Kite Strutless
Program
The Strutless Perf Series is our magic kite for foiling and lightwind freeriding.
Presentation
For years GONG has held a unique concept of extremely lightweight kite with optional fiberglass struts: the Strutless.
An ultra-light inflatable kite without struts , designed for pure gliding, performance and stability in very light winds so you never have to stay on the beach waiting for the wind.
The new 2026 shape (high ratio, open arc, centered surface, fine tips, 6-point direct bridle) transforms its behavior: we gain in speed, upwind ability, fluidity, precision, lift, launching and hangtime.
The 30% volume reduction achieved by removing the inflatable struts is a real advantage when traveling . But that's not the main selling point. The true benefits are in the air. The absence of drag from inflatable struts is truly noticeable. The kite glides effortlessly through the air and flies in as little as 3 knots of wind.
With this single-batten but strutless kite, you gain glide, low-end performance, upwind ability, and relaunch speed. The fiber batten is optional; it's up to you whether to use it or not, and it's easily inserted from the trailing edge, just like on a windsurf sail.
In the event of a crash, relaunching backwards is particularly easy on the Strutless, and often the only solution below 8 knots. The Strutless is so light that it can fly forwards and backwards in very light winds, simply by pulling more or less on the back lines. You can relaunch in less wind and much faster. Essential for foiling.
A lot of work has been done on the bridle and the ratio with two goals: exceptional glide even in the lightest conditions, and a smooth and progressive depower to improve stability at high speeds.
The Strutless gains in low-end power. Ideal for early takeoff without surfacing, but also absolutely stunning in hang time. It glides!
You'll love it for riding on unrideable days, but also for throwing loops and jumps in light winds on a twin tip or foil. Its supercharged maneuverability works wonders.
Strutless kites are freeride kites designed to be very easy to use and hassle-free: inflation in 30 seconds, minimal adjustments, and easy relaunch.
In light wind, the Strutless goes faster, heads higher, turns better; always combining a liveliness/dynamism/lightness ratio in flight of the highest level.
Strutless design
The Strutless kite features a design without inflatable struts for unparalleled lightness and glide compared to traditional kites. For kite foiling and light wind conditions, it's simply "essential".
Furthermore, this kite is equipped with an innovative and unique GONG system: you can insert a fiberglass batten into the designated sleeve. This batten will give you more control and stability in stronger winds by perfectly maintaining the kite's profile. Unlike inflatable struts, it doesn't generate any additional drag. It's entirely up to you whether you use it or not, depending on the desired feel.
Open C-Shape
The Strutless is based on an open C shape designed to maximize glide in light winds. This shape combines the support of an open kite with the precision and responsiveness of a modern C shape. The kite generates immediate power in low wind conditions, sits perfectly in the wind window, accelerates naturally, and maintains very stable handling through all transitions.
Short bridle
The new, smaller diameter bridles minimize drag while maintaining impeccable mechanical characteristics. The kite is noticeably more streamlined in flight.
Your Strutless also adapts to your feel thanks to the adjustments on the rear and front lines.
The new short bridle system improves feedback and the feel is much more direct . Everything is more intuitive, allowing you to be in sync with your kite.
Light wind profile
The Strutless's profile is perfectly optimized for light winds. Thanks to its moderate and ideally positioned draft, combined with moderate leading edge diameters without sacrificing rigidity, you get a kite that glides endlessly in very light air. You make the most of the apparent wind. You glide fast without stretching your arms! Upwind performance is simply magical, as are hang time and speed.
High aspect ratio
The high aspect ratio of the 2026 Strutless offers a very reliable feel on all flight aspects, which will allow performance in light winds, especially in kite foiling.
This kite offers the best balance between essential low-end power and high-end responsiveness. Even when very underpowered, it provides perfect maneuverability for loops and 8s to get going, and as soon as the kite moves forward, you feel the pull to launch.
