Seeking Advice: Naish Sol or Haze?

Montana · Since 20 Apr 2010 7 Posts Kook

I'm new to kiting, have had one lesson and a couple of sessions and am currently looking at buying my first board. I have 20+ years experience windsurfing and snowboarding, am 5'9" (178cm) and weigh about 160lb (73 kilograms).

I am looking at a Sol or a Haze and I need some advice. I'd like a versatile board that I can ride in a variety of conditions, from Montana lakes to the Gorge to the coast, and one I can grow into as my skill level improves.

Any advice on which board/size would be best?

Mark · Mon Apr 26, 10 12:33 pm

Very different boards.
The 141 would be a great light wind board or beginner board. Lots of float and good handling.

The 134 would be a great all around board that you could use in higher winds. It has a very nice feel in the chop.

If you had to choose only one board, I would go with the 134 then get a skimboard or surfboard for light wind and different fun.

See if you can try both and decide what "feels" right to you. You should feel confident on the board and not always have to think about it.

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

The Sol 134 is probably big enough to learn on and will continue to be useful to you. The Haze will be great for learning, but you will outgrow it very quickly due to larger size. I'd go with Sol.

pepper311 · Since 10 Jan 2010 21 Posts

Can you get a deal on the 136 Haze? That'd be my recommendation if you can.

Montana · Since 20 Apr 2010 7 Posts Kook

Thanks guys. I'm leaning toward the Sol.

pepper311 · Since 10 Jan 2010 21 Posts

I like the haze much more than the Sol, as the haze is a slightly stiffer board with squarer tips, offering better pop and a bit more fun.

I guess that it really comes to what you're looking to do with kiteboarding. Jump? or mow the lawn? In my opinion the Haze would be better for the first, while the Sol would be better for cruising. The Sol may be a little more forgiving when you're learning.

I rode a sol in 2008, didn't like it much, Haze in 2009 a bit of an improvement, and then a Thorn in 2010. I am switching to a Momentum soon. The Haze just felt much better than the Sol to me coming from a background in wakeboarding and windsurfing.

Really, a board is a board and either will treat you great, it just depends where you see yourself going with kiteboarding (freestyle or crusing). Then again, if you're just learning you may not know!!

I'd say keep your options open and get the Haze.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

great starter board.
...and it's a great twin-tip to use in the surf too Thumb's Up

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Have an old version of the sol. Would encourage you to look outside of naish on this (sorry mark) unless Naish has upgraded their boards. I think mine is an 07 or 08 and it just sorta sucked. Hard to hold an edge. If you are going for one board then I would point you more toward a recoil or something along those lines.

Sorry not trying to get into a brand thing but that specific board I was not super impressed with. I still ride mine although I had an underground I much preferred until I lost it. Hopefully Naish has gotten better on these and I'm wrong. May be the wrong guy to talk with cause I bought the board new and it turned out to be a defect once I really got it home and looked at it. Shoulda taken it back right away. End rant.

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

I have the 2007 136x39cm Sol and I love it !!!

I was using a stiffer 2007 Caution Redline 132x38 and a North Sky Pro 136x41, plus some directional boards. I picked up a Sol on a recommendation and gave it a try. At first it felt too flexy compared to my other twin-tips, but I've grown to love this board. I love the way it works on the wave face, it surfs the wave more than slices it. I use the Sol out at the coast and my Redline here in the Gorge. Sold the Sky Pro, was too wide (41cm). I'm 200lbs, for me 39cm wide is pretty optimal.

I'm not so in love with the straps on the 2007 Sol, they are OK, but not as good as my Caution straps. If you are looking at 2010 gear, then I'm sure Naish's new straps are much improved over what I have. Another thing to check out is the weight of the board. My Sol is pretty light, it's nice having a light board with a wood core.

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Yeah to be fair I do like it more for surfing. It just doesn't set up holding an edge as well as I'd like when it's nuking. I prob shoulda learned more about the board before having bought it so prob my bad Embarassed

If I were gonna have one board this would not be the one that I'd pick but it is nice to have some options.

It wasn't until I was riding it for a while that I stopped and really looked at it one day and noticed it was a defect--the thing was totally cut asymmetrical (and this wasn't the makers intent) and then I picked it up at shop. I think it w as sorta a nobody really noticed it cause you just assume it's fine and I wasn't looking for that.

It can be a fun board but since it is my only one right now and it is hard to hold an edge when it is nuking wouldn't be my first suggestion.