Sailloft offers an interesting approach to explore, as the Cross HR with the ‘new’ elongated freeride outline is only available from size 6.2 upwards. This also explains the narrow gap between sizes 6.0 and 6.2. The 6.0 has a slightly longer boom than the 6.2 and is based on a Freemove design. What used to be the sound of a Mercedes door slamming shut is now the sound of unpacking a Sailloft sail – when the generous X-Ply mix rolls out onto the lawn, it sounds solid. The Cross HR is being tested on a 460 RDM; a thicker SDM would hardly fit into the comparatively narrow mast pocket anyway, and even the RDM requires a bit more force to be threaded into the mast pocket, which has a pronounced bend. However, in previous tests, the Sailloft RDM masts have stood out very positively, proving to be just as stiff as those of some other brands.
The recess for fitting the gaff is a good size, making it really easy to grip the mast here. The luff pocket also easily accommodates even the longest luff line and can be closed completely using Velcro. The whole thing is integrated into the particularly long protector, which closes very neatly. The foot and the lower seams are protected against corrosive deck varnish by a rubber strip and folded-over fabric panels – whilst the batten ends are protected by batten tensioners on one side and rubber patches on the other. No corners have been cut when it comes to the materials used: grid-patterned X-Ply is used generously, the mast pocket is robust and the multi-panel X-Ply luff panel also ensures excellent all-round visibility. Four additional film reinforcements stabilise the leech between the battens – which, for their part, are inserted at their front ends into solidly reinforced pockets leading to the mast pocket. In medium trim, the sail exhibits a moderate loose leech on land, with the batten just barely resting against the side of the RDM mast above the gaff.
Smooth handling and plenty of control
You won’t find a trim point on the Sailloft, but the additional mini-battens extending all the way to the boom and a well-known design philosophy already suggest that you can happily set the sail quite ‘loose’. In light winds, on the other hand, the clew can be hooked in with just a light touch, yet the sail still offers plenty of control. And let’s get this out of the way straight away: the handling is silky smooth at any trim. The battens brush against the mast only ever gently and without any noticeable jolt. The mast, on the other hand, feels properly stiff and gives the rig exactly the sporty character you’d expect in this class. The sail feels sporty and direct; on an SDM, it couldn’t be more suitable.
The sail offers good control even with virtually no tension on the clew; the high tension in the profile keeps the pressure point firmly in check. The loose clew trim generates impressive planing performance whilst offering a wide wind range. A little more tension on the clew, and you get solid control right into a wind range where you wouldn’t even want to be surfing with a size 7 sail. The sail feels particularly stable in your hands at all times, with a pressure point that provides noticeable but not excessive lift on the fin and rewards powerful pull-in with your back hand with a dose of extra power. However, the Cross HR also allows for relaxed, easy-going gliding, with both hands resting loosely on the boom, which underlines its suitability for freeriding.
surf’s verdict on the Sailloft Cross HR 7.2
The Sailloft Cross has a particularly broad range of uses, from beginners to freeriders and freeracers. With butter-smooth batten rotation when tacking, yet a direct feel when sailing in a straight line, it feels both sporty and manoeuvrable.
STRENGTHS: Manoeuvrability, stability, direct feel, speed in moderate winds
WEAKNESSES: None
SPECIAL FEATURES: 5.6 and 6.0 as freemove sails with five battens. From 6.2 upwards, with a freeride outline and six battens.
Technical specifications for the Sailloft Cross HR 7.2
- Sail weight: 4.85 kg*
- Live weight: 1.95 kg*
- Fork cut-out: 107–160 cm*
- Mast used: Sailloft Red Line RDM 460; 839 euros
- Price: 939 euros
- For more information, see: sailloft.de
*surf measurement
Sailloft Cross: Available sizes and specifications
| Size | Luff | Slats | Mast | Fork | Price |
| 5.6 | 437 | 5 | 400/430 | 179 | 899 |
| 6.0 | 449 | 5 | 430 | 186 | 909 |
| 6.2 | 451 | 6 | 430 | 185 | 919 |
| 6.7 | 463 | 6 | 430/460 | 191 | 929 |
| 7.2 | 473 | 6 | 460 | 198 | 939 |
| 7.7 | 485 | 6 | 460 | 205 | 949 |
| 8.2 | 501 | 6 | 490 | 213 | 959 |
This sail is part of the major 2026 No Cam Freeride test. Also featured are the Duotone X_Pace, GA Matrix, Goya Mark 7, GunSails Rapid, NeilPryde Speedster Evo, Sailloft Cross and Severne NCX. All test results can be found in surf 5/2026 and, in no particular order, here on surf-magazin.de!