Duotone Skybrid SLS Wing Foil Board: Test and Review

The Duotone Skybrid SLS is a mid-length wingfoil board that truly offers the best of both worlds. It delivers the easy take-off of a downwinder and the nimble handling of a compact board. Built with SLS technology (Strong, Light, Superior) in Biax PVC carbon sandwich, it comes in 5 sizes from 5'4-inch to 6'0-inch, with volumes ranging from 55 to 115 liters. Hadou Brunner, Yann Rifflet, and Kevin Perrin all tested it for GlissEvolution.

The mid-length concept

The Skybrid embraces the mid-length trend. These boards allow super early take-offs, much like dedicated downwind boards. Yet, they maintain the compact, playful feel of classic wing boards. This hybrid design lets you glide fast, jump, surf, and enjoy freefly sessions.

Tested features

The Skybrid range offers five models, from 5'4-inch to 6'0-inch, with volumes spanning 55 to 115 liters. Each board features full carbon sandwich construction with carbon rails for enhanced stiffness. The 5'6-inch 70L board we tested weighs a mere 5.6 kg. This is a huge advantage in light wind. Duotone's unique sanded finish gives it a clean, distinctive look.

On the Water

Hadou primarily put the Skybrid through its paces in summer conditions, with light winds ranging from 8 to 12 knots. What truly impressed him was its ability to take off earlier than other boards, even when paired with smaller foils (650 or 850). This makes it an excellent choice for maximizing your performance in light wind.

Who is it for?

The Skybrid is designed for advanced riders who have already mastered wingfoiling. It's perfect as a single board for year-round riding, or as an ideal complement for summer sessions and light wind days. If you're a beginner, we recommend opting for a wider, more stable board.

SLS Construction

Yann highlights the SLS (Strong, Light, Superior) technology. Its Biax PVC carbon sandwich construction makes the board incredibly stiff and ultra-light. Compared to previous constructions, this SLS version is both stronger and lighter, which significantly improves the flight feel and handling.

Flight Performance

The Skybrid SLS stands out in the air with its lightweight build and exceptional handling. We've slightly increased the nose rocker. Relaunch is effortless after any touch-down. Beveled rails and rounded edges minimize water contact during turns. You get a board that's both agile and responsive.

Waves and Competition

The Skybrid SLS isn't just a freeride board; it delivers outstanding performance in waves and competition too. Its reduced width and increased length make it ideal for carving tight turns on waves. In competition, it offers quick starts and efficient acceleration, even when using smaller foils.

Design

Duotone has refined the aesthetics with exposed carbon, blue accents, and a pink logo. The choice of lightweight, durable materials contributes to performance while giving a modern, eye-catching look. The straps inserts have been improved for more comfort.

First Impressions

The blue-tinted finish reveals the carbon beneath. It has a custom look. Its shape features a flat hull shape on the rear two-thirds for efficient glide, with a rocker on the nose to handle touchdowns. Long carbon rails provide both stiffness and lightness. Kevin measured the weight at 6.2 kg on his scale. The full carbon sandwich construction is incredibly solid. New generation straps are 60g lighter than the 2023 versions.

On the Water

The deck's 22-inch (59.9 cm) width provides exceptional stability, eliminating any roll even when standing. A concave deck allows for precise foot placement. During take-off, the glide is excellent, thanks to the flat hull shape and minimal drag. In flight, the narrow width makes tight, high-angle carves effortless. Pumping feels fluid, with no heaviness despite the board's length.

Low-End Performance

In light wind conditions (9-12 knots), flying with the Select Goliath foil and the Unit V4 5 m² wing was effortless. The rocker lets you handle touch-downs without braking, maintaining excellent glide. Kevin even pulled off a few 360 rotations, completely unhindered by the tail's length.

Kevin's Take

The Skybrid SLS 5'6-inch 70L hits a sweet spot in length and width. It's the perfect single board for intermediate to expert riders, though pure freestylers might prefer something else. This board offers incredible versatility. It is suitable for freeride, race, freefly, or Surf. For maximum comfort before take-off, Kevin suggests choosing a volume slightly above your body weight. This mid-length shape is set to become a major trend for anyone seeking a truly versatile board, especially for saving sessions when conditions are light.

All three testers agree: the Duotone Skybrid SLS is a triumph. Its mid-length shape strikes the perfect balance between early take-off and in-flight handling. The SLS construction features a Biax PVC carbon sandwich. This results in a featherlight weight (5.6 kg in 5'6") and exceptional stiffness.6 kg in 5'6") and exceptional stiffness. Whether it was Hadou in light summer wind, Yann in competition and waves, or Kevin in race and freeride, everyone praised its versatility and performance. If you're looking for a single board that can do it all, especially in light wind, the Skybrid is definitely the one to consider. It's poised to become a benchmark in the mid-length wingfoil category.

Article based on tests by Hadou Brunner (video), Yann Rifflet (video), and Kevin Perrin (text). Photos: Duotone / John Carter. Contact Kevin: @kevinperrin80 (Instagram).