Tested, not just claimed
At Mission, we don't just make claims. We ran a real R&D program on our cloths and had standardized mechanical tests performed at ENSAIT, the textile engineering school in Roubaix, France. Against a reference polyester ripstop (55 g/m²), our P40 cloth comes out 27% lighter, nearly 2 times stronger in tension (over 830 N/5 cm), far more tear-resistant (about 2.8 times) and stretching about 3 times less in the warp direction. Measured figures, not marketing.
ENSAIT testing · NF EN ISO 13934-1 · NF EN ISO 13937Two fabrics, two ways to fly
P40: the gust becomes power. Sporty and direct, for confirmed riders chasing magic gusts.
Ripstop: the gust becomes softness. Soft and forgiving, for progression and learning big air.
Low-stretch
At 40 g/m² (versus 55 g/m² for a polyester ripstop), our P40 cloth is a UHMWPE + PET film composite with aramid X-Ply reinforcement. Dyneema® fibre is roughly 15× stronger than steel by weight and highly UV-resistant. With about 5% elongation at break in the warp direction, about 3 times less than a polyester ripstop (≈14%), the profile stays locked and the gust turns into power, with flutter clearly reduced. It's our lightest, most technical construction.
Dyneema composite · 40 g/m² · Elongation at break ≈ 5%At sunset
The Rafale resting on the sand, leading edge in the foreground: the P85 structure and its seams, up close.
Dyneema composite membrane
A 40 g/m² UHMWPE + PET film composite with aramid X-Ply reinforcement, low-stretch (≈5% elongation at break), whose aramid grid stops tears from spreading.
Twin-skin profile at the wingtips
A twin skin at the wingtips reduces turbulence: less drag, better upwind pointing and sharper turns. A stable profile in the gusts, a wider wind range.
P85, the leading edge and struts
The kite's frame, leading edge and struts, uses P85: 85 g/m², UHMWPE (Dyneema) fibre reinforced with an aramid X-ply. A stiff frame with excellent profile hold and strong impact resistance. This backbone is shared by every Rafale, whatever canopy cloth you choose.
P85 · 85 g/m² · Dyneema + aramid X-plyTwo fabrics for the same Rafale
| Feature | Ripstop cloth (RS) | P40 cloth |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Polyester ripstop | UHMWPE + PET film + aramid X-Ply composite |
| Character | Soft, forgiving | Sporty, direct |
| In a gust | Absorbs part of the gust | Turns the gust into power |
| Areal weight | 55 g/m² | 40 g/m² |
| Tensile strength (warp direction) | ≈ 440 N/5 cm | > 830 N/5 cm |
| Elongation at break (warp direction) | ≈ 14% | ≈ 5% |
| Tear resistance | ≈ 34 N | ≈ 90 N |
| Price | More accessible | Premium |
| Recommended level | Progression, learning big air | Confirmed, advanced big air |
Two ways to fly, one kite. The P40 turns the gust into power: it's the sporty version. The Ripstop absorbs part of it: softer and more forgiving, it's the versatile version. Same shape, same P85 leading edge and struts: you pick according to your level and program.