Naish Microchip | Compact Performance Kite Foilboard
Shipping
UK DELIVERY ONLY
Standard 48 Hours - £2.95 / Free over £60 purchase
Express 24 Hours - £7.95
Tracked - £14.99
Returns
If you’re not completely satisfied, you can return your purchase within 14 days for a full refund or exchange — provided it’s unused and in its original packaging. Customer pays for return shipping.
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Description
The 2026 Naish Microchip is Naish's smallest and most advanced standalone kite foilboard — an 80 cm, 5-litre carbon construction built for experienced riders who want minimal board in the water and maximum efficiency above it. It's the board you reach for when you can comfortably water start on a foilboard and want to push your riding into fast pumping, sharp turns, and clean transitions.
The 2026 version has been refined with more nose rocker and larger bevelled rails to make touchdowns and taxiing more forgiving without blunting the sharp, low-swing-weight feel that makes the Microchip what it is. Construction is a high-density PVC and EPS outer rail combo core with UD and Biax carbon and glass lamination — stiff, light, and built to take the abuse of repeated foil touchdowns.
Who It's For
Advanced kite foilers who are already comfortable riding foils and want to move to a compact, high-performance board. The Microchip is not a learning tool — it rewards riders who have their water starts dialled and are chasing efficiency, speed, and flow. If you're currently on a larger foilboard and finding it sluggish during pumping or turns, this is where you step up to.
Key Features
- 80 cm length, 5 L volume — minimal board presence, near-zero swing weight for crisp, responsive foiling
- More nose rocker (2026 update) — improved angle on touchdowns and easier taxiing on the water surface compared to previous versions
- Larger bevelled rails (2026 update) — reduces catching on touchdown and makes recovery from low moments more forgiving
- High-density PVC and EPS outer rail combo core — tough outer rail absorbs impact on water touchdowns while keeping overall weight low
- UD and Biax carbon + glass lamination — stiff torsional response for direct steering input and efficient pump-to-glide energy transfer
- Full deck pad — corduroy texture on the front two pieces for foot placement feel; embossed diamond pattern on the tail pad for grip during power strokes
- Centred strap inserts — allows use of foot straps for added security in choppy conditions or when learning new manoeuvres
Real-World Feel
On the water the Microchip disappears. At 80 cm and 5 litres it barely touches the surface on takeoff and drops out of your awareness once you're flying. Pump inputs translate directly into the foil with none of the lag you get from larger boards. Turns are immediate and sharp — the short length and stiff carbon laminate mean you're moving the foil, not dragging the board. The 2026 bevelled rail update genuinely softens those moments when you clip the water mid-turn; previous versions were less forgiving on touchdowns. It's a board for riders who want to feel connected to their foil rather than their board.
Setup and Fit
The Microchip uses a foil track system compatible with the Naish Hover foil range. Check your foil mast plate dimensions before ordering if you plan to run a third-party foil — Naish use their own mounting standard. Strap inserts are centred on the board; strap positions will depend on your foil mast placement. At 80 cm this board does not float you at rest — you need a reliable water start before stepping down to this size. Foot straps can be run for added security in powered conditions or choppier water.
Materials and Construction
Core: high-density PVC and EPS outer rail combo construction. Laminate: UD carbon strips and Biax carbon with glass fibre reinforcement. Deck: full EVA deck pad — corduroy front sections, embossed diamond tail section. All hardware: marine-grade stainless steel inserts. The result is a board that is rigid underfoot, impact-resistant on the rails, and light enough to carry under one arm.
Size Guide
| Size | Dims | Volume | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 cm | 80 × 34.3 × 2.5 cm | 5 L | Advanced foilers, pumping specialists, those stepping down from a larger foilboard |
The Microchip comes in one size. If you are still progressing on foil or need a board that floats you at rest, look at the Macrochip (100 cm) or Megachip (110 cm) instead.
Pairs Well With
The Microchip is designed around the Naish Hover foil system — pairing it with a Hover foil gives you a purpose-built setup. For the kite, anything from an 8 m upward works depending on wind strength; our kites collection includes Naish's full 2026 range. If you're building a complete setup from scratch, speak to us in the shop about foil + kite + bar combinations.
Why We Stock It
We're a rider-owned shop on the Wirral and we stock boards that represent genuine steps forward in kite foiling. The Microchip is Naish's answer to the demand from experienced foilers for a board that truly gets out of the way — the 2026 updates to the rail and nose rocker address the one area where previous versions occasionally frustrated good riders. At £479 it's among the more accessible advanced foilboards on the market and a logical choice if you're ready to make the jump to a compact setup.
FAQs
Is the Naish Microchip suitable for beginners to kite foiling?
No. The Microchip is an advanced kite foilboard designed for riders who already have solid foiling skills. At 80 cm and 5 litres it does not float you at rest and offers very little margin for error on takeoff. If you're new to foiling or still progressing, start with the Megachip or Macrochip instead.
What foil is the Naish Microchip compatible with?
The Microchip is designed for the Naish Hover foil system, which uses Naish's own mast plate mounting standard. Third-party foils may not be compatible without an adapter — check your foil mast plate dimensions before purchasing. We're happy to advise on compatibility; drop us a message before ordering.
What's new on the 2026 Naish Microchip?
The 2026 version has more nose rocker and larger bevelled rails compared to previous models. This makes touchdowns more forgiving and taxiing easier without affecting the board's core character — it still pumps fast, turns sharp, and has near-zero swing weight.
Does the Naish Microchip come with foot straps?
The Microchip has centred strap inserts that allow foot straps to be fitted, but straps are not included. For most advanced foiling use riders prefer strapless, but straps can be useful in choppy conditions or when pushing new manoeuvres.
What size kite works best with the Naish Microchip 80cm?
At 80 cm with 5 litres of volume this board relies on the foil for lift rather than board volume. Most riders use the Microchip with kites from 8 m to 12 m depending on wind range. The small board is efficient to pump into foil flight, so you don't need excessive power — match kite size to wind conditions as normal.
How does the Naish Microchip compare to the Macrochip?
The Microchip (80 cm, 5 L) is strictly for advanced riders and offers near-zero swing weight and maximum foiling efficiency. The Macrochip (100 cm) is larger, floats better, and suits riders still building their foiling skills. If you need to think about whether you're ready for the Microchip, you probably want the Macrochip first.
