Types of kites
Kites divide into three families: single-line kites (diamond, delta, sled) for relaxing flying, two-line sport kites for tricks, and multi-line power kites for traction. Each needs a different wind range.
KitesThe three families
| Type | Lines | Wind | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 1 | 5–20 mph | Classic beginner kite, very stable |
| Delta | 1 | 5–25 mph | Launches easily in light wind, forgiving |
| Sled | 1 | 8–25 mph | Soft, packs small, good for light wind |
| Sport / stunt | 2 | 12–30 mph | Tricks and speed; needs skill |
| Power / foil | 2–4 | 15+ mph | Buggy, board, traction |
Which should you buy?
For a first kite: a single-line delta or diamond, 1–1.5 m, fiberglass spars. It launches easily and survives crashes. Upgrade to a two-line sport kite only once single-line control is effortless — the full buying advice is in how to choose your first kite.
Whatever you fly, check the wind first — get the live kite score for your location.
Related terms
Wind speedWind speed is how fast the air is moving, usually measured in mph, km/h or knots. For kite flying, 8–25 mph is the ideal range.Good kite dayA good kite day means wind between 8–25 mph, gusts under 31 mph and less than 2 mm of rain. We count these from 3 years of weather data for 536 cities.