Video summary

New Duotone Rebel D/LAB 2026 Vs Rebel D/LAB 2025 Ft. Jamie Overbeek

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Duotone Rebel D/LAB 2026 (9 m) compared directly with Duotone Rebel D/LAB 2025 (9 m), tested in ~25–30 knots (flat water / lagoon).

Key features discussed (what changed for 2026)

  • Material upgrade: 2026 uses Duotone DTX Alula material (compared to 2025 Alula material).
  • More playful steering feel: intended to fly less straight and steer faster.
  • More vertical jumping goal: designed to jump straighter up more than “floating downwind,” while maintaining hang time.
  • Pulleyless bridle: 2026 aims to remove pulleys from the bridle (described as a major design challenge).
  • Center strut shortened: slightly changes aspect/feel; claimed to help make the kite faster.
  • Performance feel targets: quicker steering/turning behavior and more controllable loops.

What the reviewers noticed on-water (user experience)

Bar feel / control

  • Lighter bar pressure on 2026 (both speakers mention this clearly).
  • Lighter steering pressure on 2026.
  • Still enough feedback to know where the kite is in the sky (not “too light” / not vague).
  • Bar tunability: mention of settings (including a hard setting Jamie used) to influence the feel/verticality.

Turning, looping, and trick progression

  • Quicker acceleration and recovery after loops on the 2026.
  • More predictable steering, with a clearer sense of what the kite will do.
  • Reported to make loop tricks easier, improving progression and confidence.
  • Specific progression benefit: Contra U tornado is easier on 2026 versus harder on 2025.
  • Multiple loop styles described:
    • “Classic Rebel” loops with more free-fall
    • “New school” loops with less angle, but quicker recovery and second lift

Jumping / lift

  • Very strong “second lift” in 2026; spot described as nearly too small to land in, yet still manageable due to second lift.
  • Verticality: Jamie adjusted to a hard setting to get the kite more vertical. The tone suggests it can support more vertical jumping, especially as wind and settings allow.
  • Overall: both kites are strong for big air, but 2026’s second lift stands out.

Power / range (high-end / wind increase)

  • No major differences in depower/control were noticed as wind picked up.
  • Key point: despite the pulleyless bridle, 2026 reportedly keeps the high-end range similar to 2025 (which still uses a pulley bridle).
  • Claimed upside: directness/snappiness from pulleyless, while still retaining pulley-bridle-like range.

Pros vs cons (as stated or implied)

Pros of 2026

  • Lighter bar + steering pressure
  • More predictable, direct steering
  • Faster turning behavior
  • Easier kite loops and better recovery
  • Stronger second lift / ability to go again quickly
  • Good progression behavior (one speaker notes less likelihood of tennis elbow)
  • Maintains wind-range behavior despite pulleyless bridle (no observed loss in the test)

Cons / tradeoffs mentioned

  • No serious negatives were presented.
  • Only a theoretical downside was discussed: pulleyless bridle can reduce deep power stroke, potentially lowering high-end performance—but in this test, they didn’t notice that downside.

Comparisons made (2026 vs 2025)

  • Biggest immediate differences: bar pressure + steering pressure (2026 lighter).
  • Loop behavior: 2026 accelerates more and recovers faster.
  • Trick progression: 2026 makes moves like Contra U tornado noticeably easier.
  • Turning speed: described as improved on 2026.
  • Range/depower: reported as essentially the same in stronger gusts during the session—seen as a major win given the bridle change.

Ratings / numerical scores

  • No explicit numerical ratings or scores were given.
  • Setup/wind details mentioned:
    • ~25–30 knots
    • 9 m kite
    • Jamie’s 24 m lines (for at least one test)

Overall verdict / recommendation

The Duotone Rebel D/LAB 2026 is a clear handling upgrade over the 2025, especially for riders who want:

  • Lighter, more direct bar/steering
  • Easier loop tricks
  • More usable second lift

It also maintains strong control and similar range as wind increases.

Recommendation: Buy/upgrade to 2026 if you prioritize progression, looping ease, and lift, as it delivers meaningful improvements even though both versions are already high-performing.

Unique points by speaker / roles

  • Main narrator / testing lead (video host):

    • Focused on design/tech changes: DTX Alula material, pulley removal challenge, shortened center strut, intended “more playful but stable” behavior, faster loops.
    • Emphasized expected handling improvements and what to watch for.

  • Jamie Overbeek:

    • Immediate feel: lighter bar pressure and strong second lift; questions about jump height/verticality.
    • Used settings (notably a hard setting) to get a more vertical trajectory and reported strong results.
    • Differences mainly in bar/steering pressure, suggesting jump verticality depends on conditions/settings.

  • Another rider / “guide” voice (Jeremy/Lucas referenced):

    • Progression focus: more confidence for loops, easier Contra U tornado, more predictable steering.
    • Reported lighter bar/steering pressure and improved turning/loop recovery.
    • Noted no major depower/range loss despite pulleyless bridle, and highlighted second lift again.
    • Mentioned improved confidence for laidback downloop on 2026.

Original video