinite" drift. I've never had the kite fall out of the sky from going upwind toward it or picking a bad angle on the wave. The power delivery through the bar is also outstanding, the kite doesn't pull until you sheet all the way in (jump time), and the rest of the pull is super smooth, keeping you stable on the board.

Another thing I've loved: when I send the kite through 12 o'clock for a foot change or a tight turn, the lift is perfect for taking weight off the board. That subtle lift, managed with the bar, has noticeably bumped up my success rate on foot changes, something I hadn't been able to nail this consistently with any other kite.”

Amazing top end.

“At the top end of the wind range, the kite behaves flawlessly. And for the first time in my experience, I don't notice any flapping/luffing at all. The UPE Aramid material on the leading edge and struts does exactly what it says on the tin, it keeps the structure locked in shape through gusts and in offshore sections. The profile doesn't deform, which directly improves the whole riding experience.

To be honest, there are two things worth mentioning:

The thicker leading edge compared to last year gives incredible drift, but it also makes the kite a bit less "twitchy"/reactive than other models with a thinner leading edge (...). It's not really a flaw as such, it's just part of this kite's character, but worth knowing if you're coming from something super reactive.

On the jump side, the trajectory is very vertical, which is nice, but the landing is a bit quick/hard. If you want a soft landing you'll need to move the kite to cushion it, which wasn't the case with my previous kite or the Elips DP 2024.

My big doubt when buying was whether I should've just gone with the Elips 2024 Aramid DP instead (on sale at 50% off, and a kite I love). Well, after several sessions on the new Elips 2026 and then switching back to the DP 2024, I've got my answer: I'm happier with the new Elips, and I'd make the same call again.

Because it's a way more repeatable kite when it comes to maneuvers and because I am focus on wave riding. The clearest example: when I do a heel-to-toe gybe (switching direction coming out toeside), the power management and pull of the kite are way more consistent and predictable session after session. I can dial the power perfectly through the bar throughout the whole move, including that subtle lift when passing through 12 o'clock, something that was harder to reproduce consistently with the DP. And it shows on the water: more successful foot changes, more confidence to push it in tricky spots close to shore or near rocks.

And to wrap up, here's a trick that's worked really well for me whenever I switch kites and have doubts about whether I made the right call: try the old one first (you should know it well by now), then the new one, then go back to the old one again. That order is the best way to clear up any doubts. Going back to the old kite right after riding the new one gives you a fresh, direct reference point for both, and the differences become way more obvious. Was the switch worth it? Is it actually better for what you need? Going back to the old kite gives you a more honest answer than any review, including this one. 🙂 feeling happy.” Thank you Luis for your review on the GONG Galaxy group.