Armstrong Foils A-Wing XPS Mk II 2025
Reviews / Wings
2,520
It’s here - the highly anticipated A-Wing XPS Mk II has finally hit the shelves. After the success of the Mk1, it’s no surprise everyone has been dying to get a hold of these wings. In this review, we’ll let you know if it was worth the wait (spoiler alert - it was!).
Armstrong claims it’s their most versatile wing to date, purpose-built for the full spectrum of modern winging, from flat-out freestyle and race course sprints to laid-back cruising and down-the-line wave gliding. With two years of focused development behind it, this wing has had every little detail thoroughly tested and explored.
At the heart of the redesign is the new Cross Panel Sail (XPS) layout, a technical canopy configuration that is designed to minimise distortion under load by aligning panel angles with the natural stress pathways in the wing. The result? According to Armstrong, this is a tighter, more efficient sail that generates power without compromising control. This should be particularly noticeable when accelerating, pumping, or handling gusty conditions.
The newly refined airframe features a slightly lower aspect ratio than the original XPS, aiming to improve upwind performance and overall stability.
One of the standout innovations on the Mk II is the Dyna-Link handle system, which gives riders the freedom to swap between lightweight carbon handles and a full carbon boom setup, no tools required. The modular system is rock solid in use and offers the best of both worlds: direct feedback for technical manoeuvres and smooth adjustability for cruising or surf transitions. This is a very clever system that adds real personalisation to your wing. It’s very stiff when changing between handles or boom, but it’s more than doable!
Armstrong has also taken durability seriously with this iteration. The frame is built from a balanced combination of DLE 160 and 130 fabrics for optimal strength-to-weight performance. At the same time, the canopy is constructed from proven Teijin D3 Technoforce material, tough enough to handle high-stress riding without adding unnecessary bulk.
On the water
Well, my first question with these wings was - ‘where do I start?’. Go for a cruise, surf, speed session, or reestyle? It’s designed to do it all.
I, of course, went with waves, but I made sure to use a small board and straps so I could also boost some airs.
Let me tell you, the feeling with this wing is instant, the stiffest, most direct and performance-centred wing I’ve ever experienced. It’s honestly hard to believe you’re holding fabric at all rather than some kind of futuristic solid carbon… I didn’t feel a single flutter, shake or flap in any of my sessions. It really is quite remarkable.
That all leads to everything that is mentioned above, insane upwind angles, effortless tacks and gybes, lofty jumps with controlled landings…the list goes on. It’s an absolute pleasure to ride.
I had the 3.5, 4.5 & 5.5 on test. All great in their own way, but I particularly enjoyed using the 3.5 in some seriously strong winds while on a trip in Portugal. It was so responsive, especially when you’d be hanging on for dear life!
The stiffness of the wing becomes most apparent when pinching into the wind or holding steady in strong gusts - there’s a planted, confident feeling that keeps your focus on the ride instead of micromanaging your trim. It features a subtly double-bent centre strut, which I believe positions your arms in a comfortable, natural stance. According to Armstrong, this design reduces shoulder fatigue. While I felt great using this wing, I feel we’d need some decent scientific studies to confirm their statement.
I can say that these wings are excellent for intermediate riders just as much as they are for experts. My wife has been learning to gybe on them and has found them super responsive and ‘silent, ’ which undoubtedly helps with concentration! She’s made serious progress on them.
Summary
I’ve had an absolute blast testing these wings. Available in a wide size range from 2.0m to 6.5m, the XPS Mk II is ready to meet a range of needs, from high-wind freestyle to light-wind downwinders. Whether you’re chasing podiums, progression, or pure carving bliss, this wing has it all. It’s honestly hard to imagine where we’re going to go from here. How does it get any better?
Videos
This review was in Issue 25 of Tonic Mag.
For more information visit Armstrong FoilsRelated
By Jack Galloway
