DUOTONE SLS AERO FREE TEST REVIEW 2024

 

The Verdict

The Duotone SLS Aero Free is a foil that covers all areas with an adaptability to cross over into winging. The Aero Free is capable of being locked in and pushed for adequate speeds which in turn accesses an extra layer of stability. However, its biggest asset is just how wonderfully playful the Aero Free can be – commit, carve and manoeuvre with it and you will be rewarded.

 

The Lowdown

Delivered in a well-cushioned bag, with every component provided in its own made-to-measure sleeve, which keeps everything looking clean and fresh during transport, while helping to avoid any unwanted dings and preventing contact with coarse surfaces when putting it together. Assembling and screwing together nicely, Duotone’s visibly carbon mast slots precisely on top of the 90cm Aluminium fuselage, which is one of the shortest in the category and should deliver a more playful feel. The Aero Free uses M8 bolts on every connection except the rear, where M6 bolts are used. Both rear and front wings share a relatively flat shape with no aggressive bows or curves. The tail wing has some dihedral upturn in the tips, and the front wing features a slowly progressing anhedral downturn. When viewed from above, the front wing does have a very slight swept-back shape. Overall, the clean finish and solid build feel very sturdy and stiff, meaning it should react instantly to any input given from the rider, add in that it’s the lightest on test and it should take minimal effort for the rider to access its playful personality. Standing out from the rest of the category is the plate head on the mast, meaning it can only be used in the board with a double US track, often found in boards that can cross over with winging. You won’t be able to slot this into your Wind-Foil-specific board, but then the playful design features of the Aero Free wouldn’t suit that board type anyway, which is why the Aero Free crosses over into the winging sector so well.

Brand Claim

“The Aero Free covers all disciplines, from Wing, Prone, SUP and Windsurf Foiling. The name gives it away, this wing isn’t bound to a specific discipline, it feels at home in any water state and with every rider – whether you’re into Freeride, Freestyle, Freerace, Surf or Downwind.”

 

Performance

Placed and positioned onto a board with a double US Track, such as the Duotone Stingray, and set at the back of the track to suit WindFoiling, the Aero Free has a pleasant lifting characteristic that matches the board’s speed as you accelerate. It doesn’t try to lift too early or catch you out upon generating lift; you can lead the way as you rise up out of the water. Managing to maintain lift at more radical angles of attack, the Aero Free has a usable nature that gives moments of forgiveness while trying to generate flight. On the straight, the Aero Free is capable of decent speeds that won’t scare you. Keep the rig sheeted in to access the stability within the Aero Free; let off the steam and its playful nature instantly shows up and may catch you out if you’re not ready for it. Often sailing back foot out to really access the Aero Free’s playful personality, it’s capable of some radical steering and carving, allowing the rider to execute quick time and space-pressured gybes or take their time and carve a drawn-out radius. The Aero Free glides with speed rather than floats, allowing you to add a flattering element of style to your riding. Stay committed and precise to what you want to achieve and the Aero Free will deliver. Its glide, playfulness, forgiving angle of attack, and generally fun riding all add up, and it’s clear and apparent why this same foil set crosses over so well into Winging.

 

www.duotonesports.com

 

DUOTONE SLS AERO FREE TEST REVIEW 2024

VITAL STATS

Price: £1908

Head: Double US Plate

Mast Length: 90cm

Mast Material: Carbon

Fuselage Length: 90cm

Fuselage Material: Aluminium

Front Wing Span: 84.3cm

Front Wing Chord: 16cm

Front Wing Area (Quoted): 1000cm²

Tail Wing Span: 35.8cm

Tail Wing Chord: 7.5cm

Tail Wing Area: 216cm²

Tail Wing Shims: Yes (From +0.5 Degrees to -0.5 Degrees in 0.25 increments)

Wing Material: Carbon

Weight: 4.2kg

 

 

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OTHER FOILS IN THIS TEST

GUNSAILS HY-FOIL FREE FR – 1050 & 1350

Starboard 2S 900 Carbon Foil

 

 

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