Psycho vs Pivot: Choosing the Right Kite for Big Air

Welcome to the ultimate face-off: Psycho vs Pivot. Two kites, both weapons in the Big Air game, but designed to give you a completely different ride.

Let’s break down what sets them apart and find out which one’s ready to take your riding to the next level.

Design & Performance: What Sets Them Apart?

The Pivot is your reliable all-rounder. Whether it’s Big Air, freeriding, or wave-riding, the 3-strut platform provides a looser, snappier feel, and positions itself as a more playful kite with tighter turning. The pulley in the bridle offers a bigger range of movement, provides more stability and delivers a more forgiving ride. The smaller leading edge also contributes to a lighter-feeling kite with quicker steering.

The Psycho is built to tame chaos. A 5-strut platform combined with a stiffer leading edge material offers more rigidity for better stability in strong winds. The fixed bridle grants instant feedback, optimal for progressive movements in air. The shallower draft helps the kite to cut upwind better, providing a more vertical takeoff and faster recovery from kiteloops, with more top end control.

Riding Style, Power & Wind Range: Which Kite Fits Your Flow?

For versatility… The Pivot

The Pivot handles it all. Smooth power delivery, consistent lift, and the ability to fine-tune performance make it perfect for riders who like to switch between styles. Whether you’re into cruisy freeride or sending it high, the Pivot keeps things predictable and under control. It performs effortlessly across a wide range of wind conditions. It depowers smoothly in strong winds and maintains consistent pull on lighter days, making it a reliable choice no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.

For pushing limits… The Psycho

The Psycho thrives on height and speed. It has a great vertical load spike that sends you straight up, while smooth kiteloops and responsive control give you the confidence to try tricks that once felt out of reach. When you’re chasing Woo records and looking to go bigger, the Psycho is ready to push you beyond your limits. It dominates when the wind’s cranking. Its higher rigidity and control in high winds demands precision from the rider but delivers unmatched height and performance in return.

Handling & Responsiveness: How Do They Feel?

The Pivot is smooth and predictable, even in gusty conditions. An intuitive bar feel with a huge range in the throw, the kite works in all winds, from light to strong, turning fast with a light but direct response.

The Psycho feels alive in your hands. It flies forward faster, generates higher vertical-spike and recovers well from kiteloops, making it the go-to for riders who thrive in high-stakes conditions.

Construction: Let’s Talk Tech

The Q-Series is the backbone of Naish’s reputation – built on durability, performance, quality control and rider safety. Both the Pivot and Psycho showcase this heritage with top-tier materials and cutting-edge tech.

The Pivot boasts a QuadTex Ripstop Canopy that holds strong in gnarly conditions, while Teijin Dacron LE and Struts offer unbeatable UV stability and strength. Swift Tips provide smoother, more direct turning, and the Bladder Cap Construction prevents blowouts.

The Psycho takes durability to another level. Teijin Triple Ripstop Dacron makes it stiffer and more responsive. 12-Point Lightweight Aerodynamic Bridles reduce air drag for streamlined performance, while Swift Tips and the HT Plus Seam reinforce the kite, and provide direct turning. 

Final Call: Pivot or Psycho?

So, what’s it going to be?

Pivot: Versatility, smooth control, and reliable performance across all disciplines. Don’t count it out in Big Air – this kite has proven it can go the distance when it matters.

Psycho: Insane height, extended hangtime, faster kite-loop recovery, and adrenaline-fueled Big Air progression.

If you want a kite that adapts to multiple styles through refined versatility, the Pivot is your best bet. But if you’re dedicated to go big, chase Woo records, and master kiteloops, the Psycho is built for you.

As Big Air continues to push the sport’s boundaries, both the Pivot and Psycho will evolve to meet the demand, offering even more control and performance in future models. Whether you’re after smooth precision or untamed power, both kites are ready. The question is – how high do you want to go?

The Ratings (1-5): Psycho vs Pivot