F-One Strike V2 vs. Duotone Unit V2 - An Icy Cage Match

Being a cooler than typical winter here in Michigan, I’ve been jonesing for a session far too long. Fresh new goodies were just sitting unused like a pile of visible regrets. After hunting for weeks for an opening in the ice, I was finally blessed with a pool which was large enough to ride in. Furthermore, the weather was actually nice at 40 deg air, 34 deg water, and sunshine.

I’ll have some more formal video reviews coming in the next few weeks but wanted to get the info out ASAP for those riders thirsty for info on these new wings.

2022F-one Strike V2

As one of my favorite wings in 2021, I was amped to try the next generation Strike, the long awaited 2022 F-one Strike V2 wing. Thankfully, the wind was perfect for testing the 5m. Starting at 16kn and ramping up to near 23kn by the time I was done with it, which was the ideal range for me on this wing. I could go on about the Strike but since most wingers are familiar with it, I’ll focus on the changes for version two.

Overall, the V2 is very similar to the V1. If you liked the V1, I guarantee you’ll like the V2. It maintains that legendary grunt and upward lift which makes getting on foil super easy, especially on smaller gear than other wings would allow. The improvement over the V1 is a slight increase in forward pull and speed which results in better acceleration and apparent wind. There is nothing I can point to physically that would cause that but I assume they’ve refined the foil section.

The strut is notably wider for 2022 which results in a more direct feel and powerful response to pumps in lighter winds. The two handles at first glance appear to be the same as the V1 Strike, but after riding and closer examination they’ve been thickened slightly for a more comfortable grip and re-positioned for a more balanced ride on your arms. I would say that it maintains that classic F-One back-handed feel but not so much as the first generation Strike or Swing wings. My back hand was less fatigued as a result but I would appreciate the back grip moved back slightly for my personal preference.

In typical F-One fashion, the wing build is exceptionally light weight and well balanced which makes it intuitive and an excellent performer in waves. Like previous F-One wings, the leading edge tapers towards the tip which results in some planned deformation during gusts and pumping. This gives the wing some reflex to absorb gusts like a Cadillac but does shed some pumping power for heavy riders as a result.

As a Strike V1 lover, I’m so happy they didn’t ruin the special feeling and performance of that wing and improved upon it. Look for the Strike V2 to be another frontrunner for 2022 and get your orders, pre-orders in ASAP because supply is looking like it will be overrun by demand for the third year in a row.

2022 Duotone Unit V2

Another hotly anticipated wing I managed to test on this unicorn session was the Duotone Unit V2 in dacron construction. Duotone’s marketing is arguably the finest in windsports, which has us all drooling over the new gear before we can even stress our finances to purchase them.

Unlike the Strike V2, the Unit V2 is a complete overhaul of the Unit V1. It’s nearly unrecognizable if you remove the signature Duotone logos and coloring. Ken and Duotone really went back to the drawing board with their experience designing the Wing Foil, Echo, Unit V1, and Slick wings.

The most visible change is the handles. Duotone has been known for their boom designs and the V1 Unit featured some handles with a sort of foam grip. The Unit V2 draws inspiration from both into two rigid “boom style handles” with grip like a kiteboard control bar. This arguably provides the best of both worlds in terms of weight, hand adjustment, pack-ability, and ease of finding that handle blindly. The handles are well placed and small enough to grip easily with a loose grip. The completely rigid design transfers energy immediately into the boom for instant feedback. Big points for ergonomics and ease of use. However, with 5mm mitts on, more grip is required for hard grips rather than loop handles. So, in frigid weather, expect additional fatigue.

There are no dedicated attachment points for harness lines, so I have to assume that Duotone intends for you to use a windsurf style harness line. Some will velcro around the handles, others will require you to unscrew one end of the handle to loop over. If you prefer a rope style harness line that doesn’t whack you in the face during transitions, then you’ll connect with a pigtail slipknot to the grip. You may need a longer pigtail than normal or an extension to loop around the entire grip. Also, expect the grip to wear down in that area more quickly due to the friction on the grip.

Once on the water it was immediately apparent that the Unit is unlike any other Duotone wing. It’s light, well powered, and has excellent lift/grunt which makes it easy to get up on foil quickly and send huge jumps. The Unit V1 was pretty focused on its wave riding performance, so having a much more versatile and well rounded performance is a welcome surprise. I’d suggest it's the best “do all styles” wing in their lineup. However, the surf performance is still uncompromising. It feels featherweight in your hands and the balance is mindless.

As a 200lb+ rider with my cold weather gear on, rigidity is always a priority for me on wings, especially in lighter winds. This was the most polarizing difference between the Strike V2 and Unit V2 for me during this session. The Unit V2 feels more stiff and raw in the power whereas the Strike2 is smoother with less immediate feedback due to the wingtip flex. I found the Unit 5m to be rigid and was happy that as I pushed it into the mid-twenty knot range, it held its shape well. Of course, the D/LAB with Aluula material always offers that next level stiffness and feather weight handling which cannot be understated if you can digest the price.

Classic Duotone inflation with the Airport valve works well as long as you don’t overturn the open/close mechanism. Dumps slower than most valves if you don’t use the dump valve. Dump valves on the wingtip and strut make packing up quick and easy. Just don’t forget to plug them before inflating ;) I found them a bit stiff in cold weather so it’s probably best to dump from the inflation valve rather than tear the plug off in your efforts.

As part of the Duotone lineup, it’s refreshing to see a wing which is also excellent but very different from the feel you get on the Slick wing. The Slick pulls forward whereas the Unit has a lot more lift and grunt which some riders prefer. Those wanting maximum apparent wind and speed should choose the Slick. Those wanting an easy up, pack-ability, surf performance, the ability to ride smaller gear, or jump higher than before should take a good look at the Unit.