Wings S/S 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Wing brands are not only refining performance but also ensuring accessibility and longevity, making the sport more attractive to a wider audience every season. By Rocio Enriquez.
Wing foiling continues to energise the water sports industry. It attracts both newcomers, drawn by its accessibility, and seasoned riders, looking for performance and progression. 2024 was a healthy year across the board, with each brand carving its own niche. NSP enjoyed strong growth with its Fireball wing. This model compromised value and quality, proving that affordability still sells in a market increasingly filled with premium builds. Performance-focused riders embraced the wing’s balance, making it the brand’s best-seller. SIC Maui reported growth from two fronts: progressing riders advancing into intermediate and expert stages, and a wave of crossover athletes from sports like surfing, kiteboarding, and snowboarding. This mix created demand for versatile gear that works from first sessions to advanced riding without the need for frequent upgrades. Armstrong highlighted similar dynamics, underlining their philosophy of building wings for the long run. They stress durability and adaptability, qualities that attract both committed riders and ambitious newcomers. While elite riders fuel innovation, long-term growth of the sport depends on newcomers. It is important to lower entry barriers and build an inclusive community, while still catering to high-performance users. There is also a surge in intermediate riders hungry for progression. “We see strong demand from intermediate riders who have moved past the basics and now want to jump, carve, and go further while keeping the same base set-up”, says Noora Ruskola, Marketing Manager at Armstrong. A modular approach to design is well rewarded. 2025 bestsellers show how brands balance accessibility, performance, and innovation. NSP’s Fireball wing stays at the top of their charts. “The Fireball combines quality and price in a way few others offer. It hits the sweet spot for riders progressing quickly and needing gear that can keep up”, says Jarra Bitton, NSP’s Design and Communications Manager. Their Meteor model also performs strongly, entering the competitive space against top foiling names but at a sharper price point. SIC Maui continues to thrive with the Raptor V3, an all-rounder known for its lift and smooth stability. It’s friendly enough for learners yet powerful for advanced disciplines like racing and surf foiling. The real buzz, however, surrounds their new Dragon wing. With its medium-to-high aspect ratio, V-anhedral profile, and segmented strut, it delivers impressive upwind efficiency, reduced drag, and freestyle handling. Its ergonomic boom gives riders precision and freedom, while advanced materials like ALUULA AERIS X FX86 and EXOTEX 2 ultra-rigid Dacron balance high performance with still affordable costs. The Dragon is sold in a complete set-up, with an installed boom, bag, leash, and pump. Armstrong keeps things simple. Their A-Wing XPS Mk II dominates sales worldwide. Years of refinement and rider feedback have built a wing that works in waves, racing, and freestyle alike. With one wing model covering nearly all conditions, Armstrong reinforces its minimalist philosophy. Ensis top seller was the Score 3. It is highly accessible, easier to control with its rigid handles, and very light, all this while delivering excellent performance.
2026 Wings
Material and structural innovation remains a key battleground. The conversation in wing design is no longer about whether to use premium fabrics. It’s about how to combine them smartly, how to tweak layouts, and how to balance weight, stiffness, and cost. NSP sticks to Dacron but plays with innovative canopy panelling and strut support. The goal of this hybrid layout of multi-weight Dacron is to maintain light weight and responsive handling while reinforcing critical stress areas. “We reinforce areas of high stress or pressure and use lighter Dacron on areas where a little bit of flex would be beneficial to overall performance”, says Jarra Bitton. Their approach is evolutionary: improving aerodynamics, boosting control, and making their wings sharper every season. SIC Maui sees a bigger shift. They’re integrating multiple fabrics to maximize durability and performance without inflating costs. They double down on premium fabrics, including ALUULA for the leading edge, EXOTEX 2 for struts, and 3DF canopy reinforcements. The strategy is premium performance without premium-only prices. “The Dragon is constructed with multiple advanced materials strategically placed to maximise performance and durability, without breaking the bank”, says SIC Maui’s Global Brand Manager, Casi Rynkowski. The ergonomic boom delivers excellent rigidity, precise power control, and unrestricted freedom of movement – all of which contribute to its responsive performance. Their design ethos is about versatility — freeride, wave, or freestyle with one wing.
