The Best Kiteboarding Lines For Increased Strength In 2023

selective photo of four colored kite lines running toward a man kiteboarding in green seaHave you ever had your kite line break? I have and had no clue how to replace them. Do I buy new lines or can I fix the broken line? As a proud outdoor nerd, I did what every member of Outdoors Informed does. I began a comprehensive search for the best kiteboarding lines. My search included asking local kiteboarders and scouring the web.

To help you make an informed choice I found four great flying line sets. Plus I have included a DIY choice if you are comfortable assembling your own lines. Also, you can either navigate via the table of contents or read on. Anyways, lets “send it” and get started.

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Related: How To Select Kiteboarding Flying Lines For Perfect Control

  • Andy Sharp
  • Last Updated: 01/02/2023
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Table of Contents

Factors To Select The Best Kiteboarding Lines.

What was the results of my search? Well here is a basic outline of what to look for in a good set of kiteboarding flying lines. First, look for kite flying lines with a high breaking strain/load of between 700 to 1000 lbs. Second, confirm the use of materials like UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene). Also known as Dyneema or Spectra by different manufacturers. It yields the highest strength to weight ratio with the best abrasion resistance. Third, ensure the flying lines are pre-stretched, sleeved and coated.

When buying kite flying lines, you have three options.

  1. Ready-made line sets from most major kite brands
  2. Standard kite-grade line sets from kite parts vendors
  3. High quality UHMWPE line spools in bulk. Which you put together yourself using splicing and sleeve tools.

The DIY option is best for experienced or expert kiters though. For most kite riders the first two options are best.

Comparison Chart

The Absolute Best Kiteboarding Lines

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Photo of white colored Slingshot Sports (Inside) Kite Lines
Slingshot Sports (Inside) Kite Lines
  • Breaking Strain: 800 lb / 362 kg
  • Material: Spectra
  • Number Of Lines: 2
  • Length (s): 20 m / 66 ft
  • Color(s): White With 2 Gray Pigtails
  • Diameter (Millimeters): Info Not Readily Available
  • Pigtails Included? Yes
Check Price
Pro's & Con's
  • Correct Fit For Compstick Bars
  • Great Breaking Strain Rating
  • Includes Pigtails
  • Almost No Info Available
  • Higher Price Than Others

What’s The Best Kiteboarding Lines For The Slingshot Compstick Bar?

If you need replacement inside kite lines for Slingshot Compstick bars look no further, these are the set. To be specific these Spectra lines will fit the 2010-2015 Compstick bar. Plus either the Compstick with Guardian or Sentinel from 2016-2019. Founded in 1999 by brothers Jeff and Tony Logosz, Slingshot Sports is a popular brand for kites and bars. This package is 2 inside lines with a breaking strain of 800 pounds (362.87 kg).

The color of the lines are white and come with a couple of two knot pigtails. Two of which are the color red and the others are gray. I wish the lines were different colors for better visibility on the water.

I haven’t tried these lines myself, but lots of riders are brand loyalists. To aid in these customers research, I have added them to my 2023 list. As I mentioned, finding technical information for these lines is almost impossible. I had to search through many forums to confirm the lines are in fact Spectra material.

Beyond the lengths and compatibility, Slingshot doesn’t provide a lot of technical specifications. It’s unfortunate but I notice many brands don’t give out information of flying line due to copying fears. While annoying, most loyal customers already know what to expect from these lines.

Verdict

If you use Slingshot Compstick bars and want to replace you lines these are a perfect match. While the cost is more than others, you don’t have to worry that they won’t be a perfect fit.

