Short answer: the North Pulse is the kite to buy if you unhook. It is a five-strut, five-line Modern-C freestyle kite built for slack line after the pop, so you have time to pass the bar. North rates it 2/5 for ease of use, the lowest of any kite in its line. It comes in 7, 9, 11 and 13 m covering 11 to 35 knots, and it will not fly on a standard four-line bar: it needs the Navigator Freestyle, which is built for it.
North's own ratings
| Dial | Pulse (out of 5) | Reach, for comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Low-end power | 3 | 4 |
| Turning speed | 4 | 4 |
| Hangtime | 3 | 3 |
| Depower | 3 | 4 |
| Ease of use | 2 | 5 |
Read the numbers together: a C-kite gives up low end and depower in exchange for a direct, constant pull and the slack line that unhooked tricks need. North describes it as a twist on the old-school C-kite with improved depower, and as surprisingly stable and user-friendly for a C-kite. That is a comparison against other C-kites, not against the Reach.
Wind range per size
North publishes a wind range for every Pulse size. This is the 2025 spec sheet:
| Size | Wind range (knots) | Reach, same size |
|---|---|---|
| 7m | 19–35 | 18–32 |
| 9m | 16–30 | 14–28 |
| 11m | 13–26 | 10–25 |
| 13m | 11–23 | 8–20 |
Size for size the Pulse is rated two to three knots higher at the bottom of its band than the Reach. That is the 3/5 low end showing up in the data: a freestyler on a 9m Pulse wants 16 knots where a freerider on a 9m Reach is already riding at 14. Most riders size the Pulse one step up from their freeride kite, or accept that it is a kite for the windier days. The kite size page has every North table on one page.
Build and what is in the box
- Airframe: N-Dure2 Dacron, with lightweight bladders. The Reach and Orbit use the lighter N-Max2 material; the Pulse's Dacron frame is the heavier, stiffer choice for a kite that gets loaded and slacked hundreds of times a session.
- Canopy: N-HTRS high-tenacity ripstop with DuraLite seam protectors.
- Tuning: two bar-pressure settings on the rear wingtip. The fifth line runs to a single loaded bridle that supports the shape and gives you a relaunch.
- In the box: kite, bag and repair kit. No bar, no pump.
The bar it needs
The Pulse requires a five-line control bar. North's is the Navigator Control System Freestyle: one size only, 38–43 cm, on purpose. Less leverage means the kite turns slower and sits still during a handle pass. The bar ships with the long freestyle loop (no security finger, so unhooking is easier), the freestyle leash ring, the HandlePass leash, and 22 m SK99 lines split at 12 m. The fifth line is blue so you can find it when you run lines out. If you already own a Navigator Pro, North's Fifth Line Kit converts it by swapping in a power bracket with the fifth line pre-attached. As of this post the Navigator Freestyle 2025 is $689.
What it costs
As of this post the Pulse 2025 is on clearance at 35% off: the 9m is $1,072 (from $1,649) and the 11m is $1,221 (from $1,879). The 7m and 13m are sold out. With the Freestyle bar, a complete 9m rig is about $1,760 before a harness. If you ride hooked in most days and unhook occasionally, the Reach is the better buy: riders in the forums report it unhooks well enough for casual freestyle, and reserve the Pulse for people fully committed to unhooked tricks.
Honest limit: this is a specialist's kite, and the 2/5 ease-of-use score is North's own verdict, not ours. The 3/5 depower means you choose size conservatively, the five-line setup means an extra line to run out and manage, and the Dacron airframe is heavier than North's freeride kites. None of that matters to a rider learning handle passes. All of it matters to a rider who wants one kite for freeride, surf and the odd jump; that rider buys a Reach. Tell the gear advisor your weight and your wind and it will say which.
FAQ
Can I fly the Pulse on a normal four-line bar?
No. North specifies a five-line bar. The Navigator Freestyle is that bar, and a Fifth Line Kit converts the Navigator Pro.
Is the Pulse good for beginners?
No. North rates it 2/5 for ease of use against the Reach's 5/5. Learn on the Reach and move to the Pulse once you are unhooking regularly.
What size Pulse for a 9m Reach rider?
The 9m Pulse is rated 16–30 knots against the Reach's 14–28. Stay on 9m if your spot blows 16 knots or more; take the 11m (13–26) if you ride the Reach at the bottom of its range.