Guide
Parawing Size Guide 2026: How to Choose the Right Size
Getting the right parawing size makes a bigger difference than getting the right brand. Too small and you’ll struggle to get on foil. Too large and you’ll be overpowered and fighting the wing instead of riding. This guide covers how sizing works, what the key variables are, and provides wind range data from every major brand so you can make an informed choice.
How Parawing Sizing Works
Parawing sizing is based on the flat area of the canopy, measured in square metres. Most brands offer sizes from around 2m (strong wind) to 6m+ (light wind). The right size for you depends on three main factors:
- Your weight. Heavier riders need more canopy area to generate the same power.
- Wind speed. Stronger wind means you need a smaller wing. Lighter wind means you need a larger one.
- Your setup. A high-performance foil on an efficient board gets you on foil earlier than a beginner setup. This shifts your effective wind range downward.
Most brands publish wind ranges for each size, but the baseline rider weight varies: Ozone uses 80kg, F-One uses 75kg, and some brands (BRM) don’t publish wind ranges at all. Keep this in mind when comparing across brands.
Wind Range Comparison by Brand and Size
Ozone Pocket Rocket (based on 80kg rider)
| Size | Wind Range (knots) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1.9m | 30 to 50 | 400g |
| 2.4m | 25 to 45 | 450g |
| 3.0m | 18 to 35 | 540g |
| 3.6m | 15 to 30 | 590g |
| 4.3m | 12 to 28 | 640g |
| 5.0m | 10 to 25 | 700g |
F-One Frigate (based on 75kg rider)
| Size | Wind Range (knots) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1.9m | 28+ | 300g |
| 2.5m | 24 to 34+ | 390g |
| 3.0m | 20 to 33 | 440g |
| 3.5m | 18 to 30 | 470g |
| 4.0m | 16 to 25 | 520g |
| 4.7m | 14 to 22 | 590g |
| 5.5m | 12 to 20 | 690g |
| 6.5m | 10 to 18 | 780g |
Duotone Stash V2
| Size | Wind Range (knots) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2m | 26 to 39 | TBC |
| 2.8m | 22 to 34 | 585g |
| 3.4m | 18 to 29 | 634g |
| 4.0m | 15 to 25 | 693g |
| 4.8m | 12 to 21 | 752g |
| 5.6m | 10 to 18 | 809g |
Gong Lowkite
| Size | Wind Range (knots) |
|---|---|
| 3m | 25 to 40 |
| 4m | 20 to 35 |
| 5m | 16 to 28 |
| 6m | 12 to 22 |
| 7m | 10 to 18 |
Flow D-Wing V2
| Size | Wind Range (knots) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5m | 20 to 35 | 500g |
| 3.0m | 20 to 30 | 600g |
| 3.7m | 16 to 28 | 700g |
| 4.2m | 15 to 25 | 700g |
| 5.5m | TBC | 800g |
BRM
BRM deliberately don’t publish wind ranges. Their reasoning is that the usable range depends heavily on rider weight, board, foil, and experience. Their website has a model selection guide. As a rough starting point for their single-skin models, most riders in the 70 to 85kg range find a 4.0m to 5.5m covers moderate conditions.
Ensis Roger V2
Ensis provides general guidance rather than per-size wind ranges. Overall range is 12 to 30 knots across the lineup. Their sizing recommendations by board/foil setup:
- Downwind board with foil over 1400cc: 12+ knots
- Downwind board with foil under 1300cc: 15+ knots
- Mid-length board with foil under 1300cc: 18+ knots
Sizing by Rider Weight
This table provides general starting points. Your board and foil efficiency will shift these recommendations. Riders on high-performance foils can use smaller sizes; riders on larger, more stable foils may need to size up.
