We have been using the Flysurfer SONIC5 quite extensively on the water over the past few months and were able to test it in a wide variety of conditions. Our goal was not just to put in a few sessions, but to really find out how the kite performs in everyday use, where its strengths lie, and for which type of rider it makes the most sense.
After many hours on the water, our impression is quite clear: the SONIC5 is a performance-oriented foil kite with enormous efficiency, a great deal of hangtime, and surprisingly controlled handling. Especially in comparison to classic tube kites, it plays to its strengths where efficiency, upwind performance, light-wind capability, and long airtime are required.
First impressions
Right from the first launch, you notice that the SONIC5 does not aim to be a comfortable entry-level foil kite. The kite sits very cleanly in the wind window, accelerates strongly forward, and develops a significant amount of power for its size. At the same time, it feels less nervous than we would have expected from a high-aspect kite in this performance class.
Especially after a few sessions, it becomes noticeable how calmly the canopy works. Even in gusty wind, the kite remains surprisingly stable and can be positioned very precisely. This provides a lot of confidence – especially when the wind is not perfectly constant.
Lift and hangtime
The greatest strength of the SONIC5 is, for us, clearly its jumping performance. The lift is enormous. When you edge the kite cleanly and send it upwards at the right moment, you accelerate very directly upward. In the process, the launch feels less horizontal and significantly more vertical than with many classic freeride kites.
Even more impressive, however, is the hangtime. The SONIC5 provides extreme lift, and especially during high jumps, you have a surprising amount of time in the air. For board-offs, rotations, or other tricks, this is ideal because you don't have to work nearly as hectically. This long lift phase is also noticeable during landing: the kite produces lift for a long time, thereby enabling very controlled landings.
Especially when switching directly to smaller and more direct tube kites, you clearly notice how differently the SONIC5 develops its power. It feels less explosive, but carries significantly longer. For riders seeking maximum airtime, this is clearly one of the biggest arguments for the SONIC5.
Upwind performance and efficiency
When riding upwind, the SONIC5 makes full use of its high efficiency. The kite stands very far forward in the wind window and generates comparatively little lateral pull. As a result, you can make upwind progress extremely efficiently.
This is a major advantage, especially during big-air training. After a jump, you inevitably lose ground, but with the SONIC5, you return to the jumping point very quickly. Over a longer session, this simply means more jumps and less time riding upwind. This efficiency is also clearly noticeable on the foil.
Stability
What has particularly impressed us over the last few months is the stability of the SONIC5. High-aspect foil kites can certainly be demanding in gusty or difficult wind; however, the SONIC5 remains surprisingly calm. Of course, you notice wind holes and gusts, but the kite changes its shape very little and remains very controllable.
Especially in stronger wind, this gave us a lot of confidence. You don't constantly have the feeling that you have to actively correct the kite, which makes even longer sessions significantly more relaxed.
Nevertheless, one must not forget that we are still talking about a performance-oriented foil kite here. In the event of complete line slack or an unfortunate crash, even a SONIC5 can collapse or invert. A certain understanding of how to handle a foil kite should therefore be present.
Kiteloops and heliloops
One point that particularly interested us was the looping behavior. Here, the SONIC5 really surprised us. For its aspect ratio, the kite turns surprisingly round and predictably. Of course, a SONIC doesn't feel like a small, fast tube kite—which it isn't supposed to.
The loops are, in fact, very controlled. We particularly liked the heliloops and downloops during landing. The kite completes its turn cleanly and subsequently builds up a lot of lift again. Especially after high jumps, this "catch" feels very pleasant, and with a little experience, you can use the height very controlled. For us, this is one of the points where you notice how strongly the SONIC5 is designed for big air.
Bar feel and steering
We would classify the bar feedback as rather light to medium. In the lower wind range, the holding forces are sometimes very low. Those coming from a tube kite will therefore have to get used to riding more based on the position of the kite and less exclusively based on bar pressure.
As soon as there is more wind, the feedback becomes clearer. The steering itself is very precise, and you quickly get a feel for how far you need to move the kite. This is especially important when jumping, because timing makes a big difference with the SONIC5. If you take a few sessions to get used to it, you will gain a very precise feel for the kite.
Low end – especially the 15m was impressive
The SONIC5 also works extremely efficiently in the lower wind range. Due to its high aspect ratio and good forward acceleration, you can get an amazing amount out of relatively little wind.
We would particularly like to highlight the SONIC5 in 15 m². For us, the 15m is not just a large SONIC, but above all a very sensible addition to a classic tube-kite range.
This was very clearly evident in our last sessions. We were mainly out with smaller F-ONE BANGER QuadX kites and also had the SONIC5 in 12 and 15 m² with us. As soon as there was enough wind, we could ride the small tube kites. When the wind got weaker, we switched to the SONIC5.
The 15m, in particular, closed a gap that we wouldn't necessarily fill with a very large tube kite. It develops a lot of usable power even in light wind, goes upwind extremely efficiently, and feels surprisingly agile for a kite of this size. By flying actively and sine-waving, additional power can be generated without the kite feeling sluggish or heavy.
