2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 North Reach – What’s Changed & Which Year Should You Ride?

If you’ve been riding the Reach for a few seasons, you already know why this kite sits at the center of North’s lineup. It’s the one-kite quiver. The freeride workhorse that actually works. But with each new release, North keeps refining how it flies, turns, and feels

The goal of this guide isn’t hype. It’s to show what really changed from 2023 to 2024 to 2025, the material updates, weight savings, and tuning differences you’ll actually feel on the water.

Whether you’re comparing used 2023 stock, a discounted 2024, or deciding if the 2025 upgrade is worth it, we’ll break down what’s new, what stayed the same, and which year fits your riding style best.

For full deep-dive impressions on the newest model, you can also read our 2025 North Reach Review after this one.

What Changed in the 2024 North Reach vs 2023

The 2023 Reach was already a benchmark. It introduced a lighter bladder system, a more swept wingtip for faster relaunch, and a hybrid C-shape that made it a real do-it-all kite, from twintip freeride to foil to wave. Evan from Elite called it “the one kite that does it all”, and that still holds true.

For 2024, North didn’t reinvent the Reach. They stripped it down and rebuilt the frame with N-MAX Dacron, a proprietary fabric that’s both stiffer and lighter. The goal was less weight where it’s not needed, and more structure where it matters. You feel that in the air. The kite reacts quicker, turns faster, and holds shape through gusts with less flutter.

They also tweaked canopy tension and arc design. It gives the 2024 Reach a cleaner power delivery and a slightly more forward-flying position in the window. The result is better upwind drive and a more playful feel when looping or carving through transitions.

Kristen’s test notes line up with what we’ve felt in Florida: lighter bar pressure, faster steering, and a crisp new-kite feel that holds even in choppy, gusty wind. Riders who foil occasionally will notice it holds its power consistently without over-sheeting, making it easier to keep lift through tacks or foot switches.

In short, the 2024 Reach tightened everything that made the 2023 good, lighter frame, quicker steering, cleaner handling, while staying approachable for any rider who wants a single kite to cover foil, freeride, and surfboard sessions.

Check out the full 2024 North Reach product page for sizes, colors, and pricing.

What are the Pros and Cons of the 2024 Upgrades

For Florida’s typical 12–18-knot range, especially around Tampa Bay, Cocoa Beach, and Skyway, that balance works perfectly. You get quicker handling for gusty winds, but still plenty of power for upwind cruising or small jump practice.immediate.

What’s New in the 2025 North Reach Compared to 2024

For 2025, North not only shave grams, they re-engineered how those grams behave. The new N-Max2 Pro Dacron replaces the 2024’s N-MAX frame material with a tighter weave and higher modulus. It’s stiffer, lighter, and resists stretch under load. Add lighter bladders, and the 2025 Reach drops even more weight without giving up strength.

The shape changed too. The aspect ratio crept slightly higher, giving the kite more efficiency and lift without losing the easy drift that makes the Reach so versatile. It’s still a 3-strut delta, but the balance between sweep and projected area is tuned for quicker response and smoother forward flight.

One of the biggest rider-facing updates is dual steering line options. You can now choose between a faster, lighter bar feel or a slower, more weighted steering setup. The fast setting suits freeride and foiling, while the slower setting adds bar feedback for wave riders or anyone who likes to “feel” the kite through transitions.

The canopy keeps the same 2×2 yarn pattern that’s proven reliable, with reinforcements only where they’re needed. Everything else has been simplified. The overall construction feels clean and minimal, like a race-tuned freeride kite.

In testing, the 2025 Reach feels alive. The lighter frame gives it snappy acceleration through loops and better drift when you sheet out. On a twintip, the kite carries forward speed without collapsing under gusts. On a foil, it stays balanced during transitions and floats through dead spots that would have dropped the 2023.

North also expanded the size range, now from 4m all the way to 19m, making it one of the few all-round kites that legitimately covers every wind condition Florida throws at you.

If you’re the kind of rider who notices how a kite breathes through turns or responds mid-loop, the 2025 version stands out immediately. It’s tighter, lighter, and just more refined in how it flies.

You can view full specs, colorways, and availability on the 2025 North Reach product page or stop by the shop to see it in person.

North Reach 2023 – What Made It So Popular?

The 2023 Reach is where the modern era of this kite really started. It took the original freeride platform and made it lighter, faster, and more balanced across every discipline.For many riders, that’s the year the Reach became the go-to “one kite quiver.”

The 2023 model used a hybrid C-shape with swept wingtips that gave it fast turning and excellent drift. Those swept tips also made relaunch in light wind almost effortless, one quick tug and the kite rolled off the water. The pulley system with direct connection gave more precise bar feedback than earlier years, making it feel connected without being twitchy.

