CORE Halo

With the release of last year’s Halo Pro, CORE made a lightweight, stiff, high-end wing aimed for more advanced riders with a full Aluula airframe. In a move to make something both performant and more affordable, and in a trend we’re seeing across the wing and kite market from various angles, existing models are being reverse engineered from an Aluula airframe, which has been a recent technical and marketing focus for many brands, back to more traditional Dacron. The Halo comes in a comprehensive range of seven sizes, from 2.4m all the way up to 6m, and it comes in a long, narrow storage bag with shoulder straps to house the boom. A waistbelt or wrist leash is available to purchase separately depending on how you like to roll.

So let’s start with the revised materials which combine to form quite an intricate and sophisticated build. The airframe is made from three different grades of performance Dacron. The central strut joint section comprises of two layers of ExoTex 2 with radial stitching spreading load throughout this section. The span out to the wingtip is then an all-new ExoTex HD, which is stiffer, lighter and forms the majority of the tube until the last segments in the wingtip which reverts back to ExoTex 2 in a single layer. With this cunning fabric utilization, the front tube diameter is only slightly increased over its Aluula sibling. The canopy comprises of a three-core CoreTex 2 ripstop with a radial cut and seaming channeling load evenly. Three batten pockets flank each side of the wing containing some short fiberless battens to control the trailing edge and further minimize vibration.

The Bionic boom is a unique design, with the majority of the booms on the market running straight and parallel with the strut. There’s a kink in the boom for the front hand grip which orientates the grip towards you, increasing comfort and enabling the all-important pistol grip move, and also allowing one-handed control if you grip the boom around the mid-point. It’s also extremely easy to hook up a harness loop to, if that’s your jam. In a way, it’s mimicking a twin-handle setup which often have an angled front grip but saving weight with only two attachment points. These two wide bases spread the load well onto the strut with barely any twisting, and the boom is permanently attached with security bolts, but in case of repair it can be removed with a special key from your CORE dealer.

Handling wise, it’s a precise and comfortable affair, with the Halo pulling forward and upwind eagerly, and there’s enough canopy tension to minimize flapping. Compared to the Halo Pro, the ExoTex version is far more friendly in gusts as you would imagine, with more flex and response in the airframe and is less demanding on your upper body. What it doesn’t do is deform under load and become inefficient; it’s still a very crisp power delivery in standard Dacron, albeit with a little suspension when required. They’ve balanced these characteristics very well. The Bionic boom interface really shines, and is a highlight of the wing setting it apart from its peers. Ergonomically it’s extremely functional, is a sensible diameter preventing any cramping and the EVA grip has a good level of texture and grip without feeling harsh. The front flag handle is adequately sized and stiff, with minimal oscillation when the wing is in neutral position. Bringing the wing to hip level allows you to pivot around the strut and trail the wing behind you relatively easily without it trying to trip you over.

As a freeride wing the Halo really excels, and is a more comfortable proposition to its Aluula brother without a huge amount of compromise in terms of performance, which surprised us. It’s usable in a huge range of scenarios and disciplines, feels balanced and easy to use, and makes an excellent and strategic addition to the CORE wing lineup providing a well-priced premium freeride experience.