Ozone has just launched the Reflex, a new performance freeride kite that steps into the range where the Enduro used to sit — but with a much more serious pedigree. Instead of being a toned-down entry-level kite, the Reflex borrows heavily from the Vortex, Ozone's flagship big air weapon, and translates that DNA into something more forgiving and everyday-friendly.
We put this one under the microscope after watching it go head-to-head with the Vortex Ultra X V2 on the water, with a crew of riders putting both kites through their paces side by side.
Vortex DNA, Dialled Back for Accessibility
The Reflex shares the Vortex's three-strut shaping and a highly tuned 16-point bridle system, which is why it feels so instinctively responsive in the air despite being pitched as the more accessible option of the two. The biggest structural difference comes down to material: where the Vortex uses Aluula for an ultra-stiff, race-tuned airframe, the Reflex is built with Teijin Triple Ripstop Dacron.
That change in fabric is what defines the whole character of the kite. Dacron is thicker and naturally more resistant to abrasion, so it shrugs off the inevitable scuffs and drags that come with regular beach use. It also introduces a bit more torsional flex under load, which softens the overall feel and makes the Reflex noticeably more forgiving than its Aluula-framed sibling.
How It Rides
On the water, that flex translates into a tighter turning radius through kite loops, with less aggressive pull than the Vortex delivers. That's a big deal for anyone still building confidence with kite loops — the Reflex lets you learn and commit to loops without the sharper, more demanding bite of a full-blown big air kite. Riders who compared it directly against the Vortex Ultra X V2 consistently described the Reflex as the softer, more playful option, while the Vortex remained the sharper, more precise tool for riders chasing maximum boost and stability.
Beyond twin-tip riding, which is clearly the primary focus, the Reflex's smoother handling and forgiving nature also make it a genuinely useful cross-discipline kite. It's capable in foil sessions and holds up well enough for beginner-to-intermediate wave riding, giving it a lot more versatility than a single-discipline big air kite.
Who It's For
The Reflex is built for riders who want big air, kite loops, and hangtime, but without needing to fully commit to the intensity of a race-bred Aluula kite. It suits:
- Riders progressing into their first kite loops who want a tighter turn with a softer, less punishing pull
- Freeriders who want big air performance but also dabble in foiling or wave sessions
- Anyone upgrading from an older-generation freeride kite who wants something tougher and more wear-resistant for regular use
- Riders who want Vortex-style handling without the Vortex's more demanding, committed riding style
If you're chasing outright performance and the sharpest, most connected feel possible — kiteloop precision, maximum stability at speed — the Vortex is still the sharper tool. But for most riders looking for one kite that does big air, twin-tip progression, and a bit of everything else, the Reflex is the more complete and low-drama option.
The Bottom Line
The Reflex succeeds at a tricky brief: take the exciting, high-performance characteristics of a big air kite like the Vortex and make them accessible without watering them down into something boring. The result is a kite that's tough, versatile, and genuinely fun to ride across disciplines — a strong replacement for the Enduro and a serious contender for anyone's quiver.
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