Double Dip: Armstrong Performance MKII & Performance-X Masts

The foiling industry recently seems to have been setting its sights on mast performance, with many brands releasing new, ultra-thin high-performance masts designed for riders exploring the limits of speed, efficiency, and glide. Armstrong will be coming to market with three new masts, an entry level carbon MKII, mid-range Performance MKII and high-end Performance-X. These masts are iterations on the current models, with the carbon MKII offering a great entry point for riders who want the performance of a carbon mast at a price point that remains more accessible than the high-end counterparts. The Performance MKII offers a step up with a thinner profile and improved stiffness, and finally the Performance-X pushes the limits of thinness and chord length while retaining the stiffness of the thicker counterparts.

Riders who are already within the Armstrong ecosystem will have no surprises with the new generation of masts. The quality, branding, quantity of hardware, and attention to detail present in the new masts is aligned with prior generations. Each mast is protected by the two-part mast/baseplate cover pack with clear sizing on the side. The baseplate uses the same M7 hardware that easily slides into slots, eliminating the need to fully remove the board connection bolts when rigging.

Side by side, the differences between the MKII and Performance-X appear small, other than the noticeable reduced chord length of the X and slightly thinner feel. Differentiating between the two masts takes a trained eye. While these masts appear similar in appearance, there is a noticeable differentiation between their ride characteristics. Testing was done winging in 2-3’ waves, with the 770 Armstrong UHA front wing and surf 170 tail. Starting off on the Performance MKII, everything we should expect from a high-end carbon mast comes into play. The foil connections feel stiff, even when loading the wingtips of the UHA foil which has a very wide span, the solid build and stiffness is noticeable with zero wobble or flex coming back through to the rider. Paired with the UHA 770, the MKII mast feels like a perfect match of speed and performance. Power is steady and controlled, turning is fun with a longboard type feel of wider, drawn out carves. In a straight line downwind-style ride the foil feel is directly translated through the mast into the board offering excellent rider control. The MKII felt well paired with the 770 size front wing, and riders who typically are on larger foils or not riding at the top end of performance will be perfectly suited with the MKII.

Moving from the Performance MKII to the Performance-X provides a direct comparison of how chord length and mast thickness impacts the ride characteristics of a mast. Even though the differences are small between the two models, there is a noticeable difference in how they ride. The foil system felt stiff, responsive and controlled on both masts, however in a straight line and even through turns, the Performance-X has a slippery quality that the MKII does not. The best way to describe this slippery feel is like a hot knife through butter – there is very little mast drag on the Performance-X. When paired with a larger front wing like the UHA770, the straight line speed difference between the masts was relatively small primarily due to being front wing speed limited. However the glide increase from the Performance-X was noticeable, being able to carry that speed a bit further with less rider input is a huge benefit for downwinders. Riders who are using smaller foils or pushing downwind performance will reap even larger benefits from the Performance-X over the MKII.

Overall, the new Armstrong mast line has something for everyone. If you are a rider who is seeking the performance of a carbon mast, but looking for value the MKII carbon will check a lot of boxes. Riders who want a step up in performance, but typically are riding larger foils or simply not pushing the limits of speed and performance will find a perfect match in the MKII Performance. Finally, riders who are riding smaller foils, looking to maximize downwind performance, and push their gear and riding to the limit, the Performance-X will handle anything you can push it through.