Reddit mentions: The best kites & wind spinners

I run a kite shop here in Atlanta and can tell you that the main difference in pricing has to do with quality. Premier Kites makes some cheaper, but good quality general kites....but I would suggest looking at Prism or HQ. Both have excellent kites, but I prefer Prism for their single lines and stunt kites, while HQ is amazing for their foils (power/speed kites).

Prism has a great Stowaway Delta that we sell a ton of at our store, they retail for about $35. I highly suggest these for people looking for a single line that is of great quality and not very expensive. It comes with everything you need all in a great package. The kite folds up nicely into the bag, and the flying line hooks right into the bag as well.

We also have carried that same line winder you linked and I can tell you that its okay for light flying, but if you have something that has a bit of a tug on it and your not paying attention, the handle that you wind the line in with can slip out of your fingers and start turning really fact and do a number on your hand. I would suggest either using what comes with the kite you purchase, or opt for something like these. They are classics, and they even come in a wooden version but for some reason I dont see theirs listed on Amazon. Anyway...just some suggestions, hope I've helped some!

I would agree, best way to save money at the start is to:

• Get standard foil two line kite and practise so that it's second nature (like £25 from amazon) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Kites-Symphony-Beach-Rainbow/dp/B00ID4QG4O/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=foil+kite&qid=1558012195&s=gateway&sr=8-3
  
• Go to a good school - a good teacher and equipment will speed up the process massively - these guys look good - https://www.thebigblueexperience.com/beginner-kitesurfing-lessons/. It is expensive because you pay for the teaching and the equipment. In theory you could skip the school altogether but you risk your own safety, that of others, you will most likely destroy your kite (i.e. costing you more money in the long run) and put yourself off kiteing.
  
• Take group lessons, this will reduce the cost. If you are good and a dilligent student you may need as little as 5 lessons.
  
• Buy a second hand kite and board to start with after you have had a few lessons, only in conjunction with someone who knows what they are doing or through the school (they will advise size). Best to get a big twin tip board to start with IMO.
  
• Use all the free youtube tutorials available, I like these guys but there are plenty out there...https://www.youtube.com/user/alexiobussio
  
  Also consider going abroad to places where you have guarenteed wind, a week to ten days in Fuerteventura will get you up and running in a flashbut make sure your doing it with a proper IKO school, in the UK it's quite difficult to get the right wind and tide to coordinate with your pre-booked lesson.....
  
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  Good luck, it's the best thing in the world.

I'll add to this as I find things!


For both of them:

I'm aiming for both of them in these because summer is coming! You mentioned not really having a yard so these could be "park only" toys. Stuff to get them outside and keep them active during summer break!



WOWmazing Kit (3-Piece Set) | Incl. Big Bubble Wand, Giant Bubble Concentrate and Tips & Trick Booklet | Outdoor Toy for Kids, Boys, Girls | Bubbles Made in the USA



[Huge Rainbow Kite For Kids - One Of The Best Selling Toys For Outdoor Games Activities - Good Plan For Memorable Summer Fun - This Magic Kit Comes w/ 100% Satisfaction] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012D3PN7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api) - there are SOOO many shapes and things to choose from on Amazon when it comes to kites!




These are for both of them as well since they both enjoy art ❤️



I recently did one of these Diamond art things, it's time consuming and relaxing! There are quite a few other designs to choose from as well!



I was gifted these and they are amazing! If a mistake is made it's super easy to fix it because these are so flexable!




And this or something similar because Rylee enjoys singing

The snapshot comes as a 2 line kite, but it has a bridle setup to be used with 4 lines as well. I'm saving up for buying the control bar that the kite can be set up with... it doesn't use the whole back support / harness thing you appear to have in a photo but I'm hoping it will be something good for me to get used to the bar controls.

http://www.amazon.com/Prism-Control-Bar-Kites-Complete/dp/B0044UQ344/ref=pd_sim_200_11?ie=UTF8&dpID=41yLJmUQIML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0FSB5N2ZC7HPBWQVB0HT

Lessons sound amazing, I've looked into kiteboarding lessons locally and they are painfully expensive ($500+). I'm pretty good at flying the two line though, I have a good understanding of the wind envelope and how to control a kite (or get it out of the danger zone) in strong winds. That being said, I'm probably still on the "noob" side of things and I'd love to find some more affordable lessons locally (North / Central NJ).

