Windsurf MagazineAZTRON AIR WING 5.0 2022 TEST REVIEW

AZTRON AIR WING 5.0 2022 TEST REVIEW

THE VERDICT

Another wing that’s taken a real leap forward in progression, the Aztron’s new shape, features and lighter weight make it infinitely more accessible and fit for purpose.

THEY SAY

“This year, our team worked hard to redesign the strut and profile to make the Air Wing a solid construction with much more power and stability. The AZTRON Air Wing lineup has made the light wind riding more performing than ever!”

WE SAY

Aztron is a brand on a mission. From its humble beginnings as a SUP brand, it now has quite the product portfolio, from hard SUPs and surfboards to water wear, skateboards, balance boards and footwear! This is their second-generation wing and despite its nigh on identical colourway, it is a very different wing. Gone are the extra handles of its predecessor, leaving a large deep front handle and an adjoining three in the rear of the central strut.

It is available in four sizes, from 6.0m to 3.0m and whilst retaining some windows for visibility and safety, it is said to have been completely re-designed for more “low end grunt” and stability. Inflated via a couple of standard twist-lock SUP valves, the central strut is independent of the leading edge, with the added practicality that one pump can be used for both your inflatable SUP and your wing. The recommended inflation pressure is 6 PSI, and once pumped up it’s clear the wing’s planform is lower in aspect ratio than its predecessor, with a medium to shallow dihedral leading edge profile and a relatively loose canopy, particularly along the leech. All these changes have, importantly, lead to a significant loss in the wing’s weight, this new Aztron tipping the scales at 2.51 kg, almost half a kilo lighter than last year’s model. It comes supplied with a coiled wrist leash with built in swivel and a neat rucksack bag, for easy transport.

Last year we commented that the Aztron’s high aspect planform took some getting used to … but we’re pleased to report that this new Air Wing from Aztron is much more natural and intuitive to use. Powering and lifting smoothly, the loose canopy doesn’t necessarily lend the Aztron to sharp and assertive pumping in the lightest airs, but as a gust hits the pressure builds and power is delivered gently and progressively to the board. The handles themselves are quite unique, the front handle referred to as their ‘Power Grip’, being long and loose. It allows you to adjust your hand’s position along the one handle, which in light winds was quite useful, allowing you to get the wing high and powered. In stronger winds, we did find the looseness in the front handle compromised the wing’s sense of feel and control, particularly in intricate manoeuvres. Nevertheless, for freeride winging (whether foiling or not), it’s an easy wing to get on with, adopting a comfortable, stable stance and delivering smooth forgiving power. With the notable reduction in weight, the handling and flight of the Air Wing is much easier and more dynamic, improving its appeal immeasurably. The Aztron doesn’t necessarily have the performance credentials of some of the other wings on test here, yet nor does it pretend to. Instead, it is an entry-level wing for those that want a user-friendly pathway into this rapidly growing sport and at £549.00 it represents excellent value for money.