The SIC Raptor Wing on land:
At just over 2.6 kilos, the test size 5.0 is neither particularly heavy nor excessively light. The materials used in the front tube area look very high quality and robust - according to the manufacturer, this is due to the particularly low-stretch Exotex Dacron. The Wing is available in the sizes 3.0/4.0/5.0/6.0 & 7.0 square metres, with a price range between 749 and 949 euros. Regardless of the size, the Raptor is supplied with a pump, hand leash and bag; unfortunately for beginners, a window has been omitted. With the SIC-Wing, the front tube and strut are separate. The reason for this is that the strut (8 psi) should be inflated slightly more than the front tube (7-8 psi). This means that the Raptor has to be inflated in two steps, but conversely it is also deflated more quickly when deflated than with an intermediate valve.
Here's a short product presentation of the test wing on our YouTube channel :
On the water:
You can feel the high-quality material on the water in a positive way. When pumping, the Raptor still feels stiff and direct even when heavy chunks are pulling on the handles - nothing twists or warps. In light winds, the wing is almost a little stiff when pumping, so we recommend lightweights (<75kg) to inflate the front tube with only around 7psi less pressure. In the lower and medium wind range, the wing is very balanced in the hand, the positions of the handles fit well and the well-padded handles are comparatively comfortable to grip. Compared to the wings of other brands, the handles of the SIC Raptor are noticeably wider, which can be an advantage, especially with large hands or when wings are used with gloves - the risk of incorrect grips is simply lower here, especially if you are not yet sure of your manoeuvres. In the upper wind range, the Wing is noticeably more powerful than the flyweights on the market - if you have a good grip, you have a clear advantage. On the other hand, the wing is still balanced in the hand even in high winds, but then you can also inflate the front tube to the permitted maximum (8psi). When manoeuvring, the Raptor benefits from its well-balanced pull distribution, but is a little less playful when rotating due to its larger wingspan compared to models from other brands.
Conclusion:
Powerful, stiff and with very balanced handling across all wind ranges, the SIC Raptor is not an extreme featherweight, but an absolutely balanced all-rounder.
Power; Tight ride feel; Equipment
Large span
No window
