What Is the Airush Ultra v5 and Who Is It Built For?

The Airush Ultra v5 is a lightweight, single-strut kite built for riders who prioritize efficiency, control, and response in low to moderate wind. It is designed around disciplines where kite weight and forward flight matter more than raw pull or structural rigidity.

This is not a Big Air kite and it is not meant to be ridden powered and sent hard. The Ultra v5 exists for a different problem. Riders who foil, ride strapless waves, or spend time in lighter wind conditions often struggle with kites that feel slow to respond, sink in lulls, or lose shape when lines go slack. The Ultra v5 is built to stay active when apparent wind drops and to remain controllable when the rider moves toward the kite instead of away from it.

The Ultra v5 is especially relevant for riders who prefer refined input over brute force. It favors riders who manage speed, angle, and timing through movement rather than relying on constant pull, making it well suited to foiling progression, strapless wave riding, and controlled instructional environments.

Why Do Riders Choose the Airush Ultra v5 Over Heavier Kites?

Riders gravitate toward the Airush Ultra v5 when kite weight starts to dictate what is possible on the water. In lighter wind, during foiling, or while riding waves with slack lines, heavier kites demand constant management just to stay flying. That extra mass shows up as a slower reaction, sink in lulls, or a kite that falls behind the rider instead of staying engaged.

The Ultra v5 changes that experience by reducing the effort required to keep the kite active. When the rider moves toward the kite, accelerates on foil, or rides down the line in waves, the kite remains present rather than dropping out of position. This gives riders more usable range in marginal conditions and fewer moments where they need to recover the kite instead of focusing on riding.

For foilers, this means longer flights and cleaner transitions. For strapless riders, it means the ability to ride toward the kite without it falling out of the sky. For lighter riders or in lessons, it means reduced physical demand without sacrificing responsiveness.

Choosing the Ultra v5 over a heavier kite is not about sacrificing performance. It is about removing unnecessary mass so the kite works with the rider’s movement instead of against it. In conditions where efficiency and timing matter more than brute force, that difference becomes obvious quickly.

What Changed With the Airush Ultra v5 Compared to Earlier Versions?

The Airush Ultra v5 is not a cosmetic update. The changes focus on refining how the kite responds when lines momentarily unload, when the rider moves toward it, and when input needs to translate immediately into movement.

One of the most noticeable updates is how the kite reacts during low-load moments. Earlier versions of the Ultra were already known for staying airborne in light wind, but the v5 tightens that behavior. Steering input now results in quicker directional change without needing to re-load the kite first. This gives riders more immediate feedback when carving on foil or redirecting during strapless riding.

Another shift shows up in how the kite holds its shape through transitions. When riders slack the lines by accelerating on foil or charging toward the kite in waves, the v5 resists deformation more effectively than prior versions. Instead of softening or lagging before re-engaging, it stays present and ready to respond as soon as tension returns.

The v5 also improves how the kite settles after movement. Redirects finish cleaner, and the kite stabilizes faster once input stops. Riders feel this as fewer micro-corrections needed to keep the kite positioned, especially in lighter wind where over-input can easily disrupt balance.

These updates do not change what the Ultra is meant to be. They refine how reliably it does its job. The v5 feels less reactive in an unpredictable way and more deliberate in how it follows rider input. That difference becomes clear over longer sessions, where reduced effort and fewer recoveries add up.

The result is a version of the Ultra that stays true to its lightweight purpose while feeling more composed across a wider range of riding moments.

How Does the Airush Ultra v5 Behave When Foiling and Riding Waves?

When foiling or riding waves, the Ultra v5 stays active with minimal input and remains usable when line tension drops. Its behavior favors riders who move toward the kite, ride underneath it, or momentarily unload the lines without wanting the kite to fall behind or collapse.

What riders notice on foil and in waves:

• Steering remains available even when the lines soften
• Redirects happen without needing to re-load the kite first
• The kite recovers position smoothly after slack without surging
• Overhead stability remains intact during transitions and foot changes

On foil, this translates into cleaner takeoffs, longer glides, and fewer moments spent correcting kite position. Riders can focus on board balance and trajectory rather than keeping the kite flying. Small steering inputs produce clear direction changes, which helps when adjusting line angle during tacks or gybes.

In waves, the Ultra v5 remains present when riding toward it. As riders charge down the line and slack the lines, the kite does not dive or fall out of the sky. When tension returns, it responds immediately instead of needing time to rebuild energy. That behavior allows riders to surf the wave first and manage the kite second.

The Ultra v5 does not overpower these disciplines. It supports them by staying available, responsive, and predictable during moments where heavier kites tend to disappear or require constant correction.

How Does the Airush Ultra v5 Handle Light and Variable Wind?

The Airush Ultra v5 is built to remain usable when wind strength is inconsistent. Rather than loading up aggressively in gusts and then stalling in lulls, it maintains forward flight and stays responsive across changing pressure.

In lighter wind, the kite stays airborne with less input. Riders do not need to constantly work the kite to keep it flying. It continues to hold position in the window and responds to steering even when apparent wind drops. This extends rideable time during marginal sessions and reduces the number of resets between gusts.

When wind builds unevenly, the Ultra v5 absorbs those changes without abrupt spikes in pull. Instead of surging forward and then losing energy, it smooths the transition. Riders feel fewer sudden load changes through the bar, which helps maintain balance on foil or during strapless riding.

As wind fades mid run, the kite does not immediately drop behind the rider. It keeps moving forward and stays available for redirection.

What riders notice in variable wind:

• The kite remains flying with minimal input during lulls
• Steering stays available instead of locking out
• Pull builds and fades gradually rather than abruptly
• Direction changes remain predictable as pressure shifts
• Fewer recoveries are needed between gusts

This section is not about low end power or size choice. It is about continuity. The Ultra v5 maintains usable behavior as conditions change, which lets riders keep riding instead of constantly adapting to the kite.

