Wing Materials Glossary
STIFF N-WEAVE45 AIRFRAME
N-Weave45 is a high-tensile woven UPE fiber laminate with a cross-ply for biaxial and torsional control, creating a stiffer, lighter rig with highly efficient power delivery.
HYBRID N-WEAVE45 AIRFRAME
Lightweight high-tensile N-Weave45 material in the strut and the LE centre segment gives the wing a reactive and direct feel with a crisp input response, and more forgiving Dacron wing tips.
MATRIX CANOPY
High-performance stretch-resistant wing canopy material specifically designed to handle the higher loads of the N-Weave45 airframe, and provide greater structural integrity for longer.
HYBRID MATRIX N-HTRS CANOPY
Stiffer Matrix canopy (80%) for greater torsional strength and structural integrity, while boosting load capacity and wind range. Lighter N-HTRS up front for clean entry.
DURABLE AIRFRAME MATERIAL
The LE, Strut and wingtip reinforcements are constructed from high-quality industry-proven Dacron, ensuring performance longevity and durability.
HIGH PERFORMANCE N-HTRS CANOPY
North High Tenacity Ripstop (N-HTRS) polyester yarn canopy material for lightness, high tear strength, low porosity and performance longevity.
N-X6 TRAILING EDGE PANELS
Durable, lightweight, low-elongation N-X6 panels provide greater TE tension, dampen flutter and help to create a cleaner release with minimal drag
SHIFTLOCK MODULAR HANDLE MOUNTING
Our proven modular track system lets you slide and lock any handles (or boom) into any position. Choose from the single 1100 or 950 boom to the 500, 400, or 250 handles, or front 400 J-Handle.
SHIFTLOCK ACCESSORIES
Add an Action Camera Mount or two ShiftLock Paddle Mounts, which can be used to mount a SUP paddle to your wing in place of a handle. The Paddle Mounts are ideal for downwind deflates.
GRIPLOCK CARBON BOOM
We’ve pre-installed a lightweight, high-strength carbon boom handle with soft EVA grip for better control, less hand fatigue, and lower overall wing weight for faster, more reactive handling.
Wing Technology Glossary
ACTIVE TWIST WINGTIPS
Tapering the LE diameter allows the tips to deflect and dump any excess power in overpowered conditions, while reducing the wing’s swing weight and drag for improved speed and control.
CONTOURED STRUT GEOMETRY
The segmented strut allows you to hold your wing in a more comfortable riding position with two handles, relieving arm fatigue and elbow strain. Try with ShiftLock J-Handle for max effect.
BALANCED TRAILERING
Improved stability is instantly noticeable when trailering, riding downwind swells, surfing, or walking, as reduced tip lift makes the wing less sensitive to oscillation and more stable.
CARBON UDI TECHNOLOGY
Patent-pending technology born from North Sails 3Di for added bend resistance, greater snapback, and more efficient pumping.
Lightweight anti-deflection UD Carbon tapes run the length of the leading edge. Carbon UDi also reinforces the Mode Ultra strut.
WORLD SAILING APPROVED
The Mode Ultra is World Sailing Approved for use in 2025 IWSA Formula Wingfoil Race Events.
DURALITE SEAM PROTECTION
Lightweight Duralite reinforcement patches create a durable buffer along the LE seams and tips, protecting the stitching from chafing and abrasion.
EXCELS AT THE TOP OF ITS RANGE
High Aspect Ratio Design generates lift earlier and more efficiently at higher speeds. The new condensed size range offers an ideal wing size for every rider’s weight in key race conditions.
THIN PROFILE AND FLATTER DIHEDRAL
Thin low-drag profile sections and flatter dihedral generate forward thrust, lift and stability at higher apparent wind speeds. The faster you go, the steadier the wing feels.
DUAL HYPERFLOW INFLATION VALVES
Separate LE and Strut valves, with interlinking hose and clip (positioned outside the Dualskin on the Mode Ultra), let you inflate the strut to a higher pressure than the leading edge.
COMFORT KNUCKLE GUARD
Larger, water-resistant, moulded-EVA knuckle guard under the more rigid front tow handle protects your fingers from abrasion when depowering. Features integrated wrist leash attachment point.
Bladders
LIGHT WIND
ONE SIZE LIGHTWEIGHT
POSITIVE LIFT NEUTRAL LIFT LOAD DISTRIBUTION
LIGHTWEIGHT BLADDERS
We’ve chosen a lightweight bladder material and strategically double-layered it in load-bearing areas such as handles, valves, nose, and wingtips for reinforcement.
