Duotone Crest D/LAB Review with Lee “Pasty” Harvey & Nick Baker — Worthing Watersports
By Sam Latham — Owner, Worthing Watersports (the UK’s Duotone specialist store)
The brand-new Duotone Crest D/LAB is here — a high-performance wave foil created for riders who want true versatility across wing foiling, prone foiling, downwind performance and e-foiling / Foil Drive assist. I had it on the water with Lee “Pasty” Harvey and Nick Baker, and this is why the Crest has quickly become our go-to recommendation for advanced progression.
Short version: the Crest sits perfectly between Duotone’s Glide and Carve 3.0 — giving drive and lift on rail while still carrying speed and pumping efficiently. It’s only available in D/LAB HM Carbon — no SLS version — which means instant response with low drag and that clean, premium finish.
Quick Links — Shop Duotone Crest D/LAB
Need advice on sizes or tails? Call us on 01903 247742 — we’re happy to help.
First Ride Impressions
Compared with the range, the Crest is happy on its side. Where the Whizz can feel a bit tippy and the Glide can be twitchy when banked, the Crest drives power on rail, creating lift and forward drive without demanding ultra-precise trimming. Even with Foil Drive weight and my less-than-perfect technique, it pushed back early coming off the back of the wave and gave me time to reset.
- Glide — brilliant for unbroken bumps and straight-line efficiency, but you may not gain much height unless you’re really moving.
- Carve 3.0 — aggressive lift and locked-in carves for critical sections; pumps you up quickly but often needs the wave to kick back in.
- Crest — sits in the sweet spot. It pumps with positive height feedback and still travels/carries speed. It also pumps well at an angle, letting you go sideways off a lip to reconnect with the next swell — you don’t have to stay dead straight and level like on Glide.
Cornering feels a fraction less aggressive than Carve 3.0, so you’re not fighting it, but it still rewards committed riding. For performance downwinding, carving back and forth linking swell lines, or e-foiling where stability on rail matters, the Crest shines.
Key Features
- Wide speed range — confidence from smaller to larger surf.
- Instant response — intuitive, seamless carving.
- Wave connectivity — efficient pumping and glide with a forgiving stall speed.
- Fluid re-entry — smooth recovery from tip breaches, airs, and slides.
- Moustache curvature & upturned tips — playful outline with control on rail.
- Low-drag D/LAB build — premium HM Carbon construction with minimal visible hardware.
Compatibility
The Crest D/LAB pairs with all D/LAB Tails, S & PX Stabilisers, and the new Monobloc Tails:
Sizes & Specs
All sizes are D/LAB HM Carbon:
| Size | Aspect Ratio | Span | Recommended Tails / Stabilisers | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675 cm² | 9.3 | 79 cm | PX160 / MB-PX145 (Wing & Assist), S160 / MB-S160 (Prone) | View 675 |
| 800 cm² | 9.0 | 85 cm | PX160 / MB-PX145 (Wing & Assist), S160 / MB-S160 (Prone) | View 800 |
| 925 cm² | 8.9 | 90 cm | PX175 / MB-PX160 (Wing & Assist), S160 / MB-S160 (Prone) | View 925 |
| 1050 cm² | 8.8 | 96 cm | PX175 / MB-PX160 (Wing & Assist), S160 / MB-S160 (Prone) | View 1050 |
Hardware: M6x25 (tail), 3x M8x50 (mast). Recommended torques: Tail 10 Nm, Mast 15 Nm.
Who the Crest D/LAB Is For
- Riders who want high-performance wave foiling without the twitchiness on rail.
- Downwinders linking bumps and carving back and forth on swell lines.
- Foil Drive / e-foil users seeking stable, efficient pumping with positive height feedback.
- Prone & wing foilers stepping up from Glide or wanting a calmer feel than Carve 3.0 in smaller surf.
Crest vs Glide vs Carve 3.0 — The Short Take
- Glide: Best for unbroken bumps and flatter, straighter riding. Pumps and carries forward speed but doesn’t always gain much height without pace.
- Carve 3.0: Critical sections, aggressive lift and locked-in turns. Fast, powerful, wave-driven riding.
- Crest: The middle ground — drive on rail, smooth lift, efficient angled pumps, and excellent wave-to-wave connectivity.
Ready to Order?
Order today from Worthing Watersports — the UK’s Duotone specialist store — with real-time stock visibility and expert setup advice:
- Shop Duotone Crest D/LAB (all sizes)
- UK \Free Shipping (free over £50)
- Call the shop: 01903 247742
We’re also happy to recommend tails and stabilisers to match your weight, board, and local conditions.