The Naish Matador LT Wing has been optimised compared to the predecessor model (HERE there's a test) has been significantly revised. The new wing is available in four sizes (3/4/5/6 m²) and in four (!) colour variants. The Matador LT should score as a powerful freerider and as a wing for waves - we tested whether this plan works.
On land:
The revised Matador LT still has a comparatively thick front tube to give the wing rigidity. The cloth tension in the front area has been increased, the profile is quite deep and designed for power. The outline of the wing has remained unchanged compared to the previous model. There is now an additional exhaust valve on the strut to allow the wing to be deflated more quickly. The grips are also new: These are sewn on tightly and offer very direct contact with the wing, but also require precise gripping, especially with large hands or gloves. Thanks to a very comfortable rubber coating, the grip is now noticeably more comfortable. Keyword "grips": The front handle on the tube is nice and stiff and comfortable to grip, the only thing we didn't find ideal was the position of the handle, as it sits very low. The Wing does without windows to optimise weight.
We also present the Naish Matador LT Wing in the form of a short clip as a supplement to the test report. Click here!
On the water:
The Naish Matador LT Wing already offers a lot of pull when starting off and is easy to pump. In light winds, the recommended inflation pressure can safely be under-inflated by 0.5 to 1 psi, which gives the wing more elasticity and therefore even more power. Once lifted, the wing is extremely stable in the hand. You can fly the Matador LT with your eyes closed - no fluttering, jerking or load changes disturb the flight. In addition, the wide handles allow you to move your hands sideways with millimetre precision to get the perfect centre of effort. The flight stability is also noticeable when drifting on the wave, where the lightweight Matador LT flies wonderfully neutrally. Only the front handle, which is sewn on (too) far down, is not ideal for drifting. Because the wing has little weight in the strut area, the trailing edge of the wing stays up for a long time even when riding downwind - ideal for downwinders.
The Naish Matador LT is also stable in manoeuvres in the air - which in this case means that a little more force is required to rotate the wing through freestyle tricks or to move it "tip-to-tip" in manoeuvres. You also need to grip a little more precisely, as the handles are sewn on very tightly. On the other hand, the tight grips also enable very direct contact and instantaneous steering impulses in manoeuvres.
Naish Matador LT - the conclusion:
The Naish Matador LT builds on the performance of its predecessor model. It also offers plenty of power and exceptionally easy handling. Thanks to its ideal flight stability and super control, it is perfect as a powerful freeride kite, also for light wind areas and in combination with large low-aspect foils. Thanks to its neutral flight behaviour when drifting, the Wing is also ideal for downwinders or in surf waves. Some features have also been improved, e.g. the handles and the deflation valve. However, the Wing does not offer maximum top speed for racing or freestyling.
Power; control; drifting on the wave
Position of the front handle
No window
