2026 Airush Lithium V14 Overview: What Changed and Who This Kite Is Really For

The Airush Lithium has been part of the lineup long enough that most riders already have an opinion about it. Some learned on one. Some still ride one. Others assume they’ve outgrown it. That familiarity is exactly why it’s worth slowing down and taking a closer look at the 2026 Lithium V14.

It’s built for the sessions most people actually ride: mixed conditions and mixed goals. The Lithium exists to solve a more common problem: how to support real growth across inconsistent conditions, changing skill levels, and evolving riding goals without forcing riders into overly specialized gear too early.

Airush approaches updates to the Lithium differently than many brands. Instead of releasing annual revisions with minor tweaks, they work on longer cycles and only change the kite when there is a clear functional reason to do so. The V14 follows that pattern. It keeps the core identity of the Lithium intact while refining how the kite responds for riders who are starting to push harder.

This guide is not a hype review and it is not a replacement for flying the kite yourself. The goal is clarity. We are breaking down what the Lithium V14 is designed to do, what actually changed compared to the previous version, and which types of riders benefit most from those changes.

If you are deciding whether the Lithium still makes sense for where you are right now, or whether the V14 moves the kite in a direction that aligns with your riding, this article is meant to give you clarity before you ever look at sizes or pricing.

Why the Lithium Exists in the Airush Kite Lineup

Within the Airush Kiteboarding lineup, the Lithium serves a specific structural role. It is not a beginner-only kite, and it is not a performance outlier. It exists to cover the broad middle ground where most riders actually spend their time 

In the Airush lineup, the Lithium is the baseline freeride kite. It’s the model most riders can live on while they build real control and decide if they even want to specialize. Other models branch away from this center toward clearer priorities like light-wind efficiency, wave drift, unhooked control, or powered jumping. The Lithium stays anchored in versatility.

This matters because many riders do not ride one discipline exclusively. Conditions change. Skill levels evolve. Goals shift over time. A kite that is too narrowly focused can force compromises that slow learning or limit session quality. The Lithium is designed to avoid that trap by staying neutral enough to adapt without becoming vague or disconnected.

Another reason the Lithium remains central to the lineup is how it behaves across a wide range of conditions. It does not require perfect wind, flawless timing, or aggressive input to feel composed. That consistency allows riders to focus on board control, edging, and decision-making rather than managing the kite itself.

It gives riders room to develop skills, explore different styles, and ride in less-than-ideal conditions while still feeling in control. That role has stayed consistent across generations, even as materials and tuning have evolved.

What Changed from the Airush Lithium V13 to the V14

The V14 keeps the Lithium DNA, but tightens how it turns and catches when you start pushing harder. Airush kept the core structure and intent of the kite intact and focused on two areas that directly affect how the kite responds when pushed harder.

The most meaningful update is the bridle configuration. The Lithium V14 uses a revised micro-bridle with a stopper ball, a concept drawn from Airush’s experience developing their big air platforms. This change shortens and simplifies how the kite loads and releases through turns. The result is a cleaner transition when the kite is redirected, particularly during loops and aggressive sends.

The second update is the wing tip shape. Compared to the V13, the V14 features squarer wing tips. This adjustment increases how quickly the kite pivots through a turn and how directly it responds to bar input. The goal here was not to make the kite faster overall, but to make its response more immediate and deliberate without introducing instability.

Importantly, these updates were made without altering Lithium’s role in the lineup. The canopy profile, overall geometry, and freeride orientation remain consistent. Airush did not change the Lithium into a different category of kite. Instead, they tuned how the existing design reacts under load.

In her V14 overview, Airush team rider Kristen Cooper calls out the two changes that you actually feel: the micro bridle catch, and the more direct turn from the updated wing tips. She notes that the bridle update makes loops feel smoother and less intimidating, while the wing tip changes add responsiveness without sacrificing relaunch or stability. Her feedback reinforces that the V14 keeps the character riders expect, while tightening how the kite behaves when pushed.