Ideal Pick For Cabrinha 1X Control Bars

Photo of black and red colored Cabrinha 24m Rear Flying Lines
Cabrinha 24m Rear Flying Lines
  • Breaking Strain: Info Not Readily Available
  • Material: Dyneema
  • Number Of Lines: 2
  • Length (s): 24 M / 79 ft
  • Color(s): Black & Red
  • Diameter (Millimeters): Info Not Readily Available
  • Pigtails Included? No
  • Features: Ideal Fit For Cabrinha Single Line Flag Out Bars, Commonly Called "1X"
Check Price
Pro's & Con's
  • From A Trusted Brand
  • Decent Price For Dyneema Lines
  • Exact Match For 1X Control Bars
  • Little Tech Information Available

Need Kite Lines For A Cabrinha 1X Control Bar?

Are you are a brand loyalist? If you are and ride with the Cabrinha 1X control bar then here are the replacement fly lines to match. These are a set of two 24 meter rear lines which work with Cabrinha single line flag out bars.

If you have been living under a rock and don’t know who Cabrinha is, then here is a some quick info. It has been around since 2000, started in Maui by Pete Cabrinha along with the Neil Pryde group. Pete has a masters’ status in surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Over the past 15 years, their sponsored riders have crushed professional kiting records almost every year. Simply put, they are one of the juggernauts in the kitesurfing world. Huh! kitesurfing? Yes but remember kiteboarding or surfing are just two different styles of the same sport. So the fly lines are the same.

On to these lines, I have never owned them but I know some people feel comfortable staying true to “their brand.” So I included them in this article anyways. The price point is fair for Dyneema lines of this length and you can buy them in 20 meter lengths as well.

What I don’t like about these lines is how little information I could find about them. Some brands don’t give out the technical specs about their lines for fears of copying them. This is a nuisance but if you are a brand loyalist you may already know what to expect from these lines anyways.

Verdict

Buy this set if you want to match the rear lines to your original 1X control bar. You get the best fit and match your older lines for a good price. 

Budget Friendly Pick For D.I.Y. Kiteboarders

green and white colored budget friendly label
Photo of blue and white colored spool containing black Emma Kites UHMWPE Braided Cord
Emma Kites UHMWPE Braided Cord Spool
  • Breaking Strain: 2200 lb / 998 kg
  • Material: 100% HMPE / UHMWPE hollow Braid Cord
  • Number Of Lines: 1 Roll
  • Length (s): 15 M / 50 ft
  • Color(s): Black
  • Diameter (Millimeters): 1.8
  • Pigtails Included? No
  • Features: UV & Chemical Resistant, Intense Abrasion Resistant, 4.5% Rating For Elongation/Creep!
Check Price
Pro's & Con's
  • Perfect For DIY Kiteboarders
  • Super Affordable For 100% UHMWPE
  • Low Elongation & Amount of Creep
  • Resistance To Most Chemicals & UV
  • Great Abrasion Resistance
  • Heavy Coating Complaints
  • Color Fades Overtime

What Can I Use For DIY Kiteboarding Lines?

The best line you can use to make your own kite flying lines is 100% UHMWPE. This abbreviation means Ultra High Weight Molecular Polyethylene. It has massive strength with the lightest weight. In fact this material is 15 times stronger than steel by weight ratio. Plus it floats in water, great for dragging in lines after finishing a long session.

For my budget friendly choice in 2023, this cord spool is tough to beat. Experienced DIY riders will appreciate the low elongation/creep rating of 4.5%. When I first touched the line I noticed how the braid of the cord is very tight, which is a good sign of tensile strength. The 1.8 millimeter line has a good 900 lb (408.23 kg) breaking strain rating, thus it will tackle your kiteboarding needs just fine.

Another bonus is how resistant it is to abrasion and wear. As well as preventing Ultra Violet deterioration. Also, this line is ultra slippery which is great for reducing drag but a bit of a pain to work with. One thing I should mention, some have found the black color to not hold up and turns gray over time.

Verdict

For any thrifty DIY kiteboarders, the Emma Kites UHMWPE cord has an awesome price and works well.

