"Are the new Duotone Unit 2027 wings actually worth the upgrade? Has that much changed?" It's a question we've heard from so many of you over the past week or so, ever since the new Duotone 2027 range launched, and honestly, it's a great one to ask.
Nobody wants to spend their hard earned money on a new wing just because it's new. So, we thought it was only right to give you our honest thoughts rather than a sales pitch. Here's our take, wing by wing.
What Actually Changed for 2027?
The big adjustment across the entire range is a reduction in chord length, i.e. the central strut length. Every 2027 Unit wing, from the entry level Unit through to the D/LAB, has a shorter central strut, reduced by roughly 100mm depending on the size. That's a real structural change, not just a small tweak.
The span of the wing remains unchanged from the 2026 model, but you'll see big adjustments to the first third of the canopy, where the leading edge and first third have been totally redesigned to accommodate the extra square meterage lost from the trailing edge reduction. In practice, this cuts swing weight, so the wing feels lighter and more alive in your hands. Duotone claim the new first third also leads to more efficiency, higher pointing upwind, and a more dynamic wing overall.
It's also allowed Duotone to keep more thickness in the leading edge on the smaller sizes, so the wing stays stiffer under ultra high load when you're in stronger winds, jumping and pushing your performance. Every wing also gets a new window layout for visibility and refined canopy tension for a more direct feel. So truly, this is a really cool update, and one of the more meaningful structural changes we've seen from Duotone in a while.
Unit 2026 vs Unit 2027
Best for: riders who wants a dependable wing that covers freeride, progression and everyday use without a premium price tag.
To really get into the changes between the 2026 and 2027, we almost have to take a quick look back at the 2025 first, to see the real development. The 2025 Unit came out to counter a wing that had too much dihedral and felt a bit skittish on the neutral handle, so Duotone leaned hard into stability for freeride and free flying performance. It worked, but some riders found the 2025 a little too stable. Ken Winner, Duotone's head wing designer, has talked about how the playfulness people loved in the older wings had gone missing. So, for 2026, Duotone brought more dihedral (definition of dihedral: a greater upward angle) back into the design and reworked the first third of the canopy, landing on a wing that felt manageable but was still genuinely exciting to ride through manoeuvres on the water.
That brings us to the Unit 2027, and this is really where the comparison gets interesting. Duotone have reworked the first third platform completely again, and combined with that reduction in chord, the difference between the two wings in your hands is genuinely noticeable.
On the 2026 Unit, the neutral handle steps away from your hand. On the 2027, it does the opposite: it steps towards you and rises around it, which immediately changes how connected the wing feels. Pair that with a higher shoulder profile on the 2027 that steps away out at the wing tips, and the whole thing feels far more intuitive in comparison to the 2026. Power balance across the canopy on the 2027 is much more even too, and because the chord has been reduced, there's less pressure on the front and back hand compared to the 2026, so it feels lighter and easier to sheet in and out, with power that stays more stable across the whole wing.
George put it best when he flew the 2027 3.5m Unit for the first time: "I almost put my hand behind the back handle, I was shocked it felt so small and compact, I genuinely thought it was a 2.5m."
Our take: If your Unit 2026 is doing everything you need, there's no rush, upgrade when it's looking a bit tired. However if you are someone who has been waiting for a significant change, the Duotone Unit 2027 feels like a real change in design that will truly bring more positives to your riding experience.
Unit SLS 2026 vs Unit SLS 2027
Best for: riders who are pushing performance and want a stiffer, lighter and more direct feel without stepping all the way up to the price and performance of the D/LAB.
Duotone's SLS range stands for Strong, Light and Superior, and it has always been built with the goal of increasing performance through its higher spec, lighter weight construction. But, you can't just throw new materials at a wing. Duotone have tuned the SLS version (and all unit versions) to extract the most performance from their individual materials. The ALUULA Gold panel on the leading edge, sitting under the handle and through the key central section of the leading edge, creates a stiffness and direct feel that we've come to know from the SLS models over the last few years. Combined with a full PENTA TX frame this Unit really steps up within performance compared to the Unit original.
On the 2027, the same neutral handle adjustments we talked about on the standard Units carry through here too, once again improving the connection and feel you get with this wing. The new Unit SLS also offers the widest range of cool new colours, and Duotone continue to offer the Concept Blue option for riders who are mindful of their impact on the planet when it comes to purchasing wingfoiling products.