/u/CanadianDiver said everything there is to say. Yet I will relentlessly add stuff.

As a recommendation for fins: Just get Mares Avanti Quattro +. I don't tire saying this: they are great.

I'd get some socks as well. They just improve the overall comfort. Don't have to be those.

Gloves: Whatever fits. I personally use some discount surfing gloves because they are nice and light. For cold water I have something like this. But this is probably overkill.

SMB: Whatever. I like this one because of the adorable clown fish. Seriously - just don't spend too much money on this. If you pay 15 or 150 - it does exactly the same. Usually people use a reel. I personally like these things way better. Just make sure they are big enough to have space for the complete line.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-117366-Infinity-Sport-Kite/dp/B001TKFRWG/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_h_b_cs_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VEVZ4TVQB01QSXBC256

this kite should keep you busy for years without you ever learning all it's capable of :-) it's about 150us and you'll need some high end lines that will cost you about 25 max.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Shadow-Sports-Stunt-Kite/dp/B0035FVGFA/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1410477266&sr=1-1&keywords=hq+shadow is a bit cheaper but it's more of a basic learner kite. you'll get started ok but in about a years practice you'll know how to fly it and need a different kite (or want one anyway) but it's more directed to light wind.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prism-Nexus-Stunt-Kite-Spectrum/dp/B000XA046M/ref=sr_1_9?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1410477343&sr=1-9&keywords=prism+kite
this prism nexus is the cheapest I would advise. it's even more basic than the second HQ but it should be great fun and only half the price.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prism-Quantum-Stunt-Kite-Fire/dp/B000BMBQY6/ref=sr_1_8?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1410477343&sr=1-8&keywords=prism+kite
is a good capable trick kite. price is about 150 I would think

Thanks for the contest! freedom! :]

This is red and blue and would looo baller waving around in the wind!

Happy 4th! :]

The tennessee state animal is a raccoon...its kind of sad. But they are cute little dudes.

Sounds to me like it is time to teach your girls to fly kites: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012D3PN7G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
congratulations on you early success and keep it up and thank you for sharing.

Animal related: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2O7D4O/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1P4HPL0R5FNPC&coliid=IT4Y8B5CORGJF. I LOVE FLAMINGOS!!!! OMG, coolest bird ever!
Magazine:
Easy vegan recipies ( I am learning to cook and love cookbooks atm)

Uneventful week for me. School bus driving is in its final hours as a job for the year so I'm trying hard to find something else before June. The job search is leaving very little time for hobbies so i haven't played or designed much of anything lately which is a bummer.

On the plus side though spring is almost here and I'm ready to get out my kite for some sunny day flying. I've got a prism snapshot speed foil and it's amazingly good fun. If you have any interest in multi line kites i would recommend one of these in a heartbeat.

I'm thinking about upgrading to a larger foil or even going into a stunt kite with 4 lines. Only time will tell what i decide to get. I also think i should get a single line kite to fly as a wind gauge. Maybe just a box kite for style points.

So most of the kites you buy in like walmart or target - they're cheaply made out of a plastic or mylar, usually have like barbie on them or some other children's theme... the one I did get is a green butterfly one.

The "real" kite - I guess real isn't the best of terms... but it's made out of a cloth type material - more resistant to tearing and poles that are stronger like with use in tents... They're usually bigger.. the ones you find typically in the toy section are good for children.

http://www.amazon.com/Prism-Kite-Technology-STD-Stowaway/dp/B0044TRPD8/ref=zg_tr_1234183011_4 is what he bought.

Do you know how to fly a stunt kite?

If not, you'll want to be decent at that before trying to do it with a giant kite while in the water.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Prism-Jazz-Stunt-Kite-Ice/dp/B000XA25Q4/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1464878786&sr=1-3&keywords=stunt+kite

or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Sport-Foil-Kite-62-Inch/dp/B003BQIHOQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1464878786&sr=1-4&keywords=stunt+kite

The former will be more fun to play around with on a windy day. The latter might be a bit more like a kiteboarding kite.

Sweet, I highly advise one. Harnessing the playa winds with a kite is veeeeery enjoyable and handing it off to a passerby for a spin may just top it off. I have one similar to this, and it rocks. Hoping it has a little more power than a standard one to lift up my camera...

https://www.amazon.com/Prism-Kite-Technology-Snapshot-Sports/dp/B000XG5ZZQ

So real para-cord has a breaking strength of some 500 lbs, unfortulety most para cord I fined in local shops is a poor knock off. I have had really good luck with some thing like this : https://www.amazon.com/emma-kites-Outdoor-Tactical-Camping/dp/B00ZPR1TV2/ref=sr_1_4?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIta7yn9L54QIVC77ACh04YA0mEAAYASAAEgK4ZPD_BwE&hvadid=174233429679&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9032172&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7329536342166832212&hvtargid=kwd-4220457650&hydadcr=24657_9648987&keywords=kevlar+kite+string&qid=1556690067&s=gateway&sr=8-4

it is available anywhere form 25 lbs to 2000lbs

I think any delta kit would do. I just got into kite flying a few months ago. The delta kite from amazon fly super well in very low winds. I’d say it’s a great beginner kite and you can fly it on most days.

I just got back from the beach. It flew GREAT! I actually order this one
but it's the same maker and dimensions as the rainbow conyne I linked.

I was using a home made picavet and a GoPro. Not sure of the totally weight, but I definitely feel like I can make it lighter. But even still, the kite had not trouble at all getting it in the air. I was able to control it really well too, bringing it down right above my friends heads, slowly and steady, at one point. And I haven't flown a kite in years.

I'm just getting into KAP, but for the price, I have absolutely no complaints.

I will say that this was at the beach, so it was quite windy, but no more windy than on any other day.

I'll post some video of my flight and my picavet in a few days.

Thanks for the response!

I've been flying a kite like this and I've been thinking about attaching a gopro to my kite like in this video

I noticed that they were flying a kite that was more similar to yours and the weight of the kite may have contributed to the stability of their video. If I were to buy a kite similar to the one in the video, do you know what keywords/size/length/price I should look for?

Thanks again!

Something like this. Less than $20 on Amazon.

These entry level parafoil kites are pretty darn simple, I don't think there's much of a difference which brand you get.

https://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Rainbow-Inch-Sport-Kite/dp/B003BQIHOQ/

Its one of these, the ball is stuck and doesn't move up or down. Its just an optical illusion as the spiral rotates in the wind. This is framed cleverly so you can't really see the top or bottom so I think it reinforces the illusion. :)

The people over at /r/KAP suggested THIS ONE. I haven't had time to try it out yet but it looks pretty solid.

> https://www.amazon.com/Prism-Kite-Technology-Snapshot-Sports/dp/B000XG5ZZQ

thank you for this! I actually ended up buying a sport kite a day ago - will McGyvre the Gopro to it since I cant have a kite mount shipped in time!

For a single string parafoil kite, I would suggest the Prism Stowaway Parafoil.

Once you're ready to move on to a two string kite, I would suggest the Prism Snapshot 1.2.

I have one like this but in white https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ID4QG4O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_y8WdBb087RQJ8

It's so much easier to fly than the ones we had when we were kids. You can almost take off with it too.

It works if you own a kite and it's windy. It's a pretty fun date option if those things are in your favour. Way less boring than coffee.

A two line foil kite involves some skill / learning to figure out how to fly and steer, so you can teach her (or him), and wow them with your kite flying skills. Don't go if it's not windy.. or do, and then you can chill in a field or go for a walk instead.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BQIHOQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1495069015&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=kite+parafoil&dpPl=1&dpID=41nKFT5ijgL&ref=plSrch

Amazon seems to have even cheaper options, but this is the one that I own and it works. Learn to handle the lines properly first though, you can make a hopeless knot if you do it wrong.

Avoid dates around powerlines, trees or airports.