Reedin Whisper Kite Review

Aaron from Elite Watersports took the 17m Whisper out in 7 to 10 knots right off the beach in St. Petersburg, FL. In this blog, you’ll get the full breakdown: how it pumps, how it rigs, how it flies, and whether it’s actually worth the hype. No spec sheet copy-paste. Just real performance, straight from the session.

Whether you're searching best light wind kite for beginners, should I ride a Reedin Whisper in 10 knots, or what size Whisper kite should I buy, this post will answer it. We cover construction, stability, bar setup, board pairings, and who this kite is really for. If you’ve been burned by sluggish light wind kites in the past, or if you’re looking for a solid low-end addition to your quiver, read this before you buy.

Ready to test it yourself? Call or text us about demos: 727-800-2202 in St. Pete today.

Is the Reedin Whisper Kite just hype

Does it actually deliver in real light wind?

Aaron from Elite Watersports put it to the test in 10 knots on a skimboard and a 165 Lightwave. The goal? Find out if this Brainchild-built kite, hyped up by big names in kite design, can actually perform when most other kites stall.

Right off the beach in St. Petersburg, Aaron breaks down how the Whisper launches, flies, and handles low-end power. From its ultra-crispy canopy to the oversized fill valve and welded seams, this kite looks different, and flies different.

If you're struggling on those 8–12 knot days or looking for a new go-to lightwind weapon, this review will give you the real feel. No fluff. Just performance, construction, and usability, straight from the sand.

Want to try the Whisper yourself? Book a kiteboarding lesson or swing by Elite to demo the 13, 15, or 17.

What is the Reedin Whisper kite?

The Reedin Whisper is a lightwind-specific kite designed by some of the biggest names in the sport including Kevin Langeree and the Brainchild team. Aaron describes it as “like nothing I’ve ever seen in the industry,” starting with the canopy itself. It’s ultra-crispy, tightly constructed, and shows off a tech-forward approach that blends old-school smart design with new-school materials.

From the start, this kite turns heads. The bag is compact and well thought out, with compartments for everything. But what matters is the kite’s build. It uses welded seam construction in place of heavy Dacron layering, which cuts weight without compromising strength. That translates to a stiffer, more efficient frame that holds its shape even in low wind. Less flex, more control.

The Whisper comes in 13m, 15m, and 17m sizes and uses a three-strut setup with a simplified center strut inflation. The result? A lightwind kite that rigs clean, flies fast, and doesn’t fall apart when the wind drops off.

This isn’t just a bigger version of a standard kite. The Whisper was made from the ground up to maximize low-end performance without turning into a wet noodle. And for anyone riding under 12 knots regularly, that matters.

How does the Whisper perform in light wind conditions?

Aaron tested the 17m Whisper in 7 to 10 knots and it held its own. He started on a skimboard, then switched to a 165 Lightwave board for more power and float. Even in ultra-light wind, he was able to ride comfortably, pull a few back rolls, and stay upwind while other kites struggled.

Bar input: The real surprise? How little bar input it needed. Most lightwind kites force you to milk the bar, dive it hard, and find the perfect power zone. Not the Whisper. Aaron was able to keep the bar sheeted in almost all the way and the kite still surged up to 12 without stalling. That kind of responsiveness in low wind is rare and exactly what sets the Whisper apart.

Stability: He also tested stability by parking it at 12 o'clock with slack front lines, tugging on it, even walking downwind. No Hindenburg. The kite stayed rock solid. That’s not normal for lightwind setups, where kites often front-stall and fall out of the sky. Here, the Whisper just stuck.

Bottom line: if you ride in marginal wind, this kite turns frustrating days into fun sessions.

Who is the Reedin Whisper best suited for?

The Whisper is made for any rider who’s tired of watching the wind forecast sit at 9 knots while their kite stays on the beach.

Aaron puts it simply: this kite lets you ride when most kites won’t even stay in the air. It’s especially ideal for lightwind sessions where you want to have fun, stay upwind, and maybe throw a few tricks without fighting the gear.

How well does the Reedin Whisper Fly?  Advanced riders will love how efficient it flies through the window. You can park it at 12, unhook, or test stability on slack lines, it's not going to Hindenburg. That means you can trust it in sketchy conditions or use it to explore marginal wind spots with confidence.

Is the Reedin Whisper a stable kite? But beginners aren’t left out either. The Whisper is forgiving and stable, especially when paired with the right board and setup. The clean bridal layout, no-pulley direct connection, and welded construction all add up to a smooth, predictable ride. As long as you're learning with instruction and using the right size kite for your weight and board, this can absolutely be a learning-friendly lightwind kite.

Elite even has the 13, 15, and 17m sizes available in the demo fleet, perfect if you want to test them out before committing. Check out our kite selection here. 

