DUOTONE SUPER HERO 5.0 2021 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT:
Smooth power delivery across the wind range. The Duotone Super Hero’s centred and controlled pull allows you to focus your attention fully on riding the wave through every wind angle with super easy handling.
THE LOWDOWN:
The Super Hero sees a continued progression as Duotone’s 2021 any condition wave sail. The key features that made it a popular model for 2020 and the go-to sail for Victor Fernandez continuing for 2021. The BATTEN-FREE CENTRE continues for 2021, with significant space between batten three and the bottom batten. Most of the development work has gone into the 5.0, 5.3 and 5.7 sizes, with an optimising of the luff curve to improve twist for an increased wind range. Batten one has also been shortened and the profile raised slightly in the sail. Both of these features helping push the board down onto the water less and so encourage earlier planing. The tweaks in the 2021 version are there to further enhance wind range, whilst delivering a sail with a centred draft and neutral feel, which can deliver from float and ride through to fully overpowered.
On test is the standard Super Hero, but there is also an HD version, which is monofilm free, and also available is the ultra light weight Super Hero M.Plus, which continues as their full membrane version, reducing weight by up to half a kilo.
The traditional Duotone features continue with a durable tri-ply laminate in the foot panel and IBUMPER 2.0, which is a moulded mast protector, as well as durable epoxy battens and the IROCKET2.0 batten tensioners.
BRAND CLAIM: Look no further – the wave sail for any condition and rider weight. The centered draft position makes the Super Hero the most neutral wave sail out there.
PERFORMANCE:
The Super Hero easily rigs on the platinum 400 mast and visual downhaul indicators make getting the settings an easy process. In the lighter breezes the sail has plenty of draft through the middle panel and whilst developing lots of low-end power, its delivery is soft and easy to handle.
Through bottom to top turn the sail pulls you through with plenty of control, even staying well behaved whilst holding clew first. Whether onshore or more down-the-line, the controlled feel of the sail allows you to focus on driving the board through the turn, rather than controlling the rig.
As it starts to get more powered, there is a break that starts to appear across the large main panel. But with an increase in downhaul and outhaul tweaking, this crease disappears to let the leech twist away. Once fully tuned, the sail remains neutral, soft and easily controlled whilst maintaining to an impressive top end.
VITAL STATS:
Size: 5.0
Luff: 414 cm
Boom: 166 cm
Battens: 4
Ideal mast: Duotone Platinum/Gold/Silver 400 RDM
Available sizes: 3.0 , 3.4, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, 5.7.
PRICE: £689
DUOTONE SUPER HERO 5.0 2021 TEST REVIEW
Other sails in this test: