Core XR8 Review: Real-World Feedback from St. Pete to OBX

The new Core XR8 is one of them. After two years of development, Core dropped their latest big-air machine, and we’ve been riding it hard across Tampa Bay, St. Pete, and the Outer Banks to see what’s changed.

The XR series has always been about smooth power, huge hangtime, and a confidence-building feel that suits nearly any freeride or big-air rider. But the XR8 isn’t just a small update to the XR7, it’s a full step forward in handling, responsiveness, and efficiency.

At Elite Watersports, we’ve put the XR8 in the hands of local riders of every level. From first-year jumpers learning to send, to long-time XR loyalists comparing it back-to-back with their XR7s, the feedback has been clear: the XR8 delivers the most noticeable improvement Core has made in years.

You’ll feel it the second you dive it into the window, lighter, faster, and cleaner through loops, but still the same forgiving, stable DNA that makes the XR series so addictive.

Let’s break down what’s new, how it rides, and whether it’s the upgrade your next session deserves.

What makes the Core XR8 different from the XR7?

Core rebuilt the frame and canopy from the ground up. The result is a kite that’s stiffer, faster, and noticeably lighter in the air without losing that trademark XR stability.

Core swapped in their ExoTex 2 leading edge material, the same ultra-rigid frame tech used in their Aluula-class builds, then paired it with CoreTex 2 canopy cloth and lighter struts. That combo adds precision. You feel it instantly when you sheet in or load up for a jump, the kite reacts sooner and tracks truer through the window.

On the water, most riders pick up the difference within a few tacks. The XR8 carries a little more low-end grunt but also drifts better overhead. It sits forward in the window, climbs faster, and cuts through gusts instead of getting yanked by them. Riders who’ve owned the XR6 or XR7 all said the same thing: the XR8 feels smoother and more connected, like the bar is wired straight to the canopy.

How does the XR8 feel on the water?

The first thing you notice is the composure. The XR8 doesn’t twitch, surge, or chatter when the gusts hit, it locks in and pulls clean. That’s what makes it special in Florida’s mixed wind, where direction and strength can change by the minute.

Power delivery is smooth and progressive. When you sheet in, it doesn’t slam, it loads evenly, lifts fast, and gives you time to edge. The hangtime is the trademark XR feel: long, weightless, and forgiving.
Most riders found themselves staying in the air longer and landing softer, even on the same size kite they rode last year.

Every rider we put on it, beginners, freeriders, and big-air addicts, used the same word: confidence.

The XR8 gives you the sense that it’s always there when you need it. You can over-send a jump or botch a landing, and the kite’s still got your back.

This is the most balanced XR yet: stable when you’re lit, forgiving when you’re learning, and tuned for control whether you’re boosting, looping, or just cruising in gusty Gulf wind.

What riding style is the Core XR8 best for?

The XR8 was built for big air, freeride, and smooth progression. If you love to sheet in and go vertical, this kite was made for you. But it’s not just for pros chasing Woo scores, this version has enough forgiveness for anyone stepping into powered jumps, transitions, or early loops.

At its core, the XR8 is a five-strut freeride platform designed to hold its shape when fully lit. You can load hard, edge against gusts, and still feel totally in control. That’s why it’s such a favorite here in Tampa Bay, where one minute you’re cruising in 15 knots and the next you’re edging against a full sea breeze.

We’ve put it in every scenario, flatwater freeride at Skyway, choppy Gulf surf at Treasure Island, and steady wind in OBX, and the kite keeps its composure. It flies fast, climbs high, and drifts predictably when flagged out.

For riders who want one kite that covers progression through to advanced big air, this is it. It sits right between “confidence builder” and “boosting weapon.” Aaron calls it “the XR that everyone can grow into.”

Is the Core XR8 good for beginner to intermediate riders?

Yes, especially if you’re working your way into real jumps and powered transitions. The XR8 has the same sheet-and-go feel that made the series so popular with new riders, but the refinements in this version make it even easier to handle.

The stability is what stands out. It sits steady at the edge of the window, tracks upwind without much input, and relaunches effortlessly, exactly what you want when you’re still learning to trust the kite. Beginners who tested it during lessons said it gave them “room to breathe,” meaning they could focus on board control instead of fighting gusts.

If you’re coming from school kites or older freeride models, the XR8 feels like the natural next step. It delivers stability for learning while unlocking more height, more float, and more progression once you’re ready to push.

That’s why we often recommend it in our beginner kiteboarding advice guide, it’s one of the few high-performance kites that can grow with you instead of holding you back.

Can the Core XR8 handle Florida’s gusty wind?

Absolutely. That’s one of the biggest reasons it’s become a go-to kite for Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast riders. Florida wind is famously unpredictable, you can start a session in 14 knots and end it in 25, but the XR8 absorbs those changes without drama.

The stiffer ExoTex 2 frame gives the kite a locked-in structure, so even when the wind spikes, it doesn’t deform or jellyfish. The power stays smooth, and you keep full steering control instead of getting yanked downwind.

