Armstrong A Wing XPS

Armstrong created a crisp and well designed hand wing that reliably does it job.
It is a challenge to find a wing that strikes a good balance between weight, and dependable power through a large wind range. The XPS does a good job of striking this balance as it delivers the power you need but is still lightweight. It also does a excellent job of delivering power when wet (especially compared to allula competitors).

Its also the most crisp wing I have used and holds a tight shape incredibly well. This is true in gusty conditions, and allows a larger effective wind range for each size. The XPS is also great for wave riding as the wing smoothly flies a neutral position, and doesn't get in your way. The wing delivers good power that is great for jumping and going bigger. In terms of going upwind quickly, the wing cuts upwind much better the V2 A wings.

I like the update to the handles and it feels really nature in hand. At 165lb I find a quiver of 3.5m, 4.6,5.3m cover a huge range of conditions . Solid product

"Crispy & Tight" are the words that come to mind when inflating an XPS for the first time. The superior design feels significantly different from anything else in the game. Handles accommodate the best of both worlds with some rigid structure to wrap the fingers around, while maintaining a soft connection point. At 180lbs, the 4.6 has been an ideal choice in moderate winds and the 6.1 has been great in lighter conditions. With both wings, I felt super-stable progressing from kneeling to standing as the power delivery on these is direct and it's easy to work through the spectrum of vertical lift and forward drive, depending on how you position the wing. "Just point it, and go". I'm stoked to try jumping with the XPS next.
It'll be interesting to see how these hold up over time, but I would anticipate that the tight canopy is going to add to the longevity of the product.

Coming from the performance sailing industry where there have been huge advances. This is the first wing I have seen that has taken a few of those lessons.

The structure is great, only 7 psi shows you something in how it is built. At 7 psi it is solid. Adding flat carbon battens is a positive. Material choice seem right.

Hard handles, but not hard on the strut connection, stiff feel, and transferring the load and control is excellent. They are in the right location, easy to move around on. Maneuvers are so nice with these handles.

It has a narrow groove, but wow, power and speed are there. Upwind, with flatter wing it is great at high angles. And down wind just snap the leech, and you get over the next wave. It loves being overpowered. Flat is not as much low end, I will take flat every time.

Will it last? 12 session it still looks new, other companies they are already blowing out.

One thing I would really like to see is bright colors. I have been told so many times from people on boats, and other foilers that they are very hard to see. Bright colors are safe, smart way to make wings. Orange, Yellow, let us be seen. I don’t care if it fades, be safe and let us be seen.

So many times with my Armstrong gear I say, “Thanks Arnie”. The gear is easy to use, built well, and to me the, FG boards, CF1600 & 1200 with Flow 235 tail, have this guy smiling.

Just took out 2nd place at an 8 race Regatta winging the 4.6M for the second time (first time in decent winds) against a talented racer charging on a 7M Takoon and Lift 120. Winds were 15-20 knots and this wing felt extremely comfortable pushing speeds through the slalom course! I was running the HA725/935M/60F/140Dart. Wind died on the upwind races and it hurt me on the smaller gear.

At the 1st finish I boosted a monster air and sort of caught me by surprise. The wing definitely sent me to the moon!

Overall this wing just feels like a wing should. Nothing out of place and it drives really nicely. Can't wait to put it through all the different riding scenarios. Previously I had only had it out as a light wind setup with DW board and MA1750. So far it Seems to be a great all-arounder that excels in wave riding and can hang in races.

What a nice wing!!, I never liked hard handles, now don’t know what without it, low end is I think normal but high end is like nothing else didn’t get any back winded, forgot to put battens but didn’t matter didn’t get any luffing , first one was 6.1 conditions were 5.0 but never knew I had 6.1
Jibe, tack, it accelerate, I feel like pro. Big Big smile 😃