North Vert

North have continued a startling rate of evolution in their foil range with the 2025 collection of boards. The North Vert features a progressive teardrop shape which provides a perfect fusion between ease and performance for those looking to push their surf-style prone foil game.

In true North fashion, the Vert is finished with a beautiful brushed carbon design which completes a premium looking product with zero imperfections in sight. The build quality feels second to none and the Vert boasts a 100% carbon shell construction with internal structural reinforcement. This is not only highly resistant to damage from the daily perils of use and abuse, but also leads to a super stiff platform translating to optimum pump efficiency and magnified foil sensitivity.

The teardrop shape proved one of the easiest high performance shapes we have tried. The wide nose packs volume up front which allows early entry into the wave and provides a stable surface when planing to lean forward and get to your feet. This intelligent volume distribution leads to an extremely nosedive-resistant platform despite a relatively flat rocker, which helps accelerate the board quickly when scraping into fatter lumps.

The significantly pulled-in tail and sharp rails provide a seamless transition onto the foil where the performance characteristics come to the fore. The Vert is relatively thin (at 2 5/8” for the 4’5 it’s only a fraction of an inch off a groveler surfboard) and this, combined with a super stiff carbon construction, leads to impressive connection to the foil. This allows instantaneous foil control and any subtle change in foot pressure is directly translated allowing elevated control which is magnified in turbulent conditions. Just as important is the pumping efficiency gained from a direct board and the Vert feels like little energy is lost with each kick in the back leg, maximizing the potential of the foil.

As always, North have thought through every practicality that may plague the mind of the lazy foiler. Most notably, their classic Drop Box system makes setup such a breeze compared to other methods and the deck pad design includes three different colored sections, making it simple to pinpoint the zones for optimum foot positioning at a glance. Pad extensions around the front rails are also included to prevent slipping whilst duck diving and popping up which is certainly welcome in more punchy surf. Despite all this it is worth noting that the Vert comes without strap inserts. Although this saves weight and the swell board does fit this gap in the range, it seems a shame to not give surf-style riders the ability to experiment with straps especially in bigger conditions.

Overall, the North Vert feels like the cutting edge of board design with pure surf-style performance in mind whilst still being accessible for those looking to improve their riding. It is truly the best of both worlds and provides a platform which one could learn on and progress with up to the most radical carves.