The Strutless Perf Series is our magic kite for foiling and lightwind freeriding.
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.
Technical sheet
Design 0 latte gonflable : La Strutless Perf 2026 conserve un design totalement strutless, sans latte gonflable, ce qui réduit au maximum le poids et la traînée. Ce choix structurel permet à l’aile de voler dans une quantité d’air quasi inexistante et de rester parfaitement calée au zénith dans 4 nœuds réels. Une latte en fibre de verre, fine et légère, peut être ajoutée dans le fourreau prévu à cet effet : elle rigidifie le profil lorsque le vent se renforce, améliore nettement la tenue en plage haute, augmente le cap et sécurise le redécollage, le tout sans générer la moindre traînée supplémentaire.
Open C shape : La Strutless Perf 2026 s’appuie sur un open C shape très ouvert, optimisé pour la glisse en vent léger et l’exploitation maximale du vent apparent en foil. Le coefficient de projection très élevé, autour de 69 %, permet d’utiliser une large portion de la surface dans le flux d’air. Ce shape offre une portance maximale, qui contre toute attente donne un hang time incroyable, en plus de sa puissance immédiatement disponible en plage basse.
Ratio élevé (de 4,3 en 2025 à 5,2 en 2026) qui donne à cette génération un équilibre idéal entre fond de puissance et finesse de vol. L’aile gagne en vitesse dans la fenêtre, en qualité de glisse et en portance utile, tout en restant extrêmement saine, prévisible et simple à piloter. Elle se tient sans effort, même dans du vent irrégulier, et pardonne quantité d’erreurs en navigation lente ou en transitions approximatives voire dans les chutes.
Bord d’attaque fin au centre pour offrir une aile rapide, glissante et peu traînante. Les sections situées vers les tips sont un peu plus généreuses pour conserver de la rigidité lors des sollicitations fortes, notamment en accélération ou en transition. Ce dosage subtil permet au kite d’être fin quand il doit avancer, et stable quand il doit encaisser.
Creux important pour générer un appui immédiat à bas régime. Cela évite d’avoir à faire travailler le kite, ce qui est essentiel dans le lightwind, et permet de naviguer avec moins de surface tout en gardant un appui confortable. Ce choix de profil donne plus de rendement sous-toilé, plus de couple, et un comportement beaucoup plus facile dans les vents asthmatiques ou hachés.
Outline freeride, hérité de plusieurs générations de Strutless, reste pensé pour maximiser la glisse et la relance. Il a été fortement modernisé pour plus de surface au centre comme sur sa soeur la Vertigo 2026. On a beaucoup plus de rendement. Le bord d’attaque suffisamment courbé permet aussi une mise en position de redécollage instinctive : il suffit de tirer légèrement un arrière pour faire rouler l’aile sur l’eau. En marche arrière, le redécollage est particulièrement efficace, un énorme avantage lorsque le vent passe sous les 8 nœuds.
Tips légèrement reculées, ce qui donne une présence en barre précise et constante, même dans le vent faible. Cela dope l’information transmise au rider : on sait en permanence où se trouve l’aile, et cela facilite les repositionnements rapides, notamment en foil, dans les jumps dans le lightwind, ou lors des phases où l’on ride sous-toilé.
Tips fines et plus light, ce qui limite les pertes aérodynamiques et maximise la glisse dans le vent léger. Cette finesse améliore aussi la maniabilité, en particulier en foil où la moindre variation de vitesse influence fortement le comportement de l’aile.
Une surface très centrée : une large part de la surface utile est concentrée vers le milieu de l’aile. Cela donne un “coeur” puissant et stable, qui génère un appui très efficace dans le vent léger et sécurise le vol lorsque la traction devient irrégulière. La surface centrée aide également l’aile à rester saine dans les molles, limitant fortement les risques de backstall. Et en jump c’est du caviar.
Shape des tips avec peu de vrillage interne : les tips sont conçues pour tourner avec très peu de vrillage interne. La rotation s’appuie principalement sur la vitesse des oreilles, un comportement qui donne une maniabilité rapide et fluide sans que l’aile ne s’enfonce ou ne plante. Même dans 6 nœuds réels ou moins, la Strutless conserve une rotation propre et un vol qui reste efficace dans toute la fenêtre.
Aucune tension de spi : la Strutless Perf est volontairement fabriquée sans tension de spi. Cela permet au kite de respirer, de s’adapter instantanément au flux, et d’éviter tout comportement brutal. L’aile reste rapide, douce, et parfaitement stable. Ce détail change complètement la sensation en main dans le vent très léger.
Shape “autostable” malgré un ratio élevé, avec son creux prononcé et sa surface centrée qui travaillent ensemble pour maintenir l’aile dans le flux, sans piquer ni reculer exagérément. Les tips reculées déplacent légèrement la masse vers l’arrière pour éviter les décrochages. L’aile reste prévisible, même après une chute ou une erreur de placement.
Buying guide
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Equipments
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 ;-)
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
Orders are prepared and shipped quickly: most are dispatched within 24 to 48 business hours.
The delivery time, meaning the transit of the parcel to your address, then depends on the delivery location and the carrier.
Shipping costs are transparent and calculated based on weight, volume, and delivery address.
You have a 14-day right of withdrawal to return or exchange a new product that does not suit you.
We prioritize sustainable, recyclable, and reusable packaging solutions, minimizing single-use plastic as much as possible while ensuring optimal protection for products, including large items.
GEAR: 2026 GONG KITE: FURTHER, HIGHER, STRONGER!
More than an evolution, it’s a catapult. The 2026 GONG range blows everything wide open: progression, freeride, freestyle, extreme big...
TECH TALK: THE 2026 RANGE OF KITES
Presentation of the models and the latest developments in a range that’s already making waves! The online release a few...
GEAR: RIDING WITH A STRUTLESS KITE?
The concept kite with outstanding flight qualities. The Strutless concept is simple, but a true game changer. Inflatable struts are...
TECH HIGHLIGHTS: THE DIFFERENT SHAPES OF A KITE AND THEIR QUALITIES
Identify the different shapes of a kite and their qualities in the blink of an eye! The pioneers of kitesurfing...
GEAR: CHOOSING A DACRON OR UPE ARAMID KITE?
How materials influence your kite’s performance. Since the beginning of kitesurfing, Dacron has been the reference material for building inflatable...
