Duotone UNIT SLS Concept Blue

As a specific model, Duotone’s UNIT has probably seen some of the biggest leaps in development from year-to-year with the designers clearly not afraid to take risks and push boundaries. We’ve come a long way from the foam-handled first model five years ago! This year there’s three different flavors to choose from: a traditional Dacron model, the D/LAB Aluula high end and upper price point, and what we’re focused on here which is the all-new UNIT SLS Concept Blue. This comes in one, very white (we’ll explain later) colorway.

SLS (Superior Lighter Stronger) we know about, but ‘Concept Blue?’ I hear you exclaim in a quizzical manner. What’s all that about then? Well, it’s Duotone’s effort to reduce the environmental impact of their products, which some may say is a contradiction in terms for a primarily plastic product. We’ll leave that up to your discretion/conscience and soldier on with the nuts and bolts in any case.

On the SLS version, you’ll notice a golden segment of Aluula in the mid-section where the strut joins the leading edge. This now widely utilized premium material stiffens this all-important juncture and firms up the airframe, saving quite a bit of weight compared to the heavier white Dacron used on the standard UNIT. This weight saving doesn’t stop here with a Penta TX frame material and all-new lighter 69gsm MOD3 S canopy. Neither of these fabrics are dyed, the bladders are bio based and the plastic components are made from recycled materials, which is much of the Concept Blue designation.

The canopy has far less segmentation and seaming than the ‘24 version. It appears the panels have been tailored more efficiently to create a clean shape from a greatly reduced number of joins. The warp and weft has been aligned cunningly to maximize its stiffness vs the load direction. The canopy seaming has all been reinforced with a narrow band of black tape to beef up the joins, and smooth the edges. This is important longevity consideration with a modern wing when so much tension is loaded into the canopy on inflation to control the profile.

If you’re a wave-focused rider that’s come off the 2024 UNIT, you’ll immediately notice far less oscillation when the wing is flagged on the neutral handle, which this year has far more structure. This has been achieved by flattening the mid-section of the canopy and allowing the canopy a little more breathing space. It’s a far more powerful wing than the ’24 in terms of low-end punch and gets up onto foil fast. We felt there was far more linear power development over less sheeting range, and stability through tacks and upwind maneuvers was improved on previous years with a more nimble (perhaps from the new handles) and purposeful feeling around the bends.

Across the entire range this year the handle system have been massively improved. The UNIT can now sport either a Fusion boom or twin hard-handle configuration which bolt on and off with a Torx key. Blanking plates are also provided to cover the sockets for the handles if you just use the two points for the boom. The handles themselves are a smaller diameter than previously, with an oval profile and generally feel far less clunky than previous models. At the nose of the wing, there’s more space between the strut and the boom allowing you to grip vertically and hold the wing up, which can be useful in a downwind or lightwind situation. If you choose the twin handle option rather than the boom, the angle of the grips follow the angle change in the strut and is more centered at the rider. It’s worth noting that at point of sale, no grip system is provided with the wing, so you can choose from boom or handles at purchase.

Occasionally people struggle when environmental issues are used as a marketing lever, but in this case it’s perhaps better to do something than nothing, particularly for a large established brand like Duotone. They’ve achieved a solid product and minimized impact, which is commendable. Whilst obviously far from a fully sustainable product, it’s a step in the right direction, and seems to make no compromise to the performance and longevity of the product. Eco credentials aside, the latest Concept Blue UNIT is leaner, meaner and far more balanced, and an asset to the Duotone range. Hovering between the D/LAB and standard UNIT, it probably offers most on the performance versus price scale.