Short answer: if you ride one kite most days and want it to do everything, the Reach. If you want to go high and hang there — big air, boosting, loops — the Orbit. Same North build (N-Max2 airframe, triple-ripstop canopy), same bar. The difference is what each one is shaped to do, and it shows in the numbers below.
Where they actually differ
North rates its own kites on five things. These are their numbers, not ours:
| Orbit (5-strut, big air / freeride) | Reach (3-strut, performance freeride) | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-end power | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Turning speed | 3 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Hangtime | 5 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Depower | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Ease of use | 3 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Read that as: the Orbit trades some turning speed and forgiveness for hangtime and a huge depower stroke. The Reach turns faster, is easier to fly, and gives up the extra float. Neither is "better". A rider who boosts every session picks the Orbit and never looks back; a rider who wants one kite for surf, freeride and light-wind days picks the Reach.
Which size
North publishes a wind range per size. For the Orbit 2027 these are the ranges printed on the spec sheet:
| Orbit size | Wind range (knots) |
|---|---|
| 6m | 20+ |
| 7m | 18–36+ |
| 8m | 16–35 |
| 9m | 14–32 |
| 10m | 12–29 |
| 11m | 11–27 |
| 12m | 10–25 |
| 14m | 8–22 |
The Reach runs a wider size ladder — 5m up to 19m — and North's published ranges for it (2025 spec sheet) sit a few knots lower at the top end for the same size — a 9m Reach is rated 14–28 knots against the Orbit's 14–32. The extra sizes are the point: the 13m to 19m Reaches exist for light-wind days and heavier riders, and there is no Orbit equivalent.
Honest limit: a wind range assumes an average rider on average water. Heavier riders live at the top of the range, lighter riders at the bottom, and chop eats the low end. Two people on the same beach, same day, are correctly on different sizes. If you only ever own one kite, the 9m is the one for most riders on the US East Coast and Gulf; the kite size page has the full table, and the gear advisor will give you a size from your weight and your usual wind.
What they cost
As of this post: Orbit 2027 from $1,719 (6m) to $2,289 (14m). Reach 2026 from $1,579 (5m) to $2,729 (19m). The Reach 2025 is on clearance at 35% off while sizes last. Neither kite ships with a bar or a pump — every North kite pairs with the Navigator control system, and the advisor will tell you which bar length matches your size.
Pick by rider, not by spec sheet
- First kite, learning to ride upwind: Reach. Easier, turns quicker, more forgiving when you are still learning to sheet out.
- You boost and want to stay up longer: Orbit. That 5/5 hangtime is the whole reason it exists.
- Surf and strapless: Reach, or look at the Carve, which is built for it.
- Light wind, heavier rider: Reach in 13m–17m. There is no big Orbit.
- One kite, most days, no compromises you can feel: Reach 9m.
FAQ
Is the Orbit harder to fly than the Reach?
Slightly. North rates the Orbit 3/5 for ease of use and the Reach 5/5. The Orbit is not a difficult kite, but the Reach is the more forgiving of the two, especially in gusts.
Can I use the same bar on both?
Yes. Both fly on the Navigator or Navigator Pro control system. Bar length follows kite size, not model.
Which has the bigger wind range?
Size for size the Orbit is rated a little wider at the top. Across the whole line the Reach covers more wind because it comes in 5m to 19m against the Orbit's 6m to 14m.
Is the 2027 Orbit different from the 2026?
Same wind ranges, same airframe material, updated canopy and colours. The 2026 is on sale at 20% off while sizes last — for most riders it is the better buy this season.