DUOTONE SUPER HERO D-LAB 5M: 2025 TEST REVIEW - Windsurf Mag

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The Verdict

Lightweight, powerful and boasting an impressive wind range, the Super_Hero D-Lab delivers exactly what you need precisely when you need it. This exceptional sail will give you everything you want to push your skills further and elevate your riding experience.

Few sizes in stock, please get in contact if you would like to pre-order from the next batch

https://worthingwatersports.com/products/duotone-sail-super_hero-d-lab-2025?_pos=1&_psq=d%2Flab+super&_ss=e&_v=1.0

The Lowdown

Duotone’s high-end wave sail. When unrolled, you can see the fibres and detailed layup, which gives it a slightly industrial look, but in a good way, allowing you to appreciate the inner workings that aren’t always visible. At the foot, a 6mil X-Ply layer is strategically placed for added protection in an area prone to stress from both the rider and the conditions. Most notably, the Carbon X-Ply radiates from the clew, running diagonally up and across the Super Hero D-Lab. This Carbon X-Ply is there to eliminate the stretch in the load direction, extending the sail’s lifespan and helping to transfer load from the clew into the Super_Hero D-Lab’s body more efficiently. On a race sail, carbon battens are usually used for top end control but for durability reasons this doesn’t work to well on a wave sail. So, Duotone have cleverly placed epoxy battens to form the skeleton of the Super_Hero D-Lab. The epoxy battens are known for being extremely stable and more resistant to breakage, ensuring stable power delivery to the rider. The batten pockets are then made from carbon X-Ply to elevate its top end control, much like a race sail. As with every Duotone sail, there are clear indicators for rigging and tuning in the relevant areas, helping to avoid any faults during the setup process. Despite all this reinforcement, the Super Hero D-Lab is impressively lightweight—it’s the lightest sail in the test, they haven’t reduced the thickness of any of the materials, or reduced the sails integrity, they have shaved off the weight very cleverly in other areas. Its fused and glued seams contribute to this massively as well as it clean and tidy look, in fact approximately 90% of the Super_Hero D-Lab it fused or glued, including along the batten pockets. With its combination of light weight, design features, and performance materials, it promises to deliver an impressive wave sailing experience for riders looking to push their limits.

Brand Claim

“Unbelievable but true the wind range is extended in both directions means it gets planning earlier while offering more high-end control. To give you a better idea on the Original SUPER_HERO a typical quiver is 5.3 – 4.7 – 4.2. With the SUPER_HERO D/LAB though you can go 5.0 – 4.2 and cover the same range!”

Performance

The first thing you notice about the Super_Hero D-Lab is how insanely light it feels in your hands. Duotone strongly believes that this is because they have not reduced the film and X-Ply thicknesses but shaved off grams in other areas and not hindering its strength or durability. Even before you get up and going, you can tell the Super_Hero D-Lab will be quick to plane and manoeuvre through critical transitions and moments while riding. Reacting seamlessly to rider input, the Super_Hero D-Lab gives back what you put into it—if not more. Its pumping ability is particularly noticeable in float-and-ride conditions. A few pumps from the rider just as you’re about to hurtle into a super-committed bottom turn, and the Super_Hero D-Lab delivers in return; impressive speed, acceleration, and power that drive you forward without holding you back. Effortlessly powered, the Super_Hero D-Lab breathes well and handles gusts like an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. In fact, its wind range is remarkable, performing impressively across the entire spectrum. At the lower end, the Super_Hero D-Lab stands out as one of the best in its category, providing the goods with just the slightest gust. In the top end the Super_Hero D-Lab remains poised, calm and collected, not straining under the pressure, its power remains stable and the rider unaffected. As expected with its light handling and minimal weight, the Super_Hero D-Lab allows you to focus entirely on wave riding and board control, giving you the headspace to plan your timing and approach to the sections lining up ahead. Power is always available if you need it—or even if you simply want it. Communicate what you need to the Super_Hero D-Lab, and it will deliver, allowing you to express your own style. Whether it’s slashy turns or committed bottom turns, the Super_Hero D-Lab gives you the freedom to perform with confidence and creativity.