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.
Last year we had the opportunity to test the North Mode Pro before it officially reached the market, and this year we were lucky enough to get our hands on the latest iteration before its official release as well. The range covers sizes from 2.9m to 6.5m, with our test taking place on the 4.8m.
One of the strongest impressions we had from the previous generation was the wing’s solid construction, and North has clearly stuck with that winning formula. The airframe is built with N-Weave45, North’s high-modulus composite material, which offers greater stiffness while reducing weight compared to traditional Dacron. The canopy uses Matrix, a fabric which feels significantly thicker than standard canopy material and practically bombproof. The panel stitching strongly resembles a high-performance sailboat sail, drawing on North’s extensive marine heritage in the industry.
The Mode Pro can be configured with either rigid handles or a boom and switching between the two takes little more than a minute. It is a practical system that allows riders to tailor the wing to their preferred option without needing dedicated hardware. For this test, we got a carbon boom. Once inflated, the wing immediately feels structurally rigid. There is very little deformation when loading the leading edge or center strut by hand, suggesting that the combination of the airframe and canopy materials is working effectively as a complete structure rather than relying solely on inflation pressure. Overall, the construction gives the impression of prioritizing structural efficiency and long-term durability over any other aspect.
Our test window ended up being fairly limited due to a few logistical issues, so we only managed to score two sessions on the Mode Pro, both of them in the upper end of its wind range. That said, we had already spent time on last year’s model and remembered its excellent low-end performance, so missing those conditions wasn’t a major concern. Knowing how well the previous version responded when ridden at speed, this time we paired the wing with a racing 550cm high-aspect front wing to maximize top-end performance.
The first session delivered plenty of wind, and it quickly became apparent that the Mode Pro is just as comfortable in the high end as it is in lighter conditions. Despite being a powerful wing, it remains remarkably composed when fully powered, with virtually no flutter and no tendency to deform under load. The first characteristic that stood out was its upwind behavior. The wing naturally settles well forward in the window, producing a very direct and precise feel through the boom. Combined with its efficient profile, it encourages high-speed riding and great upwind angles. After a few long speed runs, we found ourselves well up the coast, giving us the perfect opportunity to evaluate its behavior on the way back.
Although we were too overpowered to attempt technical freestyle tricks, we still managed to throw a few jumps. Lift was good and easy to access, while hangtime was noticeably better than average for a wing in this category. We also took the chance to ride a few small waves. Drift isn’t the Mode Pro’s strongest attribute, requiring a little more rider input than more wave-oriented designs, but it remained balanced enough to make wave riding enjoyable.
The second session brought almost identical conditions and largely confirmed our initial impressions. The Mode Pro combines a comfortable feel with a high level of precision, maintaining its composure throughout the wind range we tested. Transitions are straightforward, the compact span helps the wing move cleanly through maneuvers without feeling cumbersome and its efficient profile continues to deliver excellent upwin d performance. In freestyle, the combination of direct handling, high riding speed, easy lift and good hangtime makes it an effective platform for riders looking to progress.
Overall, the Mode Pro will appeal to a broad range of freeriders, but it will particularly suit riders who prioritize speed and efficiency without committing to a dedicated race wing. It delivers many of the characteristics associated with high-performance designs like excellent upwind ability, high cruising speeds, and impressive stability when fully powered, while retaining enough versatility to comfortably handle jumping, occasional wave riding and everyday freeride sessions.
