Slingshot Code NXT V2 2026: Test and Review (Big Air Kite)
Go high, loop with confidence, and cover a huge wind range with a single size: that's the promise of the Slingshot Code NXT V2, the second version of an already legendary big air kite. Jason Montreal (Big Air Kite Review channel) rode the 9 m² for several weeks, from 20 to over 40 knots, alongside the big air elite. We'll summarize what it's worth, for whom, and what to expect on the water.
Thanks to Jason Montreal (Big Air Kite Review) for this incredibly comprehensive 9 m² field test.
The Slingshot Code NXT V2 2026 is a 3-strut big air / freeride kitesurf kite made with Aluula fabric, the second version of the Code NXT, available starting from €2.599.
Tested in 9 m² by Jason Montreal over several weeks, from 20 to 40+ knots: enormous boost with a "magic lift" effect, among the best hang time, clean and predictable loops, and above all, an exceptional confidence-inspiring factor that makes it, according to the tester, the easiest to fly in its category. Only reservations: it's not the most explosive in pure boost below 25 knots, and lighter riders may need one to two sessions to tame its excess power.
Who is the Code NXT V2 for?
According to Jason Montreal's test, the Code NXT V2 is for any kiter who wants to go high and loop with confidence without fear. Intermediate to advanced riders looking to progress in technical big air, fans of an ultra-versatile kite with a wide wind range, or riders aiming for a reduced quiver (one or two kites) that covers almost everything: it ticks all the boxes. Its ease of flying and confidence-inspiring factor make it a kite that encourages you to dare.
Conversely, if you're just starting kiteloops and are looking for the most forgiving kite possible, more permissive models (often made of Dacron) will perform better; in that case, check out our selection of kites. The same applies if you only want the most explosive boost below 25 knots, or maximum stability at the top of the wind range.
Which Code NXT V2 size to choose?
The Code NXT V2 2026 is available in six sizes, from 7 to 14 m², ranging from €2.599 to €3.299 depending on the size. Jason tested the 9 m² (€2.799), a safe bet that, thanks to its excellent low end, can handle 20 to 40+ knots on its own.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 7 m² | €2,599 |
| 8 m² | €2,699 |
| 9 m² (tested) | €2,799 |
| 10 m² | €2,899 |
| 12 m² | €3,099 |
| 14 m² | €3,299 |
Not sure about your size? Write to us to match it to your build, spot, and use.
Technical specifications of the Code NXT V2
| Feature | Slingshot Code NXT V2 2026 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Slingshot |
| Model | Code NXT V2 2026 |
| Use | Big air / freeride |
| Construction | 3 struts, Aluula canopy |
| Tested size | 9 m² |
| Recommended lines | 24 m (by designer Adi Conrad) |
| Bar | Slingshot (performs best with) |
| Bar pressure | Light to moderate |
| Wind range (9 m²) | approx. 20 to 40+ knots |
| Key strength | Ease of piloting & confidence factor |
Our detailed test of the Code NXT V2
The field feedback comes from Jason Montreal (Big Air Kite Review channel), who rode the Code NXT V2 in 9 m² for several weeks, from 20 to over 40 knots, and compared it against the current big air elite: Duotone Evo D-Lab, Rebel D-Lab, and Ozone Vortex V2.
Field feedback: Jason Montreal, Big Air Kite Review (9 m²)
First impressions and general feeling
From the very first session, in choppy conditions and 20 to 22 knots of wind, the NXT V2 sets the scene. The low end is excellent, among the best on the market, as is often the case with these 3-strut Aluula kites: Jason was able to stay on his 9 m² while lighter friends went out on 10 or 11 m² kites, everyone jumping to comparable heights. The bar pressure is light to moderate, with very precise kite/bar response. The most striking observation: in almost all sessions against the competition, it stands out as the simplest kite to use, regardless of the conditions.
The boost: a sending machine
For pop and height, no suspense: the Code NXT V2 is a sending machine. This V2 significantly improves the boost in "sheet and go" (you sheet in, you go), with a wider sweet spot on take-off and a real ability to chase gusts during the ascent. And always that "magic lift" feeling where you seem to gain a few extra meters with each jump. The real plus: a softer and more reassuring edge loading, which helps to dare loop variations at height. A small detail that matters: it performs best with the Slingshot bar and 24 m lines.
Hang time and descent
For hang time, it's at the very top of the basket, neck and neck with the Vortex V2. But it's on the descent that the NXT distinguishes itself: it's softer and more consistent. Where the Duotone D-Labs sometimes have that little "rebound" that relaunches you upwards in the middle of the descent, the NXT remains linear and easier to balance. As with the boost, the hang time is a little more stable, controlled, and less aggressive.
