North vs Duotone: Which Kitesurfing Brand Should You Choose?

Among kitesurfers, the North or Duotone debate comes up at every session. These two premium brands dominate waterways around the world — including Mauritian lagoons — and offer ranges of remarkable technical quality. What many riders don't know is that they share the same history. Understanding it helps you make an informed choice.

Two brands, one shared history

Until 2018, the "North" kites you saw at the spots were designed by the company Boards & More, which operated the North name under license from the North Technology group (North Sails). In the summer of 2018, the license ended: Boards & More kept its teams, designers and models, but rebranded them as Duotone. So the Rebel, Evo and Neo simply continued their careers under a new name.

For its part, the North group created North Actionsports Group (with Mystic and Magic Marine) and relaunched North Kiteboarding for the 2020 season: an entirely new brand, developed in the Netherlands and New Zealand, with no technical connection to the old North kites.

The practical consequence: if you ride a pre-2019 North, its direct heir is at Duotone, not North. And today's Norths aren't "old" kites relaunched, but a range designed from scratch by a fresh team.

Duotone in 2026: the range

Duotone offers one of the most complete ranges on the market, available in three levels of construction: the original, the SLS (Strong Light Superior, lighter and stiffer) and the D/LAB, built with the Aluula composite material, ultra-light and very high-end.

• Evo / Evo SLS / Evo D/LAB: the brand's do-it-all kite — freeride, big air, a bit of wave. The Evo SLS is arguably the most versatile allround kite on the market.
• Rebel SLS: the big air machine, built for height and hangtime.
• Neo / Neo SLS: the historic wave reference, with excellent drift.
• Dice SLS: freestyle and radical wave, for aggressive riding.
• Juice: dedicated to light wind.

On the control side, the wheel-adjusted Click Bar remains a brand signature.

North in 2026: the range

The "new" North quickly earned a serious reputation, particularly in big air, and relies on clean design and technical materials.

• Reach: the versatile kite par excellence, available from 5 to 19 m² — lively, maneuverable, accessible.
• Orbit: the brand's big air reference, designed for height, speed and control in strong wind.
• Pulse: 5-strut Modern-C profile for freestyle and wakestyle, with explosive pop.
• Code Zero: designed for foil and light wind.

The Navigator bar system is renowned for its finish and ergonomics.

Which brand for your style?

• Beginner / progression: a tie. An Evo SLS or a Reach are both stable, predictable and forgiving. The right choice is above all a recent kite suited to your build.
• Big air: both brands dominate the podiums. Orbit at North, Rebel SLS or Evo D/LAB at Duotone — a matter of bar feeling more than raw performance.
• Freestyle: Pulse (North) and Dice SLS (Duotone) play in the same league.
• Wave: a slight historic advantage to Duotone's Neo, the strapless reference.
• Light wind / foil: Code Zero (North) and Juice (Duotone) are up to the task.
• Budget and resale: both brands are expensive to buy but resell very well. The D/LAB constructions in Aluula cost significantly more — reserved for demanding riders.

Testing and buying in Mauritius

At Mauritian spots like Le Morne, the trade winds blow from 15 to 25 knots from May to October: most riders there sail with kites of 9 to 12 m², a size range where both brands excel. The island's schools and shops work with recent gear from both manufacturers: take advantage of a stay to test both bars — it's often the bar ergonomics and the kite feeling that make the difference, far more than the spec sheet. To prepare your session, check out our complete guide to the Le Morne spot.

Verdict

There's no bad choice between North and Duotone in 2026: these are two polished ranges, born from the same heritage and driven by the same standards. Duotone offers the widest range and unique D/LAB constructions; North appeals with the coherence of its compact range and its big air image. Try both in the real conditions of your spot — ideally in the Le Morne lagoon — and choose the kite that puts a smile on your face from the first tack.