PAIR WITH AN EFFICIENT HYDROFOIL
A low stall-speed foil helps you maintain lift through the lulls and enables easier transitions at slower speeds. The Surf, Downwind, or larger MA Series are ideal for light wind winging.
STRATEGIC WINDOW LAYOUT
New longer, dual LiteVision windows improve safety on the water while keeping weight to a minimum. The Mode Ultra is World Sailing Approved for use in 2025 IWSA Formula Wingfoil Race Events.
BALANCED LOAD DISTRIBUTION
The entry profile has been refined for more positive nose-lift through manoeuvres. Weight is concentrated in the wing’s centre, keeping the tips and canopy light with a low swing weight.
NEUTRAL LIFT
Optimised draft position and depth for user-friendly neutral lift through all angle of attack changes, fewer adjustments in hand positioning and a lighter feel for effortless transitions.
ADD ONE SIZE TO YOUR QUIVER
The Loft Pro span width is tailored to different riders the 8m is suited to a heavier or taller rider, the 6m to a lighter or smaller rider. All sizes are optimised for maximum low-end ability.
DEPOWER HANDLE FOR BALANCED TRAILERING
The depower handle on the LE has an ergonomic semi-rigid shape, for a balanced and comfortable one-handed grip when trailering the wing on a wave, or simply walking your gear to the water.
POSITIVE LIFT
A refined profile section ensures smooth laminar flow attachment from the LE to the TE, for positive nose lift through all angle of attack changes, improved low-end power, and earlier lift on to foil.
RIGID AND DIRECT
The stability and structure critical for deformation resistance translate into an extremely direct feel to help you maximize every micro-gust.
PROFILE STABILISING BATTENS
4mm rod battens run from the TE to the double skin to improve rebound reactivity – so the canopy can reform its shape faster when you pump, and maintain optimal tension under extreme load.
VMG-OPTIMISED DESIGN
Pinch higher, reach deeper. Fast, VMG-optimized design sails even closer to the wind, on higher angles, reducing your need to tack or gybe, so you reach the mark as quickly as possible.
Wing Technology Glossary
RADIAL GEOMETRIC PANEL LAYOUT
We’ve refined the panel layout to spread the direction of load evenly across the canopy. The radial layout helps to stabilize the wingtips and increases tension under load.
RADIAL LOAD DIFFUSION
Radial load diffusers reinforce the strut tail and wingtips, working in harmony with the radial panel layout to distribute tension more evenly in defined load directions for reduced drag.
RECYCLED POLYESTER WING BAG
Expands to fit an 1100mm Boom for convenient storage even when the boom is attached to the wing. We recommend removing your ShiftLock handles for longer haul travel.
UNIQUELY SHAPED DIHEDRAL
The profile depth, outline and airframe stiffness are optimised for maximum power, and the dihedral helps stabilize the wing, for easy handling and user-friendliness across a wider wind range.
THINNER LEADING EDGE
Reduced LE diameter creates a lighter weight, more agile and streamlined wing, with a slimmer overall profile, for reduced drag and better upwind angles. Carbon UDi helps maintain stiffness.
SUPER-EFFICIENT LOW-END POWER
A deep profile and stiff frame enable efficient power delivery to get you up on foil without needing to pump. The Loft Pro’s framing is very stiff and reactive, for direct power and forward drive.
DETACHABLE LOW DRAG TOW HANDLE
The lightweight and minimalist depower handle is aerodynamically optimised. The handle can be removed for additional drag reduction.
LIGHTWEIGHT INFILL PANEL
The infill panel between the strut and canopy helps the wing to maintain a better profile shape under load.
PARTIAL DOUBLE SKIN
A lightweight dual canopy layer drastically increases the efficiency of the profile for greater top speed, lift, upwind angles and VMG with deeper and faster downwind.
WINGTIP SEAM PROTECTION
To maximise protection against abrasion, the closing seam at the wingtip is rolled inward, shielding it from direct contact with rough surfaces and reducing the risk of wear.
SS316 SWIVEL WRIST LEASH
All North Wings are supplied with an elasticized webbing wrist wing leash with swivel, for fast, safe wing retrieval. A North Wing Waist Belt and QR Board Leash can be purchased separately.
XLT-JOINT STRUT CONNECTION
To keep the profile flying in its intended shape, the join between LE and strut has a larger diameter for a lightweight and direct connection to the canopy without deformation.
