Short answer: the North Orbit is a five-strut big-air kite. North rates it 5/5 for hangtime and depower and 3/5 for ease of use. It comes in eight sizes from 6m to 14m, covering 8 to 36+ knots. Testers agree it boosts high and forgives mistimed loops. Its weak spot is light wind: it wants about 15 knots before it comes alive.
North's own ratings
| Dial | Orbit (out of 5) | What it means on the water |
|---|---|---|
| Low-end power | 4 | Good for its size, but it is a top-end kite |
| Turning speed | 3 | Steady rather than twitchy |
| Hangtime | 5 | The reason the kite exists |
| Depower | 5 | A long sheet-out range when it is windy |
| Ease of use | 3 | Accessible, but not North's easiest (the Reach is 5) |
Wind range per size
North publishes one table for the Orbit. The Orbit Ultra, its lighter sibling, is rated one or two knots higher at the top from 7m up:
| Size | Orbit 2026 (knots) | Orbit Ultra 2026 (knots) |
|---|---|---|
| 6m / 5.9m | 20+ | 21+ |
| 7m / 7.3m | 18–36+ | 18–37 |
| 8m / 8.1m | 16–35 | 16–36 |
| 9m | 14–32 | 14–33 |
| 10m | 12–29 | 12–31 |
| 11m | 11–27 | 11–29 |
| 12m | 10–25 | 10–27 |
| 14m | 8–22 | — |
The Ultra also comes in a 6.6m (20–38 knots). Shop testers call the 9m the sweet spot for most riders. They also say the 2026 frame flies like a kite one size smaller, so do not size down from what you rode before.
What changed, year by year
- 2023: lighter bladders widened the range, and adjustable wingtip settings let riders tune turn speed and bar feel.
- 2024: a smoother leading-edge arc, bi-elliptical wingtips and less weight. Testers found it more forgiving in gusty, overpowered conditions.
- 2025: the separate Orbit Pro got the N-Max2 leading edge, about eight litres slimmer, and a five-point bridle.
- 2026: the big step. The standard Orbit took on the Pro's hardware and the Pro was dropped. The profile moved forward with more camber. Reviewers call it the most stable Orbit yet.
- 2027: reviewers call it a refinement, not a redesign. It has the same materials, with a tuned profile and slimmer wingtips for a quicker, more playful feel.
What testers keep saying
Across the 26 independent sources we track, a few points repeat. Bar pressure is light to moderate. The kite comes back around and catches you early on a loop, even a mistimed one, which is why many reviewers call it the kite for learning loops. It holds its shape well past 30 knots without flutter. The 2026 lands softer than earlier Orbits. Intermediates can boost on it, and it still has room for advanced riders.
Honest limit: the low end is the accepted weakness. Reviewers say it wants roughly 15 knots and up, and shops send light-wind riders to the Reach. Drift is poor, so it is the wrong kite for waves or foiling. One magazine test also wanted a slightly longer bar throw when fully powered. Head-to-head tests from 2023 found some rival big-air kites jumped a little higher on raw numbers; the Orbit's edge was control and loop recovery. North's wind ranges assume an average rider, so heavier riders sit at the top of each band. The kite sizing page has every table, and the gear advisor will size you from your weight and usual wind.
Orbit or Orbit Ultra
Reviewers put the Ultra at about 13–16% lighter, with a thinner frame, faster loops and more boost. It is also twitchier and less forgiving of sloppy input. They point it at advanced riders in about 25 knots and up. For everyone else, the standard Orbit is the better kite.
Prices, as of this post
The Orbit 2026 is 20% off: $1,375 (6m) to $1,759 (12m). The 6m to 12m are in stock in at least one colour; the 14m is sold out. The Orbit 2027 is also in stock. The Orbit Ultra 2026 ($2,149–$2,859) is currently sold out. Every Orbit comes with a bag, repair kit and sand bag. The bar and pump are sold separately, and the kite flies on the Navigator control system. Deciding between this and the Reach? Read Orbit vs Reach.
FAQ
Is the North Orbit good for beginners?
Not as a first kite. North rates it 3/5 for ease of use, and shop reviewers advise starting on the Reach (5/5), then moving to the Orbit once you are jumping. Intermediates learning to boost and loop do well on it.
What size North Orbit should I get?
The 9m (14–32 knots) is the size most riders get the most days from. Add a 12m (10–25 knots) for lighter days or if you are heavier. Pick a 7m (18–36+ knots) if your spot is often windy.
What is the difference between the 2026 and 2027 Orbit?
North publishes the same wind ranges and the same core materials for both. Reviewers describe 2027 as a refinement with slimmer wingtips and a quicker feel. 2026 was the generation change. The 2026 is 20% off while sizes last.