18/08/2014 | THE VARIAL X – 2015 VS 2014
To those who are familiar with the Varial X in 2014, we have made some changes to 2015 in order to please a broader group of intermediate to advanced aggressive riders. Therefore the 2015 Varial X has been improved in low-end, relaunching, stability and power delivery. Airush Kite Designer, Mark Pattison, comments on the key focuses of change and what that means to the rider.
LOW END
A lot of feedback for the 2014 Varial X was to improve the low-end power of the kite. The larger sizes of the 2015 Varial X have an increased Low End of 2 knots. On the smaller sizes we have added about 5 knots of low-end ability without compromising efficiency.
TOP END
Top End ability is something that the Varial X customer loves, so this is a primary focus to keep. We didn’t lose any of the top-end in the 2015, in fact, the 2015 Varial X has better depower and more stability in survival overpower situations than 2014.
TURNING SPEED
The 2015 Varial X has a different type of turn than 2014. The 2014 had more forward turning, keeping more speed in the turn, more like a Razor. The new 2015 Varial X is still fast, yet bit more pivotal in its turning.
FORWARD SPEED
The 2015 kite still has an extreme appetite for the front of the window, and as such in gusty conditions the 2015 kite is much more effective at upwind riding, especially in gusty conditions. Maximum riding speed is similar if not slightly better than last year, yet unhooked acceleration in the window requires a little more depower on the strap this year, and for the hardcore unhooked freestylers the Razor still remains the industry standard in elite level freestyle.
KITE LOOPING
For 2015, we made the Varial X tamer throughout the kite loop allowing for more control in the air.
The 2014 Varial X gives you more of a horizontal pull but because the 2015 Varial X is a bit more gruntier when comparing size for size, Id say they give you about the same rush in a kiteloop in the same conditions.
JUMPING AND BOOSTING
The Varial X in 2015 is less technical to jump which brings much bigger boosts in lighter winds. For those that are jumping on full power at full speed, altitude is similar, but the hang time is much improved and the kite is far easier to control and predict in the air.
WAVE RIDING
For 2014, you needed to be more on the ball and concentrate on where the kite is. The 2015 Varial X is more user-friendly for wave riding, more predictable, and drifts better. All of these were requested by the 2014 Varial X rider.
STABILITY
We worked a lot on the Stability of the Varial X for 2015. Due to the revisions in the LE and Canopy, it handles gusts and more aggressive maneuvers through loops and downloops. Therefore you can demand even more from the 2015 Varial X in all sorts of positions.
RELAUNCHING
A primary focus of the 2015 Varial X is the relaunching. By adjusting the tips position and overall design, the 2015 Varial X is WAY better at relaunch than the 2014, not even a comparison.
WIND RANGE
In gusty conditions the 2015 is super stable and easy to ride, whilst the extra power available in the lulls makes for seamless power delivery to the rider. This gust response and the additional drive open up a wider wind range than before.
UNHOOKED
The 2014 shoots further forward in the window during an unhooked trick allowing for more slack at the apex of the pass. When riding unhooked on the 2015 Varial X, there needs to be a bit less tension in the back lines. This is as easy as pulling the trim strap in slightly.