The kite's power is effective even at low speeds. You can feel the strong pressure from the air. The feedback is crisp and allows for easy stabilization. This linear power delivery is combined with a bridle system that allows for instant depowering. Everything is under control.
This feeling is enhanced by the absence of drag from inflatable struts. It's a truly gliding and feline design.
Easy relaunch
The Strutless's lightness makes it easy to rotate the kite on the water, positioning it on one wingtip for easy relaunch . A simple pull on the back line pivots it. This ability is essential in certain conditions and when you decide to push the limits of light wind.
The kite is also perfectly comfortable relaunching backwards by pulling hard on both back lines: essential in less than 8 knots.
Technical sheet
Kite Strutless Dacron / 4 m² / WHITE
Shape:
Strutless design: The 2026 Strutless Perf Series retains a completely strutless design, without inflatable struts, minimizing weight and drag. This structural choice allows the kite to fly in almost no air and remain perfectly aligned at the zenith in 4 knots of true wind. A thin, lightweight fiberglass strut can be added to the sleeve provided for this purpose: it stiffens the profile when the wind picks up, significantly improves stability at high wind speeds, increases upwind performance, and makes relaunching safer, all without generating any additional drag.
Open C shape: The 2026 Strutless Perf Series features a very open C shape, optimized for light wind gliding and maximizing apparent wind performance on a foil. Its very high projection coefficient, around 69%, allows for the use of a large portion of the surface area in the airflow. This shape offers maximum lift, which, unexpectedly, results in incredible hang time, in addition to its instantly available power in light wind conditions.
A high aspect ratio (from 4.3 in 2025 to 5.2 in 2026) gives this generation an ideal balance between power and glide performance. The kite gains speed in the wind window, glide quality, and lift, while remaining extremely stable, predictable, and easy to fly. It handles effortlessly, even in gusty winds, and forgives many mistakes in slow or imprecise transitions, or even crashes.
A thin leading edge in the center provides a fast, smooth, and low-drag kite. The sections towards the tips are slightly thicker to maintain rigidity under high stress, particularly during acceleration and transitions. This subtle balance allows the kite to be responsive when it needs to move forward and stable when it needs to absorb power.
A deep draft provides immediate support at low speeds. This eliminates the need to work the kite, which is essential in light wind, and allows you to sail with less surface area while maintaining comfortable support. This profile choice offers better performance when underpowered, more available power, and much easier handling in light or choppy winds.
The freeride outline, inherited from several generations of Strutless kites, remains designed to maximize glide and relaunch. It has been significantly modernized with a larger central surface area, similar to its sister kite, the Vertigo 2026. This results in much greater efficiency. The sufficiently curved leading edge also allows for an instinctive relaunch: simply pull slightly on the back line to roll the kite across the water. Relaunching backwards is particularly effective, a huge advantage when the wind drops below 8 knots.
Slightly rearward-positioned tips provide precise and consistent bar feel, even in light winds. This enhances the information transmitted to the rider: you always know where the kite is, facilitating quick repositioning, especially when foiling, during jumps in light wind, or when riding underpowered.
Thinner and lighter tips limit aerodynamic losses and maximize glide in light winds. This thinness also improves handling, especially when foiling where even the slightest variation in speed strongly influences the kite's behavior.
A highly centered surface area : a large portion of the usable surface is concentrated towards the middle of the kite. This creates a powerful and stable "core," generating highly effective lift in light winds and ensuring safe flight when the pull becomes erratic. The centered surface area also helps the kite remain stable in lulls, significantly reducing the risk of backstalls. And for jumping, it's pure bliss.
Tip shape with minimal internal twist : The tips are designed to rotate with very little internal twist. Rotation relies primarily on the speed of the wingtips, a behavior that provides quick and fluid handling without the kite stalling or pitching. Even in 6 knots of true wind or less, the Strutless maintains clean rotation and efficient flight throughout the entire wind window.
