The new X_Pace is a very welcome addition to the Duotone range of flat-water sails, complementing the E_Pace (camberless freeride sail) and S_Pace (2-cam freerace). Compared to the E_Pace, which has six battens, the X_Pace features seven battens throughout and a slightly more stretched outline – meaning a slightly longer luff for the same sail area. On the scales, the X_Pace ranks among the lighter sails in this group. However, the developers have clearly targeted their weight-saving measures very precisely, as the sail gives the impression of being well-reinforced and solid. A second clew eyelet has been omitted, and the protector is very thin. In contrast, the monofilm used feels thoroughly solid throughout. Even in the top section, where NeilPryde tends to use thinner material, the monofilm feels very reassuring. And the additional reinforcements at the front ends of the battens, for example, are exceptionally robust: with webbing over the batten and a Kevlar patch at the mast pocket on the bottom three battens. The diagonal batten in the gaff is protected by a rubber strip, concentrated in the area where there is a risk of chafing. The batten ends on the leech also feature small, weight-optimised rubber caps.
On the Platinum RDM, the sail exhibits medium-high trimming forces; a single trim mark on the sail indicates when you’ve finished adjusting the luff. There’s also a clever feature in the mast pocket: In a small viewing window, right where the mast and extension meet, a Velcro marker can be individually positioned. Once you’ve found your optimal trim, you place the marker directly on the edge and can then quickly and reliably find the same trim again and again. During testing, the trim point served as a good guide; once set, the sail requires hardly any adjustments at the luff. The design concept, with a clearly visible profile on land, means that the lower battens slide past the mast at the sides. Even with correct (at most very slight) sheet tension, the battens rest lightly against the side of the mast. The twist along the leech appears very even, whilst four additional mini-battens provide effective stabilisation.
The ultimate freerace experience
With its comparatively long boom, the sail looks a little bigger when bobbing about – but at 7.3 square metres, it actually is. Surprisingly, it feels delightfully light and easy to manoeuvre. The profile is crease-free and solid, with a touch of damping built in, but the sporty, direct feel prevails. The tautly tensioned profile, which is deep in the boom area, pulls the board into a stable glide; the sail settles onto the board almost of its own accord with its widely flared foot and stabilises there in a sporty race position. With low to moderate holding forces, the sail provides a direct connection, whilst the harmoniously twisting leech absorbs gusts well and enables excellent top speed – that’s what freerace feels like!
With the X_Pace, you can enjoy endlessly long runs just as effortlessly as you can really push it to the limit on shorter, overpowered top-speed runs. Even without re-trimming, the wind range is wide, and even with a little more sheet pull for maximum control, the excellent planing performance is largely maintained. That light feel is also evident when jibing. If the sail is used sportily in a gliding wind on the recommended RDM mast – pulling it in dynamically with your back hand after shifting – the battens rotate smoothly round the mast. It feels light in the hand and shifts quickly. With a tentative jibing technique, however, the two lowest battens may occasionally require a bit of a nudge.
surf’s verdict on the Duotone X_Pace
The X_Pace delivers a truly sporty feel, combined with excellent performance. Above all, its stability, superb control and immense speed potential in strong winds make the X_Pace a successful camberless freerace sail.
STRENGTHS: Fast, consistent pressure point, sporty feel, material composition and dimensions
WEAKNESSES: Noticeable batten rotation
SPECIAL FEATURES: Innovative system for checking the luff tension
Technical Specifications: Duotone X_Pace 7.3
- Sail weight: 4.55 kg*
- Live weight: 1.85 kg*
- Fork cut-out: 110–162 cm*
- Mast used: Duotone Platinum SLS 460 RDM; 949 euros
- Price: 979 euros
- For more information, see: duotonesports.com
*surf measurement
Duotone X_Pace: Available sizes and specifications
| Size | Luff | Slats | Mast** | Fork | Price |
| 5.4 | 412 | 7 | 400 | 172 | 889 |
| 5.8 | 424 | 7 | 400 | 178 | 909 |
| 6.2 | 446 | 7 | 430 | 186 | 929 |
| 6.6 | 458 | 7 | 430 | 194 | 949 |
| 7.3 | 482 | 7 | 460 | 204 | 979 |
| 7.8 | 494 | 7 | 460 | 210 | 999 |
**RDM only
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!