What makes the Whisper’s construction different from other kites?

So the first thing you’re going to notice this kite is welded. Like actually welded together. Not the usual triple Dacron layering, not a bunch of stitching stacked up. Just clean, sealed seams. You’re still going to see some stitching in spots, especially where the canopy connects to the leading edge, but it’s minimal. Just enough to do the job. No extra weight.

Aaron says: The whole thing is super crisp. Canopy material’s wild. I mean I was using this stuff way back in 2008 for repairs. Now Brainchild’s using it for full kite builds. A couple other brands are just starting to catch on. Super responsive, holds its shape. Really lightweight, too.

How it’s Made: You’ve got the welded scuff pads to help with abrasion around the dacron joins, and the leading edge is stiff and holds form. Doesn’t get all flexy and weird like some of the lightwind kites out there. That’s a big part of why it flies so efficiently. It cuts through the window without lagging.

Bridal’s clean. Seven connection points. No pulleys. All direct connect. They’re using like 1.9 or 1.7 kite line, straight to the frame. You’re not going to see a crazy nine-point bridal or anything like that. It’s simple and reliable.

Wing tips?: Standard. Three tuning options for speed or bar pressure. But honestly, out of the bag, if you’ve got a properly tuned Reedin bar, you don’t have to touch a thing.

A couple battens in the tips and one in the middle. Helps kill flutter. Makes it a little more annoying to pack up, but it’s worth it. You’ll get used to it.

How easy is the Whisper to pump, rig, and launch?

Pumping it up?: Honestly, get ready for a little workout. This is a 17, and it’s rated to 9 PSI. So yeah, you better have a good pump. One that’s smooth and well-lubed. Not some squeaky backup that’s been in the trunk for a year. You’ll feel it.

The valve’s big. Like, really big. You’ve probably seen it before, Liquid Force used something similar. But this one’s smoother. No resistance when you pump, you’re going to love it. There’s a check valve inside too, so if the hose pops off, you're not losing air. That said, it will pop off if you don’t wedge it in hard, so you really have to shove it in there. Mine popped off three times. It gets better over time as it breaks in, but yeah, don’t baby it. It’s nice to have a big valve because you get more air flow. The trade off is, the valves can pop off easier but it’s worth it on these larger kites. 

How many struts does the Reedin whisper have? There’s three. Only the center one crimps off. The wingtip struts stay open, which saves weight and simplifies the setup. If something goes wrong mid-session, at least that center strut will hold air. So you’ve got some flotation. That’s a nice little safety detail most people overlook.

Packing it up?: You’ll notice the battens make it a bit stiff to roll at first, especially if you’re used to floppy canopy kites. But once you figure out the folds, it’s no big deal. Just be aware the 13 and 15 are the same way.

Overall, the rigging is simple. Smart layout. Everything feels like it’s been designed by someone who actually rides.

Does the Reedin Whisper stay stable in low wind?

Yep. And that’s honestly one of the wildest parts.

How stable is the kite?: Aaron took the 17m Whisper out in 7 to 10 knots, walked it up to 12, and just let it sit. Slack front lines. Fully sheeted out. No wind in the sail. And the thing just stayed, didn’t drift, didn’t hindenburg, and didn’t do that front stall crash like most lightwind kites do when they lose pressure.

He even tugged on the front lines and unhooked it just to see what it would do. Still stayed up. He said it straight: “I don’t suggest this for riders at home but I like to see how stable it is.” And in his words, it was “pretty awesome.”

That kind of drift resistance is rare. Most lightwind kites need constant micro-management. You have to keep 'em moving or they just fold. But the Whisper holds shape. That stiff welded frame we talked about? It shows up here. The kite keeps tension, holds its arc, and floats up there even when you’d expect it to fall.

So if you're learning, or just want that peace of mind when the wind drops—this is a kite you can trust to stick at 12.

How does the Whisper compare to other light wind kites?

So here’s the deal, most lightwind kites out there, you’ve got to baby them. Constant bar work. Dive it, time it, pull in just enough, sheet out just right, dive again. It's like this whole dance to keep them alive.

How well does the Whisper Respond?: With the Whisper? Aaron said he was riding fully sheeted in. The whole time. Just locked in and cruising. Even in 7 to 10 knots, it still surged back up to 12 without stalling. No weird delay, no searching for power, you can expect a clean response.

And he pointed it out, other kites in that wind were struggling. He saw a rider on a 14m, big board, not even staying upwind. Meanwhile, Aaron’s on a 17, having fun, throwing back rolls, doing full loops.

Does Kite size matter?: It’s not just about size. The kite flies fast for how big it is. That’s the weight savings from all the welded construction, less Dacron, and tight bridal layout. Some kites this size feel like you’re steering a school bus. The Whisper doesn’t, it feels more snappy, and connected.

