Airush Vapor III 2009

versatile performer .

An easy to fly kite that offers massive stability and personal tuning ability (bar pressure and window position).
A blend of precision steering, high depower, and increased stability, the Vapor III is a versatile performer that merges improved unhooked performance and heightened boosting characteristics making it perfect for aggressive freeride and freestyle riding.

Positive steering characteristics with roll over re-launch, high de-power and increased stability. Excellent for all level of riding from dedicated wave riding to dedicated freestyle, with improved un-hooked performance and reduced back stall.

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• Direct responsive steering
• Adjustable bar pressure system
• Adjustable steering speed
• Reduced back stall
• Un-hooked performance
• Constant canopy support
• FBI (fast bladder inflation) single pump system
• Simple to re launch with rollover relaunch
• Aluminium shaft pump on all sizes

(click here for Kiteworld test).
(click here for Kiteboarder test).
Product Overview

• The concept of the Vapor II is to develop a kite that maintains the steering characteristic of a high performance C-Kite with a new level of extended wind range and static depower traditionally only found in bridled kites.

• The Vapor II is a flat 5 configuration featuring an advanced 5th line system that supports the leading edge of the kite. This enables enhanced safety, depower and overall performance.

• Excellent for all level of riding from dedicated wave riding to dedicated freestyle.


One of the keys to the Vapors high performance in wide wind range is the constant canopy support (CCS). With traditional 5th line systems, changes in depower and trim cause the canopy to have reduced support in the centre area. This causes elongation of the centre of the canopy which reduces the kites performance, depower and stability.

With constant canopy support, the unique design ensures the load on the center lines and front lines is unchanged when trim is adjusted. The CCS can be bypassed by releasing a simple “pigtail” style connection.

By moving the front attachment points on the vapor III, the rider can adjust the amount of bar pressure and bar feedback. Typically, Freestyle riders would prefer a higher level of bar pressure and feedback while for Freeride the standard setting is ideal. A user guide with line dimensions has been printed on the kite to make adjustments really simple.

The Vapor III offers FRAME TECH reinforcing through out the canopy. This technology is designed to optimize material strength. Where the light weight canopy cloth meets the Leading edge and struts, and also at the trailing edge, it is sandwiched together with other materials to maximize the overall strength of each individual panel of the kite.

Compared to the Vapor II
Kite Comparison
• Really positive bar feedback, you can feel where the kite is 100% like never before.
• Unhooked has improved dramatically, as soon as you pop there is virtually no pull from the kite making handle passes really easy.
• Instant turning as soon as you touch the bar, no delay while the kite accelerates
• Refined kite profile - Wind range is created by flying the kite, giving more dynamic feel when combined with the improvements in steering.

Compared to the Flow FT
Kite Comparison
• The Vapor is designed to work together with the Flow FT to meet the demand of the majority of the Freeride market.
• Due to the Bar release safety on the Flow and focus on stability the Flow is more suited to entry level Customers.
• The Vapor has more direct faster steering than the Flow
• The Vapor is faster through the window than the Flow.
• The Vapor is less pivotal in its steering moving more towards the Generator in its steering characteristics.

Compared to the Generator
Kite Comparison
• The Vapor has more de-power than the Generator
• The Vapor has roll-over re-launch.
• The Vapor has more direct faster steering than the Flow
• The Vapor is designed to be more forgiving than the Generator while still maintaining the high performance C-Kite steering characteristics.
• The Vapor has an increased top end wind range over the Generator.



Vapor III 5 - Complete - 45cm bar
Vapor III 7 - Complete - 45cm bar
Vapor III 8.5 - Complete - 45cm bar
Vapor III 10 - Complete - 45cm bar
Vapor III 12 - Complete - 55cm bar
Vapor III 14 - Complete - 55cm bar
Vapor III 16 - Complete - 55cm bar


Vapor 5 Line bar

The vapor bar is strong, functional and very well engineered;
- front lines locked to the 5th line above the adjuster strap to prevent trim alterations when adjusting setting with the power strap.
- Large milled alloy central bar insert for minimal wear and easy bar travel and movement.
- 5th line gives full re-ride safety and easy water relaunch
- Contoured bar with visual clues as to the orientation when riding
- Extremely durable lines that have virtually no breakage in the history of the model.
- Easy stow clips for neat storage on the bar ends.
- Adjustable chicken loop lines for long / short arm and hook in/out preferences.
- Compatible with the 5-Line Strap Bar with adjustable depower strap above the depower line. - Modular control bar design to allow for multi functional leash, depower and line configuration. - Both feature the Airush unique “On the fly” stopper ball, for easy bar adjustments. - Increased simplicity of the bar and reduced weight of components.

Surfstore’s description;
Coming from the 5 line hybrid family, whose main competition is the Rebel, the new Vapor III is a more technical sibling that offers a much more athletic performance for ’09 pushing it’s performance way above the average freeride kite, much closer to the Vegas and 666 style kites of the freestyle community.
Slightly less powerful size for size than last years Vapor they are much faster in the bigger models. They still appeal to a very wide range or rider, still have lots of depower, and the feel of the kite is much better this year; it feels highly accurate with much more efficiency. It’s no harder to use just more capable.
The 5 line hybrids are incredibly precise to fly compared to 4 line hybrids and the Vapor III is no exception. This is a very well engineered kite to appeal to those who value precise and responsive handling.
The build quality of the Vapor is also exceptional. Not the lightest but light enough, the detail, engineering and material quality is excellent for ‘09. The one pump is reliable, easily serviceable and very effective. We have had no issues with replacement spares or bladders where needed.

Also Consider;
North Rebel - the mainstream and original 5 line hybrid, yet more intermediate based, the Vapor is far quicker and more agile / unhooked capable.
North Vegas - the freestyle equivalent, but lacking in windrange, and a little slower.
Nobile 666 - The freestyle equivalent with more windrange than the Vegas, a similar style of kite to the Vapor, but with a softer feel.

Kiteworld Test;

Airush Vapor 10m

Coming soon!!
Main Airush Promo video here; clicky

Another VP III promo vid;