Duotone Duke 2025

Our most successful 5-batten sail ever made a big comeback in SS23, and for SS25 we’ve given it a fresh new look!

The DUKE combines our LIGHT DONE RIGHT construction with all the other design concepts developed over the past decade to set a new standard for wind-range focused handling sails.

Developing the DUKE was a 1.5-year project, with you, the end user, always at the heart of the process. We started by involving “real” end-consumers who regularly use these kinds of sails and our surf centers to create a wish list for the DUKE’s rebirth, and here’s what came out of it and how we approached it:

Maximum wind range, especially in changing and/or very gusty conditions.

This is the most important factor and the main advantage of choosing a 5-batten handling sail. Simply put, more battens give you more control and a wider wind range. Usually, this negatively affects low-end power because more battens make it harder for the wind to fill the sail, making it less efficient for pumping. That’s why we incorporated the BATTEN FREE CENTER concept from the SUPER_HERO. Instead of the usual even batten spacing, the DUKE has a bigger gap between the foot batten and the batten above the boom. This makes the boom area easier to inflate and increases stability at the top (thanks to the higher batten density there). Another downside is that each batten adds weight to the sail. That’s why there’s been a trend toward fewer battens in wave sails over recent years.

Super light feel in your hands but built to last more than 1-2 seasons.

The lighter weight of 4-batten sails was the main reason 5-batten sails disappeared over the last decade. Luckily, we’ve made major construction improvements in the past 10 years. The result is the LIGHT DONE RIGHT CONSTRUCTION introduced in 2022. By replacing the usual multilayer reinforcements with a single layer of high-quality fabric and adding the ONE PIECE SLEEVE, we reduced the overall weight by 300g. Most importantly, we’re the only brand to achieve these weight savings without thinning the film and XPly panels. Only this way can we still guarantee our unmatched 5-year warranty. Another issue with thinner film is that the sail becomes spongy as energy dissipates in the increased stretch, making it feel heavier in your hands. So unlike others, our sails are not just lighter on the scale but especially lighter in your hands on the water when you use them. Because that’s what really counts!

Early planing power even without excessive pumping

To maximize planing power, the DUKE features a high draft distribution combined with a deep profile that helps lift the board onto the plane.

Super neutral in maneuvers

To make tricks and turns as easy as possible, the sail should become completely neutral during maneuvers. That’s why the DUKE has a more forward draft position. The forward draft cuts the power and goes fully neutral as soon as you sheet out or shift the sail. This results in a much higher success rate.

Good lift and control for jumping

The higher draft position also increases your airtime by generating lift, while the more forward draft position helps you stay in control at all times.

Maximum range of use

One of the DUKE’s greatest strengths is its versatility. It’s pure joy in bump & jump conditions on your freewave board or as a smaller sail for blasting around on your freeride board. The forward/up draft position also makes it very capable for classic and even new school freestyle tricks. And last but not least, it’s a great sail for medium wave and/or jumping conditions, especially in gusty or challenging winds. So, the new DUKE is a true all-round high-performance contender that challenges any handling sail out there.

Straightforward and fast to rig

With all the features, markers, and tips we’ve developed over the past 40 years, it’s safe to say there’s no sail faster or more precise to rig than a DUOTONE sail. This means even if you’re not a pro rigging and trimming your sail every day, you’ll still get the correct trim. Because only with the correct trim can you unlock 100% of the sail’s performance.

Similar feel to your bigger Freeride/Performance sails

Another important factor is that all the sails in your quiver should feel and behave similarly. This even applies to pros, as it usually takes them a full day to get used to and adjust their style to a sail that feels very different. The main reason sails feel different is the draft position in the sail. Luckily, the DUKE has you covered here too, featuring a draft position very similar to the vast majority of modern freeride sails.

So, you see, we’ve poured all our know-how and experience into creating the most sophisticated Jump N’ Ride high-performance sail ever.

Finally, the new DUKE comes in 2 optional constructions:

+ The regular DUKE features a 50% monofilm construction with all high-load areas (foot, clew, top, luff) reinforced with XPly.

+ The DUKE HD, on the other hand, is made entirely from XPly to give you that extra peace of mind.