Core Pace Pro 2 vs Core NXS: Which Kite Should You Fly?

CORE's two newest kites solve completely different problems. The Core Pace Pro 2 is a dedicated big-air and kiteloop machine built around a new five-strut Aluula airframe, while the Core NXS is a genuine single-quiver crossover kite that spans freeride, waves and foiling. If you're trying to work out which one belongs in your bag, here's how they actually differ.

What Is the Core Pace Pro 2?

The Pace Pro 2 is CORE's dedicated ultra-high-performance big-air kite, and the headline change from the original Pace Pro is structural: the three-strut airframe has been replaced with a five-strut Aluula® construction. That extra structure translates directly into more boost, greater stability at the top of the wind range, and a planted, predictable feel through the bridle when you're loading up for a loop.

Where a sheet-and-go kite hands you power instantly, the Pace Pro 2 rewards riders who actively build load before take-off and release it on their own terms. CORE has tuned in a distinct second lift — a sustained lift phase after take-off that turns a scrappy landing into a clean one — plus reworked bridle tuning for cleaner, more predictable loop radii. It's built on an Aluula® Gold leading edge with ExoTex® Light struts and a CoreTex® 2 triple-ripstop canopy, running a fixed 14-point bridle.

What Is the Core NXS?

The Core NXS is CORE's 2026 all-round crossover kite — a three-strut design that pulls DNA from four different models in the range: the playful Nexus, the boosting Pace, the wave-specific Section, and the foil-focused Xlite. The pitch is simple — stronger boosting and cleaner landings than the Nexus, with more drift and agility than the Pace, in one kite that doesn't force you to specialise.

On a twintip it boosts noticeably higher than the Nexus while landing softer. In waves, the fixed bridle holds consistent front-line tension so it tracks predictably and drifts cleanly down the line without surging. On a foil, the lightweight ExoTex® 3 leading edge and ExoTex® Light struts keep it stable overhead so your attention stays on the board rather than the kite. It's built for intermediate to advanced riders who already manage bar trim and boosting across conditions — not a first kite, but a strong single-quiver option for someone who rides more than one discipline.

Core Pace Pro 2 vs Core NXS: Spec Comparison

Which One Should You Ride?

Choose the Pace Pro 2 if…

You're chasing height with controlled, repeatable landings, or working on single and heli loops where predictable timing matters more than anything else. The five-strut Aluula frame is a focused tool for competition riders and committed recreational loopers — it stays calm and composed exactly where lighter kites start getting nervous, which is what lets you commit to the loop in the first place.

Choose the NXS if…

You want one kite that covers freeride, waves and foiling without a hard compromise in any of them — particularly useful if you travel to different spots or switch between a twintip and a foilboard depending on conditions. It's the more forgiving, more versatile of the two, built for riders who'd rather carry one exceptional all-rounder than a quiver of specialists.

Bar Compatibility Matters Here

Both kites use a fixed bridle, and both depend on CORE's newer Sensor 4-series bars to depower fully. The NXS needs a Sensor 4 or Sensor 4S; the Pace Pro 2 needs a step up again to a Sensor 4S or Sensor 4S Pro specifically, because its fixed bridle only fully depowers with the Single Frontline Safety (SFS+) system on that bar. Older Sensor 3S and earlier bars will not flag either kite out completely, so if you're riding an older CORE bar, factor that into the decision before you commit to either kite.

FAQs

What's the main difference between the Core Pace Pro 2 and the Core NXS?

The Pace Pro 2 is a dedicated five-strut big-air and kiteloop kite built for controlled height and loop performance. The NXS is a three-strut crossover kite designed to handle freeride, wave riding and foiling in a single quiver, with less specialisation but far more versatility.

Can the NXS boost as well as the Pace Pro 2?

No — the NXS boosts noticeably better than its predecessor, the Nexus, but it isn't built to match a dedicated big-air kite like the Pace Pro 2. If boost and loop performance are your main priority, the Pace Pro 2 is the more focused tool.

Is the Core NXS suitable for wave riding and foiling?

Yes. The NXS has a surf-influenced profile with strong drift and stays stable as line tension drops through a turn, making it a capable wave kite. Its lightweight ExoTex construction also suits foiling, and CORE recommends pairing it with the Sensor 4S Pro bar for the most direct foil feedback.

What bar do I need for the Pace Pro 2?

A CORE Sensor 4S or Sensor 4S Pro bar. The kite's fixed bridle requires the Single Frontline Safety (SFS+) system on that bar to depower fully — older Sensor bars aren't compatible.

What bar do I need for the NXS?

A CORE Sensor 4 or Sensor 4S bar. As with the Pace Pro 2, older CORE Sensor bars don't support full depower on this fixed-bridle kite.

Is the Core NXS a beginner kite?

No — CORE positions it for intermediate to advanced riders who already manage boosting and bar trim across conditions. It's better suited as a strong second kite or single-quiver option than a first kite.

Which sizes should I look at?

It depends on your weight and local wind — see the size and wind-range guidance on each product page. The Pace Pro 2 runs 6m to 12m; the NXS runs a wider 5m to 13.5m spread to suit its broader discipline range.