No canopy tension : The Strutless Perf Series is intentionally manufactured without canopy tension. This allows the kite to breathe, adapt instantly to the airflow, and avoid any harsh behavior. The kite remains fast, smooth, and perfectly stable. This detail completely changes the feel in the hands in very light winds.
'Self-stable’ shape despite a high aspect ratio, with its pronounced draft and centered surface working together to keep the kite in the airflow, without diving or stalling excessively. The swept-back tips shift the mass slightly toward the rear to prevent stalls. The kite remains predictable, even after a drop or a positioning mistake.
Buying guide
For whom?
With its fiberglass batten, it's as simple as any inflatable single-strut kite. So everyone can easily experience its incredible flying qualities. Furthermore, it's a kite that, by its very nature, isn't ridden overpowered, and therefore isn't physically demanding.
For what ?
The Strutless is the inflatable strutless kite that's a hit in freeride.
It allows you to cruise at full speed with a kite that doesn't drag air and glides wonderfully in light or irregular winds.
Ideal for foiling, it also works very well as a twin tip for some good jumps. Its hang time is exceptional and it loops super well.
Understanding our kite range:
- Display : the freeride kite for rapid progression.
- Vertigo : the high-performance 3-strut kite for all tricks, loops, big air, surfing, foiling.
- Ayto : the ultimate 5-strut kite for big air and aggressive kite loops.
- Unik : the lightweight single-strut freeride kite for lightwind, foiling and waves.
- Strutless : the super light kite for light wind and high-performance freeriding.
- Elips : the ultimate kiteboarding in the waves.
What size?
The Strutless is the queen of the low end. Very smooth and powerful, we love it at low revs.
Choose your kite by following our recommendations below. Wind ranges always depend on your weight, skill level, and the support under your feet!
Bar size:
The length of your bar will directly impact the overall feel of your kite. Remember that the longer your bar, the easier it will be to turn your kite. This is especially important when using larger kites, particularly in very light winds, to maintain good responsiveness. The increased leverage compensates for this natural loss of responsiveness.
Keep in mind that, conversely, the smaller the kite, the faster it will turn! Therefore, using a smaller bar allows you to balance the kite's behavior and make it more responsive. You must take these parameters into account when choosing your bar size and adapt your riding style to your preferred feel and the conditions you encounter.
If we are looking for smooth and progressive steering, we must "undersize" the size of our bar.
If you prefer fast and responsive steering, you should choose a larger bar.
The key size is the 52cm bar. This is the most versatile bar and the one to choose if you only want one bar for a 7-9-12, 8-11, or 8-10-13 quiver.
When you have an extensive kite quiver, it's essential to also have a quiver of bars to maintain a balanced feel when switching from a small kite to a larger one. Also note that having two bars reduces wear and tear on the parts by half!
Here are our recommendations:
The recommendations above are based on the behavior of GONG kites. Since our bars are compatible with a wide range of kites, you can adapt your choice according to the type of kite you use.
Line lengths:
Your Feel-X bar comes standard with 80cm pre-lines, 19m of lines and 3m extensions already mounted.
The original setup is the most versatile and will be your best choice for 90% of your sessions.
By playing with its lengths, or even modifying them with our extensions (sold separately), you boost its versatility even more!
22m lines:
The "standard" bar length allows for a more progressive and predictable feel (recommended setting for progressing kiters). Your wind window will be larger, thus providing more power at takeoff. This is the preferred setting for low and mid-range conditions, and for everyday freeride use.19m lines:
Shorter lines offer a more direct kite response, increasing its responsiveness. The wind window will be shorter. This is the perfect setup for advanced kiters, ideal for wave riding or foiling, for added agility.
If you choose to sail with short lines, you will also gain comfort in high range.
Note that 22m and 19m are not extreme line lengths and remain a fine adjustment to your piloting feel.
Price:
Equipments
Included equipment:
Your kite is ready to sail (excluding bar and pump).
