EN-B
Beginner to intermediate
Reviews of EN-B class gliders.
GIN Bandit 2 — A Light Mid-B That's Agile in Thermals
This suits pilots who have flown high-Bs and want something calmer without giving up performance. There is less to manage in strong air, and the fun of turning stays. A pilot moving up to mid-B for the first time should fly it alongside the Hiko P and Theta and see whether a little more feel underneath is welcome.
PHI Maestro 3 & Maestro 3 Light — A High-B That Performs Best Loaded
Pilots moving over from a Maestro 2 should rethink their weight first. Pick the same size at your Maestro 2 weight and the wing may be slow into thermals, leaving part of its climb unused. Choose a size you can load at the top of the range, or into the extended range if needed.
MAC PARA Eden 8 (23) — A Semi-Light High B That Goes Far on XC
A wing to try first if you want more XC distance from a high B without moving up to C. If you are coming from the Eden 7, expect a little more roll.
BGD Base 3 M — A High B That Flies as Easily as a Mid-B
It suits a pilot who wants to move up to high B but worries about how much the wing will move in rough air. In stronger thermals it climbs more slowly than the Rook 4 or Rush 6, so it is for pilots who value hours of comfortable flying over climb speed. Choose the size that puts you near its maximum weight.
Niviuk Hiko-P — A Light Mid-B for Hike-and-Fly and Everyday Flying
It suits a low-to-mid B pilot who would rather not keep a separate light wing for hike-and-fly alongside a main glider. In strong thermals you accept being slower than higher classes, and in return one wing gives you a light pack and turns that are fun to fly.
FLOW Freedom 2 Light — A Light High-B with an Outstanding Climb
It suits pilots who want a light high-B without giving up comfort, since the light version is calmer than the standard-cloth Freedom 2. The trade is trim speed, slightly slower than the Rook 4's, so it fits pilots who put climb ahead of speed. Bassil would have liked a simpler riser setup, but he calls that a tiny detail.
Gin Calypso 2 (S) — A Light Low B That's Easy to Launch
A pilot fresh out of school and torn between an A and a B could talk this wing over with their instructor. Its collapse behaviour is close to A-class level, yet it stays easy to handle at top speed, so it can stay with you once your skills grow and you start flying XC.
Triple Seven Rook 4 MS — A High-B with an Efficient Glide
A pilot moving up from the Rook 3 gets an easier launch and a better trim glide, in exchange for a wing that moves slightly more. Float in very weak thermals is almost unchanged. A pilot who wants calmer movement in a high-B should fly the Mentor 7 S as well before choosing.
UP Kangri X — A Light High-B 2.5-Liner That's Fun in Thermals
The Kangri X is first worth a look for C pilots who want to step down to something more comfortable in turbulence. Dropping a class, they still feel what the air is doing through the brakes and risers. Comfort is moderate for a high B, though, so a pilot looking for the most comfortable wing in the class should factor that in.
UP Kibo-X (size S) — A 2.5-Liner Mid-B with Good Feedback
Performance is on par with other mid-Bs, so choosing the Kibo-X comes down to whether its roll feedback suits you. Pilots who were comfortable with the Tequila 4's roll should get on well with it. If you are used to a softer wing like the Buzz Z7, the roll may feel unfamiliar, so fly one before deciding.
ADVANCE Theta ULS 25 — A Light Mid-B with Smooth Handling
The Theta ULS suits a pilot who wants mid-B comfort without giving up much glide to a high B. The price is a slightly slower thermal entry when flying with higher-rated wings. The high-B glide comparison was made at 95kg, the top of the recommended range, so it makes sense to choose the size that puts you near its upper end.
Air Design Rise 5 S — A Comfortable High-B That Enters Thermals Well
Pilots moving from mid-B to high-B usually worry about the extra wing movement that comes with the extra performance. The Rise 5 moves little even in rough conditions, so at this stage it lets you step up in thermal performance while staying relaxed. It trims fast without being loaded to the max, so fly it a few kilos under the top of the range on normal days and add a little for strong ones.
DaVinci Funky 2 (S) — A High-B Three-Liner That's Fun to Turn and Glides Well
A mid-B pilot who wants to move up but worries about having to watch a high-B wing all the time should try the Funky 2 first. Its roll movement is in the middle of the B class, so it isn't the calmest wing, but it is easy to live with while you build up your XC distances.
