Kite line has come a long way since the parcel string I used as a child. Understanding the different uses of the different modern lines that are available to you will help select the right line for your style of kiting.

Single Line Kite Lines
 Experienced single line fliers often have a wide range of lines they will use, for example, Flying a 1m Rok in low wind you might use just 40kg (80lb) line, but in a slightly stronger wind the same kite will have 65kg (140lb) making singing noises under stress.
Polyester or Nylon line is nearly always used for single line kites, it has an average stretch of 15% which can be useful in gusty conditions. It is available in two main types, Twisted and Braided line. A good lightweight twisted line is perfect for light wind conditions. Up to about 18kg test twisted line is fine. Above this weight braided line is easier to handle (it's softer) and won't unravel when it is twisted. Braided polyester is the most common line used by experienced kite fliers to fly single line kites above 1 metre in size. We sell this line by the metre on our bridle line page as it is both used as kite bridle and flying line.
Single Line Kite, Line Length
The Legal Height Limit in the UK is 60m (196ft). Most kites with 100m (328ft) of line would not break this limit, but beware some tailless delta's and parafoils will. CAA kindly give us permission at some festivals to fly above this limit, but there are restrictions. Please always be sure to enquire from the festival organiser if you wish to fly above 200ft. There are sometimes up to four kite festivals on any weekend in the UK in the summer.  These are listed on http:www.//kitecalendar.co.uk/ and your local club will probably have at least one event per year.
climax DACRON BLACK-Line
 100m spools
The best line for single line kites.
daN lbs PRICE
40 80 5.90
65 140 6.90
110 240 7.90
140 305 9.90
170 370 11.90
260 570 12.50
300 660 14.50
400 880 16.50
500 1100 20.50

Dacron line is usually sold in braided form and is slightly more expensive to buy. Dacron is usually used for Single line kites when the flier requires a higher performance from his kite. It is thinner than polyester of the same strength, therefore providing less wind resistance. This is particularly noticeable at higher poundage's. Dacron is less resistant to abrasion than polyester or nylon. It has an average of less than 10% stretch. This gives better control at higher altitudes and with difficult kites. Most kites over .5m in size fly better on braided Dacron line, below this twisted polyester is probably better.

 Back to Dacron Line

Twin Line Kite, Line Length
 Different line lengths are used for different styles of flying. When you first fly 2 line kites, it is often helpful to use long lines, at least 30m (98ft) long lines. This slows down the kite in relation to the flier by creating a bigger arc.  Smaller kites below 160cm wingspan can be used on 25m (82ft) lines by beginners, particularly in low winds. Large Power/soft foil kites over 3m often need more space to turn in, so lines of 35m (115ft) or 45m (147ft)  can be used.  As you become more experienced, you may want to shorten your line length to speed things up, and give more direct control. This is particularly true if you want to learn to fly Trick or Freestyle delta sport kite flying, where you need to be very accurate and also don't want to walk a long way if you get it wrong. The opposite is true if you want to fly in Pairs or with a Team, where the most important thing is gaining plenty of space and time. Line lengths of 45m (150ft) and more are often used. The line must be abrasion resistant so flyers can wrap without cutting each others lines, and very slippery so they can keep control while they are crossed and twisted up together. Team conditions are probably the most testing for lines.
climax basic white 100m spools
A budget Dyneema Line  for beginners. 
Kg lbs Price
25 55 6.90
40 85 7.90
60 130 9.90
80 175 10.90
110 240 12.90
140 305 15.90
180 395 21.50
250 550 25.90

Twin Line Kite Lines
 Basic Dyneema is the standard line for beginners to 2 line kites. It gives good control and can easily maintain control with 10 twists in the line. Dyneema is thinner for its strength compared with Dacron or polyester line. This gives low wind resistance which means you can fly in lighter winds. It has 5% stretch which means you get a direct connection between you and your kite.   This line, like all good multi line lines has one drawback, low abrasion resistance. This means you must avoid crossing with any other line as it is your line that will be cut and worse still, you cannot tie knots in it.   For most sport fliers this is the line that you fly with when you are learning to fly.

