NEW VS USED GEAR

Let’s be honest – kitesurfing gear can be expensive. Yet again –  it’s cheaper than a boat or a good bike. 🙂 Many beginners are looking for used gear when beginning – especially kites and boards. The kite itself is the most important part of your gear so buying a used one can be risky.

Why? 

• Understanding the condition can be hard. When buying the kite without even seeing it, you can only trust the seller.
• Even when you can see the kite before buying, you might not see the small holes in the bladder, for example.

When you are thinking about buying used gear, think about these things:

• What year is the kite? If this information is not said in the ad, it’s important to find it out. When knowing the brand, model and year of the kite – explore in kite forums and find out what other riders think about that kite.
• Has the kite been repaired?  Small and well done repairs don’t affect the qualities of the kite. But bigger and “temporary” repairs should be brought to your attention. Beware of a kite with many repairs – it has probably seen a bit too hard of a life.
• Has the kite been used a lot? Look for fabric fatigue in the canopy, in particular, load-heavy locations like the trailing edge and strut attachments. Feel the fabric- does it feel stiff and “crisp” (good) or soft and papery (bad).
• Does the kite come with a bar? Older the kite, harder it is to find a suitable bar for it. If it does come with a bar, ask for a specialist to check the lines.

Buying used equipment is a good way to enter the sport on a budget though it can have its repercussions. If you don’t find a good deal then we recommend you consider spending the extra money on new equipment from an official dealer. This will help avoid many issues and allow you to focus on you and your riding, instead of you worrying about your equipment breaking! If you need any help, get in touch with us. The used gear we sell is checked and when needed, repaired.