Niviuk Ikuma 3 (24) — A Comfortable High B With Fun Handling
How you load the Ikuma 3 changes what it is for. The same-size Swift 6 gets a bit boaty at mid-weight and is best loaded right at the top for XC, while the Ikuma 3 stays agile and dynamic in turns at mid-weight. For everyday thermalling and wingovers, mid-range is enough; for fast XC in strong Alpine conditions, load it to the top of the range. It suits pilots who want to fly XC on a high B without giving up the fun of turning.
MacPara Illusion 2 (size 24) — A Light Low-B That Stays Calm in Rough Air
For a newer pilot, the Illusion 2's calm pitch in rough air makes it an easy wing to live with. Like any low B it is slow to push into the airmass, but it holds its attitude through long stretches of full bar, so when a headwind pins you down you can rely on the speed bar.
Ozone Buzz Z7 MS — An Easy Low B That Still Moves Well
For a pilot fresh out of school and choosing a first wing, the Buzz Z7 is a low-stress pick. You can thermal on rough days without tensing up, and because the wing goes best when you brake less and let it fly, it is a good place to build that habit. It also suits experienced pilots who have no interest in moving up a class and simply want to fly long and easy.
Supair Step X — A Comfortable High B That Climbs Well
The Step X gets better the more weight you put on it. At 93kg all-up it still flies easily but is slow to push into the airmass; at 95kg it felt good overall, and at 97–98kg it became more efficient and more compact, with good penetration. Since it stays comfortable in rough air, even a pilot new to high B is better off loading it toward the top of the range.
NOVA Mentor 7 S — A Comfortable High B for Rough Air
Pilots who spend a few seasons on a high B start wondering whether to move to a C-class two-liner. Bassil says the performance gap comes down to pilot skill. On a regular XC flight, a pilot with lots of Mentor 7 time would probably fly further than a good pilot with moderate experience on a C two-liner; in competition, the Mentor 7 pilot would need to stay on the bar 35% more of the time to have a chance at a tie. If you have no plans to compete in the C class, staying on this wing for a while may serve you better than rushing up to a two-liner.
UP Summit X — A High EN-B With Great Handling
Anyone shopping in the high-B class should put the Summit X on their test list. It asks for slightly more active flying than the Swift 6 but is a little faster, and the feedback through risers and brakes has a lot to teach. There is no need to size it near the maximum: on the S/M (75–100kg), 94–95kg all-up worked best, and it still flew well at 92kg.
Nova Mentor 7 Light — A High B Calmer Than Some EN-As
The Mentor 7 Light suits pilots moving up from low B to high B. Even in strong, rough alpine conditions it leaves you free to think about the task, the scenery, and your chocolate bar rather than the wing, which makes it especially useful for pilots flying XC in that kind of terrain. If more of your days are spent scratching in weak thermals, though, you will need to get used to finding lift through the vario rather than the wing's movement, and like Bassil you may wish for a little more climb and nimbleness.
Ozone Swift 6 — A Light High B, Mellower Than the Rush 6
Pilots moving up from the Swift 5 should rethink their sizing. The Swift 5 was most efficient at max load or about 2kg over; the Swift 6 does its best work about 2kg under the top, and Bassil felt the S he flew at 85kg would have been better at 83kg. If you are torn between the Rush 6 and the Swift 6, the Swift 6 suits pilots who hike and fly or who put comfort first. If you like a sharper feel through the brakes, the PHI Maestro 2 is worth a flight too.
BGD Epic 2 (65-85) — An Easy Low B with a Fast Trim
The Epic 2 suits a pilot leaving school and choosing a first personal wing. The forgiving launch and brakes make it easy to settle in, and its float in weak thermals and its trim speed are enough to start flying weekend XCs. The trade-off shows on strong days: it takes a little longer to settle into a strong core, and above 3 m/s a high B like the Rush 6 moves through the air faster. If you often fly strong days with pilots on high Bs, factor that gap in.
Gin Avid — A Comfortable B That Climbs Well in Weak Air
For a pilot moving up to a higher-aspect-ratio wing after around two seasons on a low B, the Avid adds little workload. It is good at staying up on weak days, but its glide in strong wind may disappoint. If your site often has you gliding low through valley breezes, fly one before you buy.