Best Outside Line Set For Slingshot Compstick Bars

blue and gold colored label showing check mark and top marks text
Photo of white colored Slingshot Sports (Outside) Kite Lines and two gray colored pigtail lines
Slingshot Sports (Outside) Kite Lines
  • Breaking Strain: 500 lb / 227 kg
  • Material: Dyneema
  • Number Of Lines: 2
  • Length (s): 27 m / 89 ft
  • Color(s): White With Gray Pigtails
  • Diameter (Millimeters): Info Not Readily Available
  • Pigtails Included? Yes
Check Price
Pro's & Con's
  • Replacements For Slingshot Compstick Bars
  • Good Breaking Strain
  • Two Pigtails Included
  • Less Affordable Than Others

Best Replacement Outside Kite Fly Lines For A Compstick Bar?

This is the outside or rear line set from Slingshot to match the Compstick bars. In particular, they will fit the 2010 – 2015 Compstick bar. As well as either the Compstick with Guardian or Sentinel bars between 2016-2019. In this package you get 2 outside flying lines with a breaking strain of 500 pounds (227 kg).

For length this set is 27 meters (89 feet) and color wise its white. Likewise, this set comes with a couple of two knot gray colored pigtails. As I’ve said throughout, I wish these were vibrant colors to promote better visibility. Some riders claim colored lines wear down faster but I’ve never experienced this.

The brand does mention, they set up their kites with thick center lines and flexible outside ones. To ensure balanced load and smooth steering capabilities.

The material used is in fact standard Spectra material. Spectra is a very high molecular density form of polyethylene. It’s the same material used to make grocery bags. Thus, its strong but slippery which is great to limit air drag but does creep overtime.

Beyond the lengths and bar compatibility, I can’t find much technical specifications. It’s a pain but I understand some brands don’t give it out due to fears of cheap copies.

Verdict

If you use Slingshot Compstick bars and want an exact match replacement these are the best. They are standard for strength and provide lower drag in the air. Expect this material to have more elongation issues overtime though.

Cabrinha Front Lines For 1x Bar

Photo of white, black and red colored Cabrinha 16m Front Flying Lines
Cabrinha 16m Front Flying Lines
  • Breaking Strain: Unknown
  • Material: Dyneema
  • Number Of Lines: 2
  • Length (s): 16 m / 55 ft
  • Color(s): White With Black & Red Loop Ends
  • Diameter (Millimeters): Info Not Readily Available
  • Pigtails Included? No
Check Price
Pro's & Con's
  • Great Price!
  • Made By A Trusted Kitesurfing Brand
  • Exact Match For Cabrinha Bars
  • Perfect With Cabrinha 24-M Rear Lines
  • Not Enough Tech Info

Which Front Flying Lines For A Cabrinha 1X Control Bar?

Users the Cabrinha 1X control bar might want to be brand loyal and grab replacement lines to match. If this sounds like you, this is the front line set you need.

Like the 24-meter lines from the same brand, these are 16-meter (55-feet) lines from Cabrinha. Which are a great pick for their “1X” bars. They are also the perfect match for the 24-meter lines, recommended by Cabrinha. The breaking strain is a good at 500 pounds (226.8 Kg) with standard elongation and creep. Resistance to abrasion is also typical for the type of material.

I did confirm that Dyneema material makes up the lines but beyond this, the brand gives out almost no info. Riders obviously trust the brand because they make good stuff, but they charge a premium. When you match these lines with the 24 meter lines the price is double what Maelstrom charge for a 4 line set.

Verdict

Some kite riders feel it’s best to match a replacement set to original equipment. For Cabrinha owners wanting to stick to their trusted brand, this set is the best match. Keep in mind though, you pay a premium to do so.

In Conclusion:

As of now, you should be able to make an informed choice for your next set of kiteboarding lines. Either pick lines from a reputable kite accessory company, a trusted kite brand or try to DIY. The first two choices to buy a set of lines are the easiest approach, but not the cheapest. The last choice requires mastering some skills and lots of patience.

Whichever you choose, Outdoors Informed is happy to help with the research. We do it, so you can spend more time out ripping it up in the wind.

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Last update on 2023-03-15

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