So, those who mainly ride tube kites do not have to completely change their entire range. A SONIC5 in 12 or 15 m² can supplement the lower wind range very specifically. Instead of bringing along a very large tube kite, you get a kite with the SONIC5 that takes up little space in your luggage, works extremely efficiently in light wind, and at the same time offers a hangtime you wouldn't necessarily expect from a classic light-wind tube kite.
For us, the combination of small tube kites and the SONIC5 in 12 and 15 m² has proven to be extremely sensible. The SONIC5 takes over exactly where conditions get weaker and efficiency becomes increasingly important.
Relaunch and handling on the water
We naturally tried the water start more than once during our sessions. Basically, the relaunch of the SONIC5 works very well. The reverse launch, in particular, can be performed in a controlled manner if you know how to handle a closed-cell foil kite.
Nevertheless, we don't want to raise any false expectations here. A SONIC5 is not a kite you want to toss into the water completely thoughtlessly. Depending on the situation, tips can collapse, the bridle can get tangled, or the kite can invert. With a little foil-kite experience, however, this is quite manageable.
Those who have previously only flown tube kites and want to enter the foil-kite world as easily as possible should also take a look at the new Flysurfer SOUL4. The SOUL4 is designed more for intuitive handling, simple control, and an uncomplicated entry into the foil-kite world.
The SONIC5, on the other hand, is aimed at riders who are specifically looking for more performance and are willing to engage more intensively with the kite and its handling. For those who ride very confidently, jump a lot, and are primarily looking for hangtime, upwind performance, and maximum efficiency, the SONIC5 is the clearly more exciting option.
SONIC5 for Big Air
For us, the largest area of application for the SONIC5 is clearly big air. Here, the kite combines several characteristics that fit together perfectly: an extreme amount of lift, very long hangtime, strong upwind performance, and a controlled looping behavior.
Riders who like to jump high and then perform board-offs or rotations benefit enormously from the long airtime. The kite simply gives you a lot of time, and for technical tricks in particular, that makes a big difference. At the same time, you return upwind quickly after landing and can start the next attempt right away.
In comparison to small tube kites, we don't see a competitive situation, but rather two very different characters. A small tube kite is a lot of fun in the right wind due to its directness and speed. The SONIC5, on the other hand, plays its advantages when long hangtime, maximum efficiency, and a lot of power in less wind are required.
SONIC5 on the foil
The SONIC5 also works excellently on a hydrofoil. Here, you notice especially clearly how efficiently the kite works. It stands far forward in the wind window, generates little lateral pull, and can therefore be ridden against the foil very comfortably.
Especially in light wind, this combination is really fun. Those who ride both big air and foil therefore get an amazingly versatile performance kite with the SONIC5.
Who is the Flysurfer SONIC5 suitable for?
In our opinion, the SONIC5 is clearly aimed at experienced riders. You should be able to kite confidently and ideally already have some experience with foil kites or at least be prepared to deal with the peculiarities of a foil kite.
Anyone looking for an uncomplicated kite for relaxed cruising probably doesn't need the performance of the SONIC5. On the other hand, those looking for maximum hangtime, strong upwind performance, high efficiency, and a lot of performance will have a lot of fun with the SONIC5.
We find it particularly interesting for big-air riders who want as much airtime as possible, for board-offs and technical tricks, for foilers seeking maximum efficiency, as well as for experienced tube-kite riders who want to sensibly expand their existing range into the light-wind sector. The 15m in particular is one of the most interesting sizes in this context for us.
Our points of criticism
As enthusiastic as we are about the SONIC5, we also want to mention the points that you should know before buying. The kite requires experience. Especially when launching, landing, and after a crash, a foil kite is somewhat more complex than a tube kite.
Furthermore, the very light bar feel in the lower wind range will not please everyone immediately. Those accustomed to very direct and powerful feedback via the bar might need a few sessions to get used to it.
Additionally, the SONIC5 is not a kite we would recommend to a beginner. Its performance is enormous—and that is exactly why you should already know what you are doing.
Our conclusion after several months with the Flysurfer SONIC5
After many sessions, we can say: The Flysurfer SONIC5 has really convinced us. Its greatest strengths for us are clearly the enormous hangtime, the strong vertical lift, the excellent upwind performance, and the impressive efficiency.
We were, however, particularly positively surprised by the control. Despite its high performance, the SONIC5 feels surprisingly calm and predictable. Even in difficult wind, the kite remains stable and provides a lot of confidence.
In big air, it plays its strengths completely. You jump high, stay up there for a long time, and can subsequently use the kite very controllably for the landing. At the same time, the 15m in particular has proven to be a very strong light-wind addition to an existing tube-kite range.
Our sessions with small F-ONE BANGER QuadX kites and the SONIC5 in 12 and 15 m² have shown this very clearly: as soon as the wind was no longer enough for the small tube kites, we were able to cover the lower wind range very efficiently with the SONIC5. The 15m in particular significantly extends the usable wind range downward without needing to take along a huge tube kite.
The SONIC5 is definitely not a kite for everyone. But those who already bring experience and are looking for a performance foil kite for big air, freeride, foil, or as a light-wind addition to an existing tube-kite range will get an exceptionally capable kite.
Our personal highlight remains the combination of lift and hangtime. There are many kites you can jump high with. With the SONIC5, we are most impressed by how long the kite carries you afterward. Combined with its enormous efficiency, this makes it one of the most exciting performance foil kites we have ridden in the last few months.