A sturdy and efficient backpack: U-shaped zipper for easy storage, ventilation grid, padding, compression straps, bar pocket, pump straps...
A pump leash loop on your kite to secure your kite during inflation.
Universal, high-flow inflation valve.
Repair kit.
Fiberglass batten: 1 on the Strutless.
Adjustment on the rear and front: 3 points.
All our kites are obviously compatible with our FeelX bar, but also with 95% of bars on the market. If you have any doubt, get a complete set (x4) of pigtails: PIGTAILS .
Remember to bring a pump ;-)
10 years of spare parts.
GONG makes durable kites: it's the basis of our specifications. Never disappoint.
GONG makes its durable kites last: offering you all the components of our products for 10 years is a challenge we gladly take on. Because we firmly believe that a good kite today will be a good kite in 5 years if it's well maintained. And this maintenance is good for the planet because it will allow many young people to equip themselves second-hand at very affordable prices.
To ensure a long life for your kite, it will need to be maintained.
1/ We can do it for you in our workshop. Our expert teams are available to diagnose and solve your problems.
2/ We keep the necessary spare parts in stock, including fabric. Simply place your order online, or ask your preferred repairer to do it.
If the part is unfortunately not in stock, we will order it to have it as soon as possible.
Delivery
Delivery time
We indicate a preparation and shipping time of 3 working days. In reality, the majority of orders are shipped within 24/48 hours.
The delivery time, i.e. delivery time of the package to your home, then depends on the delivery location and the carrier.
We work with reliable and efficient carriers. 99% of shipments go perfectly and quickly. In the case of the remaining 1%, rest assured that we will do what is necessary with the carrier.
Shipping fees
Unlike other sites, shipping costs are not hidden behind the price of our products. You know exactly what shipping costs you, and you are not disadvantaged if you choose to collect your order at our GONG Space Center.
Shipping costs are calculated based on the weight and volume of each package, and your delivery address.
Tracking your package
Delivery tracking is managed directly by the carriers to whom we have entrusted your packages. They will contact you by email or SMS to allow you to choose delivery methods and follow the route of your package.
Carriers
We work with the best transport societies to deliver to you throughout Europe and the world within very short deadlines. We chose them for their quality of service and their compliance with deadlines.
For mainland France, 80% of your orders arrive at their destination in less than 48 hours of processing.
For Europe, delivery times vary from 3 to 6 working days, depending on the country of destination.
For the rest of the world, delivery times depend on transit time and customs clearance time. This delay depends on customs and can last from a few days to a few weeks depending on the destination and seasonality.
Please note, transport time is added to preparation/shipping time. Two companies collaborate on your order (GONG and the carrier). Each one masters its activity and is committed to optimizing its deadlines so that you are delivered as quickly as possible and at a reasonable price.
Eco-responsible packaging
Preserving the environment is an absolute priority. This is why we do everything possible to reduce our ecological footprint.
The most important thing is to sell quality, durable products that will be repairable and will please you for a long time.
For our shipments, we use:
Scotch craft paper.
Final packaging in high-end cardboard.
For rigid boards: Flexi-Hex, very high resistance ecological packaging.
This means:
Reusable and recyclable packaging.
An almost total reduction in single-use plastic.
Maximum protection and impact resistance for rigid boards thanks to the innovative Flexi-Hex honeycomb design (35mm thick).
Receipt of your product
Upon delivery, check the condition of your package in the presence of the carrier. A complete explanation email on the procedure to follow will be sent to you when your order is shipped.
Despite our requirements and all the care we take in the packaging and protection of your product, transport hazards may occur, and your product may suffer more or less significant transport damage.
Note that the products are protected in their carton. If you have any doubts, simply refuse delivery and contact us.
Headguard + Helmet
Zipless Impact Vest
Change Bucket Comfort 68L
Cotton Poncho
Assault Kite Harness
Waterproof Poncho Sand / Blue
Key Lock Box
Neoprene Seat Cover
Vapor Kite Harness
Is the Strutless an accessible kite?
