DUOTONE SLICK 5M TEST REVIEW 2024

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01 Oct 2024 06:40

DUOTONE SLICK 5M TEST REVIEW 2024

The Verdict

The Duotone Slick offers useable power that’s easy to find. The Slick is comfortable in the hands and excels in its handling, responding well to rider input to allow the Slick to raise your winging game, whilst keeping you comfortable and settled at all times.

The only wing in the category to use a boom, the Slick is easy to inflate and attach the boom. Slot and Velcro the boom in before inflation, and then inflate just like any other wing through its single valve. Duotone has a unique valve system, so the use of the correct Duotone adaptor is crucial if you want to inflate it to the recommended PSI. The mini boom SLS, which is sold separately, is 125cm long with a slim 25mm diameter grip, which fits all Duotone Slicks and Slick SLS’ from 2.5m-7m, making it perfect for building a quiver of wings without needing to buy an extra boom. Plus there are two other boom options from Duotone that also fit the same spectrum of wings. The Slick has a tight canopy with two mini battens on the trailing edge on either side of the strut to stabilise the power and trailing edge. There is a nice amount of dihedral in the Slick, which is enough to boost its performance without hindering someone who is just starting their wing career. Duotone doesn’t provide a leash as standard, allowing the rider to choose a leash that suits them – but just be sure to purchase one before your first outing. The Slick is a tidy package that on first appearances looks like a simple wing, however, its adequate dihedral shape, tight canopy, slim-line boom, and bright yellow and grey graphics suggest otherwise – likely offering some level of performance mixed with usability.

Brand Claim

“Introducing the 2024 slick, the freeride & freestyle wing available in eight sizes ranging from 3.0 to 6.5m. Experience absolute control with the mini boom, offering direct steering and unlimited hand placement options.”

Performance

Squeezing on the power on the Slick, you notice the pleasant, direct power you can easily generate and find. The Slick is very easy to place and the boom allows seamless, smooth hand transitions when getting started. Up and foiling, the Slick settles quickly, with its power remaining evenly distributed even through lulls and gusts. In the gusts, the Slick’s stiff frame and profile deliver extra speed and stability, while in the lulls, you are pulled through with minimal adjustments. There is a little extra in the backhand if you desire more punch out of the Slick when boosting into the air, or extra performance out of the already adequate angles the Slick naturally delivers. Manoeuvrability is where the Slick really starts to shine, especially when entering with speed. It remains comfortable yet still encourages a plethora of gybe variations as it naturally behaves as expected, while its tighter canopy tension allows you to whip the Slick around in any form or way the rider chooses without the trailing edge catching. Through tacks you experience minimal drag, allowing you to take your time and you don’t have to be overly aggressive unless you want to. Working the Slick in the low end, its stiff frame means your effort isn’t wasted. Each higher cadence pump, to match its tighter canopy, generates oomph for you to work the board and foil with. Flagging out while stationary on the beach, you notice a slight bit of swing to the slick, but flagged out when on a bump with some speed behind you, the Slick sits nicely and is manageable. Regaining the wing is made easy with the boom, which sits further forwards to the leading edge, which makes the reach very manageable. The Slick offers easy and reachable power that will suit a spectrum of riders – from those starting out, to those looking to enhance and develop their manoeuvres, which is where the Slick really shines.