Short answer: the North Prime is the board to buy if you want to ride longer, not jump higher. North rates it 5/5 for comfort in chop — the only twintip in its line with that score — and 3/5 for pop and edge grip. It comes in six lengths from 136 to 152 cm, the widest size run North makes, with 40 mm fins up to 144 and 50 mm fins from 148 up. It is the easy all-day freeride board, and the entry point to North's twintip line.
North's ratings, Prime against the rest of the line
| Dial (out of 5) | Prime | Atmos | Atmos Pro | Astra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort in chop | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Pop | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Edge grip | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Light wind | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Carving | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
The pattern is simple: the softer the board, the more it absorbs chop and the less it loads for a jump. The Prime sits at the soft end, the full-carbon Atmos Pro at the stiff end, and the Atmos in the middle. All four carve the same and none is a light-wind specialist — for that North makes the Trace.
Sizes, fins and what is in the box
| Prime size | Fins included | Nearest Atmos size and North's rider weight for it |
|---|---|---|
| 136 × 40 cm | 40 mm | 136 cm: 55–80 kg (121–176 lb) |
| 138 × 41 cm | 40 mm | 138 cm: 65–90 kg (143–198 lb) |
| 141 × 42 cm | 40 mm | 141 cm: 75–100 kg (165–220 lb) |
| 144 × 43 cm | 40 mm | 144 cm: 85–120 kg (187–265 lb) |
| 148 × 44 cm | 50 mm | no Atmos equivalent — heavier riders, light wind |
| 152 × 45 cm | 50 mm | no Atmos equivalent — 2026 only |
The board ships with the TT accessory kit (fins, dogbone washers, M6 × 16 stainless screws) and nothing else. Bindings or boots are sold separately. Like every North twintip since 2023 it has FlipTech centreline inserts, so you can flip the bindings around, and an indented rail grab that takes the Grab-it rail accessory. Construction is composite over a lightweight impact-resistant eco core — no carbon, which is where the soft flex and the price come from.
Honest limit: North publishes a rider-weight chart for the Atmos, Atmos Pro and Astra, but not for the Prime in the data we hold, so the weights above are the Atmos figures for the same length — the two boards share identical length and width in 136 to 144, so the chart transfers cleanly; only the flex differs. Riders on the forums use roughly the same bands: 136–138 as the all-round size for 80–85 kg, 141–142 for light-wind range, and anything over 42 cm wide gets hard to hold on edge in strong wind. The 148 and 152 exist for heavy riders and sub-12-knot days; a 75 kg rider does not want them.
Who it is for
- First board, or first season: yes. Soft flex forgives a landed-flat jump and a choppy afternoon.
- You ride chop most days and your knees notice: yes. That 5/5 is the reason the Prime exists.
- You want to boost: no. The Atmos has a point more pop and grip for not much more money, and the Atmos Pro is the big-air board.
- Light rider under 70 kg: look at the Astra first; it is flex-tuned for lighter riders with a 20 mm narrower stance and comes in 127 to 139 cm.
What it costs
As of this post the 2026 Prime is $699 in 136 to 148 and $619 in the 152, with the 136, 138, 141 and 152 in stock. The 2027 Prime (136 to 148, same construction and fins) is listed on the product page. Orders over $100 ship free in the US, and a board plus a kite plus a harness or wetsuit in one cart takes 10% off as a bundle.
FAQ
What size Prime for an 85 kg rider?
138 or 141 cm. North's Atmos chart puts 85 kg inside both bands; take the 138 if your wind is usually 18 knots or more, the 141 if you want to ride earlier in the day.
Does the Prime come with bindings?
No. It ships with fins and hardware only. Add North's Flex bindings or Fix boots; all three use the same M6 hardware and centreline inserts.
Why is the 152 cheaper?
Because it is a 2026-only size that is being cleared; the 2027 line stops at 148. It is a big board for heavy riders or very light wind, not a bargain version of the 141.
Full chart on the kite and board sizing page, or ask the gear advisor for a board size from your weight.