We’ve tested it in cross-onshore surf, side-shore bay wind, and fully nuking sea breeze. The XR8 never folds or flutters. You can edge harder, hold more power, and trust it through every transition.

How does the XR8 perform in loops, jumps, and landings?

This is where the XR8 separates itself from every earlier version. The loops are tighter, the pull is cleaner, and the catch, that smooth lift at the end of the loop, happens faster than ever.

Core reshaped the canopy profile and refined the bridle geometry, which gives the XR8 a more forward-flying feel. That means it rockets through the window with speed, drives downwind in the loop, and climbs back up with control instead of chaos.

Aaron called it “the first XR that makes you want to loop.” And that’s not exaggeration. Advanced riders in OBX noticed the kite accelerates through the loop without the dead spot that sometimes made earlier XRs feel hesitant. When it catches, it lifts with power but not violence, it’s the difference between landing hot and landing soft.

For big-air riders, the boost is still classic XR: explosive but forgiving.

The landing glide is one of the XR8’s best traits. Even when slightly underpowered, the kite floats longer and drops you slower. That hangtime gives you room to breathe, perfect for learning board-offs, transitions, or those early kiteloop attempts.

If you’re chasing progression in height and control, this kite bridges the gap between “I can jump” and “I can send.”

What’s new in the XR8’s design and materials?

Core re-engineered the XR8 from the inside out. Every part of the frame, canopy, and bridle system was upgraded to handle more load while staying lighter in the air.

The biggest leap is the ExoTex 2 Leading Edge. It’s a new generation of high-pressure fabric that’s both stiffer and more resistant to flex. The result is a kite that holds its shape perfectly in powered loops and gusty conditions. You’ll notice it right away when you sheet in, there’s no lag, no deformation, just instant response.

Paired with the CoreTex 2 canopy and lighter struts, the XR8 drops weight across the span without losing the durability riders count on from Core. That weight reduction translates to quicker recovery, faster turning, and smoother drifts when the kite’s overhead.

Even the smaller details got attention. The titanium trailing-edge attachment points improve long-term rigidity, and the new one-pump system is cleaner, faster, and better protected from sand.

If you’re not sure about proper pressure or setup adjustments, we’ve shared more on that in our kiteboarding setup tips guide. It’ll walk you through PSI, bridle checks, and fine-tuning your bar for Core’s modern frames.

The XR8 is proof that Core’s obsession with materials isn’t just marketing, it’s what gives the kite that precise, high-performance feel on the water.

How does the XR8 compare to the XR Pro and Pace?

Think of the XR8, XR Pro, and Pace as three branches of the same tree, all built for height and control, but tuned for very different riders.

The XR8 is the freeride and progression model. It’s forgiving, rock-solid in the sky, and easy to relaunch. Most riders will get higher jumps and longer glide without needing competition-level timing.

The XR Pro is the stripped-down race car version. It uses Aluula in the frame, which makes it about 10 percent lighter and significantly stiffer. That stiffness gives you faster loops, snappier turns, and more direct bar feedback, but it also demands cleaner technique. The Pro rewards precision and punishes lazy input. If you’re already looping hard or chasing podium-level performance, the Pro is where you’ll feel the ceiling lift.

Then there’s the Pace. It shares DNA with the XR but runs on a three-strut fixed-bridle platform instead of five. It turns faster, drifts better, and feels looser on the bar. The boost is still big, but it’s more playful than locked-in. Many of our team riders in Florida have started using the Pace when they want a livelier, freestyle-friendly ride that still delivers serious height.

What do real riders think of the XR8?

Should I upgrade from my older XR kite?

If you’re riding an XR6 or earlier, the upgrade to the XR8 will feel like switching to a new generation. The kite reacts quicker, loops cleaner, and holds shape better in gusts. The lift is smoother and more controllable, you’ll go higher with less effort and touch down softer.

For XR7 riders, the difference is more refined but still real. The XR8’s ExoTex 2 frame gives the kite more rigidity without adding weight, and that translates directly to bar feel and boost. Most riders who tested both back-to-back said the XR8 felt lighter and faster, especially in strong wind.

Aaron summed it up after weeks of demos: “This is the biggest performance jump Core’s made since the XR4. It’s not hype, the kite just feels alive in your hands.”

If your current XR is still flying strong, you don’t need to replace it tomorrow. But if you’re chasing better hangtime, more precise loops, and a more connected feel, the XR8 is worth the swap.

Final Thoughts: Is the Core XR8 Worth It?

The Core XR8 takes everything riders loved about the XR7 and tightens it up, lighter materials, sharper handling, and more efficient lift. It’s equally at home boosting in 25 knots or cruising in 14, making it a perfect fit for Florida’s mixed wind.

From St. Pete to OBX, every test rider agreed: this kite builds confidence fast and rewards precision as you grow. If you’ve been waiting for a freeride kite that truly does it all, the XR8 might be your next session’s secret weapon.

We ride everything we sell, and the XR8 has earned its spot at the top of our demo fleet. Whether you want to send it high, learn loops, or see what true freeride control feels like, we’ll help you dial it in.