Construction-wise, North reduced bladder size and canopy weight, so it floated better in the sky and handled gusts with more stability. That lighter frame is why so many foilers and wave riders loved it, the kite just stayed in the air when the wind backed off.

On the water, it felt intuitive. Sheet in and go. Bar pressure was medium and predictable. You could unhook for basic tricks, loop it with confidence, or just cruise. For progression riders, it struck a perfect middle ground: forgiving enough to learn, but capable enough to keep for years.

Evan from Elite summed it up best in his 2023 Reach overview video:

“If you truly want one kite that will do it all for you and take you anywhere you want to go, the North Reach is a must-have.”

That’s why the 2023 still holds value today, especially for riders building their first quiver or shopping used. The design remains modern, the flight characteristics are consistent with the new models, and for most freeride conditions around Florida, especially 12 to 18 knots in Tampa Bay or Cocoa Beach, it still delivers.

For deeper insights and comparison footage, you can also check our North Reach Review blog where we first broke down how it handled across disciplines.

Side-by-Side Comparison: 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 North Reach

Here’s a quick look at how each year stacks up. The changes aren’t drastic at first glance, but on the water they add up, especially in responsiveness, drift, and efficiency.

For most riders, you’ll feel the biggest jump moving from 2023 → 2024. The 2024 → 2025 transition is more about fine-tuning and efficiency than a full redesign.

How Do These Changes Affect Riding Feel?

You can read spec sheets all day, but the real story shows up on the water. Each version of the Reach feels different once you sheet in, carve a turn, or throw a loop, especially when you ride them back to back.

2023: The 2023 Reach sits deeper in the window, giving it a grunty pull and steady bar feedback. Power delivery is linear and forgiving. It drifts naturally, but you’ll feel a little more inertia when redirecting. That weight can actually be helpful for beginners or riders who like a kite that “tells” them where it is at all times. It’s stable, smooth, and hard to stall.

2024: The 2024 steps it up with noticeably quicker steering. The lighter N-MAX frame and reworked canopy tension make it react instantly to bar input. You’ll feel the kite sit slightly more forward in the window, giving better upwind drive and a cleaner, more dynamic loop. On the foil or surfboard, it drifts with less sag and responds faster when you depower mid-turn. In gusty Florida wind, that makes a huge difference, the 2024 absorbs wind spikes without losing stability.

2025: The new 2025 Reach feels the most refined. The N-Max2 Pro Dacron tightens everything, making the kite feel crisp and efficient without being twitchy. It accelerates faster through loops, holds tension in the lines during slack moments, and carries lift more smoothly into jumps. With the new steering settings, you can choose between a lightning-fast freeride feel or a slower, more weighted setup for surf.

The progression across these three years shows how North has been dialing in the balance between power, speed, and forgiveness. You don’t need to relearn the kite each year, it’s still instantly familiar, but every generation feels a little cleaner and more reactive.

For riders around Tampa Bay, Cocoa Beach, or Key Biscayne, that refinement really shows when you’re crossing between disciplines. The 2023 stays solid for school sessions or lightwind foiling. The 2024 becomes your everyday freeride and surf kite. The 2025 brings it all together with a faster, more connected ride that keeps up with today’s advanced gear.

Which North Reach Year Fits Your Riding Style?

Every version of the Reach can handle anything you throw at it, that’s the whole point of this kite. But depending on how and where you ride, one year might line up better with your style.

Freeride & Big Air

If your main focus is freeride sessions, boosting, and light looping, start with the 2025 Reach. The higher aspect ratio gives more lift, and the new steering settings let you tune for faster, cleaner loops. You’ll feel it especially in powered takeoffs or when redirecting late, the kite carries speed smoothly without over-yanking.The 2024 Reach still delivers excellent hangtime, with a slightly softer pull that suits riders still refining their timing or learning to loop. If you’re upgrading from 2023, this is the biggest performance jump you’ll feel for general freeride.

Foil & Lightwind Sessions

If you’re foiling on 10–15-knot days around Tampa Bay or Cocoa Beach, both the 2024 and 2025 versions shine. The lighter frame keeps them airborne when the wind dips, and their forward flight helps with smooth transitions.The 2025 has the edge for efficiency, with tighter canopy tension that helps it maintain pull through tacks. But if you’re riding a bigger board or just getting comfortable on foil, a well-tuned 2024 gives you all the control you need.