PHI Maestro 2 (21) — A High B with a Beautiful Brake Feel
For a pilot choosing a high B on brake feel, this is one to try first. If your site sees a lot of weak days, load it toward the middle of the range rather than the top, which helps the climb. The lines are very thin and minimal for a high B, so keep an eye on the trim as the hours add up.
Advance Iota DLS — A High B That Stays Steerable in Rough Cores
The Iota DLS and the Freedom 2 share the same climb rate and turning agility, so choosing between them comes down to how they differ in rough air. The Freedom 2 is slightly more comfortable with a more linear brake feel; the Iota DLS gives better control in small, turbulent cores and steadier pitch. Pick the Iota DLS and you accept slightly heavier brake pressure. If you demo one, load it above 70% of the weight range so you're comparing it on the same terms as this test.
Flow Freedom 2 (S) — A High B With Linear Brakes and Rich Feedback
Choosing the Freedom 2 means accepting a wing that moves a little more than the Rush 6, and in return you can steer it wherever you want inside a rough thermal. A high-B pilot weighing a move to C should put it on the shortlist. If you mostly fly calm conditions, the Chili 5 may be the better climber.
DRIFT Hawk S — An Agile, Informative High B
The Hawk S suits B pilots who like a wing that tells them a lot in rough air and are used to managing that movement themselves. If your local flying often means gliding low into a valley breeze, load the S close to the top of its range. The call for active flying in strong air was made on the S, so pilots whose weight puts them on the L should demo it before deciding.
Triple Seven Knight 2 (MS) — An Agile Mid-B That Climbs Well in Weak Thermals
A pilot used to low or mid B who is choosing the next wing within the same class should give the Knight 2 a try. It climbs well in weak conditions and is easy to handle, which suits pilots who enjoy XC without rushing it. In return, the narrow openings mean nil-wind launches need a slow, steady pull and a few extra steps, and bigger ears flap. If glide in moving air matters more to you, the Rook 3, built the same way, is the better choice.
BGD Base 2 Light (S) — A Lightweight High B That's Comfortable to Fly
For a pilot stepping up to high B, this wing offers comfort without giving up much performance. The factory brake setting is on the short side, so if short brakes don't suit you, plan to readjust them after your first flight, as Bassil did. Performance is on par with the regular Base 2, so if you want lighter gear and risers with C steering, the Light is the one to pick.
Swing Arcus 2 RS — A Low B That Stays Calm in Rough Conditions
For a pilot choosing a first personal wing after school, especially one who often flies in strong wind or rough air, the Arcus 2 RS is worth trying first. It launches easily even on windy take-offs, and in flight it leaves you free to look around instead of minding the wing. Its performance is enough for a low B, so it suits pilots who put comfort first over those hoping for more.
Skywalk Chili 5 — A Comfortable High-Performance B
It suits pilots who found the Chili 4's movement too much, and mid-B pilots who want more performance without much more work in rough air. If you liked the Chili 4's dynamic turning, the Chili 5 may feel a little tame. It needs to be flown near the top of the weight range for efficiency, and Bassil flew the 75–95kg XS at 93kg, so check that your all-up weight lands in the upper part of the range before choosing a size.
Ozone Rush 6 — A High B Whose Glide Improves on the Bar
A pilot moving up from a Buzz Z5 or Z6 should expect two full seasons in strong air before fully understanding what the Rush 6 can do, and coming straight from a Mojo is best avoided. The wing suits a high-B pilot who pushes the bar often and wants an XC record on a B. Flown only at trim, much of its advantage goes unused, and on 0.2 m/s days the Rush 5 may even float a little better.
Gin Explorer 2 — An Easy-to-Use High B with an Aspect Ratio of 6
The Explorer 2 suits a high-B pilot who wants as much climb and glide as the class can offer without moving to a demanding wing. Light brake pressure and little fatigue on long flights make it a good fit for full XC days. The catch is weight. The extra push into difficult air comes near the top of the range, so a pilot who falls between two sizes should try the smaller one first.
NOVA Ion 6 XS — A Comfortable Low B That Isn't Boring
Pilots who find low Bs dull and are wondering whether to move up a grade should try the Ion 6 first. It keeps the comfort in rough air and adds the fun, and its glide is good enough for long XCs, so a pilot can stay on a low B while pushing their XC distance further.
