2026 Cabrinha Mantis Wing Apex Series

The 2026 Cabrinha Mantis Wing Apex Series is the high-performance tier of Cabrinha's flagship freeride wing, the Mantis. Categorized by Cabrinha as a "High Performance Freeride" wing, the Apex upgrades the standard Mantis airframe with Aluula Gold composite in the leading edge center section and strut, forming a distinctive T-shaped reinforcement pattern. The wingtips use HTD Lite, a performance-grade dacron, while the canopy is built from Teijin D2 double-ripstop fabric sourced from Japan. This hybrid material approach delivers a stiffer, lighter frame than the standard Mantis while keeping the price below that of a full-Aluula wing.

For 2026, the Mantis Apex is offered in a limited production run of three sizes — 4.0m, 4.5m, and 5.5m. Design details include a convex strut for increased frame tension, low dihedral for maximizing projected area, size-progressive wingtip twist for sheeting control, and a refined airfoil with forward draft positioning aimed at improving front-hand balance. It ships with two pre-installed composite handles and is compatible with Cabrinha's bolt-on boom system (the Handlebar).

• Category: High Performance Freeride Wing
• Available sizes: 4.0m, 4.5m, 5.5m
• Wind range (4.0m, 75 kg rider): 15–30 knots
• Wind range (4.5m, 75 kg rider): 13–27 knots
• Wind range (5.5m, 75 kg rider): 9–24 knots
• Leading edge / strut material: Aluula Gold composite
• Wingtip material: HTD Lite
• Canopy: Teijin D2 double ripstop
• Handle system: Fully-molded composite handles with indexing interface (boom-compatible)
• Included: Duffle bag, repair kit

The Mantis Apex is aimed squarely at experienced wing foilers who ride powered up and want a lighter, stiffer wing without moving to a dedicated race platform. The Aluula-stiffened frame rewards active technique — riders need to work the wing through gusts and find its power band, which makes it less forgiving for beginners. Cabrinha positions it for confident freeriders chasing speed, upwind performance, and wave-riding versatility in a single wing.

Condition-wise, the Apex performs strongest in the upper portion of its wind range and in powered-up scenarios. The HTD Lite wingtips add a measure of flex that smooths out gusty conditions and aids pump-up, giving it more forgiveness than a fully rigid Aluula airframe. A rider at 75 kg can cover a broad range from 9 knots (on the 5.5m) through 30 knots (on the 4.0m), making it viable as a two-wing quiver for most coastal conditions.

Within Cabrinha's 2026 wing range, the Mantis Apex sits above the standard Mantis as the premium freeride option. The standard Mantis shares the same planform and design DNA but uses conventional materials at a lower price point — the Apex's Aluula upgrade adds stiffness and sheds weight, yielding slightly more power per square meter. Cabrinha also offers the Vision for freestyle-oriented riding with more low-end grunt, and the AER as a dedicated wave wing prioritizing stability and drift over outright speed.

Compared to other Aluula-equipped freeride wings on the market, the Mantis Apex's hybrid approach — Aluula only where it matters most — keeps it positioned as a mid-premium option rather than a top-dollar full-composite wing. Riders stepping up from the standard Mantis who want measurably crisper response and reduced weight will find the Apex a meaningful upgrade, while those primarily riding light wind or learning fundamentals are better served by the standard Mantis or the Vision.