The loop: fluid and predictable
For looping, the NXT V2 offers a clean, smooth, and slightly more "full" loop. Even when launched with one hand, the kite remains consistent and predictable; it pivots less on itself than the Evo, meaning fewer micro-stalls before the ascent, and less pull in the loop. Keep in mind: in gusty sessions on long lines, the loop can have a short pause before coming back up. Nothing dangerous (no crashes for Jason), but it's not as "guaranteed" as a more forgiving kite designed for learning kiteloops. For a rider already comfortable who wants to move on to technical variations, it's one of the best choices on the market in 9 m².
The Confidence Factor: The True Key to the Kite
The real strength of the Code NXT V2 is its confidence factor. For Jason, it's the "ultimate magic" of the Kite: combining boost, hang time, ease, and loop in a package that, instead of intimidating you, puts you in safety and pushes you to dare. The anecdote sums it all up: at 45, after breaking his ribs a third time, he hadn't attempted a kiteloop with rotation for five months, and it was the NXT V2 that got him back into it. The combination of a light bar and overall ease makes it, in his opinion, the big winner in terms of confidence, ahead of the Rebel and the Vortex.
Versatility: Foil, Freestyle, Freeride
Beyond big air, the NXT V2 is versatile. Jason didn't test it with foil during the review, but he thinks he would prefer it to other Aluula freeride big air kites for this use: it's less explosive and nervous, doesn't pull as much forward, and its flight stability would help with riding, pumping, and foil jumping. This is the whole point of these best Aluula kites: an enormous wind range that opens up several disciplines and allows for a very reduced quiver.
The Code NXT V2 vs. the Competition
| Compared to… | What the test says |
|---|---|
| Duotone Evo D-Lab (< 25 nœuds) | The Evo is a notch more explosive and consistent in pure boost; the NXT V2 is much easier, more fun, and offers a more accessible loop. |
| Ozone Vortex V2 | Hang time is neck and neck, with a slight advantage to the NXT V2 at the lower end of the wind range. |
| Rebel D-Lab (30-40 knots) | The Rebel (5 struts) is a bit more stable and consistent at the top end; heights are comparable when the timing is right. |
EN BREF: Our Opinion on the Code NXT V2
The Slingshot Code NXT V2 may not be the most powerful or the fastest looping kite out there. But it's the overall package that makes it formidable: ease of use, confidence, hang time, fun, and a monstrous wind range. For Jason Montreal, it has become his favorite 9 m² kite and a serious contender for kite of the year. So much so that, for a complete quiver of a single model, he would choose the NXT over his current Evo quiver.
FAQ: Slingshot Code NXT V2
What is the Slingshot Code NXT V2 2026?
The Slingshot Code NXT V2 2026 is a big air / freeride 3-strut Kite in Aluula fabric, the second version of the Code NXT, designed for high jumps, confident loops, and a very wide wind range. Available from €2,599.
What skill level is the Code NXT V2 for?
It is mainly aimed at intermediate to advanced riders who want to progress in big air and looping. It remains quite accessible for its category, but for learning the kiteloop alone, a more forgiving Kite will be even more permissive.
Should you ride the Code NXT V2 with 22m or 24m lines?
The designer recommends 24m, and the Kite performed best with 24m lines and the Slingshot bar during testing, especially for its low end and hang time.
Code NXT V2 or Duotone Evo D-Lab?
The Evo D-Lab is a bit more explosive and consistent for pure boost under 25 knots. The Code NXT V2, however, is easier, more fun, and more reassuring to ride, with a more accessible loop.
What is the wind range for the 9 m²?
During testing, the 9 m² covered approximately 20 to over 40 knots, making it a Kite with a very wide wind range.
Is the Code NXT V2 suitable for foil?
It was not tested with foil during the review, but the tester believes it is more suitable than the Evo or Vortex for this use, as it is less explosive and more stable in flight.
We'll help you choose
No need to live in the region: call us or make an appointment (phone or video call) with a rider from the team. We'll advise you remotely to find the right size according to your build, your spot, and your use.
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Sources: field feedback from Jason Montreal (Big Air Kite Review channel), test of the Slingshot Code NXT V2 2026 in 9 m² over several weeks, from 20 to 40+ knots, against the Duotone Evo D-Lab, Rebel D-Lab, and Ozone Vortex V2. Adapted and synthesized by GlissEvolution, without distorting the tester's comments.
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