The Duotone Stash Parawing is a welcome addition to the world of para-wings, offering substantial improvements and a host of thoughtful features. In our recent tests, primarily with the 4m variant, the Stash proved itself exceptionally capable across various conditions, particularly excelling in its upper wind range performance.
One standout feature is its remarkably lightweight construction, leveraging an ultra-thin canopy material reminiscent of the ‘OG parawings’ from BRM. This material not only ensures exceptional packability—allowing even larger wings like the 5m to compress down significantly—but also greatly enhances its handling in light wind scenarios. During tests in winds below 12 knots, the Stash showed impressive stability and control, noticeably better than many competitors. While the low-end grunt is comparable to the BRM, it’s worth noting that, generally, all parawings—including the Stash—still require considerable skill or larger boards and foils to excel under 12-14 knots. Personally, this isn’t an issue as my main interest in parawings is when conditions offer solid wind and quality bumps.
A key innovation is the double-skinned tips, a design choice Duotone claims combines the best attributes of double and single skins. Practically, these tips significantly enhance the wing’s turning agility and stability, helping it pivot predictably and responsively. However, this feature is not without drawbacks. In lighter, gusty conditions or with frequent water contacts, the tips can hold a little water, causing a noticeable reduction in flying performance and making it harder to relaunch. Although this problem is short lived and essentially disappears with consistent winds above 15 knots, as the tips clear water quickly and easily. Thus, beginners or those operating in challenging, lighter conditions may find this aspect somewhat frustrating, whereas more experienced riders or those regularly encountering steadier, stronger winds will likely not consider it a major concern at all.
Another highlight is the bar design—simple, lightweight, and efficient, featuring turned-up tips that effectively prevent line tangles. However, I did notice the absence of a dedicated leash attachment on the trailing edge, something I consider essential for convenience and practicality, particularly when managing gear transitions or brief rests on the water.
A minor yet impactful design critique is the colour scheme; while the bright luminous red-pink (or the white with pink centre tab) is visually appealing, a clearer distinction between the leading edge and the canopy would significantly ease identification and handling on the water, reducing setup confusion.
Overall, Duotone has undoubtedly raised the bar with the Stash parawing, delivering excellent depower capabilities, exceptional upper wind performance, and outstanding packability. Despite minor criticisms, notably in colour scheme clarity and water retention in the double-skinned tips during very light conditions, the Duotone Stash remains a top recommendation. It balances advanced performance with ease of use, proving itself suitable both for seasoned parawingers pushing their limits and those progressing their skills on consistent wind days.