Gin Calypso S — A Light Low B with Large Passive Safety
The Calypso suits B pilots who value a comfortable flight over performance. In return, it is less efficient than a high B at moving forward in tricky conditions and headwinds, so if your goal is to cover distance even on windy days, a high B is the better choice.
Triple Seven R-Light (S) — A Light High B for Pilots Who Enjoy Feedback
At the same B performance, some pilots want a wing that barely moves and simply delivers. The R-Light S suits the other kind: pilots who enjoy what comes through the risers and brakes, and want to use that response to put the wing exactly where they choose. For a pilot moving down from a comfortable low-aspect-ratio C, it gives up a little in getting into the airmass and gains a lot of passive safety. Load it at the top of the range. The test covered only the S at around 85kg, so for other sizes, fly one near max load and judge for yourself.
BGD Base 2 (M·S) — A High B With Low-B Comfort in Roll and Pitch
The Base 2 suits pilots stepping up to high B who want to fly long XCs. It needs to be loaded to the top of the range to work efficiently, so a pilot whose weight falls between the M and S is better off on the smaller size near its top. The S also felt livelier than the M, which supports that choice, especially for an experienced pilot who might find the M's calm handling a little dull.
Niviuk Ikuma 2 (24) — An Easy, Well-Built High-B
The Ikuma 2 is a good pick for pilots who want top high-B performance but would rather avoid a demanding wing. The main thing to accept is that core entry can come a little late in rough thermals with a valley breeze. If you mostly fly sites where those conditions are common, check this on a test flight.
Triple Seven Rook 3 MS — A High B That Floats in Weak Lift
A pilot shopping within Triple Seven's range will end up weighing the Rook 3 against the Queen 2. Bassil says to forget the Queen 2 unless you want more speed and a spicier feel. If you go for the Rook 3, follow his advice not to fly it at the bottom of the weight range, and pick a size you can load near the top.
AD Rise 4 (S) — A Comfortable High-B With an Aspect Ratio of 6
Pilots stepping up to a higher-aspect-ratio high B for the first time can fly this one comfortably. If you mostly fly sites with strong valley breezes, though, the S felt a little short on forward drive even at the top of its range, so try other sizes before you choose.
PHI Maestro X-Alps 19 — An Agile Light B with a Strong Glide
The 19 gives you a light, agile wing, but on days with strong wind or valley breeze you will be flying on bar and steering with the brakes even inside thermals. If your home site has a lot of those days, it suits a B+ pilot already comfortable flying that way. Because the two sizes fly so differently, a pilot caught between the 19 and the 21 should fly both before deciding.
Nova Mentor 6 Light XS — A Lightweight High B with Light Brakes and Agile Turns
If you are choosing between the standard Mentor 6 and the Light, climb, glide and speed are the same, so decide on brake feel and behaviour in turbulence. Among other high Bs, the Mentor 6 Light suits a pilot who wants an agile wing but finds one that rolls as much as the Maestro 19 in turbulence too demanding. If you want a calmer ride in rough air, the Eden 7 or Rush 5 fits better, at the cost of some brake feel and some of the fun of turning.
UP Kangri M — A High-End B with a C-Class Feel
It suits a pilot coming off a tame B like the Mentor 6 or Swift 5 who now wants C-class handling but still needs a B-rated wing. You can feel the aspect ratio, so it asks for more attention than those B's. Compared with moving up to a C like the Bonanza 2, you give up a little glide but get a wing that is easier to manage in rough air.
MacPara Eden 7 (24) — An Easy High B Despite an Aspect Ratio of 6
If an aspect ratio of 6 is what keeps you from a high B, this wing is worth a test flight. The "easy" is measured against experienced B pilots, though, so it isn't the wing for someone just stepping up from a low B. You give up some agility and live with heavy C steering on bar, and in return get calm behavior and a top speed that is quick for the class. For a pilot who mostly flies long XCs, that is the more useful side of the deal.
U-Turn Vision (S) — A Comfortable High B at Aspect Ratio 6
For a B pilot trying an aspect-ratio-6 wing for the first time, the Vision takes much of the worry out of turbulence and collapses. Its weak-thermal climb is only decent, so its strengths show more on XC days spent on bar making distance into a headwind than on weak days spent staying up. Learning to hold pitch with the C's while accelerated lets a pilot use more of what it offers.
