Duotone Unit 2022 5.5m2 Wing Test by Loulou
The current model: Duotone Unit 2027.
Loulou, GlissEvolution ambassador, tests the Duotone Unit 2022 5.5m² Wing.
Rider experience: advanced intermediate. Rider build: 1.75m / 87kg. Riding style: surf and freeride focused, with minimal jumping. Usual quiver: Ensis Score 4.5m².
Unpacking reveals a perfectly finished wing, and the quality of the materials is, as expected, top-notch. The finish and fit are excellent. Please note: Duotone ships its wing foil wings without a leash, and you'll need a Duotone pump adapter to inflate the Wing Unit V2 2022.
► Inflating the Duotone Unit 2022 V2:
The valve cap is super practical, and the one pump system works flawlessly. To deflate the Wing, there's a valve cap on the central strut and another on the wingtip. (I found the wingtip valve of limited use; I didn't quite grasp its purpose. It's handy for kites, but for wings, it seems less justified.) You can also deflate through the inflation valve by manipulating the quarter-turn system. This lets you store your Duotone Unit V2 2022 Wing "normally," and the bag is practical and not too small!
The entire package feels very light, even with the two rigid handles.
► Riding the Duotone Unit 2022 V2:
From the very first moment, your hands intuitively find their place on the comfortable handles. You immediately notice the overall stiffness, which can be a bit surprising when you first start pumping. This stiffness means you might need to adjust your pumping technique slightly. For me, I begin with quick, small strokes, then gradually increase their amplitude. It's incredibly effective, and with the 5.5m², you can truly ride in super light winds. However, the wingspan of this 5.5m² is quite significant for my 175 cm height, so I had to adapt by pumping horizontally above me. This was my first time riding such a large wing, so I imagine it's the same with other brands.
Once airborne, the wing exhibits extremely stable behavior, giving you a feeling of lightness. As you pick up speed, you can easily reposition your hands on the handles to sheet in more.
Maneuvers are surprisingly easy, thanks to two key factors:
- The rigid handles allow for precise, one-handed control of the wing in all directions.
- The wing's very neutral and stable profile lets it disappear during transitions. This is truly striking in tacks: you feel absolutely no pull from the wing, allowing you to easily switch hands and focus on your turn. This wing helped me quickly improve my tacking.
In freefly, the Duotone Unit V2 2022 wing seems to vanish. This is a major strength of this wing foil. I can't wait to surf big swells with this Unit V2; its potential seems completely insane!
Regarding the windows, I found them a bit small and not as well-placed as on an Ensis Score, for example. Still, they let you see what's happening downwind before initiating a maneuver.
► The Duotone Unit V2:
This is a very light and well-balanced wing with excellent stiffness, which provides a wide wind range. It will be an ideal weapon for summer thermals. I particularly loved the handles, which allow for very precise steering and total control during maneuvers.
The wingspan of this 5.5 makes pumping a bit trickier, but you get used to it very quickly, and you don't get anything for free! I can't wait for some wind to test the 4m! For this summer, I'm replacing my Ensis Score 4.5m with this fabulous Unit, but I'm moving from a single-wing quiver to a two-wing quiver.
Unit V2 2022: Technical Highlights
Key Features
| Section | Key takeaway |
|---|---|
| Loulou, GlissEvolution ambassador, tests the Duotone Unit 2022 5.5m² Wing. | Rider experience: advanced intermediate level. |
| Inflating the Duotone Unit 2022 V2. | The valve is very practical, and the one pump works perfectly. |
| Riding the Duotone Unit 2022 V2. | From the start, your hands intuitively find their place on the very comfortable handles. |
| Maneuvers are surprisingly easy, thanks to two parameters. | The rigid handles allow for precise, one-handed control of the wing in all directions. |
| The Duotone Unit V2: In Summary | This is a very light and well-balanced wing with good stiffness, which allows for a wide wind range. |
Consider this
Key considerations and limitations noted in this article:
- Please note: Duotone ships its wing foil wings without a leash. You will also need a Duotone pump adapter to inflate the Wing Unit V2 2022.
- However, the 5.5m² wing has a significant wingspan for my 175 cm height. I had to adjust my technique, pumping horizontally above me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loulou, GlissEvolution ambassador, tests the Duotone Unit 2022 5.5m² Wing: key takeaways
Rider experience: advanced intermediate. Rider build: 1.75m / 87kg.
What to know about the Duotone Unit 2022 V2 during inflation?
The valve cap is super practical, and the one pump system works flawlessly. To deflate the wing, there's a cap on the central strut and another on the wingtip. I find the wingtip cap less useful; it's great for kites, but seems less justified for wings.
What to know about the Duotone Unit 2022 V2 when riding?
From the very first moment, your hands intuitively find their spot on the incredibly comfortable handles. You immediately feel the overall stiffness, which can even be a bit surprising when pumping initially.
Maneuvers are surprisingly easy, thanks to two key factors:
The rigid handles allow for super precise, one-handed control of the wing in any direction. The wing's very neutral and stable profile makes it easy to forget about during transitions.
What should you know about the Duotone Unit V2?
This is a very light and well-balanced wing with excellent stiffness. It has a great wind range. It's an ideal weapon for summer thermals.
Got a question about the gear mentioned here?
The GlissEvolution team rides what they sell. They are available to answer your questions in person at the Pornichet store or by phone.
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