Test wave sail 2026: Is lighter also better? Ten 5.0 wave sails in a sibling comparison
Surf Testteam
· 01.02.2026
These wave sails are included in the test:
When it comes to weight, the last five per cent are always the most expensive. Regardless of whether you are buying a tennis racket, a new bike or a windsurfing sail, "lighter" always means "more expensive".
On average, the weights of windsurfing sails have decreased significantly in recent years - new materials and technologies make it possible for a 5.0 wave sail to weigh less than three kilos. Nevertheless, some brands are going one better than the standard models and have special products in their programme that represent the limits of what is possible. We have analysed the market and found models from Duotone, Goya, NeilPryde, S2Maui and Severne. We tested the standard models against the Pro, Ultralight and Carbon models. We spent several days comparing the sails directly against each other on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, also using masts with different carbon content, in order to answer the question of whether "light is right" really applies or whether the additional price might even be wasted.
Slimmed down or upgraded?
What all lightweight models have in common is the idea of replacing the conventional foil material with special laminates and grid foils. Tensile fibres made of carbon, aramid or Dyneema are glued into these, which can then absorb the tensile forces in the sail. The connecting film should then be thinner - which can ultimately provide a weight advantage. Superficially, the weight saving is actually achieved by "slimming down". In practice, the lightweight materials fortunately do not appear fragile or creased. On the contrary, the integrated fibres, in combination with the thinner (and therefore softer) film sandwich, often give the sails a certain suppleness, which you notice positively when rigging and which ensures fewer permanent creases in the mono film. The thinner film sandwich will only be more sensitive under absolute point loads, for example if you place your sail on a sharp object when rigging. However, the tight weave with tear-resistant fibres should generally prevent the sail from tearing further.
It is also exciting to see how the use of carbon and other stiff fibres changes the feel of the sail. Anyone who thinks that carbon sails feel more direct and harder is completely wrong. All "Pro", "Carbon" and "Light" models actually feel a little softer. In our opinion, this is due to the fact that the connecting foil sandwich is thinner and therefore softer.
The features of the test sails at a glance
In addition to the descriptions in this issue, you can find more photos of the test models here: Wave sail 2026 - all designs & features at a glance
Light becomes (sometimes) heavy
This test is about weight, no question about it. Nevertheless, you should keep one thing in mind that we have been observing in the tests for many years: The weight measured on the scales does not necessarily correspond to the perceived weight on the water! For example, thinner and therefore lighter foil can cause a sail to twist in gusts, causing the centre of effort to shift and the sail to feel unwieldy and spongy. The position of the centre of effort can also affect the perceived lightness. So instead of comparing the pure measurement weights, you should rather use our "Handling in manoeuvres & on the wave" score as a yardstick, because here we reveal whether the advantage on the bridle can also be translated into the water.
You pay the extra price less for measurable performance and more for the 'ride feel'." (Marius Gugg, surf tester)
200 grams for 400 euros? The materials in comparison
Masts: 100 per cent vs. 75-90 per cent
We tested and evaluated the sails with the high-quality masts with 100 per cent carbon. In addition, we also ordered the next cheaper mast model from all brands to compare whether and how the sails also work with them and whether it ultimately makes more sense (and is cheaper) to upgrade the mast first if you want the best possible handling. Long story short: even in the carbon class between 75 and 90 per cent you get consistently good performance - you can read more about this in the individual descriptions of the sails.
The test sails from Duotone, Goya, Severne and NeilPryde are all rigged in the 5.0 size on a 400 mast, which you can't avoid. Only S2Maui relies on the 370 mast length for the Dragon and Dragon Ultra test models, but the boom is significantly longer on these sails.
Materials, features & trim
The materials and features used for the test sails have already been at a high level for several years, which is why most brands rely on tried and tested features. Duotone helps you find the right settings literally at every turn, as there is no shortage of measurements and markers for the luff trim. Also NeilPryde and Goya help with trim markers when adjusting the downhaul rope tension. It is striking how different the design concepts of the brands are. Goya, for example, uses flextop masts that allow a lot of loose leech to form, causing the sails to twist visibly at the top. This can be additionally supported by choosing the lower eyelet on the outhaul - a tip especially for days with a lot of wind, when control is what counts most.
Despite the record weights, the lightweight models don't look too fragile." (Manuel Vogel, surf editor)
NeilPryde also designs the Combat models with plenty of loose leech and lots of twist, with Severne and Duotone the loose is rather moderate. The idea behind this: If the sail can open wide in the top, this can improve control and handling in strong winds. The contrast to Goya represents S2Maui, the test models Dragon and Dragon Ultra are rigged with little loose leech, so the leech is kept fairly tight at all times. We will reveal which concept works best in the individual tests:
Wave sail 2026: The test grades
The wave sails in the test
Click to see the individual descriptions of the pairs
