I’ve noticed that Lift doesn’t release new gear as frequently as some other brands. Despite this, there seems to be a strong, loyal following. For those of you who stick with Lift, what is it about their gear that keeps you in the Lift club?
I’ve heard that some new front wings might be releasing soon. Does anyone have any insights or details on what we can expect?
I’m curious to hear from the community about what you feel is missing from your Lift quiver and what improvements or additions you’d like to see.
EDIT: I didn’t answer the question properly at all haha. But lift ha90 is still one of my favorite prone foils. I sold it while I still could get money for it as I saw the used market crash coming. I do miss it though.
I wouldn’t say I’m a loyal user after a year of use but it has been a great year on the 150 and 110X. That 150X is just a really fun all around foil with a tremendous range for my 87Kg (down winging). Sometimes it’s a little too big and the 110 just isn’t appropriate and the 120 seems like it’d be just perfect but I can’t bring myself to buy one given the age of the foil. If it was $510 new like the 90 has been for a while now though I’d probably do it. I notice that used 120’s last about 10 minutes on buy/sell boards so it’s obviously still a viable alternative
I switched from lift to AFS mainly so I could prone on the amazing Silk range. I ‘loaned’ some of my old lift gear to beginners and friends as couldn’t really sell it for much/enough, and I will always hold on to the ha120, ha150x wings.
The ha120 in particular is such a special wing and I will never let go of it!
That said, I’m super happy with the switch to AFS and use them every day for prone.
There is so much to think about when starting out, I feel like Lift not having any sort of shimming just simplifies things, helping to prevent foil brain explosions.
I started on them because they are a big name on the east coast here, and lots of people were using them so quiver sharing was an option.
I think there is a hole between the 120 and the two 150s.
Also a hole in AR. I forget… isn’t the jump something like 7-ish and then 10+?
I’m curious to hear from the community about what you feel is missing from your Lift quiver and what improvements or additions you’d like to see.
I think most brand should have 3 lines of “performance” foils :
Some downwind race foils, with AR around 13. They should be focused on average speed and energy saving. For instance Code R and Armstrong DWP.
Some fast - glide surfing / downwind carving ; AR around 10. References are Lift HA, Armstrong HA, FOne Eagle…
Some very surf oriented wing ; AR around 8 such as FOne Sk8 or AFS Silk.
(Most wingers will ride wings above, expect those really into race or freestyle maybe)
So from this what does Lift misses ?
About “downwind race” line, they only have the 110HAX. So first thing is that it misses some sizes : maybe 130 (~850cm², 105 span) and 160 (~1050cm², 115 span).
The “fast - glide surfing / downwind carving” is 70HA, 90HA, 120HA, 150HAX, 180HAX, 220HAX. This is very fine.
And for “surf oriented” wing, the 100/150 surf are nowhere near the Silk or Sk8 in my opinion. So maybe rework that line.
In addition, I’d like a 30 mast (77cm).
For those of you who stick with Lift, what is it about their gear that keeps you in the Lift club?
Answer is above : their “fast - glide surfing / downwind carving” was ahead of its time and is still very good, especially the 90, 120 and 150.
I had many foils (AFS, FOne, Armstrong, Sabfoil, Unifoil, Takuma…) and I do not think theses 3 are outdated.
I’ve heard that some new front wings might be releasing soon. Does anyone have any insights or details on what we can expect?
There were some stuff about an 120HA v2, and maybe a 130/140 HAX with AR13.
But Lift seems to be good at keeping stuff secret
Iv been riding lift most of my foil career. I’ll start out by saying I would be willing to try any foil if the opportunity presented itself.
I prone the 90HA and the 120HA, and when I downwind I’m on the 150HAX most of the time.
I ride lift for a few reasons
it’s what I’m used to. When I do try other gear it feels off to me. The foot pressure is all wrong or it feels slow and draggy. I think that’s one of the things lift does well is its speed and glide through the water
it’s what’s readily available in my area. Iv traveled a fair amount and what Iv found is certain brands have “territories” seems like Europe has a lot of axis, Armstrong is pretty big in AUS/ NZD probably due to location. Uni is east and maybe west coast of US. f one and code seem to be a little bit of everywhere and I think that’s is due to there heavy social media/ team presence.
I do think nick and the team at lift are exceptional designers who have helped bring the sport to where we are today. The fact that the 120ha is so old and still a relevant foil shows that these guys put out some amazing products.
construction. 4 screws that’s all you need to assemble the whole thing. (Besides the baseplate hardware) I like the streamlined and simplicity of their assembly. Everything is made to a very snug fit to the point that I use a rubber mallet to assemble and disassemble. Not only is it easy but more importantly I think it supplies a tighter, more rigid fit with way less room for flex which as we all know isn’t a good thing.
this bring me to my next point which might be a negative for a lot of people. I personally like the no shimming decisions. I show up, Know what I’m gonna ride, and go. I don’t have to constantly adjust tiny things and make incremental choices. I can really understand my foil and be able to predict its feel better because It’s always the same and I never change it. Besides some sliding back and forth in the tracks.
All that being said no one’s perfect and there is some things I wish were better with the brand. Specifically in their surf range of wings. Like @Kezia said. I also have heard rumblings of some new wings hitting the market so I’m excited to check them out.
Im a firm believer that our sport has progressed so much and so fast that any of the top 3-5 brands are putting out such good gear that as long as you don’t buy the older gen gear you’ll be getting a great set up.
In general it seems to me that Lift gives less details and hype about its new releases less than other brands. But while they come out with fewer wings than other brands - their lineup all rides very well. The 120 is still a go to wing for me.
I like the connection system, and the once piece tails are a simplicity I appreciate. Their customer service has been stellar when I have had issues.
I heard from a very reputable source that new wings are coming this month.
I agree with all responses made above. Lift is also a brand I have stuck by since I began foiling. This is for a number of reason. I am a busy father and don’t get many opportunities to ride. When I do, I want simplicity with gear and speed in getting on the water. Four bolts, no shimming and I’m done. I don’t have the time or inclination to geek out on stuff. With Lift it all just works.
I am certain I could find another brand that could do some aspects of my riding better (turn, glide etc) but I don’t want to sacrifice water time or dollars on that process for what may be only marginal advances in performance. For a pro it would matter, not for me as a weekend hack.
Lastly, I love how they only release gear once in a while. Their gear is typically benchmark for the segment. I don’t have to keep up with the Jones with buying yearly releases with the latest marketing tweaks.
A standout foil for me was the 120HA for winging in waves. Only recently (and reluctantly) swapped it out for the F130x and couldn’t be happier.