What Makes the Airush Ultra v5 Feel Lightweight Without Feeling Soft?

Many lightweight kites reduce weight by sacrificing structure. The result is a kite that flies early but feels vague once line tension drops or the rider depowers. The Ultra v5 takes a different approach. It reduces mass without allowing the canopy to lose its shape when conditions or rider input change.

Riders feel this most clearly through the bar. When sheeting out, redirecting, or riding with lighter line tension, the kite maintains a defined profile instead of turning loose or unstable. That preserved shape translates into cleaner steering input and a more predictable pull, even when the kite is not fully loaded.

Durability plays a quiet but important role here. The Ultra v5 reinforces its highest-stress zones rather than spreading material everywhere. Leading edge construction and bridle attachment points are built to handle repeated load cycles without stretching the canopy out over time. This is why the kite continues to feel familiar after heavy use instead of gradually losing definition.

The inflation system contributes to that long-term feel as well. Thicker tubing and a streamlined single point layout reduce internal stress during inflation and deflation. Less stress on the bladder system means fewer deformation issues and more consistent behavior across seasons.

What riders tend to notice over time:

• The canopy holds its shape even when depowered
• Steering remains defined instead of muted
• The kite does not progressively feel “washed out” with use
• Load-bearing areas resist stretch and fatigue
• Setup and inflation stay reliable without added hassle

The Ultra v5 stays light without becoming fragile. It stays responsive without relying on excess material. That balance is what allows it to perform across foil, freeride, and surf sessions without drifting into the soft, imprecise feel that often comes with minimal designs.

Who Should Ride the Airush Ultra v5 and Who Should Not?

The Airush Ultra v5 is built for riders who prioritize timing, finesse, and active kite management over constant load. It works best for riders who actively fly the kite and understand how to manage line tension through movement rather than relying on constant pull.

Riders who tend to benefit most from the Ultra v5 include:

Riders who tend to benefit most from the Ultra v5 include:

✓ Foilers riding in lighter wind who need a kite that stays engaged without constant input
✓ Strapless riders who move toward the kite and need it to remain present during slack moments
✓ Lighter riders who find standard freeride kites overpowering or tiringInstructors and schools that need predictable behavior without excessive physical demand

The Ultra v5 is less suitable for riders who:

• Want to ride heavily powered and send hard jumps
• Prioritize Big Air, looping, or aggressive freestyle
• Prefer parked kites that generate pull without active flying
• Spend most sessions in strong, steady wind where structure matters more than weight

The Ultra v5 rewards riders who work with the kite rather than against it. When that riding style matches the rider’s intent, the kite feels intuitive. When it does not, a heavier or more rigid design usually produces better results.

How Does the Airush Ultra v5 Compare to Other Airush Kites?

Within the Airush lineup, the Ultra v5 occupies a clearly defined lane. It is built for efficiency and responsiveness in disciplines where weight and forward flight matter more than load handling or vertical lift.

Compared to the Airush Lithium, the Ultra v5 trades low-end pull and broad comfort for lighter feel and faster reaction. The Lithium suits riders who want a forgiving freeride platform that smooths mistakes and supports powered riding. The Ultra v5 suits riders who prefer subtle input and want the kite to stay engaged without needing to be loaded.

Compared to the Airush Lift, the Ultra v5 serves a completely different purpose. The Lift is designed for height, commitment, and riding powered. The Ultra v5 is designed for staying airborne early, remaining usable when line tension drops, and supporting movement toward the kite. These two kites do not overlap in intent.

Compared to dedicated wave-focused kites, the Ultra v5 offers similar drift behavior but with lighter handling and broader crossover into foiling and freeride. Riders choosing the Ultra often want one kite that works across multiple low-load disciplines rather than a narrowly tuned surf-only design.

The Ultra v5 does not replace other Airush models. It complements them by filling the efficiency-focused end of the lineup.

What Sizes Does the Airush Ultra v5 Come In and How Should Riders Choose?

•The Airush Ultra v5 is offered in a wide size range to support light wind riding, foiling, and efficient freeride across different rider weights.

Sizing the Ultra v5 is less about maximizing pull and more about matching usable wind range to rider weight and discipline. Many riders choose slightly larger sizes than they would on freeride or Big Air kites, especially for foiling and lighter wind use.

General sizing considerations:

• Lighter riders often size down to maintain agility and steering response
• Heavier riders benefit from larger sizes to extend usable time on the water
• Foilers typically size for early lift rather than top-end control
• Strapless riders prioritize smooth power delivery over raw output

Because the Ultra v5 is designed to stay airborne with less apparent wind, correct sizing is more forgiving than on heavier platforms, but choosing the right size still affects how relaxed or demanding sessions feel.

Airush Ultra v5 Size Chart and General Use

Need Help Choosing the Right Airush Ultra v5 Setup?

Choosing the Ultra v5 comes down to how you ride and what conditions you spend the most time in. Foiling style, rider weight, board choice, and typical wind patterns all affect how the kite feels on the water.

The team at Elite Watersports works with riders across foiling, strapless, and light wind freeride disciplines and can help dial in sizing and setup. A short conversation often saves months of riding a kite that is close but not quite right.

Final Summary

The Airush Ultra v5 is a lightweight, efficiency-focused kite built for riders who value responsiveness, timing, and usable performance in lighter conditions. It excels in foiling, strapless wave riding, and sessions where staying airborne and engaged matters more than raw pull or structural stiffness.

Rather than trying to cover every discipline, the Ultra v5 commits to its lane and performs it well. For riders whose sessions depend on efficiency and feel rather than force, it remains one of the most practical tools in the Airush lineup.