Moderate conditions (15 to 25 knots)
| Rider Weight | Recommended Size Range |
|---|---|
| Under 65kg | 3.0m to 4.0m |
| 65 to 75kg | 3.5m to 4.5m |
| 75 to 85kg | 4.0m to 5.0m |
| 85 to 95kg | 4.5m to 5.5m |
| Over 95kg | 5.0m to 6.5m |
Strong wind (25+ knots)
| Rider Weight | Recommended Size Range |
|---|---|
| Under 65kg | 2.0m to 3.0m |
| 65 to 75kg | 2.5m to 3.5m |
| 75 to 85kg | 3.0m to 4.0m |
| 85 to 95kg | 3.5m to 4.5m |
| Over 95kg | 4.0m to 5.0m |
Light wind (10 to 15 knots)
| Rider Weight | Recommended Size Range |
|---|---|
| Under 65kg | 4.5m to 5.5m |
| 65 to 75kg | 5.0m to 6.0m |
| 75 to 85kg | 5.5m to 6.5m |
| 85 to 95kg | 6.0m to 7.0m |
| Over 95kg | 6.5m to 7.0m |
One Size or Two?
If your local conditions are fairly consistent (say, 15 to 25 knots most days), one mid-range size will cover the majority of your sessions. A 4.0m to 4.5m in that range works for most riders around 75 to 85kg.
If your conditions vary significantly (from 10 knot light days to 25+ knot blow-outs), owning two sizes gives you much better coverage. A common pairing is a larger size for light wind days (5.0m to 6.0m) and a smaller size for stronger wind (3.0m to 3.5m).
Some brands make this easier than others. Gong and Ensis have flat or near-flat pricing across sizes, so buying two is less painful. BRM and F-One charge more for larger sizes, which makes a two-wing quiver a bigger investment.
How Board and Foil Choice Affects Sizing
Your board and foil setup shifts the effective wind range of any parawing. Two riders of the same weight on different setups can have very different experiences with the same wing size.
Efficient foil + small board: Gets on foil earlier, extends the low-end range. You can get away with a smaller parawing because the foil is doing more of the work. Riders on high-aspect race-style foils often size down by 0.5m to 1.0m compared to general recommendations.
Larger foil + larger board: Requires more wind to get going but is more stable once on foil. General sizing recommendations apply directly.
Downwind board: Purpose-built downwind boards are more efficient at low speeds, which means you can use a smaller parawing than you might expect. Ensis specifically calls this out: their 12+ knot recommendation assumes a downwind board with a 1400cc+ foil.
Published Wind Ranges: A Reality Check
Most brands publish optimistic wind ranges. The top end of a published range often represents the absolute maximum the wing can handle rather than a comfortable riding experience. Community feedback consistently suggests the real-world usable range is narrower than published figures, particularly at the top end.
As a general rule, subtract 3 to 5 knots from the published upper limit for a more realistic “comfortable riding” ceiling. At the lower end, the published figures are usually more accurate, though getting on foil in the lightest conditions requires good technique and an efficient setup.
F-One publishes based on a 75kg rider. Ozone uses 80kg. This 5kg difference shifts the effective range. If you’re heavier than the baseline, expect the low-end to start higher (you’ll need more wind). If you’re lighter, you’ll get going earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size parawing should I get as my first?
For a first parawing, choose a size that covers your most common wind conditions. Most riders in the 70 to 85kg range find a 4.0m to 5.0m covers moderate conditions (15 to 25 knots) well. If you’re unsure, err on the side of slightly larger: it’s easier to learn with a wing that generates power in lighter wind than to fight an underpowered session.
Can I use the same parawing size as my wing (wingfoiling)?
No. Parawings and handheld wings are different equipment for different sports. Parawing sizes don’t translate directly from wing sizes. Use the brand-specific wind range charts and rider weight tables in this guide instead.
Do heavier riders need bigger parawings?
Yes. Rider weight is the biggest factor in sizing after wind speed. A 90kg rider will typically need a parawing 1.0m to 1.5m larger than a 65kg rider in the same conditions.
Is a bigger parawing always better for light wind?
A bigger wing generates more power, but it also adds weight and complexity. In very light wind (under 12 knots), even the largest parawings may not generate enough pull to get on foil unless you have a very efficient setup. There’s a practical ceiling where the wing size becomes unwieldy for diminishing returns.
Summary
- Check the wind range charts for your chosen brand
- Factor in your rider weight (adjust from the brand’s baseline if needed)
- Consider your board and foil setup (efficient setups can size down)
- Subtract 3 to 5 knots from published upper limits for realistic expectations
- If conditions vary a lot at your spot, consider owning two sizes
For brand-specific sizing recommendations, see our individual reviews: BRM, Ozone, F-One, Gong, Duotone, Ensis, Flow.