Short answer: the North Code Zero Pro is North's one-strut light-wind kite, built for foiling. North rates it 5/5 for low-end power, a score only the Reach Ultra shares, and 3/5 on everything else. On a foil the 11m is rated 7–16 knots and the 14m 7–15 knots. The 2025 is on clearance at 35% off, with the 9m, 11m and 14m left.
North's ratings next to the Reach and Orbit
| Dial (out of 5) | Code Zero Pro | Reach | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-end power | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Turning speed | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Hangtime | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Depower | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Ease of use | 3 | 5 | 3 |
That profile is the whole kite. It gives up depower, turning and forgiveness to pull harder in less wind, which is exactly what a foiler needs.
Wind range per size: foil vs surf
North publishes two ranges for every Code Zero size. One is for a foil and one is for a surfboard or twin-tip, which needs more wind to plane:
| Size | Foil (knots) | Surf / twin-tip (knots) |
|---|---|---|
| 5m | 14–25 | 18–28 |
| 6m | 12–22 | 17–27 |
| 7m | 10–21 | 16–26 |
| 8m | 8–19 | 14–23 |
| 9m | 8–18 | 12–20 |
| 10m | 7–17 | 11–19 |
| 11m | 7–16 | 10–18 |
| 14m | 7–15 | 7–17 |
North also makes a 3.5m and a 4m; we do not stock them. Two things stand out. The 9m and bigger all reach down to 7–8 knots on a foil, so a foiler picks the size by the top of the range, not the bottom. And the gap between the columns is 3 to 6 knots for most sizes. That is roughly how much more wind the same kite needs to pull you on a board with no foil under it.
What North changed for 2025
The canopy shape and the wingtip angle of attack were reworked to cut flutter and add depower. The leading edge was refined, with slightly more sweep in the tips. The frame is North's N-Max2 airframe, and the canopy is an undyed N-HTRS cloth. North also moved to new sizing for this generation.
Honest limit
A one-strut kite has less frame holding it in shape than a three- or five-strut kite. North's own 3/5 for depower and ease of use says the same thing: when the wind builds past the range, you run out of sheet-out sooner than on a Reach. It is not a big-air kite (hangtime 3/5). Most of its range only makes sense with a foil board and a kite foil under you. On a twin-tip, the 11m needs 10 knots, not 7. We also do not yet have enough independent reviews of this kite to summarise tester opinion, so this review sticks to North's numbers. If you ride one kite for everything, the Reach is the easier choice. The kite sizing page compares every model, and the gear advisor will pick a size from your weight, your wind and your board.
Which one to buy
- Foiling most days in 8–15 knots: the 11m (7–16 knots on a foil).
- Heavier rider, or your lightest days: the 14m (7–15).
- Foil kite for 8–18 knots that doubles on a board from 12: the 9m.
As of this post, the Code Zero Pro 2025 is 35% off: 9m $1,058.85, 11m $1,143.35, 14m $1,195.35. The 5m to 8m and the 10m are sold out. It ships with a bag and a repair kit. The bar and pump are sold separately. North's bar rule puts the 11m and 14m on the L bar (50–55 cm), and our setup pairs it with the Navigator Pro from the control systems collection.
FAQ
What is the wind range of the North Code Zero 11m?
North publishes 7–16 knots on a foil and 10–18 knots on a surfboard or twin-tip.
Can you ride the Code Zero on a twin-tip?
Yes. North publishes a surf/twin-tip range for every size, but it starts 3 to 6 knots higher than the foil range for most sizes. The kite is built for foiling, and its 3/5 depower and ease of use make it a specialist on a board.
Code Zero or Reach for kitefoiling?
The Code Zero Pro if you foil in the lightest wind at your spot: North gives it 5/5 low-end power against the Reach's 4. The Reach if you want one easier kite for foil, twin-tip and surf: it is rated 5/5 for ease of use against 3/5.