FLOW Freedom M — A Mid-B with Almost No Pitch Movement
Choosing the Freedom means giving up a little agility and a little trim speed. In return you spend less attention on the wing and more on the thermal, which suits a pilot looking for a comfortable mid-B. A line setup that looks set to hold its trim for a long time is also a plus for anyone planning to keep one wing for years.
PHI Maestro 21 — A High B with Short, Precise Brakes
The Maestro is too much for a first B, and still too much after one short season on a first low B. A pilot with a season on a high B will get plenty of feedback from it that helps with the later step to higher-rated wings, while a C or D pilot gets a B-certified wing for XC. The smaller 19 also calls for a solid high-B pilot. It gives up float in very weak air to the Swift 5, so it suits sites with strong thermals better.
BGD Riot S — A Light EN-B, Quick at Trim and Agile
Choosing the Riot S means giving up a step of climb for trim speed and agile turning. The speed edge is at trim, while top speed at full bar is about the same, so it pays off most on days you spend little time deep on the bar. Pilots who put climb first are better off on the Swift 5; pilots who want handling that answers right away will find the Riot S a better fit.
ADVANCE XI — A Light High B, Agile in Narrow Thermals
For a pilot looking for a high B light enough to carry up the hill or take traveling, the XI is worth a test flight early on. The thing to weigh is roll feel. The XI tells you more about the air than the Mentor 5 does, which suits pilots who use that information to work narrow thermals; a pilot who would rather the wing move as one block may be happier on the Mentor 5.
Gin Atlas 2 S — A Low B That's Easier to Fly Than the Atlas 1
It suits a talented student choosing a first wing out of school, or a low B pilot who wants less active piloting in rough air. Pilots who remember the crisp, agile Atlas 1 may find its turns calmer. Save XC for strong, consistent days, and the rest of the time treat it as a stress-free wing for enjoying the sites you fly.
Flow Cosmos (S) — An Easy Mid-B That Climbs Well
The Cosmos climbs close to an Ion 5 XS with a less sharp brake response, so it suits B pilots who would rather spend less attention on the wing while thermalling. The trade is a little glide when flown side by side with the Ion 5. If you plan to keep one B for a long time on a budget, that gap is a fair price for thick lines that are unlikely to move.
Skywalk Tequila 5 (S) — A More Comfortable Low B Than the Tequila 4
For a pilot just up from an A glider who still finds strong air unsettling, the Tequila 5 is an easy choice. Pilots who want a wing that's fun to steer may miss the sharper handling, and with a glide typical of a low B, it isn't a wing to pick for performance. Once you're ready for a high B, Skywalk's Chili 4 carries over some of the Tequila 4's handling.
Ozone Rush 5 MS — A Comfortable, Accessible High EN-B
This is a good first high B for a pilot coming off two seasons on a low or mid B. It needs less work in turbulence, so the step up asks less of you, and outside long headwind glides the gap to the C-class Alpina 3 is small, which takes away much of the reason to rush into a C. The trade-off is the nil-wind launch: on a still day, make sure the wing is fully overhead before you commit.
U-Turn CrossRock (S) — A Light EN-B With a Low Workload
A pilot looking to step up from a mid B, but wary of how busy a wing can get in rough air, should try this one first. It also suits pilots who want to fly XC in strong conditions on light gear. The handling is moderate to good, so anyone who puts a sharp turn first should fly it before buying.
ICARO Buteo — A High B with Glide at the Top of Its Class
For a high-B pilot looking to stretch out XC distance, the glide is the reason to pick the Buteo. The trade is some agility in the turn and some staying power in very weak lift. If you mostly fly in weak conditions, a side-by-side test flight against a Chili 4 is worth the effort.
ADVANCE Iota 2 (25) — A High-B Built for XC
This is a wing for a high-B pilot who is stretching out their XC flights. The roll stays as comfortable as a B should while telling you as much as a higher-rated wing, which makes it especially useful while you are still learning to read the air. If you are choosing between it and the Mentor 5, weigh the faster trim speed against a slightly lower top speed and slightly more dynamic frontals.
