When you purchase gear through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. Here’s why you can trust our tests and our affiliate partner.
The SLS model sits in the middle of Duotone’s wing range from both a price and performance basis, with the full Aluula framed D/Lab version as the flagship, and the standard Dacron UNIT below it. The UNIT sits in the range as the allrounder, with the Float more wave biased.
The material choices and placements are interesting, with a garnish of Aluula being utilized in the center of the leading edge where stiffness is most important. This then fades out into a Penta TX performance Dacron running into the wingtip tubes and the strut which makes up the majority of the airframe. The canopy is made of a mixture of MOD3 and MOD3S, which has a noticeably high level of silky coating and repels water well.
The Concept Blue means this wing has a lower environmental impact. They’ve achieved this in a number of ways, most obviously by using no dye in the sailcloth, which explains the shiny white colorway. This in turn reduces the amount of water used in the manufacturing process. The plastic parts, one pump clips, valve caps are all made from 50% post-industrial recycled plastics. Even the bladders are up to 57% bio-based carbon content. These are all definitely steps in the right environmental direction.
The handle system is an optional at-point-of purchase, and you can choose between twin handles or a boom. These bolt on and off with a Torx tool, and utilize four threaded inserts sewn into base plates on the struts. Blanking plates are available to cover the redundant bases if you go for a boom. This continued choice of handles or boom is great to see, as many brands are just opting for fixed booms now, forcing riders down one path. Being able to fold the wing in half and stuff it in a backpack can be very practical in term of storage and travel, and handles definitely have their place. The leash is an optional extra to allow rider choice between Duotone’s straight or coiled versions or something aftermarket.
Interestingly, rather than have a piece of ripstop to control the profile like many freeride wings, the UNIT has an angled strut which is sewn directly to the canopy. This ensures a very direct feel and controls canopy tension effectively, and also has the benefit of angling the handles towards you for improved ergonomics. Two canopy battens per side are elegantly stitched and control any potential trailing edge vibration effectively. Minimal twin windows keep weight down, and give a decent view of any action fore and aft.
In the hands, the UNIT feels refined and simple to use. The canopy tension is even throughout the wing, and well managed and even over the entire profile, which is crinkle free as soon as you inflate it. This translates to a smooth power delivery throughout its wind range, which is extended on previous models. There’s no front-stall characteristics, and we go as far as saying this is the most balanced Duotone wing we’ve tested. When flagged the mid-level of dihedral flies passively on the neutral handle and makes an easy job of wave riding, eliminating any sideways rocking or oscillation. The Fusion handle interface and grip is oval shaped and notably comfortable with a good balance between grip and comfort.
Overall the UNIT in SLS flavor is a very sensible choice from the range, if you want a step up from standard Dacron in materials. It stretches the range of use and performance for a relatively modest price increase, including a garnish of Aluula where it’s most important. It’s an excellent update of a now long-established product line, which can be thrown into a multitude of situations with confidence.
