TKB REVIEW: NEW F-ONE FURTIVE – “SUPER STABLE, BOOSTING KITE THAT CRANKS UPWIND”
With 5-struts and its higher-aspect canopy, the Furtive creates a solid airframe that sits farther forward in the window and accelerates quickly for blazing upwind performance. While the turning speed is not on par with the Bandit, this kite does generate a good amount of lift and hangtime which makes it a good choice for the progressive freerider that likes to cover distance and boost big air freestyle.
F-One Says:
The Furtive features a high aspect ratio for high performance and 5 struts to control the profile. The leading edge arc is reduced to develop the maximum of power for a given area. This is ideal for long-distance racing, speed riding and hang-time sessions.
Its profile has been developed to ensure maximum traction at the edge of the window. Its W5 bridle is totally innovative and brings together the function of a bridle and a 5th line. We have called it W5 due to its W pattern which includes a central line to control the leading edge arc, like a 5th line. It provides perfect distortion control and the central line further helps with the depower of the kite.
Our Testers Say:
“Boost me up Scotty! This thing can jump… and it jumps high!” // Brent Borodic.
“Incredibly stability and upwind capability.” // Alejandro Strauss.
“The Furtive is a super stable, fun-to-fly kite that cranks upwind.” // Chris Borodic.
TKB Says:
In the last few years F-One has diversified its product offerings with a wide range of kites to meet the needs of the specific disciplines of the sport. This year F-One has added the Furtive which is a 5-strut high-aspect race-inspired inflatable that targets the performance freeride-oriented kiteboarder. The Furtive comes with a narrow diameter 9mm inflation and 11m dump valve and features a single setting on the front bridle and 2 settings on the wingtip. With 5-struts and its higher-aspect canopy, the Furtive creates a solid airframe that sits farther forward in the window and accelerates quickly for blazing upwind performance. While the turning speed is not on par with the Bandit, this kite does generate a good amount of lift and hangtime which makes it a good choice for the progressive freerider that likes to cover distance and boost big air freestyle. Testers recommended this kite to dedicated freeriders and foilboarders who want the performance realm of a ram air kite with the ease of use and reliability of an inflatable.
The Furtive comes with the Monolith control bar which is a fixed length bar (45 and 52cm) that is machined out of a single piece of aluminum block. It has a plastic coated sheeting/throw line, no sliding stopper, double center-line depower, high-V, above bar depower Clam cleat, without an attachment option to keep the depower control toggle from tangling. The safety system utilizes a push away quick release with a quick release travel guard, but no hand swivel. The center and outside lines all have looped pigtails and while the length of sheeting/throw is not adjustable, the Furtive design delivers all the depower you will need within reach of most people. This year, F-One took away the centerline tuning above the depower cleat and changed bar colors from red and blue to red and yellow. The padded floats attach to the hard bar ends the outside leader lines can allow riders to adjust the length of the outside lines for stretch or tuning. Testers praised the bar’s rubber grip with slight texture and overall simplicity and functional features.
