How to Store Your Kite for Winter — Off-Season Care Guide
Winter storage kills more kites than hard crashes. Get this right, and your Duotone or Cabrinha will fly just as hard next spring. Here's the 30-minute process we recommend.
Rinse fresh water, dry completely, deflate fully, store flat or loosely rolled in a cool dark place. Avoid direct sunlight, heat, and damp garages. Check your valve seals before packing. The Duotone Evo SLS 2026 and similar modern kites need this care to protect their bladder integrity and ripstop fabric.
01 — Clean FoundationRinse and Dry First
After your last winter session, bring the kite inside while it's still damp. Close the valve, then gently wash the canopy and struts with fresh water and a soft cloth. Salt, sand, and algae will degrade UV coatings and fabric over months in storage — it's not pretty.
Don't use a pressure washer. That'll punch holes in the ripstop. Pat everything dry with a clean towel, then leave it flat on a dry surface for 24 hours. We're talking a spare bedroom or garage corner, not outdoors. Any moisture trapped inside when you pack is your enemy.
02 — Storage SetupDeflate and Pack Smart
Once it's bone dry, open the valve fully and let all air escape — don't squeeze or force it. A half-deflated kite stored for six months will develop permanent creases in the bladder. You want it completely flat.
Store it flat or loosely rolled (never tight rolls) in a mesh bag or cardboard box in a cool, dark place. Your garage is fine if it stays dry. Avoid attics (heat and humidity spikes), damp basements, or anywhere direct sunlight hits. UV kills ripstop even through windows. Keep it away from heaters and air-con units that cycle temperature.
03 — Our picksOur 4 In-Stock Picks
These are the kites we ship most across Europe, and they'll reward proper winter storage. Pick based on your usual wind window and skill level.
Prices and 2026 specs are pulled live from each product page. Confirm on the product page before checkout.
04 — MistakesThree mistakes we see every week
Ready to gear up this season?
Browse our full range of Duotone, Cabrinha, and Gaastra kites on the kitesurfing kites page.
Frequently asked
No. Plastic traps condensation. Use a mesh bag or cardboard box so air circulates. Your kite needs to breathe.
Once a month is plenty. Just make sure the storage space is still dry and cool. No action needed unless you spot mold or moisture.
Move the kite indoors — a bedroom, hallway, or dry closet. Damp garages are a no-go. Moisture is the enemy.
No. Store it completely deflated. Inflating and deflating it every few months actually damages the bladder faster.
