At F-ONE, innovation fuels our passion and drive to redefine your experience on the water. With the PLUME and FRIGATE, we’ve created two unique tools that open up exciting possibilities in wind sports, particularly in the downwind and freefly disciplines.
This guide will help you explore the key features and differences between the PLUME, our groundbreaking K-Wing, and the FRIGATE, our Pocket Wing, each designed with distinct purposes and riders in mind.
The PLUME
The PLUME is a K-Wing, blending the best aspects of kites, wings and even pocket wings. Designed for remarkable freefly abilities and effortless downwind runs, the PLUME is intuitive and lightweight, offering incredible stability and glide.
Key Features:
- Fantastic for freeflying, downwinding and freeriding: Perfect for riders who value simplicity and seamless transitions on the water.
- Effortless handling: Super light, easy to hold at arm’s length.
- Great upwind angle: Comparable to a wing.
- Wide wind range: Stability and control across varying conditions.
- Minimalist design: Small leading edge, no struts, and a sleek C-shape profile.
- Safety-first: Easy setup and user-friendly even offshore.
Available sizes: 2.5 m², 3.0 m², 3.5 m², 4.2 m², 5.0 m²
The FRIGATE
The FRIGATE is F-ONE’s first pocket wing, combining compactness, stability, and precision. It’s the ultimate tool for super quick upwind rides and long, controlled downwinders, appealing to riders who look for performance and autonomy.
Key Features:
- Superior upwind capability: ride upwind efficiently and maximize your time downwinding.
- Stability and comfort: a precise, consistent ride, even in gusty winds.
- Compact design: Easy to deploy, and super easy to stash thanks to our depower handle.
- Dynamic Bridle System: for maximum control of the shape and tension of the sail in the sheet-in/sheet-out position.
- Intuitive and easy to handle: Short bridles and clear color code.
- Durable, top-of-the-range materials: for long-lasting performance and lightness.
Available sizes: 2.5 m², 3.0 m², 3.5 m², 4.0 m², 4.7 m²
For Whom?
The PLUME is ideal for riders of all levels. Its user-friendly design makes it accessible to beginners while offering a new dimension for experienced riders. If you’re drawn to freefly sensations or looking for a versatile tool for downwinding and freeriding, the PLUME is for you.
The FRIGATE is best suited for intermediate to advanced downwind riders seeking high performance. Although still very comfortable, it is a bit more technical to handle, and is therefore perfect for those who prioritize freedom of movement during the downwind run. We would advise riders to take a pocket wing only if they are already able to freefly for a few hundred meters without powering their wing.
In which conditions?
The PLUME thrives in a variety of conditions thanks to its impressive wind range
(spanning about 15-20 knots),
and great ability to handle gusts and strong winds higher than 30 knots.
Its ability to glide effortlessly and transition between upwind riding and freeflying makes it ideal for short surfs where you need to catch and release your sail as fast as possible. The PLUME also benefits from a better high end than the FRIGATE, as it will stay light and stable even in the strongest conditions.
The FRIGATE is best for longer downwinders or longer waves where you will have more time to pack and enjoy. The FRIGATE’s power shines as you get moving and start building apparent wind. It has one of the best wind ranges amongst the pocket wings currently on the market. The FRIGATE also benefits from a better low end than the PLUME, which will allow you to ride with smaller sizes for the same wind strength.
What are the sensations?
The PLUME offers a more intuitive experience overall, bringing comfort, ease of use, and versatility to the table. The PLUME delivers power more smoothly, with fewer bridles to tangle and a lightweight, inflatable structure that makes it safer and easier to handle. It has a wider wind range, a better depower, and provides such a light bar feel and forward traction that you virtually never need a harness. All in all, the PLUME feels quite straightforward, pulling gently and intuitively, whether freeflying or simply cruising along.
The FRIGATE stands out for its quick and effortless upwind ability, bringing dynamic acceleration, immediate power, and superb efficiency to bring you to the top of the run in the blink of an eye. Although requiring a bit more technical skills, it does remain easy to use, and the payoff is a highly controlled and rewarding downwind experience. Its light bar feel is exceptional amongst pocket wings, and the ability to easily and fully stow it to downwind hands-free amplifies the sense of freedom.
In a Nutshell
Choose the PLUME if you’re looking for versatility, ease of use, and the freedom to explore a new way of enjoying downwind sensations that are more rewarding than a wing. It is also a great and simple tool for hassle-free freeriding sessions, and to have in your quiver to travel lightly in a place where you may face varying conditions.
Choose the FRIGATE if you’re a seasoned downwind rider looking for minimalistic equipment and seeking speed, precision, and autonomy in a compact, high-performance package. Its raw pull, forward traction, and power delivery make it perfect for offshore expeditions and long downwind adventures.
What’s more, with their similar control system and vertical bar, the PLUME is also a great way to start and progress before moving on to the FRIGATE.
Whether you prioritize the lightness and simplicity of the PLUME or the power-packed efficiency and compactness of the FRIGATE, both open up new possibilities for how and where you ride. The choice is yours.