Like every 2027 Unit, the SLS has a shortened chord, which again increases stability and makes it easier to handle as you manoeuvre through your session. This is also a great improvement on windier days, as the shortened chord helps manage larger gusts as power drives into the wing. As well as this, Duotone have also retained the thickness of the leading edge on the smaller sized SLS wings, to increase performance when under load in higher winds. This change was made, as previously on the 2026 version, the thinner leading edge made boosting in higher winds slightly less stable, and the leading edge could sometimes flex. So rather than opting for efficiency in the higher winds where the leading edge is already small, the wings are optimised for stiffness with an eye for freestyle and control.
Our take: the Duotone Unit SLS 2027 is a great option for riders looking for that sweet spot between high performance and everyday usability. If you're planning on jumping and pushing your skills, the stiffer frame gives you real structural integrity to lean on, worth considering if you want a stiffer, lighter and more direct feel from your wing. It's also worth saying, the SLS has been the most popular Unit version we sell, due to its fantastic value for the performance it delivers, genuinely great bang for your buck.
Unit D/LAB 2026 vs Unit D/LAB 2027
Best for: committed riders who are truly looking for the best performance that money can buy.
This is where it gets more specialist in our opinion. The 2026 D/LAB was already a great wing, built with an ALUULA Gold leading edge and strut. But like every wing in the range, all the updates we've talked about have carried through to the D/LAB for 2027 too, on top of some upgrades that are unique to this top tier model.
The Unit 2027 D/LAB has a full 82 g/m² ALUULA Gold frame, combined with the shorter strut and reduced leading edge diameter, for a genuinely more compact, aerodynamic wing. At the core of it all is that full ALUULA Gold frame, delivering the lightest and stiffest construction in the range. This advanced material reduces weight and maximises stiffness, allowing Duotone to further reduce the leading edge thickness without compromise. Resulting in instant power transfer, a very direct feel and superior efficiency.
The reduced leading edge diameter means less drag and a more efficient, direct response, enabling the D/LAB to remain the fastest responding, lightest wing Duotone offer.
Our take: the D/LAB is truly the best Duotone wing that they can create. There really aren't any compromises, performance is put above everything. If you're a keen and experienced wing foiler looking for the ultimate performance this wing will offer this feeling. It is expensive, and with the SLS being such a fantastic product many riders find the D/LAB a step too far. But, if you're chasing the ultimate performance and want what is certainly going to be reviewed as one of the top 3 wings of 2027 the D/LAB could be for you.
Should You Upgrade?
We'll be honest. New wings drop every year, from Duotone and most other industry leading brands, and it's easy to lose track of what's a real upgrade and what's just a refresh.
When customers ask us whether it's worth spending the money on the latest release, quite often we'll say it's nice to have rather than essential, maybe a 5 to 10% gain in performance, and if you're happy on what you've got, there's no rush. Worth mentioning too, if your wing's had a season of use on it, a brand new one brings something extra beyond the design changes. There's a taut, unstretched feel to a new canopy that a year old wing just can't match anymore, and you'll notice that the moment you're out on the water.
This year feels different though. It's been about two years since we've seen the Unit change this much, and it really does show once you're flying it. We're not saying you need to rush out and replace your quiver tomorrow, but if you were already due an upgrade, this is the launch where you'll genuinely feel the difference. As always, give us a call if you want to talk it through, we're here to help you make the right decision, not just make a sale.
A Couple of Quick Questions We Keep Getting Asked
Is the 2027 Unit range a completely different wing, or a refinement? It's a genuine structural update rather than a refinement of a previous model. The shorter chord and reworked first third of the canopy are real engineering changes, not just small tweaks. That said, if your 2026 wing is working well for you, it's a refinement you'll notice rather than one that makes your current wing obsolete.
Do I need to upgrade my whole quiver, or just one size?
Most riders don't need to replace every size at once. If you're deciding where to start, your most used wing size is a good place to upgrade first. Then you can really get a feel for the new wing, and this also gives you time to make a fair and informed decision for the new wings in your quiver. A really great tip: if you run four sizes, updating two of them per year is a good way to keep your quiver current without any of them getting too worn down. It's also a more affordable route in, since your wings won't all age out at the same time.
Will my current boom or handle work with the 2027 Unit?
Absolutely, the Fusion Boom and Fusion Handles set have not changed for this year. The Unit wings come alone, with no handles or boom, so these will either need to be transferred from your current Duotone setup, or you will need to purchase these when you buy the new wing.
If you want to talk through your options, get in touch. We love chatting through equipment with you and getting to know what you're really looking for, so we can guide you honestly based on what we know.
