Video summary

Test complet des nouvelles parawings Altis focus et focus hybrid

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product overview (Altis Parawing)

Video reviews two newly released kite/parawing models from Altis:

  • Focus (single-skin / monowing)
  • Focus Hybrid (double-skin / hybrid)

Both share:

  • Same color scheme (white + fluorescent orange), easy to spot on the water
  • Same general design elements, including the bar system
  • Tested extensively on the water (starting earlier in March; hybrid testing described as ~3 months, with ~1 month of dual-skin testing)

Main features highlighted

Shared bar / handling design (Focus + Focus Hybrid)

  • Ergonomic bar grip designed for proper loading behavior.
  • Allows the rider to keep a front grip position a bit more forward to manage gusts.
  • Bar architecture described as allowing the B/C components to be positioned above, leaving the bar freer for hand placement.
  • Uses size-dependent bar length on the Focus/monowing variants (e.g., “~3 cm more” between 35 and 49) for correct geometry/leverage.

Hybrid-specific construction (Focus Hybrid)

  • Hybrid double-skin on half the outer wing (half the leading-edge zone).
  • Includes three small “drain/empty” holes on the outer edge:
    • Designed to let water exit quickly if the wing goes into the water.
    • Claim: empties by itself in ~3 seconds after shaking/grabbing at the leading edge.
  • Line system changes thickness/diameter front vs rear for load distribution:
    • Front lines thicker / sheathed (less “hurting” when sliding due to thickness)
    • Logic: more front pressure under heavy power → thicker lines where needed.
  • Closing/stashing described as:
    • Very easy closing using specialized line/closing logic
    • Avoids heavy “curtain”/S1 issues via how closure targets the load-bearing section

User experience & ride characteristics

Focus Hybrid (what it feels like)

Overall theme: more comfort and smoother gust handling, with slightly better upwind but not a big speed gain.

Comfort / stability improvements

  • In gusty conditions, it handles without the typical “tossing” effect described for other kites:
    • Arms don’t get yanked forward as much when countering with front lines
    • Rider stays “locked into harness” and the wing climbs more “on its own”
  • Described as stable for typical use windows (bar grip sensitivity not “millimeter precise”).

Upwind performance (VMG / angle)

  • Hybrid goes a little better upwind (better VMG/angle) than the same kite as a single-skin.
  • But the improvement is framed as very subtle and “not what should drive your choice.”
  • Example framing: small changes like “10–15 grams on the upwind leg,” not meaningful for overall VMG if speed is the same.

Low-end / pumping

  • Pumping/lower-end: the hybrid “gets going almost instantly.”
  • They say you typically don’t need extra sizes to match a monopod’s feel.
  • They explicitly reject the idea that hybrid requires much more wind:
    • Early discussion mentions a possible “5.5 knots vs 4.5” assumption
    • Later they say that’s not the case.

High-end

  • Not much extra high-end power.
  • Misconceptions: testers who felt “more high-end power” were said to be mistaken.
  • High-end behavior is more about comfort—allowing riders to stay powered longer.

A key “mindset” caution for hybrids

  • Hybrid wings are described as self-stabilizing differently than monopods:
    • Tend to want to move forward within the wind window rather than staying where a monopod stays.
    • At very low wind (example around 11–12 knots), the wing may drift to one side and the rider must steer/counter to keep it from falling.
  • Practical implication:
    • At very low wind/speed, hybrids can feel less “set-and-forget” than a hyper-stable monopod.

Freestyle / transitions

  • Claim: hybrids remain more inflated during transitions than some monopods.
  • In slightly risky maneuvers (backstall-type moments), the wing does not collapse immediately; it keeps shape and reinflates more reliably.

Wind range findings (Focus Hybrid)

Usable wind ranges are provided by size (no formal rating score, but presented as test conclusions).

  • 28 (hybrid)

    • Usable start around 24–25 knots
    • Difficult to maintain beyond about 33–34 knots
    • Reported reaching 42 knots (“yesterday” as an exposure/extreme), but normal usability framed as ~33–34.

  • 35 (hybrid)

    • Usable roughly 17–26 knots
    • Around 10 knots usable range (as summarized later)
    • Pumping supports easy start (noted that rider weight matters: lighter riders benefit more).

  • 49 (hybrid)

    • Usable “about” 13–21 knots (described as powerful; can feel physical)
    • Example heavier rider (~95 kg): starts around ~14 knots and likes it
    • Example lighter rider (~72 kg): would avoid the 49; feels it’s only suitable if you’re consistently in the upper teens to low 20s with enough wind.

