If I had to buy a wing today

You can help / Tu peux aider

Definitions:
      "Low B" wing: Rated EN B, but manufacturer says suitable for student or new pilot.
      "Mid B" wing: Rated EN B, but in between "Low B" and "High B".
      "High B" wing: Rated EN B, but manufacturer indicates NOT suitable for student or new pilot.

Highest performance model,
satisfying next 3 columns Max of
"High B" All lower lines sheathed,
all brake lines sheathed Robust version,
not lightweight No special packing Availability

Nova / Nexo Low B True True True 2026, June

PHI / Beat 2 Mid B True True True 2024, April

Ozone / Buzz Z7 Low B True True False: Concertina 2023, June

Skywalk / Tequila 6 Low B True True False: Concertina 2023, September

Gin / Evora Low B False: All lower lines sheathed,
not upper brake lines True False: Concertina 2023, January

Advance / Epsilon 10 DLS Low B False: All lower lines sheathed,
not upper brake lines True False: Concertina 2023, February

Niviuk / Hook 6 Low B False: All lower lines sheathed,
not upper brake lines True False: Concertina 2022, November

BGD / Epic 2 Low B False: All lower lines sheathed,
not upper brake lines True False: Concertina 2022, April

Related discussion: PG Forum > Return to Practicality.

Why do I maintain this table?
Because I am often asked "What would you buy?" and I can simply refer to this page. This should only be considered as a starting point for your own selection process. It corresponds to what I would buy for myself, without considering the purchase price. I may choose to gamble on a wing I have not yet flown. My selection process is not influenced by the advertisers or people making donations. I reserve the right to change my mind at any time (men can do that too). Unsheathed line versions are not represented for a fair comparison of base models.

What should a new pilot get?

EN Consideration... EN

A <--No     Learned to reverse kite (10+ seconds) in 8 hours?     Yes-->
<--No     75% success rate at forward launches?     Yes-->
<--No     65% success rate at reverse launches?     Yes-->
<--No     Will fly 4+ times a month (stay current)?     Yes-->
<--No     Will avoid rough part of the day by 30+ minutes?     Yes-->
<--No     Flying site is often windy and LZ not close?     Yes-->
<--No     You do your "own thing", not eager to "show off"?     Yes--> Low B

Notes:
1) An EN A wing will not compensate for poor judgement (assessment of risk) and make you safe.
2) You can do most things with an EN A wing, only occasionally get frustrated with reduced penetration (and glide) into a headwind, needed if it gets windy and your LZ is far.
3) If you do choose to get an EN A wing, then forget about getting "the best", just get the least expensive one, because nobody will care about its performance when you re-sell it.
4) There is a bigger financial profit on an EN-A wing for the person selling it to you, hopefully that is not motivating their recommendation.
5) If you are buying your first wing, make an effort to buy it from your instructor (unless you don't like him), instead of having an unrelated sales person profit.

Get a Low or High B? Here are the advantages to both...

Low B High B

Cost: About $300 less at purchase, $500 more value at resale because more pilots can fly it.
Significantly more relaxing: Less wing movements in rough air, much less dramatic full speed collapse recoveries.
Slightly easier to untangle lines for launching, since more will be sheathed. 10-15% performance gain, mostly when gliding with speed bar.
Bragging rights.

Notes:
1) Advice: Unless you want to compete or push local XC records, get a Low B. You can still enjoy XC flights, all while being relaxed.

Highest performance model, satisfying next 3 columns	Max of "High B"	All lower lines sheathed, all brake lines sheathed	Robust version, not lightweight	No special packing	Availability
Nova / Nexo	Low B	True	True	True	2026, June
PHI / Beat 2	Mid B	True	True	True	2024, April
Ozone / Buzz Z7	Low B	True	True	False: Concertina	2023, June
Skywalk / Tequila 6	Low B	True	True	False: Concertina	2023, September
Gin / Evora	Low B	False: All lower lines sheathed, not upper brake lines	True	False: Concertina	2023, January
Advance / Epsilon 10 DLS	Low B	False: All lower lines sheathed, not upper brake lines	True	False: Concertina	2023, February
Niviuk / Hook 6	Low B	False: All lower lines sheathed, not upper brake lines	True	False: Concertina	2022, November
BGD / Epic 2	Low B	False: All lower lines sheathed, not upper brake lines	True	False: Concertina	2022, April

EN	Consideration...	EN
A	<--No Learned to reverse kite (10+ seconds) in 8 hours? Yes--> <--No 75% success rate at forward launches? Yes--> <--No 65% success rate at reverse launches? Yes--> <--No Will fly 4+ times a month (stay current)? Yes--> <--No Will avoid rough part of the day by 30+ minutes? Yes--> <--No Flying site is often windy and LZ not close? Yes--> <--No You do your "own thing", not eager to "show off"? Yes-->	Low B

Low B	High B
Cost: About $300 less at purchase, $500 more value at resale because more pilots can fly it. Significantly more relaxing: Less wing movements in rough air, much less dramatic full speed collapse recoveries. Slightly easier to untangle lines for launching, since more will be sheathed.	10-15% performance gain, mostly when gliding with speed bar. Bragging rights.