Axis foils vs. unifoil

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I am trying to find a set up that I can dock start and also wake foil with and I have been looking at either going with the axis PNG 1300 V2 or the Unifoil Evo 235. I demo the 235 and liked it, but haven’t gotten a chance to demo the axis wondering if anyone has experience with both. Is the PNG is better for a true dock start long distance pump set up or would the Evo 235 work? I am 185 pounds. Want to be able to carve annd glide on wake foiling. It not interested in jumping or hard rail turns correctly. Just wondering what family might be best suited for me. insight welcome.

thank you.

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Havenʻt ridden either of these foils, but on paper, thereʻs no way the PNG turns as good as the EVO because of the difference in span. If youʻre worried about long distance pumping, the PNG is probably going to be the better wing, but EVO has similar specs to the Code S series which I ride. Itʻs probably a good balance of pump and turning for itʻs size. I think the EVO 235 would be fairly easy to dock start and pump for a couple minutes as long as youʻre not a beginner.

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I have dock started the EVO 235 using a knee start. It is a super fun foil to pump, turns great and has great top end speed but it’s not beginner friendly nor will it be good for long distance pumping. PNG will be slower, turn poorer but will pump longer. I weigh about 160lbs. My friend who is 190lb and is proficient pump foiler can’t dock start it.

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I have dock started 235 and it was fast. like all unifoil wings needs more energy. a guy north of 200lbs dockstarts 235 and has been killing it. a great dock wing. but not a beginner wing. havent tried the v2 png but v1 is easy and kinda fun on a skinny tail

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I’ve got a lot of time on both brands. I’ve ridden a bunch of the Axis PNG V2 wings, currently own a PNG V1 1150, plus the 1401 and 1201, and I’ve owned plenty of other Axis foils over the years.

I also ride Unifoil almost every day. I’ve spent a lot of time on the Evolution 205, 175, and 155, along with the Progression 200, 170, 140, and 125, plus the Vipers and Hypers. The only Evolution I haven’t ridden is the 235. I’m 200 lbs, for reference.

Honestly, I keep coming back to the 1150 PNG for dock starts around boat wakes and small waves. The bigger Axis glide wings pump forever, but they’re just so much span that they don’t want to turn. The 1150 isn’t a great pumping wing by today’s standards, but Axis still doesn’t really have anything that combines a low stall speed with good carving. Their newer glide wings are built for efficiency more than playfulness.

For me, that’s where Unifoil shines. The Evolution series is outstanding. I know some people say they’re technical, but I don’t find them difficult. The 205 has been awesome for small bumps, the 175 is great in smaller surf, and the 155 is my daily driver in waves.

Based on how the other Evolution wings ride, I’d be surprised if the 235 wasn’t an incredible dock start and wake wing, especially paired with one of the higher aspect tails.

If your only goal is pumping the farthest or longest, Axis is hard to beat. But if you actually want to carve, surf, and have fun while pumping, I think Unifoil is in a different league. That’s why I’m probably selling my 1201, and maybe my 1401 too. Around my local canals and the Intracoastal they pump forever, but they carry so much speed and span that making tight turns just isn’t much fun.

Another advantage is that if you ever want to get into downwind, prone, winging, or parawing, the Unifoil lineup transitions really well.

I’ve ridden Axis for years, and my impression has always been the same. They’re always good, “but” there’s usually a pretty significant compromise somewhere. Every Unifoil I’ve owned has just felt more balanced.

I’m 200lbs. Advanced intermediate rider. Zero sponsors or ambassadorships.

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Dillionaire,

Thanks for the insight. Have you ridden any other axis lines like spitfire or other. My thought was to get the png for pure dock start then eventually get a more wake foil specific foil. I have a decent wake set up (slingshot phantasm g1000) so was trying to add a new discipline to quiver. But your saying that the spitfire line will have a compromise as well where the unifoil stuff is more universal?

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Amazing comparison from Matt, I was in similar boat, had the big axis foils for dock start and downwind but always found them to locked in a not a good surf foil. Then had uni for the surf vibes. But I would say you should consider code the S series sits in between an axis art and a uni evo. Very effiecent but turns nearly as good uni evo. I am 190 lbs and 6ft 4, a code kanaga or big s and then a smaller s could be an amazing quiver.

I am a code team rider but bought into the system out of pocket and sold my axis and uni before I joined the team!

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+1 on this.

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(Edit: I didn’t realize until now that’s you Nick :face_blowing_a_kiss:) I was “kind of” offended an opportunity to ride code stuff with a deal through a shop. I love the brand Code and genuinely recommend to many… I have been on a handful of their different wings. They are very good, but I prefer Unifoil more. …if I couldn’t ride Uni it would probably be code

PS- I’m not sure getting team pricing is worth the pressure to create content for any brand :joy:

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I dock start the axis spitfire 1180. I’d totally recommend it for someone who wants to pump and chase wakes to surf.

I have a unifoil progression setup for prone foil but the range of Axis gear for freshwater/pump foiling is hard to beat.

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+1000 on this haha holy shit people

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The axis surge foils pump and carve pretty well. I tried the 1010, 950 and 830. I would get a big surge for pump / wake, but I pump in no wake zones, so the 1300v2 is fine for me. Turns reasonably well with a small tail.

The 1400v2 is much slower, it feels like a 1310. Launches differently because it wants less speed. The 1750 is faster, doesn’t turn easily, but gives me the chance to glide at 190lbs.

I’m not sponsored either. I’d consider being tail sponsored where brands can only send me tails.

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Why would a brand pay Jack Ho for instance, when they can just give people a 20% discount and require them to post every week. :slight_smile:

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I owned a 1300v2 when they first came out and I would say it’s more of a stand out for easy SUP / parawing foil than it is dockstart or wake. Never tried any Unis.

The 1300v2 turns really well for a big foil and still pumps pretty well, it turns a bit worse than the SF1180 but pumps with a fraction of the effort.

I didn’t like the 1300v2 for flat water pumping very much though, but it was good for dock DW or wake thieving.

When it comes to wake, sure you can wake foil the 1300v2 but it’s way bigger than you’d want to be riding. Depends on your wake a bit but generally if it’s your boat you’ll want to be on something near 1000 sqcm or smaller.

For dock + wake I would suggest you look at the Surge 1150 if you want to dock more or the Surge 1080 if you want to have more fun on the wake.

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