Pros (explicitly stated)

Focus Hybrid pros

  • Very comfortable and stable in gusty conditions
  • Handles gusts without yanking the rider’s arms forward
  • Rider can climb/ride longer with more power comfortably
  • Water emptying improvement: three holes, self-draining (claimed ~3 seconds)
  • Easy closing / quick reopening / good re-launch
  • Slightly better upwind angle/VMG than single-skin (but minor)

Focus (monowing) pros

  • Stable/self-stable flight characteristics
  • Bar “light in feel” (less impression of hard pull early)
  • Very easy opening/closing:
    • Leading edge “doesn’t go very far” → less trapped air → easier closing
    • Closing aided by a design detail near S1
  • Easy emptying when falling into water (claimed “almost in a second”)
  • Designed to be beginner-friendly / progressive:
    • “Free ride” wing, forgiving, smooth

Cons / limitations (explicitly stated)

Focus Hybrid cons

  • Not a big performance jump vs monopod:
    • Upwind improvement exists but is too subtle to be the main selling point
  • Less set-and-forget at ultra-low wind:
    • May drift to one side; requires steering/countering around 11–12 knots
  • High-end power increase not significant
  • Comfort improvements don’t eliminate the reality that it’s still a hybrid; emphasize correct expectations vs earlier hybrid attempts.

Focus (monowing) cons

  • Positioned as beginner/progressive, not top-race performance:
    • Not expected to deliver high-performance angle/power gains
  • Availability/timing:
    • Limited early production; next store availability mentioned as mid-August
    • Few sizes in shop at recording:
      • Focus monopo: 4 m
      • Hybrids: 28/35/49

Comparisons made (within the video)

Hybrid vs other hybrids

  • Mentions other hybrids on the market:
    • Triple 7 hybrid: described as having less traction at low speeds; requires more line loading; positioned as expert-oriented
    • 57 Triple 7 price cited: about €1400
  • Claims Altis hybrid improves on past hybrids:
    • Older hybrids dismissed due to emptying/handling compromises
    • Altis hybrid is said to avoid that level of compromise due to effective draining.

Hybrid vs monowing (Focus Hybrid vs Focus)

  • Hybrid: more comfort + gust handling; slightly better upwind VMG/angle
  • Monowing Focus: more hyper-stable at low wind (more “set-and-forget”) and very easy to handle

Downwind / Vmax behavior

  • A Vmax-style test is described where the hybrid may help the rider keep speed more efficiently:
    • Monowing may cause “whoops” / bar jolts and more body movements at full speed
    • Hybrid is described as more stable in downwind acceleration, with reduced bar input/jolts so the rider can remain better positioned

Unique points list (distinct product-related claims)

  1. Two models: Focus and Focus Hybrid
  2. Same standout color code: white + fluorescent orange for visibility
  3. Shared ergonomic bar design allowing front grip placement to manage gusts
  4. “Hybrid and double-pot” concept gaining adoption in 2026 (context)
  5. Bar free design: B/C architecture moved above so bar can be handled freely
  6. Line diameter/thickness differs front vs rear (front thicker)
  7. Closing system uses line logic to close without closing all fronts—targets load-bearing area
  8. Reel/stow claim: easier folding/tangling resistance and quicker readiness after relaunch
  9. Hybrid outer-half double-skin plus three drainage holes to empty water (~3 seconds)
  10. Past hybrids were “hard compromises”; current hybrid avoids those problems due to drainage
  11. Performance target: better upwind and better handling; upwind improvement is small
  12. Comfort gains are the real improvement: stability + gust behavior; easier “climb with more power”
  13. Wind range: reduced starting assumptions; no major compromise requiring bigger sizes
  14. Not much extra high-end power; comfort enables longer overpowered riding
  15. Focus Hybrid usable wind ranges:
    • 28: ~24–25 to ~33–34 knots (with extreme climb to ~42 reported)
    • 35: ~17–26 knots
    • 49: ~13–21 knots (suited especially to heavier riders in that band)
  16. Hybrid low-speed “DNA”: drifts within wind window; needs steering at ~11–12 knots
  17. Transition benefit: wing stays more inflated during risky transitions than some monopods
  18. Focus monopo bar length changes by size (~3 cm between 35 and 49)
  19. Focus aims at mid-pack performance: not top-low-end like leading competitors, not weakest either
  20. Focus closing/opening: less trapped air → easy closing; aided by S1-related design
  21. Focus emptying when wet: very fast, almost instant
  22. Focus is beginner/progression friendly (“free ride,” smooth, forgiving)
  23. Hybrid is comfort-focused: not for “super rippers” / high-performance purists
  24. Availability constraint: mid-August for next store availability; limited initial production

Speakers / perspectives (separated)

  • Speaker 1 (main presenter / technical explanations)

    • Most detailed architecture: bar, line design, closure logic, drainage holes, test wind ranges
    • Provides most comparisons and performance interpretations (VMG subtle; comfort main value; low-wind handling caveat)

  • Speaker 2 (supporting voice)

    • Mainly concurs on general impressions
    • Shares test-based conclusions (comfort/stability and overall evaluation), with less specific technical detail

Concise verdict / recommendation

  • Altis Focus Hybrid is recommended mainly for riders who prioritize comfort, gust stability, and easier water recovery, with only a small upwind/VMG advantage over the single-skin Focus.

    • Be mindful: at very low wind (~11–12 knots) it may require more active steering than a monopod.

  • Altis Focus (single-skin) is the better choice if you want maximum stability and a beginner/progressive “easy ride” experience, with similarly easy opening/closing and fast emptying—just not aimed at high-performance racing.

Overall:

  • Choose Focus for “easy + stable + progressive.”
  • Choose Focus Hybrid for “comfort + gust tolerance + smoother riding,” accepting modest performance gains and a low-wind steering mindset.

Original video