VAYU AURA X V3

You’ve probably already read some great reviews of Vayu gear in this magazine, but for our Tarifa-based test team, this was our very first opportunity to try one! As always, Tarifa delivered perfect conditions the very next day after the Aura V3 arrived. Following our standard practice, we went in blind, knowing only that we had a 4m wing and, thanks to a tag on the bag, that it featured Aluula fabric.

Even on the short walk from the van to the shore, we could already appreciate Vayu’s attention to detail. The bag includes a padded shoulder protector designed to rest your board mast while carrying all your gear. The real surprise, however, came when we opened the bag. We were expecting to find Aluula Gold, but instead, we discovered that the wing was built with Aluula’s latest generation materials. The frame uses a mix of Aluula Aeris X for the central section, while tips and strut are made from Aluula Aeris. The canopy also uses a mixed-materials approach, with a lightweight 2×2 yarn in low-stress areas and a robust 5×5 yarn everywhere else. The Aura X v3 comes equipped with a boom, but it’s also possible to install handles if you prefer. Altogether, these choices create a wing that feels exceptionally light yet remarkably stiff, right out of the bag.

The first standout feature of this wing became clear within the first 30 seconds on the water: stiffness. The Aura X V3 is incredibly rigid, with zero canopy flutter and no frame flex at all. This translates into instant, direct power transmission, making waterstarts and pumping feel effortless. As we headed upwind in search of stronger wind, we quickly realized another defining characteristic of this wing: its phenomenal upwind performance. It locks perfectly in position in front of you, generating impressive speed and giving that “pro racing” feeling, an absolute joy to ride. While cruising upwind, we also noticed just how light the wing feels. It’s almost like holding a feather. That lightness becomes a real advantage during transitions and when maneuvering the wing, as there’s virtually no resistance. The whole process feels natural and intuitive.

We were particularly curious to test the wing’s high-end performance, since wings built with ultra-stiff materials sometimes become more demanding at the top of their range. However, that wasn’t the case here. The Aura X V3 remained stable, responsive and easy to control even in strong gusts. This is likely thanks to good engineering and wingtips made from Aeris, which is slightly more flexible than Aeris X and helps smooth out the handling at higher loads. Even at the very top of its wind range, the Aura X V3 kept flying beautifully and maintaining that same light, balanced, “feather-like” feel we loved from the start.

As we got comfortable with the stronger conditions, we moved into our freestyle routine, which is a great way to really get to know the wing. The lift and hangtime are excellent, and during jumps, the wing feels incredibly responsive to even the smallest inputs. But it was in rotational tricks where it truly shined, where its speed and ease of handling made maneuvers feel fluid and controlled. After that first session, we had plenty more, which only confirmed our initial impressions. On lighter wind days, the Aura X V3 proved to be impressively efficient in the low end, maintaining the same smooth and balanced feel across its entire wind range – from light breeze to top-end conditions.

We didn’t get proper waves during the test period, but we did manage a few downwind runs, where the wing showed its neutral, well-balanced behavior. It stays steady and predictable, never getting in the way while gliding down swells – one of those few wings that truly let you enjoy the ride without constantly having to manage it.

So, who is this wing for? Thanks to its simplicity, intuitive handling and high performance, the Aura X V3 is a wing that suits almost any rider, from ambitious beginners to experienced pros. Whether you’re into freeride, freestyle or just cruising (fast), it delivers top-tier performance across all conditions.