Taken together, the V14 updates focus on response and control rather than raw power or range. They are designed to support riders who are beginning to demand more from the kite without abandoning the predictability that has defined the Lithium for years.

How the Airush Lithium V14 Feels on the Water

The first thing most riders notice on the Lithium V14 is how calm it feels in motion.

Not slow. Not muted. Calm in the sense that the kite stays composed when conditions are doing their thing. When the wind goes up and down, the V14 stays even. You’re not getting surprise surges or weird stalls. It gives you time to respond, which matters whether you’re still building confidence or starting to push harder.

That stability is a big reason Lithium has stayed relevant for so long. The V14 keeps that familiar feel, but it adds a more connected response compared to earlier versions.

Bar Feel and Feedback

Bar pressure sits in a middle ground that works for a wide range of riders.

It’s light enough that long sessions don’t feel tiring, but not so light that the kite disappears. You don’t lose track of it, even when you’re busy dealing with board speed, chop, or traffic. That feedback becomes especially helpful when riding in gusty or inconsistent wind, where over-reactive kites can make things harder instead of easier.

The steering feels cleaner than past versions. Inputs translate more directly to movement without feeling twitchy. You don’t need to overcorrect, and you’re not waiting on the kite to catch up either.

Turning Speed and Control

The Lithium V14 turns with intent.

It doesn’t whip aggressively like a dedicated big-air kite, but it no longer feels lazy through turns. Downloops and redirections come around smoothly and predictably, which makes transitions and landings feel more controlled.

This is where the V14 subtly separates itself from purely beginner-focused designs. The kite responds when you ask more of it, but it doesn’t punish imperfect timing. That balance is what allows riders to keep the same kite as their riding evolves.

Jumping and Hangtime

Jumping on the Lithium V14 feels approachable rather than demanding.Y

ou don’t need perfect technique to get lift, but the kite does reward cleaner edging and timing more than earlier versions. Riders who are already comfortable jumping will notice that it carries you a bit longer and comes back overhead with more intention.

For riders starting to explore higher jumps or their first controlled loops, that predictability matters. The kite doesn’t surge unexpectedly, and recoveries feel measured rather than abrupt.

This is not a “send it as hard as you can” platform. It's a kite designed for continuous development, fostering confidence with each session, rather than just with each successful jump.

Where This Feel Matters Most

The Lithium V14’s ride character shows up best in:

• Variable wind days
• Mixed-condition sessions
• Riders working through progression stages
• Locations where consistency matters more than peak performance

Who the Airush Lithium V14 Is For

The Lithium V14 fits riders who want a kite that stays consistent while their riding changes.

This kite makes the most sense for people who value consistency, clarity, and progression over chasing a specific discipline. It’s designed for riders who want to build skill without constantly adjusting to demanding gear.

Riders Who Benefit Most From the Lithium V14

The Lithium V14 fits riders who:

• Want one kite that feels intuitive session after session
• Prefer predictable feedback over aggressive response
• Are focused on improving technique rather than compensating for gear
• Ride often and want equipment that stays familiar as skills improve

This includes riders moving out of the beginner phase, as well as experienced riders who simply want a kite that feels dependable every time they launch.

The Lithium does not require constant recalibration from the rider. You fly it, it responds, and it stays consistent.That reliability is the core value here.

Riders in a Progression Phase

The Lithium V14 is particularly well suited for riders who are actively progressing but not specializing yet.

These riders are often:

• Cleaning up transitions and riding more efficiently
• Getting comfortable jumping but still refining timing
• Starting to explore loops without committing fully
• Dialing consistency before chasing height or harder tricks

It doesn’t push riders into mistakes, and it doesn’t mask bad habits either. It gives clear feedback without adding pressure.

Experienced Riders Who Still Want Simplicity

Not every experienced rider wants the most aggressive kite available.

Many long-time riders choose the Lithium V14 because it removes friction from the session. It launches easily, flies predictably, and behaves the same way every time.

That matters when the goal is simply to ride well, enjoy the session, and stay relaxed on the water.For these riders, simplicity is not a downgrade. It’s a feature.