Skywalk Cumeo XS — A Light High B, Tamer Than the Chili 4 XS
If you are weighing up the Chili 4 XS but want lighter brake pressure and a tamer wing, the Cumeo is worth flying alongside it. Bear in mind these impressions come from the XS at 90–95kg all-up. Bassil finds that a wing flown at mid-weight or below feels and performs differently, and that you need to load it past 75% of the range to properly fly it. The review holds best for pilots who can sit near the top of the range.
SWING Arcus RS (S) — A Comfortable EN-B with RAST
This suits a pilot who wants a B as easy as the Epsilon 8 but doesn't want to give up handling that places the wing precisely in the core. Bassil expects that comfort to count for even more on strong days. Keep in mind these impressions come from the S flown at 92kg, near the top of its range; other sizes or lighter loadings may feel different.
Air Design Rise 3 S — An Accessible High-B Despite Its 5.95 Aspect Ratio
This is a wing a pilot moving up from mid-B to their first high-B can reasonably choose. The small wobbles are easy to get used to, and pilots who don't like a wing that moves as one block overhead may even find them an advantage. The unsheathed lines are slightly thicker than the competition's, and Bassil expects them to hold their length well.
Triple Seven Knight SM — A Comfortable Low-B with Precise Handling
Choosing a low-B usually means accepting a dull feel and a dive in the turns. The Knight keeps low-B damping without either, so it suits pilots who want an easy wing but still want to set their turn radius precisely in thermals. The Rook 2 is ahead in top-speed glide, though, so if your XC flying leans heavily on the bar, weigh that gap.
Nova Mentor 5 S — A High B That's Easier and More Comfortable Than the Mentor 4
This is a wing for pilots who want top-of-class B performance and still want to fly comfortably in turbulence. The trade is brake feel. Pilots who like to read the wing's movements through the brakes will find it a little spongy, but for most pilots, who just want a wing that turns when they pull, that is not a real problem.
ICARO Gravis — A Mild B That Climbs and Glides Efficiently
This is a wing for a B pilot who doesn't fly often and wants comfort first without giving up the fun of steering. If you can accept a trim speed a little slower than the Rook 2's or the Mentor 5's, it lets a pilot who mostly flies on weekends try long XCs at an easy pace.
NOVA Phantom — Low-B Comfort with Top-Shelf High-B Performance
Choosing the Phantom gets you low-B comfort and top-shelf high-B performance; in exchange you pay two to three times the price of a conventional low B and accept slower climbs on very weak days. It suits experienced pilots stepping down a grade who don't want to give up much performance. Lighter pilots should look at the XS flown near the top of its range: it still climbs well there without feeling overloaded, it is slightly less demanding than a 777 Knight S or Buzz Z5 MS, and it surges less in pitch in turbulence.
UP Summit XC 4 — An AR 6.3 High B You Fly Like a C
Two kinds of pilot fit the Summit XC 4. One has flown a high B for a season or two in varied conditions and wants a higher aspect ratio without leaving the B class. The other already flies C wings and takes the B rating as peace of mind. For the pilot stepping up from a high B, the extra glide efficiency on long XCs comes with more work keeping the wing in check in rough air.
Gin Explorer — An Easy Light B with a 6.1 Aspect Ratio
If you are weighing the Carrera plus against the Explorer, their XC performance is very close, and most of the difference comes down to the pilot. Choosing the Explorer costs a little on headwind core entries and top speed, but on strong days it is easier and more fun to fly than the Carrera plus. For a mid- or high-B pilot who wants a lighter workload, the Explorer is the better fit.
Skywalk Chili 4 — A High-End B That Keeps the Chili 3's Climb and Fixes Its Handling
It suits a pilot who has built skills on a low B and is looking for the next wing. You need to be comfortable with the thin lines and high-B movement, and in return you get a wing that keeps floating on weak days. If you aren't racing speed tasks, it's worth asking, as Bassil does, whether a B like this is enough before rushing to a higher aspect ratio.
ADVANCE Epsilon 8 — A Sturdy, Comfortable Low B
This is a good match for a pilot picking a low B as their first personal wing after school. It is comfortable in rough air and its glide ranks near the top of the low-B class, so it can take you through to your first cross-country flights without a change of wing. The sturdy build also suits anyone who plans to keep one wing for a long time.
Gradient Nevada 2 S — A High B With a Strong Accelerated Glide
If accelerated glide is what you value most in a high B, the Nevada 2 S belongs on the shortlist. The roll in turbulence has to be handled, though, so it suits high B pilots already comfortable flying actively in strong cores. Coming from a Rush 4, expect similarly soft brake pressure and slightly more roll.
