Duotone Float: test and review

Are you looking for the best wing for surf and freefly in 2025? The Duotone Float is the new wing making waves in the wingfoil community. It is for riders who want a light, maneuverable wing. It is also completely neutral when surfing. It complements the famous Unit to meet a very specific program.

To give you a complete and objective review, we gathered feedback from three testers with different profiles: Yann Rifflet (Duotone rider), Erwan from Watersports (field comparison), and Hadou Brunner (PimpYourRide). Here is their detailed verdict.

First Impressions on the Water

Duotone rider Yann Rifflet shares his impressions of the Float. From his very first runs, he noted an immediate feeling of lightness. The Float stands out for its balance and ease of handling. Its lack of excessive stiffness makes it accessible to a wide range of riders, from beginners to experienced. The absence of classic handles, in favor of a boom, helps maximize lightness and improve ergonomics.

One of the most striking points for Yann is the wing's stability in surf. Once in freefly mode, the Float becomes completely unnoticeable. This allows for a fluid and unconstrained glide. "You feel totally free, it's very exhilarating," he confides. He adds that the Float allows for a more natural connection with the wave, improving the fluidity of transitions and ease in maneuvers.

Shape and Technical Characteristics

The Float's design incorporates a set of technical choices to maximize handling and comfort while riding. It features a straighter Leading Edge for better stability and a more scooped Trailing Edge promoting better wing breathability. The absence of a window saves weight, while a unique boom allows precise control. A moderately deep profile balances power and smoothness in traction.

Comparison with the Unit D/Lab

Yann has used the Unit D/Lab for a long time, but he finds the Float offers a different feel. It's less rigid, requiring less physical effort, especially for long downwinds. "With the Float, I feel less tension in my arms, which allows me to extend my sessions." He also appreciates its more flexible nature, which is more forgiving of placement errors and offers superior riding comfort.

The Float delivers plenty of power, yet it becomes unnoticeable when flying. "It takes off easily, and once in the air, the traction becomes smooth and natural." Yann notes that you can size down 0.5 m² compared to a Unit D/Lab to get a lighter wing for surfing that takes off just as quickly. Its compact design limits the risk of touching the water. This makes it a significant advantage for pumping.

Who is it ideal for, according to Yann?

For those who love to surf freely: The Float's freefly stability makes it a perfect wing for surf and downwind enthusiasts. It offers intuitive control and a lightweight feel that enhances your connection with the water.

For beginners and intermediates: Easy to handle, it's ideal for progressing quickly without unnecessary fatigue.

For riders seeking a softer alternative: If you find D/Lab wings too rigid, the Float offers a more forgiving and fluid compromise.

Yann highly recommends trying it during Duotone's organized tests in France or by borrowing it for a test at GlissEvolution.

Construction and Design

Erwan from Watersports offers a detailed comparison between the Float and the Unit V5. In terms of construction, it features materials similar to the classic Unit, with a mix of Triple Rip Stop and MOD3s for the canopy, and the usual Duotone dacron for the inflatable structures. A minor detail is that the dacron is not mixed with other fabrics, as is the case with the Unit.

The other notable difference from the Unit is the absence of windows on the Float, likely to reduce the wing's weight. The design is also more compact, with squarer tips reminiscent of the Slick. In a 4.0 size, the Float has a wingspan that is 5 cm shorter than a Unit.

The Leading Edge is generous in the center but becomes very thin towards the tips, even more so than on the Unit D/Lab versions. It is also straighter than on the Unit. For grip, the Float exclusively uses a boom, sold separately, unlike the Unit which also offers rigid handles. With this Float, a new, wider, and stiffer neutral freefly handle also makes its appearance.

Weight, Price, and Sizes

The 4 m² Float with the boom weighs in at just 2.11 kg. In comparison, the classic Unit and Unit D/Lab come in at 2.4 kg and 2.3 kg respectively, also with the boom.

The 4.0 m Float is priced at 1,078 euros, including the boom.

Available sizes range from 2.5 to 5.5 m², with 0.5 m² increments. This allows you to truly customize your wingfoil experience.

Erwan's Highlights

The Duotone Float delivers exceptional initial pull. This makes it easy to get back up after a fall and incredibly practical between waves. You'll experience smooth propulsion that won't tire you out. Your arms will feel light, which is a huge plus for longer sessions. Freeflying is impeccable: the wing is docile and stable, following your movements without any unwanted flutter. Its incredible handling even makes it a great freestyle wing. Plus, the compact design keeps the Float securely in place, so it rarely inverts.

Erwan's Limitations

Compared to the Unit D/LAB, the Duotone Float shows slightly less performance in upwind performance or pure speed. It's also not quite as effective for jumps. The performance difference between the Float and the Unit is barely perceptible.

Erwan's Conclusion

Duotone delivers a quality wing with the Float. It addresses some of the Unit's limitations, particularly in freefly stability. This is the ideal wing for anyone who loves downwind runs or wave surfing in wingfoil. It even outperforms the Unit and Unit D/LAB in this specific discipline, standing strong against benchmarks like the F-ONE Swing. This wing caters to both beginners and more experienced freeriders, who will appreciate its compactness, power, and how it handles.

A Wing Designed for Surf and Freefly

The Duotone Float 2025 is a wing fully dedicated to surf and freefly. After testing the Unit V5 and Unit D/Lab, Hadou noted their versatility but also saw room for improvement in surf neutrality. With the Float, Duotone fills this gap. It offers a wing built for wave enthusiasts and riders who want to completely forget their wing once they're on the water.

Lightweight and Accessible

From his very first sessions, Hadou was captivated by its simplicity and comfort. It's incredibly light, easy to transport and set up, and it gets you flying early thanks to a hollow profile paired with a reinforced Leading Edge. Even a beginner rider will find it enjoyable, as the Float simplifies learning and is very forgiving. Available in seven sizes from 2.5 to 5.5 m², it stands out with a lightweight design: no windows, just two attachment points for the boom, and the option to choose between rigid handles or a single boom.

Power and Neutrality on the Water

On the water, the Float impressed Hadou with its power and neutrality. While the Units maintain an advantage in speed and versatility, this new wing truly excels in pure surf and freefly. It's stable and compact. It becomes unnoticeable when riding down a wave. As a bonus, Hadou was surprised by its jumping performance: despite its surf DNA, it offers good lift and allows for fun freestyle. He recommends choosing half a size smaller than usual, as it delivers a lot of power.

Optimized and Robust Construction

Stiffness is definitely present thanks to the use of MOD3S fabric and a thickened Leading Edge. It also features a padded Free Fly handle, a simple inflation system with a proprietary valve, and a deflation valve on the central strut for quick packing. In terms of packaging, the Float comes with a generous travel bag and a repair kit, but the leash (€39) and boom (€99) are optional.

Hadou's Conclusion

The Duotone Float 2025 is a remarkable wing for its neutrality and lightness. For fans of fast freeride and pure speed, the Unit remains more suitable. If your passion is surfing, freeflying, or if you're looking for an intuitive wing to progress, the Float is an exciting choice. Accessible, high-performing, and well-designed, it rounds out the Duotone range with an offering geared towards wave lovers.

The Duotone Float 2025It finally fills a real gap in the Duotone range. It offers a wing 100% dedicated to surf and freefly. While the Unit remains the versatile benchmark, the Float truly excels in a very specific program. It becomes unnoticeable on a wave ride, delivers a feeling of total freedom, and allows fatigue-free riding. Its lightweight construction, compact design, and exclusive boom make this a modern, accomplished wing. Three testers with different profiles unanimously praise its qualities. This makes it one of the best choices for wingfoil surf enthusiasts in 2025.