How to build a quiver that makes sense
There comes a point when your kites start feeling like floppy beach towels. Lines stretch, fabric gets tired, and suddenly you’re underpowered in wind that used to feel perfect. That’s your cue. But before you rush to buy a shiny new set, take a step back. Building a good quiver is part logic, part experimentation, and part knowing what kind of kiter you really are.
Know your local wind life
Before dreaming of a new 7-9-12 setup, check what the wind at your home spot actually does. Most riders think they need a wide range of kites, but in reality, 80 percent of your sessions happen in the same wind range. Apps like Windy or Windguru show the stats, but even better is to log your sessions for a few months. Patterns appear quickly.
If you mostly kite between 16 and 26 knots, a 9 or 10 meter will likely be your workhorse. Build your quiver around that kite, not the one you only fly twice a year in storm conditions.
Find your main kite first
Most riders use their 8 or 9 meter the most. Data from Woo shows that most jumps are done on an 8 or 9 meter kite. But that doesn’t mean it has to be your go-to size. Your main kite should match your favourite conditions, your riding style, and what you actually ride most.
Freeriders often go slightly bigger for comfort and smoother pull.
Wave riders prefer something that drifts well and turns fast.
Big air riders go for control and speed.
But of course, nothing is fixed. Maybe you’re a wave rider who loves a big air kite, or a freestyler who prefers a surf shape. Kites and their purposes aren’t set in stone, so test them out.
Once you’ve found the size you ride most and the kite model that feels best for you, you can start building around it.
Space your sizes wisely
A good rule of thumb is a 2 to 3 meter gap between kite sizes. That usually covers a clean 4 to 6 knot difference in wind range. A classic quiver looks like 7-9-12 or 6-8-10. Go for smaller gaps if you live somewhere gusty or if you’re very sensitive to power changes. Larger gaps if you want to keep things minimal.
I love my 6-8-10 setup. At my home spot, I rarely use the 6 meter, but when I travel, it gets plenty of use. It’s fine if one kite collects a bit more sand than the others. If you can handle the extra cost, three kites is the sweet spot in my opinion.
Not a fan of owning too much gear? We all know that one rider who always makes it work with one kite. Light wind, gusty wind, stormy wind, they’re always out there on their trusty 9 meter.
Two kites is also a popular setup. Often, kiters skip either the smallest or biggest size. Just make sure you know what your local wind usually does. Maybe an 8 and 10 works perfectly for your home spot, and on stronger days, you just sit it out.
Some big air riders even use 8 and 9 meters back-to-back. Personally, that’s a bit wild, but hey, they like living on the edge.
Mixing kites the smart way
You don’t need the same model in every size. What matters is that your quiver fits your conditions. Having all your kites from the same brand helps because your bar will fit all of them, but mixing models can make a lot of sense.
Take my setup as an example: 6, 8, and 10 meters. My 8 is my main kite, the one I use most. When the wind is strong and the waves are firing, I go for a 6 meter wave kite that turns fast and drifts beautifully. But when it’s 10 meter wind, the water is usually flat. No need for a wave kite then. I switch to a 10 meter allround kite that’s better for freestyle and tricks.
That combo gives me the best of both worlds, wave performance when the ocean delivers and playful power when it’s flat.
Don’t chase perfection
Sometimes you’ll watch someone rig the perfect 9 meter while you’re standing there with your 8 or 11 and feel a little jealous. It happens. But you don’t need every size. Having too many kites just leads to decision fatigue and a sad-looking bank account.
It’s better to know your gear inside out than to own half the kite shop. You’ll make better calls, ride with more confidence, and spend less time swapping kites in the parking lot.
And trust me, there will be days when your 8 is perfect while the riders with the 7-9 combo are jealous of you. The point is, you can’t plan the wind, but you can plan how to handle it with the best kite you have.
Test, borrow, repeat
The best way to find your ideal setup is to test different kites. Go to demo days, ask friends for a quick try, or rent gear when you travel. Every kite model feels different, even within the same brand. What looks perfect on paper might feel sluggish or twitchy in reality.
And yes, you’ll fall in love with some kites you can’t afford. That’s part of the process. Maybe the second-best option still gives you that same spark without forcing you to sell a kidney.
Plan around your goals
Your future riding goals should guide your setup. If you’re getting into waves, look for kites that drift well and turn fast. If you’re chasing height, go for big air machines that boost and loop aggressively.
Also, think about your lifestyle. If you travel a lot, you might want a smaller, lighter quiver that covers a wide range of conditions. If you mainly ride one local spot, tailor your setup exactly to those winds.
Choosing a quiver is like building a toolkit. You want the right tools for the job, not a drawer full of random wrenches.
And if your current kites still work fine but feel a bit tired, upgrading to newer versions of the same model is a smart move. You already know how they fly, and you won’t have to worry about them ripping mid-session.
A quiver built for your kind of chaos
Your next quiver should fit your local conditions, riding goals, and personality, not just what your favourite pro rides. Keep your main kite solid, balance your gaps smartly, and don’t be afraid to mix models that fit different riding styles.
If you want to dive deeper into tuning your setup, check out The impact of line length on kitesurfing performance. And for a solid gear overview, browse the selection at Kitemana or TheKiteMag’s gear reviews.
And if your setup still feels incomplete, don’t worry. There’s always next season, another kite, and another excuse to visit the shop.
xox Berito