Who the Lithium V14 Is Not For

The Lithium V14 is not designed for riders who want:

• A kite that demands constant input
• Maximum performance in a single discipline
• A highly technical or unforgiving feel
• Gear that forces rapid progression through difficulty

Those riders will likely be happier on a more specialized platform.
The Lithium is intentionally balanced. It trades extremes for usability.

Where the Airush Lithium V14 Makes the Most Sense in Florida

Florida riding exposes weaknesses in gear faster than many places.

Wind here is rarely textbook. It builds, fades, shifts direction, and stacks against currents or shallow water. Sessions often include chop, boat traffic, and changing water depth, sometimes all in the same reach. A kite that only feels good in steady conditions quickly becomes tiring.

This is where the Lithium V14 fits Florida reality well.

Variable Wind and On–Off Power

Many Florida sessions sit in that middle zone where the wind is usable but not locked in. The Lithium V14 handles this without demanding constant trimming or aggressive sheeting.

Instead of surging when the wind fills in or stalling when it drops, the kite stays composed. That makes it easier to keep board speed through lulls and maintain edge without overworking the bar. Riders spend more time riding and less time correcting.

This matters whether you’re riding in Tampa Bay, along the Gulf, or in spots where wind funnels and bends with weather systems.

Mixed Water State Sessions

Florida riders rarely get perfect flat water and steady wind at the same time.

A single session might include:

• Flat sections near launch
• Short-period chop as wind builds
• Current pulling against wind
• Shallow water that demands control over brute power

The Lithium V14 works well across that mix. It tracks upwind reliably, redirects smoothly through transitions, and doesn’t demand a single riding style to feel comfortable.

That adaptability is why many local riders choose it as their primary kite rather than a specialty option.

Riding Frequency Over Peak Performance

Florida riders who get on the water often tend to value consistency more than extremes.

When you ride multiple times a week, small annoyances add up. Kites that feel great only when fully powered or perfectly trimmed become less appealing over time. The Lithium V14 reduces friction across everyday sessions, not just the best ones.

That’s why it stays popular with riders who prioritize time on the water over chasing one specific type of session.

Around St. Pete and Tampa Bay, that usually looks like sessions that start usable, spike for 20 minutes, then soften again. You’re dealing with chop, current, and crowded water at places like Skyway. A kite that stays calm and doesn’t demand perfect trimming makes those sessions way more fun.

Common Setup, Sizing, and Buying Mistakes With the Lithium V14

Most Lithium V14 frustration is self-inflicted. It usually comes from sizing too big, setting up the wrong bar, or expecting it to behave like a dedicated big air kite.

Use this as a quick pre-session check.

Who Should Consider Demoing the Lithium V14 Before Buying

Some riders benefit more from demoing than others.

You should strongly consider flying the Lithium V14 first if:

• You are between sizes or riding styles
• You are moving from beginner-focused gear into growth
• You ride frequently and care about long-term feel
• You are unsure whether to specialize yet

Bar feel, turning speed, and recovery after jumps are personal. Two riders can read the same specs and have completely different experiences once the kite is in the air.

Demoing removes guesswork and often shortens the buying process significantly.

This is especially useful for riders upgrading from an older Lithium or transitioning from another brand.

How to Use This Guide

The Airush Lithium V14 is not trying to be the best kite in the lineup.

It is designed to be the most useful for a wide range of riders, especially those who ride often, progress steadily, and deal with real-world conditions.

If you want a kite that:

✔ Feels familiar every session
✔ Supports progression without pressure
✔ Handles mixed conditions without drama
✔ Stays relevant as skills improve

The Lithium V14 fits that role cleanly.

This guide exists to reduce confusion, not rush decisions.
The next step is simple: match the kite’s design intent to how you actually ride, then fine-tune size and setup based on your experience and local conditions.

If questions remain, Elite’s resources, lessons, and demos help fill in what charts and reviews cannot.

For quick answers, the FAQ section above addresses the most common decision points.

For quick answers, the FAQ section above addresses the most common decision points.