Armstrong Foils MA Mk II Front Foil 2025
Reviews / Hydrofoils
2,520
At A Glance
When Armstrong announced the MA Mk2 was on the way, I was super keen to get my hands on it. The original MA series, particularly the MA800, were epic for winging in the waves (I was still using them until these arrived!); however, for our gutless waves on the South Coast of the UK, they lacked the pump & glide needed to be a regular surf foil choice for me. So, with that in mind, I really hoped Armstrong had got that balance right with this edition!
Out of the box, it’s immediately apparent that this foil has a narrow wing span. Especially when compared to most foils these days, which are high aspect ratio foils, this design is intended to provide the foil with a quick roll rate and rail-to-rail movement, resulting in a real surfy feel. I was excited to get it on the water, to say the least!
On the technical side, Armstrong has engineered the foil with pre-preg high modulus carbon construction, delivering excellent stiffness and strength without unnecessary weight. This should help maintain responsiveness during heavy loading—whether you’re pumping through flat sections, landing with speed, or holding edge at high angles. They’ve also completely redesigned the foil section shape to provide consistent feedback and, as Armstrong claims, help you recover cleanly from wingtip breaches, adding a layer of confidence when riding close to the edge.
I tested this issue using the MA890 & 690 front wings, paired with the 130, 170 & 200 tails.
On the water
I didn’t hesitate and took to 890 paired with the 170 tail for a first surf foil chance I got! I’m pleased to say I haven’t been disappointed. The initial feel on takeoff was very similar to my go-to HA880 foil; it provided plenty of lift to get you to your feet and a respectable stall speed, allowing me to pump clear of the takeoff wave even if I hadn’t reached full speed yet.
When pumping and connecting waves, they’ve made enormous improvements compared to the initial MA series. It’s definitely a different pump from a HA wing, a much deeper pump on the MA with a slower cadence. It takes a bit of getting used to, especially when I’m so used to the quick taps of a high aspect foil, but it’s not a problem. I should say that, as expected, it doesn’t pump for as long as the HA range, but that’s not the aim. The key thing is that it pumps long enough to get 3 to 4 waves per flight.
Once on the wave, it feels incredible. I’ve been struggling to speed up my top-to-bottom turns on the wave, and this foil has done wonders for that. It’s got a much more fluid feel, I’m able to turn ‘rail to rail’ far more than I have on any previous surf foil setups.
Now, I’m no expert at hitting white water…but what I can tell you is that I’ve had the most control yet when flying through white water, and it breaches wing tips exceptionally well.
I’ll have to wait until winter to surf foil with the MA690; however, I did pair it with the 130 tail and took it for a wing. It was awesome! It goes to show that these foils are really versatile, with tons of speed, easy transitions, and super fun in the waves. I find it hard to imagine how good the MA490 would be!
Summary
Blending precision, flow, and intuitive control, the MA Mk II is an excellent upgrade from the original wings - built for riders who want a carving foil that feels alive underfoot across a huge range of disciplines and conditions. Whether you’re winging in gusty wind, drawing lines on a long open face, or threading tight arcs on a foil surf session, the MA Mk II will deliver.
With sizes ranging from 490 to 1390 cm², there’s an option suited to everything from high-wind technical riding to mellow surf cruising. For those chasing the sweet spot between stability, speed, and carve ability, the MA Mk II is gonna be hard to beat!
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By Jack Galloway
