Been out Sat/Sun at The Kitesurfing Centre demo day down at Greatstone (great lads BTW) and got to try quite a few brands over a range of conditions, incl Airush, Best, Cabrinha, F-One and Shinn. Unfortunately didn't get to go out on the RRD Obsession (sorry Dan) but still high on the list.

Not here to pimp, and I've got no associations with anyone but I have to say it really opened up my eyes to brands I prob would have dismissed in the past, or have heard good and bad things anecdotally without actual personal experience. Of the number of kites I tried, the F-One Bandit, the Best TS & the Shinn Dundee (which nearly every person who tried it came back raving about) were the standouts.

I've ridden F-One's before briefly, and even though the 14m is a big kite, it was smooth, had heaps of low end grunt yet still felt real nimble in the sky. It was near the end of the day bout 12 - 14 knots, and a lot of the others on 12m had already come in, so me and a guy on a Flysurfer had a massive part of the beach to ourselves. I can see why the F-One guys are so fanatical about the Bandits - everything about it just oozes quality.

Considering I already own a Monk, I wasn't expecting too much when I tried out the new Dundee, but boy what a surprise! All the characteristics of the Monk, maybe slightly less pop, maybe a bit more mellow in comparison, BUT there's something just so much more...tactile...more tangible when you're riding it. The only way I can describe it is if the Monk gives you that cushion of air no matter what water conditions (and I suppose in a way a slight disconnection with the water), then the Dundee feels like you're connected to the sea, but treats it as if it was flatwater even if its heaving. And it still slices through chop without spray and gives you grip when you need it - in short, its now my absolute favourite ride!

Biggest surprise was Best. At first I tried the Kahoonas, which left me a little underwhelmed admittedly. Steady, good low end grunt but not quick through the window - I'm sure it would be great for waves. The I hopped onto a 9m TS and my word...what a standout kite. Quick through the sky whilst still feeling steady and not out of control, good construction and light bar pressure. Really reminded me of F-One's in terms of handling.

Overall, a great (cold) weekend, and a real eye opener for me who hasn't tried a wide variety of kites nor had the opportunity to. Big thanks to the reps (Dom, Alberto and Dan) and Tristan and Thomas from the shop.

You hit the nail on the head only way to really know is try them all. Its so funny when people ask for opinions on kites with aim to buy on someones elses word or review, probably get let down or misled alot. I know alot of people dont have the luxury to try before they buy we dont live in a perfect world hehe!

I too was really surprised by the Dundee..
Whilst I respect the Monk's irrepressible appetite for power and speed, I was even more impressed with the tactile feel of the Dundee. If you are not into hardcore freestyle and tend to not to try and snap your lines every time you ride, then the Dundee is the most balanced, comfortable and engaging twin I have ridden so far... a very involving bit of kit, and i highly recommend trying one if you get the chance.