This review covers the Slingshot SlingWing Version 6. I tested the 5.0 wing over many sessions in a variety of conditions. The question is: does this realistic priced wing with a boom offer all the features you would expect? Let’s find out.
First Impressions of the Slingshot SlingWing V6
The wing comes in 2 color options, this dark blue version, and a bright orange version. The first thing that stands out is the build quality. The wing has a tight, clean profile that looks very refined. The panel layout, combined with the windows and the bold logo in the center, gives the wing a great overall appearance. This panel layout is not just for looks—it also performs extremely well, which I’ll explain later.
When holding the wing, I noticed that the leading edge sits slightly behind the center strut. Because the boom is angled, the leading edge also feels relatively far away. I was curious to see how this would translate on the water.
The leading edge and the strut are inflated using two separate valves, similar to SUP valves. As long as you remember to press them before pumping, they work very well. Closed off they have a low profile where a leash won’t get stuck behind. Deflating the wing is quick and easy. The leading edge on this 5.0 inflates up to an impressive 10 psi, which is high for a wing without Aluula or Dyneema. This results in a very clean profile and a solid, stiff frame.
The leading edge thickness sits somewhere in the middle—not overly thick, but not super thin either. The same goes for the wing’s power profile, which feels nicely balanced and versatile.
Booms are usually a hassle to pack, especially when traveling by plane, but Slingshot has come up with a very smart solution. The boom can be attached and detached in seconds, and I did this every session without any issues. You do need to make sure it’s mounted the right way around, with the longer section facing the front. If you’re distracted, it is possible to attach it incorrectly. The boom itself is very thin and extremely grippy. At first, it felt slightly less comfortable than expected, but I quickly got used to it and now really like it. It also works very well with gloves, without causing hand fatigue. The boom comes in two sizes, a larger one for the sizes 5.0 and up and a smaller one for the sizes 4.5 and smaller. A boom is provided with each wing.
The front handle is quite different from most others. It’s made from a single piece of rubber (or a similar material). I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily better than a reinforced soft handle, but it works very well. The shape is good, it’s likely lightweight, safe if you hit it with your head or board, comfortable with gloves, and provides just the right amount of stiffness for direct control.
The wing comes with a very large carry bag that easily fits the wing, the boom, and plenty of extra gear. There’s also a small compartment for spare parts, keys, and other small items. My only complaint is that the shoulder strap doesn’t adjust small enough for my preference.
A wrist leash is included and fits everything from very small to very large wrists. It has a swivel to prevent tangling, and the leash itself is nice and long.
The wing weighs 3.1 kg including the boom and leash, and 2.7 kg without the boom. It’s not the lightest wing on the market, but on the water I barely noticed the weight during use.
On-Water Experience with the Slingshot SlingWing V6
The wing was tested in a wide range of conditions, from light, gusty offshore winds to stable sideshore winds, and from flat water to waist-high waves.
My first impression on the water was how neutral the wing feels—and that’s a very good thing. The power distribution is extremely balanced both on and off the water, making the wing feel light in the hands. On my first session with a 56-liter board, I did notice a bit less low-end pull than expected. However, this wouldn’t be an issue on a mid-length board with more volume. When a gust came through, the wing pulled me onto foil easily—it just does so in a very smooth and light way.
What I immediately enjoyed was how stable the wing felt. While riding at different angles, the power remained well balanced between both hands. Combined with excellent canopy tension, this made for a very enjoyable ride where I could stop thinking about wing control and focus on having fun instead. In gusty conditions, it was interesting to observe how the canopy behaved: thanks to the panel layout and the use of different materials, certain sections seemed to absorb gusts while the overall profile stayed intact. This clearly contributes to the wing’s excellent handling.
Spins, 360s, and similar maneuvers could be performed with full confidence.
When wave riding, the wing followed nicely both downwind and upwind. In lighter winds, the weight of the wing became slightly more noticeable, but it never felt problematic. If minimizing weight is your top priority, you’ll need to look at more expensive wings. Control through the front handle during quick direction changes on waves worked very well and felt precise. Transitioning from the boom to the front handle needs some getting used to, as they are a bit further apart.
Jumping with this wing was a real pleasure, as it provided a nice extra boost when leaving the water.
During the first session, I needed some time to get used to the visually “far away” position of the leading edge mentioned earlier. In practice, this turned out to be purely a visual adjustment. After one session, I no longer noticed it at all.
Conclusion
The last SlingWing I tried was Version 3, which had a huge amount of pull. As the sport has evolved and boards have become more efficient at getting onto foil, I think Slingshot made the right choice by shifting their focus toward performance rather than raw power. The SlingWing V6 offers less noticeable pull, but modern board designs easily make up for that when getting onto foil. Once you’re flying, you don’t need constant heavy pull—over time, that can even lead to elbow issues.
What you really want is a wing that feels light, neutral, and unobtrusive. That’s exactly what Slingshot delivers with the SlingWing Version 6.