Ensis uses Dacron for their Score and Topspin models. The Score Limited Edition and the light wind wing Drive use a hybrid Aluula and Aluula Aeris layup. The Topspin Ace introduces Dyneema, which offers rigidity and performance in a very light weight. Armstrong doesn’t follow trends; they maintain their tried-and-tested approach to set their own path. Their A-Wing XPS Mk II features the Cross Panel Sail Design for canopy longevity, and the Dyna-Link handle system, letting riders choose between carbon handles or a full boom. For materials, they choose Teijin Technoforce D3 for the canopy and carbon for the trailing edge battens, evidencing a focus on construction longevity. “The A-Wing XPS MkII covers almost any condition, the rider only needs to choose the wing size”, says Noora Ruskola. Freewing takes a broad view. They want to push wing foiling from entry-level to Olympic-level competition, making sure their equipment supports every style — freeride, racing, waves, and freestyle. They experiment with structural and material innovation. “Today, the Starboard crew is submerged in wing material development, build methods, shape technology, and even patented structural advantages to solve the oversized leading-edge challenge”, says Freewing’s Marketing Manager, Matt Maxwell. They also develop ergonomic carbon booms with multiple diameters to suit different hand sizes. Gaastra equips all models with a 100% carbon pistol grip boom, except the Jet which presents a straight boom. They use premium ForceTec Dacron on the Cross, Cross LW, and Poison. The Pure model incorporates Dyneema in the leading edge and strut frame. They also use Teijin’s VoltNova and VoltNova+. Brands’ line-ups for 2026 reflect confidence in existing designs but with selective innovation. NSP will offer two models in multiple sizes, plus a new range mid-2026 to expand reach. SIC Maui will continue with the versatile Raptor V3 alongside the performance-driven Dragon. Armstrong plans to carry over the XPS Mk II and the XPS Lightwind Mk II into 2026. Ensis will offer the Topspin and Topspin Ace, which they expect to do well given the increasing interest in boom wings. Alongside these, in their line-up, we’ll find the Score 3, in its regular and limited edition, and the Drive. Gaastra will add the Jet racing wing to their line-up in 2026.
Sustainability
Sustainability is thought of less as an add-on and more as a necessity, but it remains challenging in a technical product with high durability and performance demands. Efforts are therefore focused on product longevity and waste management. NSP shows a practical approach, repurposing factory offcuts into packaging, ties, and hangtags. This cuts down on single-use plastics and turns waste into useful materials. Armstrong strongly advocates longevity, encouraging a strong second-hand market by avoiding seasonal graphic refreshes and ensuring durability. This also allows retailers to carry over stock without pressure to clear inventory. Freewing underscores its commitment to both product performance and planet care.
Retailer Support
Each brand seems to be finding its niche market, tailoring their communication to them. NSP plays in the value-performance space, delivering innovation without pricing out fast-progressing riders. SIC Maui emphasizes versatility and inclusivity, balancing accessibility with cutting-edge design. Armstrong champions longevity and minimalism, betting on one wing to do it all. Freewing takes the broadest view, pushing for all-level growth while experimenting heavily with materials and constructions. “We want to see wing foiling become the world’s most popular sailing sport”, says Matt Maxwell. Retail partnerships are critical as wings become more technical and diverse. NSP supports retailers with spec sheets, videos, training tools, and increased investment in demo programs and events. SIC Maui launches SIC Talk Stories. “We are rolling out a new educational video series designed to empower both retailers and consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed purchasing decisions”, says Casi Rynkowski. They’re also introducing SIC Foil Pro Centers worldwide, strengthening dealer expertise and creating on-water engagement hubs. Armstrong continues to back retailers with display systems, product education, access to rider insights, video-rich content kits, and simplified sizing charts. Wing design has taken big steps forward in recent seasons, driven by new materials and smarter constructions. The next phase is about combining fabrics and refining builds to achieve more performance without losing accessibility. Brands are working to balance weight, rigidity, and affordability — a delicate game with high stakes for riders, retailers, and the wider foiling community. Wing foiling is no longer just a fast-growing water sport — it’s becoming a mature global market. Moving forward, we can expect more versatile wings, lighter builds, and smarter use of premium materials. Hybrid constructions will blend affordability with performance. This, combined with retailer initiatives that focus on education and community, will lay a fertile ground for wing sales.
Brand Previews