Waves & Downwind Riding

For surfboard sessions or downwinders, the 2024 Reach might be the sweet spot. Its lighter bar pressure and tighter pivot give you easy control when depowered on a wave. The kite drifts beautifully without collapsing, and it turns tight enough to follow you through cutbacks.The 2025 Reach refines that drift even further, so advanced surf riders who like faster, more responsive control will notice the difference immediately. The 2023 still works here too, it’s just a bit heavier in the sky, which can pull you out of a clean line if the wind drops.

Progression & Crossover Riders

If you’re newer to kiting or mixing disciplines, the 2023 and 2024 models remain excellent all-rounders. They’re predictable, easy to relaunch, and cost-effective if you find a used setup. The lighter 2024 feels more playful as you start jumping or foiling.

Once you’re looping, foiling, or switching boards every session, the 2025 Reach is worth the upgrade for its efficiency and refined feel.

For in-person help deciding which fits your riding, stop by Elite Watersports or book a lesson and test them back-to-back on the water.

Is Upgrading Worth It in 2025?

Whether the 2025 Reach is “worth it” depends on how much you ride and what you value most. The new materials make a difference, no question, but the gains are more about refinement than reinvention.

If you’re moving up from a 2023, the jump is huge. You’ll feel faster turning, smoother loops, and lighter handling right away. The 2025 will carry more speed through transitions, hold better tension in gusts, and drift more naturally when you unweight. It’s a clear performance upgrade.

If you’re coming from a 2024, it’s closer. The new N-Max2 Pro Dacron frame and lighter bladders reduce overall weight, but the real improvement comes from how the kite holds shape through power spikes. The canopy stays tight even under heavy load, which means smoother loops and better lift in powered takeoffs. You’ll notice it most when you’re really pushing the kite, big jumps, strong gusts, or fast transitions on foil.

Where it might not be worth upgrading yet is if your 2024 still feels solid and you’re not maxing it out. The flight character is nearly identical, and for freeride use in 12–18 knots around Tampa Bay, the 2024 still feels crisp and efficient.

If you’re chasing the lightest, most refined feel or want to add a high-wind or lightwind size to your quiver, the 2025 Reach is the one to grab. Otherwise, hold what you’ve got and ride it until it’s tired, then step up.

For riders considering used setups, 2023 Reaches can still be found in good condition, especially through local networks. Just check canopy tension, leading-edge firmness, and pigtails for wear.

When you’re ready to compare side by side, schedule a demo through Elite Watersports. You can call or text 727-800-2202 to line up both kites in the same session and feel the difference yourself.

For a breakdown on pricing, resale, and year-to-year buying logic, check out our Kite Buying Guide 2025.

Where to Demo the 2024 and 2025 North Reach in Florida

Specs tell you a lot, but nothing replaces riding the kite yourself. The best way to understand how each Reach generation feels is to test them back-to-back in the same conditions, and that’s exactly what you can do through Elite Watersports.

Elite runs demos year-round across some of Florida’s most consistent kite spots:

Tampa Bay and Skyway Bridge: Perfect for freeride and foil sessions in steady west winds.

Cocoa Beach: Small, rolling surf that’s ideal for testing drift and wave performance.

Miami and Islamorada: Reliable trade winds for lightwind sizes and foil testing.

St. Pete Beach: Easy launch access and flat-water pockets great for comparing bar pressure and turning speed.

Depending on wind and season, you can often line up both the 2024 and 2025 Reach in one session, or bring your 2023to feel the full three-year evolution.

Elite’s team rides every model they sell, so you’ll get honest input on which year and size fit your riding best.

You can call or text 727-800-2202 to schedule a demo or book online through the Kiteboarding Lessons page.

For spot-by-spot tips, check out our Tampa kiteboarding guide or browse other location guides for more local demo spots across Florida.

Quick Decision Checklist – Which Year to Buy

Book Your Demo and Decide on the Water

Every version of the North Reach has its place. The 2023 built the foundation, the 2024 sharpened it, and the 2025 perfected it. All three carry the same DNA, fast turning, clean relaunch, and that smooth, balanced power that makes the Reach one of the most trusted freeride kites on the market.

Specs tell you what’s changed, but the only way to feel it is to ride. The difference between the 2024 and 2025 models shows up in those small moments, how the kite reacts in a loop, how it drifts through a transition, or how steady it stays when the wind drops. That’s what Elite’s demo program is built for.

If you’re in Tampa Bay, Cocoa Beach, or anywhere in Florida, you can ride both years back-to-back and decide for yourself.

Call or Text 727-800-2202 to schedule your North Reach demo or book online through our Kiteboarding Lessons page.

Get on the water, feel the difference, and pick the year that makes every session your best one yet.