The fifth version of the Slingwing is currently on the market, available in two colours and in sizes from 2.0 to 6.5 m². We tested the Wing in size 5.0.
On land
The most striking design change already happened with the Slingwing from V3 to V4 (Here is a test)when the wing was tuned much tighter. The rigid basic structure was also retained in the V5. The wing has a very high cloth tension, especially at the front, and the profile is neither extremely deep nor conspicuously flat. The Slingshot Slingwing V5 is ventilated via two insulated SUP valves, the inflation pressure of the front tube is specified as 10 psi. In contrast to the previous version, the V5 is now supplied with a continuous boom. This offers a pleasantly thin diameter and enough distance from the strut to allow a relaxed grip during manoeuvres. If desired, the boom can be quickly removed using the ingenious click system, so the V5 can be flown with either boom or handles. Slingshot has also installed a fixed handle on the front tube, which should allow the wing to be guided without delay when drifting on the wave.
The other features of the wing are also impeccable: the seams on the front tube and the wing tips have been protected with additional patches. The scope of delivery includes a matching leash and a rucksack.
On the water
The Slingwing V5 is well balanced in the hand. Although it is not one of the lightest models on the market in terms of weight, it still feels manageable thanks to its well-balanced flying position. When starting off, the Wing seems almost a little tight at the lower wind limit, but if you weigh less than 75 kilos, you can safely under-inflate the Wing by one psi. This makes the wing slightly more powerful. Overall, however, the Slingwing V5 can be pumped perfectly. Once it has taken off, it provides a good mixture of flight stability on the one hand and a certain agility on the other, which encourages manoeuvres or freestyle tricks.
The continuous boom is comfortable to grip, and due to the high profile tension, the centre of effort remains as if nailed down even in stronger gusts, which means that you have to make pleasantly few corrections and can relax on your tracks. The impression when drifting is also absolutely positive: The fixed front handle allows the wing to be controlled precisely, and it also levells out very stably and flies weightlessly behind you when riding down swells. And in manoeuvres? Here too, the wing feels lighter than the nominal weight on the scales would suggest: The Slingshot Slingwing V5 is just as convincing as an agile wing in standard manoeuvres such as tacking and jibing as it is in complicated freestyle tricks. Only the visibility corridor to leeward is rather limited due to the arrangement of the windows.
Slingshot Slingwing V5 - the conclusion
The Slingshot Slingwing V5 doesn't go too extreme in any direction and ultimately scores with its flawless all-round qualities. Performance, control, manoeuvre handling and neutrality are consistently at a high level - the result is a very wide range of use, from freeride to freestyle to wave riding.
Area of application
Arrangement of the windows
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Slingshot Slingwing V5 - technical data
- Test model: Slingshot Slingwing V5 (since September 2024)
- Wingspan: 324 cm
- Depth: 207 cm
- Weight (own measurement, without leash): 3.10 kg
- Weight: 620 g/m2
- Available sizes: 2,0/2,5/3,0/3,5/4,0/4,5/5,0/5,5/6,0/6,5 qm
- Scope of delivery: Wing, rucksack, leash
- Price (test model): 1129 Euro
- Contact: To the website