People often think that a kite without inflatable struts is a complicated kite. In reality, it's quite the opposite because it will stay in the air much more naturally. So we'll avoid a lot of hassle.
This kite can be flown with great precision. Four-line kite enthusiasts will love it because the rotation and drift capabilities of a strutless kite offer a truly similar feel.
What are the advantages of fiberglass batten?
The Strutless is also a kite that will handle exactly like a completely classic inflatable single-strut kite when you add the fiberglass batten. Same high-end power, same depower, same speed, everything is the same.
But this volume-free batten will eliminate 30% of the kite's drag! Extraordinary glide for better performance.
Another advantage of fiberglass battens: you don't have to use them! It's entirely up to you. In very light winds, you can opt for a pure strutless setup to save weight and achieve optimal performance.
It's all up to you: no batten, one batten, the choice is yours, but in any case you will gain 30% less drag.
Is the Strutless a stable kite in the upper wind range?
Without the batten: no, that's not part of its plan.
With a batten: yes, exactly like a fully inflatable kite of the same shape.
What about relaunching a kite without an inflatable strut?
Even better!!!
Firstly, because without battens this kite is much lighter. Therefore, it will turn around and get out of the water better in light winds.
Secondly, because no strut will trap water and weigh down the kite at a point that prevents relaunching. This water retention is a frequent cause of classic kites failing to relaunch.
In reality, strutless kites sometimes have a reputation for being difficult to relaunch because users push them in such low wind conditions that they simply won't relaunch. They're not magic. But they still relaunch better than classic kites when you have the technique down.
Which "light" kite should I choose?
Within our comprehensive range, we have various "light" kites. Depending on your conditions and skill level, you should choose one model over another.
If you want to just sail, go upwind ++, ride in minimal wind without using a foil kit: the Strutless is perfect.
If you like using a small kite in light winds, have maximum maneuverability and minimal bulk, love playing with your kite, turning and drifting, and enjoy maneuvers: the Strutless Revo is perfect.
If you want fewer drawbacks in light winds, but you want to stay in the family of 100% inflatable battened kites: the Unik is perfect.
What inflation pressure?
The recommended pressure is indicated in the table below:
Several factors must be taken into account:
An underinflated kite will be unstable and difficult to control in gusty winds. Relaunching will also be more complicated with a kite that doesn't hold its shape.
An overinflated kite will increase the risk of explosion during a crash and will cause the seams and materials of your kite to wear out more quickly.
If you keep your kite inflated in the sun for a long period, we recommend deflating it slightly to reduce the risk of seam fatigue.
Bar compatibility?
The Strutless was developed to work with the FeelX bar. Our bar has 4 lines of the same length and a low V at the front lines.
The attachments for the lines at the bridle level are:
Kite-side loops for the front lines
Kite-side knots for the back lines
How do I maintain my kite equipment?
To increase the lifespan of your equipment, how you use it and its regular maintenance will be very important.
A key point when using your kite: do not leave it inflated for long periods of time without being used! The flapping of the fabric in the wind can cause premature wear of the materials, as can prolonged exposure to UV rays.
Frequent rinsing of your kite under running water is also discouraged. The chlorine in tap water can damage the surface treatments of your kite. Instead, you should store your kite dry and remove any excess sand.
Always rinse your tiller with clean water to remove sand and salt. Remember to also open the safety release to rinse the inside. Let it dry before reassembling it.
If the slat or leading edge is punctured, use your repair kit, or consult our spare parts to order the replacement part.
Regularly inspect the condition of your kite. Look for any holes or cuts and have them repaired before they get worse.
If you have damaged your kite due to misuse, you can have it repaired directly at the GONG workshop by contacting our sailmaker: HERE
More information on how to maintain your kite can be found on the forum .