Airush Lithium v14 Kite Review – HISS
Join Reider Decker as he dives into the Airush Lithium.
“The Lithium is a true all-around kite… The biggest points that stood out for me right away were the turning speed and bar feel. The kite turns super fast, very pivotal and tight, without being too big and sweepy. The depower is excellent, and the bar feel is progressive whether you’re sheeting in or out. It has a really smooth power delivery, with solid depower at the far end, which is really nice…”
Hey, this is Rieder Decker from Hatteras Island Surf Shop.
Today we’re going over the Airush Lithium V14. This kite is an epic three-strut kite. Airush has been running the Lithium model since around 2011, and I think it was one of the first fully manufactured three-strut kites on the market. This version is the best to date, which is pretty epic considering how long it’s been around.
The Lithium V14 is a true all-around kite. We’ve been riding the 10m version a lot, and the biggest points that stood out for me right away were the turning speed and bar feel. The kite turns super fast, very pivotal and tight, without being too big and sweepy. The depower is excellent, and the bar feel is progressive whether you’re sheeting in or out. It has a really smooth power delivery, with solid depower at the far end, which is really nice.
Airush also changed the pulley system. Now it’s a single pulley with a stopper so it doesn’t get too depowered. The 10m we’ve been riding is standard Dacron construction. They’re planning a team model later, but the Dacron one we’ve been using feels super solid in the air with a great wind range.
In our FTN movie, I was doing strapless airs in the ocean with it, and it was really fun even though the wind wasn’t super strong. In the sound part of FTN, most of it was filmed on the 10m as well. The wind there was in the low 20s, which is standard for a 10m for me. I’ve also had sessions in lighter winds in the upper teens. At 220 pounds, I wasn’t overpowered, and I was able to work the kite to generate apparent wind and still have a great session, doing tricks and having fun even when it wasn’t that windy.
For all-around riding, good wind range, and great bar feel, this kite is hard to beat. I don’t really kite loop much, but Jason, who rides for Airush, does huge loops with it. Alex, who has worked with us, also took it out and crushed a bunch of kite loops. The kite has a nice, tight pivotal turn, but it still flies smoothly through the window. It’s not as high-aspect as some other three-strut kites, which makes it more versatile and all-around.
When it comes to jumping, the Lithium V14 is super easy. You just whip it, sheet in, and it feels really friendly. Compared to the Lift, it doesn’t boost quite as aggressively or hold as much on the center line. The Lift has less bar pressure and loads you harder. The Lithium is a little less intense, but it still jumps well and feels great in the air—super reliable and fun.
Overall, the Airush Lithium V14 is a kite for a bit of everything. I’m really stoked on it. We’re over the moon with how it rides. Come by Hatteras Island Surf Shop or check it out online at Hatteras Island Surf Shop.
Bye!