 Back to Dyneema spools  Back to Dyneema Line sets
Sleeving Lines
All Good quality Sport kite such as Dyneema, Protec, Professional, Extreme and Combat lines will require sleeving at the ends in a length of polyester or Dacron. This is to prevent the stress and overheating at the knots.

To chose a thickness of sleeving to suit the line 1.5mm can be used on lines up to 100kg above this 3mm sleeving is better.  If you cannot get a sleeving needle try using a 16 gauge electric guitar string as this is the perfect length and thickness for a needle. Bend this in half at the centre to make your needle. Cut your sleeving to length make sure all four lengths are equal. When sleeving thicker lines always cut your sleeving a little longer as it will shrink in length when the line is fed through it. Sleeving kits are usually designed for two lines so always add a metre of another colour or size if you are sleeving four lines.  

Feed the sleeving needle through the sleeving and put the line through the loop as shown. Now draw the line carefully back through the sleeving and level it with the other end and then knot the line. Careful knotting of the loops in this sleeving can increase the line strength by as much as 87%.

It is a good idea to check the length of both lines are absolutely equal. You can do this by pegging one end down and pulling on the other loops. If both lines come off the floor together when pulled gently you can be sure they are equal. 

Protec and Professional lines are more expensive but are the best line a 2-4 line kite flier can use. They are thinner, tightly braided and round in cross section to reduce wind resistance. With 4% stretch or less they give the best control possible. You can wrap your lines up to 50 times without loosing control. Lines are colour coded. All these lines require sleeving and careful knotting to get the very best out of them. Basic Dyneema is rarely used for Quad line sport kites. It tends to grind and lock up (loose control) too easily.
climax Professional 90m spools
For Competition, Trick, Precision, 4 Line -  fine+thin.
Kg lbs PRICE
38 80 15.90
50 120 16.90
75 165 17.90
100 220 19.90
130 285 22.90

 PROFESSIONAL line or EFP is purple or yellow in colour.

This line has less than 4% stretch and is perfect for Sport Quad and Trick flying. This line gives the most accurate and solid connection at short lengths. It has been shown to improve most flyers ability to perform tricks .

PROFESSIONAL has less stretch than PROTEC but is slightly less abrasion resistant.

Back to Professional spools  Back to Professional Line sets
climax PROTEC red/orange 
 90m spools
 The best there is for Sport and Team Kites
Kg lbs PRICE
25 55 17.90
50 110 18.50
70 150 18.90
100 220 21.90
130 285 25.90
160 350 27.90
200 440 32.50

Has 4% stretch and is available in 45m sets for Team/Pairs Flying where abrasion resistance is essential. This line is used by Sky Symphony and most other top kite teams and is the most popular choice for pairs fliers.  

It is available in line strengths from 25kg (55lb) to 200kg (440lb)

Back to Protec spools  Back to Protec Line sets

climax COMBAT orange 
100m spools
 100% pre-stretched for Buggy Surf Snow Kiting
Kg lbs Price
110 240 21.90
140 305 26.90
175 385 28.90
190 410 36.90
240 520 44.90
350 770  

Quad Line
On kite buggy and mountain-board sets the mains (upper set) take most of the power and the brakes (lower set) are usually much thinner.  Cut lines Sometimes have the brakes slightly longer than the mains. COMBAT and Powerline Extreme are mainly used for Traction lines. Basic Dyneema is not recommended for main lines as it will tend to foul up the braking point. The lower stretch COMBAT and Powerline Extreme lines keep your kite going where you sent it. 25m (82ft) is a standard line length, but I will do 30m(98ft) and even 50m (164ft) line sets if asked. 

This line like all good multi line lines has one drawback, low abrasion resistance. This means you must avoid crossing with any other line as it is your line that will be cut and worse still, you cannot tie knots in it.   Combat Line is Yellow and tighter braided than Dyneema with less stretch. It is available in much Higher Strengths (up to 500kg).  I keep a wide range of pre-wound and unwound COMBAT line. 

 Back to Traction Spools  Back to Traction Line sets

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