She’s a wing of legends. The Kraken delivers unprecedented opening and flare characteristics. She’s ideal for wingsuiting novices but will excite even the most experienced pilots. This hybrid low-pack volume wing has a lightweight configuration which allows the pilot to pack bigger sizes in a normal container without sacrificing fabric longevity (read about Kraken pack volume below). This coupled back with a tighter, firmer tail makes the outline curvy for high maneuverability in the sky. This wing is the ultimate 'party in the front and business at the back', she's super responsive and holds tight when pushed hard. She is the canopy equivalent of Che Guevara, Marilyn Monroe and Brian Jones all in one. The Kraken is a must have for any wingsuiter and will have you grinning ear to ear as you fly back to whatever landing area you can make it to. Kidding. Kinda.
Openings: The game changer. We knew this was a big factor to all the wingsuiters out there. The modern day wingsuit is capable of incredible glide, but this efficiency brings its own set of complications when designing a parachute to match. The biggest factor is the turbulent wake formed behind the wingsuit – right where you deploy your parachute…
Kraken openings are quick but not hard – you’ll feel inflation immediately. The vent helps control the heading. Once the center cell and adjacent cells inflate, the canopy slowly pressurises with a predictable reliability. Should line-twists occur, fear not! The Kraken will sail on level seas. Aarrrrgh-me Hearties! [Applicable Pirate reference.]
Inputs: Intuitive and precise, each input delivers a predictable response. From opening to landing the Kraken is a confidence builder.
Toggles: Your first point of contact leaves you knowing you’ve taken control. Big inputs will produce an immediate response. Flying slow and steady you’ll always feel in control and connected to the canopy.
Stall point: The slow flight characteristics were a very important design factor. You’ll get plenty of warning before she stalls. Slowly let the toggles back out and she will recover to normal flight in an easy and stress free transition.
Rear risers: There’s lots of feel and response – the Kraken has fantastic glide! Milk those rears and disprove the myth that all wingsuiters land off.
Front Risers: F is for fun! Yep, you can dive the Kraken, and she will respond!
Performance: The Kraken has designed to be an exceptional wingsuit canopy. This also meant making sure she didn’t feel like a bus. She’s got loads of zip. Fly her nice and slow for those busy landing patterns when you want lots of vertical separation. Or dive her at the ground and drag some turf! There’s plenty of fun to be had!
Recovery Arc: We are are firm believer this canopy should have some dive. The recovery arc is longer than typically experienced with similar 7 cell designs. If you want to have your cake ( a nice sensible wingsuit canopy) and eat it too (swoop the shit out of it), then go go go!
Flare: The Kraken has a wide range of performance, the flare is one of the most important aspects. She wont dissapoint. Those nil wind tiptoe landings will feel very natural.
Kraken Pack Volume: The Kraken packs about 15% smaller than a 9-cell non-crossbraced canopy like Safire 3 or Crossfire 3. This means you can pack at least 1 standard size up in the same container. The Crossfire 3 and Safire 3 may typically be found in your container manufacturer’s sizing charts, which you may use as a reference for what size Kraken will fit in your container.
The Kraken’s fit to your container will depend on many other things such as how tight your previous canopy was in the container, packing skills, how old each canopy is, etc., so please take the information above as a general rule of thumb!
Table for reference:
S3/C3 Kraken
169 189
149 169
139 149
129 139
119 129
109 119