U-Turn Blacklight 2 S — A Mid-B That's Easier Than Its Predecessor and Keeps Its Climb
It suits a pilot who puts climb first but isn't ready for high-B behavior yet. It climbs with the high B's but doesn't glide with the Mentor 4 or Iota, so on XC days with long glides you accept that gap. The thick sheathed lines are there for durability and will outlast thinner, more delicate sets.
Supair Leaf — A Comfortable mid-B That Climbs Well
This suits a pilot stepping up from a low B. It stays as comfortable as a low B in rough thermals without giving anything away in climb, so the step up asks little of you. If your goal is XC where you have to keep pace with top B wings on long glides, though, compare its glide against other wings before you choose.
UP Kibo SM — A Comfortable B with Very Good Handling
The Kibo suits pilots moving up to their first B. If UP's own Summit XC3 still feels like too much, the Kibo can be the step before it. Trim speed is only average for a B, so this isn't a fast wing, but while you are learning to thermal in rough air, the margin it gives you is worth more than speed.
Gin Sprint 3 M — A Comfortable B+ with Short Speed Travel
For a pilot stepping up from a B like the Atlas, the Sprint 3 is an easy move. It is not much harder to handle than the Atlas, and far easier than Gin's own Carrera plus, which turns more dynamically. The price is short speed travel and only moderate agility.
Mac Para Eden 6 — An EN-B With Better Glide and Speed Than the Eden 5
For a pilot moving on from an Eden 5, this is one to try first. The gains in glide and speed are large, and the extra piloting it asks for is small. The spiral exit has to be very smooth to avoid a tuck on the surge, though, so if that is not yet second nature, practice it first.
SWING Nyos M — A Comfortable, Fast EN-B for Rough Air
The Nyos's weak spot is its climb in very weak thermals, around 0.5m/s. It is comfortable in rough air and faster than the Mentor 4 at trim and at top speed, so a B pilot flying XC in strong mountain conditions can live with that. A pilot who spends a lot of time hanging on in weak lift will feel it more.
Nova Ion 4 S — A Tough Low-Aspect-Ratio EN-B That Glides Well on Bar
It suits XC pilots who want to stay on a low-aspect-ratio B but still want good glide on bar. Brake pressure is medium to slightly hard and the bar is heavy at full speed, which pilots who like light controls may find tiring. Unless you often race into a headwind, there is no need to load it to the top of the range.
Ozone Buzz Z5 — A Low B with Precise Brakes
Pilots coming from the Buzz Z4 should expect a little more movement in the air. In return, the wing stays calm even when pulled 50–60cm deep, so a low-airtime pilot still learning to turn in thermals won't find it hard to manage. It climbed well next to high-end B wings and its trim glide held up against the Rush 4, so a pilot preparing for first XCs can stretch their distances on it before moving straight up to a high B.
NOVA Mentor 4 Light XS — A Light EN-B That Climbs Better Than the Standard Mentor 4
Next to the standard Mentor 4, the M4 Light XS climbs better and gives more feedback through the brakes, but it moves a little more in turbulence. That makes it an XC wing for B pilots who can actively manage it in rough air. The XS works best loaded close to its 90kg top, so pilots near the bottom of the range should check the size first.
SKYMAN Cross Country S — A Comfortable Lightweight B
Choosing the Cross Country means giving up the lively feel the Cross Alps has in the air, and getting comfort and light gear in return. For a weekend pilot who doesn't fly often, a calmer wing is easier to live with, and the performance leaves little to miss.
GIN Atlas X-Alps S — A Comfortable 4.4kg Low B
It suits a pilot who wants a lighter wing but doesn't want to treat it as carefully as an extreme light one. Even with regular lines, the S weighs only 4.4kg. The trade-off is in the turn: with long brake travel and moderate agility, a pilot who wants quick, tight turns in thermals may find it lacking.
Skywalk Arriba 3 (S) — An Agile Low-B Built as a Light Tequila 4
It's a low B, but it doesn't damp the wing's movement in thermals and the brake response is short, so it suits pilots with some time on B wings better than pilots fresh out of school. Big ears get pretty unstable with bar added, so try that descent at a safe height before you rely on it.