And the best part? You’re not constantly adjusting. It flies the way you want it to, with way less effort.

If you’ve been burned by sluggish lightwind kites in the past, this one changes the game.

What boards work best with the Whisper for light wind days?

So I was out on a skimboard earlier. Pretty big skimboard. Just kind of messing around in the 10 knot range.

Then I swapped to the 165 Lightwave. Big board, big kite. Definitely a match for light wind performance. With that combo, I could ride no problem. Stay upwind, do a few back rolls, and just have fun.

But honestly? I see myself riding this 17 on something smaller. Like a normal twin tip. If it’s blowing 12 knots, I’m lit. I don’t need the oversized gear anymore. That’s kind of the whole point here.

So yeah, bigger boards will help in 7 to 10. That part’s not new. But once you’re in that 11–12 range, you can size down and the Whisper still pulls. That’s how efficient it is. Check out our kite boards here. 

Can beginners ride the Reedin Whisper confidently?

Yeah, especially with instruction.

Aaron doesn’t say it directly in a beginner context, but it’s clear from what he shows. The kite stays up at 12. Fully sheeted out, slack lines, and no Hindenburg. That’s rare. Most lightwind kites fall forward in the window and front stall. This one just... sticks.

For beginners, that kind of stability is huge. You don’t want to be relaunching every 30 seconds in light wind. The Whisper holds its shape, stays flying, and gives you time to think.

That center strut holds air separately, too. So even if something goes wrong, you’ve got flotation. Smart safety detail.

It’s not a trainer kite. It’s still a high-performance design. But paired with the right board, the right size, and an instructor walking you through setup? It’s 100% usable for newer riders.

Elite’s got the 13, 15, and 17 in the demo fleet. Book a kiteboarding lesson and ride it for yourself. If you’re learning in low wind, this is one of the better tools you can have.

Final thoughts: Is the Whisper worth the hype?

I just rode the 17m Whisper in 7 to 10 knots. Started on a big skimboard. Switched over to a 165 Lightwave. For light wind, that combo was dialed. But I can see riding this same kite on a smaller board in 12 knots. No problem.

Did a couple back rolls. Just simple stuff. I was out there having fun. That’s the key takeaway. It turns those frustrating light wind days into sessions you actually enjoy.

And stability? I mean, I brought it up to 12, sheeted out, slack lines, even unhooked it. It just stayed. Didn’t drift. Didn’t hindenburg. Most kites would have dropped.

So yeah, the Whisper lives up to it. It’s fast through the window, flies efficient, and stays in the air when you need it most. If you’ve got light wind at your local spot, this should be in your quiver.

We’ve got the 13, 15, and 17 in the demo fleet here at Elite. Come try one out. Book a kiteboarding lesson, demo a Whisper, and feel the difference for yourself.

Or shop kiteboarding kites online—we’ve got them in stock and ready to ship.

Reedin Whisper FAQ 

Is the Reedin Whisper a good kite for riding in 10 knots or less?
Yes. Aaron tested the 17m in 7 to 10 knots and stayed powered, upwind, and stable. It’s one of the few kites that actually performs in that wind range without constant bar work.

What makes the Whisper better than other light wind kites?
Welded construction, ultra-crispy canopy material, and no pulleys in the bridle. It flies faster, holds its shape, and doesn’t Hindenburg at 12—even in slack wind.

Can I ride the Whisper on a twin tip or do I need a big board?
Both work. Aaron started on a big skimboard and Lightwave 165, but said he’d be lit on a smaller twin tip in 12 knots. The kite is efficient enough to scale down the board as the wind picks up.

Does the Whisper work right out of the bag with no tuning?
Yep. If you’re using a Dreamstick X, the knots and loops are ready to go. No setup headaches. You can use other bars too, but Reedin-on-Reedin is the cleanest plug-and-play experience.

What size Reedin Whisper kite should I choose for low wind?
If you're riding in wind under 12 knots, go 15 or 17m. Bigger riders or twin tip users should size up. Lighter riders on foil boards might get away with a 13. It depends on board size, weight, and what you're trying to do.

Is the Whisper suitable for beginners learning to kiteboard?
Yes, but only with instruction. The stability at 12 and the smooth flying help build confidence. Just make sure you're using the right size for your weight and the wind. Don’t go out solo in 7 knots with a 17m your first day.

Can I use a different brand bar with the Reedin Whisper?
You can. The knot layout works with North, Core, and a few others. But Aaron’s clear—brand on brand is best. The Dreamstick X is made for it, tuned for it, and rides perfect out of the bag.

Can I demo the Reedin Whisper before buying?
Yes. Elite Watersports has the 13, 15, and 17m in the demo fleet. You can book a kiteboarding lesson or drop in to test one before committing.

Ryan "Rygo" Goloversic