Different types of kites

In kiteboarding there are 2 main different types of kites. LEI (Leading Edge Inflatable) kites and ram air kites (also called foil kites).
The inflatable kites are the most popular and are divided into 3 types: C-shape, bow-shape and hybrid.

Ram air kites or foil kites are mostly used by people who are interested in speed foiling. The advantages of ram air kites are that they are light and need a lot less wind than inflatable kites. The disadvantages are that they are slow moving (turning) and more difficult to launch and land than inflatable kites

Inflatable kites are what most people use.
C-shape kites are as the name says shapes like a C. The Core Impact is a pure C-shape kite. A C-shaped kite loops very consistently, delivering the same amount of pull throughout the loop. They are more difficult to relaunch from the water since a large section of the canopy will be stuck to the water.
Bow kites are shaped like a bow (as in bow and arrow). Pure bow kites are very rare at this time (2024). The airrush One was a bow kite. Bow kites are easy to relaunch from the water. They are more difficult to go upwind and they have a stronger pull than C-kites.

Most modern kites are hybrid kites. They are a mix of C-shaped and bow shaped kites. They are easier to relaunch than a C-shaped kite and deliver good performance. The Core GTS is a hybrid kite that leans more towards the C-shape. The Core XR is a hybrid kite that leans more towards the bow shape.

Core kites

Core is one of the premium kite brands, developed and designed in Fehmarn, Germany

Core has 3 ranges of kites. The universal range, the specialized range and the Pro range.

The universal range kites are suitable for all riders but they are tuned to be excellent for 1 discipline.
The universal range kites are the GTS, XR and NEXUS. All three kites are good at freeride, freestyle and wave riding.
The XR is tuned for freeride and big air.
The GTS is tuned for freestyle
The NEXUS is tuned for wave riding.

The specialized series kites are the XLITE, SECTION and IMPACT. They are specifically developed to excell in 1 discipline.
The XLITE is a specialized kite for foiling. It is also good for wave riding in low winds.
The SECTION is a specialize kite for people who like to use surfboards.
The IMPACT is a specialized wakestyle kite.

The PRO series are kites that use the ALUULA material for the leading edge and struts. This material creates a much stiffer frame while using a smaller diameter for the leading edge and struts, resulting in a faster moving, lighter kite.