If you've been comparing the new Ozone Reflex to the North Reach, we'll save you the back and forth: we think the Reflex comes out ahead. Rather than just tell you why, we've pulled together the on-the-water findings from Jason Montreal's independent review, one of the most trusted names in big air kite testing, so you can see the actual pros and cons before you buy.
First, the technical bit. The Reflex shares its bridle system with Ozone's high-performance Vortex V2, but where the Vortex is built in Aluula, the Reflex is Dacron. That trade-off is exactly why it's such a good kite for loops and progression: you get the same proven bridle geometry, in a more forgiving, more affordable package.
What Jason found (the good)
Jason tested the Reflex in 9m and 12m sizes, in winds from 18 to 30 knots, and came away impressed. He describes it as a genuinely solid, predictable and enjoyable kite that does everything well, sitting in a sweet spot that keeps progressing riders out of trouble while still giving more advanced riders enough to send big air in the right conditions. It's very stable overhead, which makes it easy to practice rotations and board-offs without over-cranking the bar.
On boosting, he found it a solid performer for a three-strut kite, comparing its hangtime and lift favourably to well-regarded five-strut big air kites like the latest North Orbit and the Flysurfer Era 2, in some cases with more usable power despite being a touch slower through the window. That combination means progressing riders can time their jumps more consistently and land softer, without over-piloting on the way down.
On looping, Jason personally found it easy and completely predictable: no crashed loops in either direction, no stalling, and a clean catch every time he flew it. Once you're back overhead, the extra lift and hangtime reward good technique with a smoother, softer landing than a faster kite would give you.
What's worth knowing (the not-so-good)
Being Dacron rather than Aluula, the Reflex is noticeably heavier on the bar and less responsive than the Vortex. Riding them back to back, Jason and his group were jumping around 10 to 15% lower on average on the Reflex in the same conditions, and the Vortex felt lighter and easier to fly once they'd adjusted to it. The Reflex also doesn't snap around to twelve o'clock as quickly as faster kites, so looping it well means actively piloting it all the way through and off to the side, rather than just letting the bar out and hoping. Some of Jason's riding friends, more used to faster, higher-angled loopers, found the catch at the end of the loop harder to time for exactly this reason.
Because of that, Jason wouldn't put the Reflex top of his list as a first kite to learn kite loops on in the bigger sizes (9m and up); it takes a slightly bigger technical jump from baby loops to your first proper powered loop than some of the more loop-friendly kites on the market. He's clear, though, that it's still very learnable if you master your heli-loops first, and the payoff is a kite that's easier to live with day to day once you're past that stage.
The only other kite on the market Jason rates as genuinely close to the Reflex is the Duotone Evo SLS, which tells you plenty about the company it's keeping.
Who it suits
This is a kite for riders who want one kite to grow into: forgiving enough for your first lessons, capable enough to carry you through to advanced big air and general freeriding, without the price tag or the twitchiness of an Aluula kite. If you've been sizing it up against the North Reach, this is the review that should settle it for you.
The full range is live on our Reflex page now. If you want to see Jason's review in full, it's on his channel here. Not sure on size? Message us on WhatsApp with your weight and local spot and we'll sort you out.
Read next: Ozone Reflex vs Core NXS: which all-round kite should you buy in 2026? / Launched: the all-new Ozone Reflex, sizes, prices and who it's for
