STEP X (Cross)
Theglider is positioned at the perfect balance of lightness, durability and performance to delight riders looking for a glider Built for XC and comfortable for a Use Hike & Fly.
Weight: from 3.8 kg
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Alpine Flight
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On-site flight
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Cross Country
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Hike and fly
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Two-seater
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Casual
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Regular
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Professional
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Beginner
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Intermediate
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Seasoned
Included Accessories
Compact Case
Rear steering bar
Repair Kit
About STEP X
The very essence of the STEP X lies in its name. The letter X—pronounced “cross”—symbolizes the intersection of two disciplines:Cross Country and Hike & Fly. That’s exactly where this new-generation EN-B+ wing fits in: at the intersection of lightness and durability, without compromising on performance. The STEP X is therefore designed for recreational pilotswho want an EN-B sport wing to go further on cross-country flights while continuing to enjoy the pleasures of hike & fly.
The development team drew on a wide range of materials to create a wing that is both lightweight and durable. To achieve this, areas subject to high stress are reinforced with sturdy , durable materials, while areas under less stress use lightweight materials —resulting in significant weight savings without compromising the wing’s lifespan. The STEP X allows you to unleash your full potential both on the ground and in flight.
The STEP X’s performance is due to several design elements that have been extensively revised and optimized compared to its predecessors, starting with the addition of a tension strip located between lines B and C. This strip improves the surface finish while expanding the wing’s speed range, giving you precise, agile, and confident handling.
Second, the new arrangement of its diagonals optimizes the distribution of forces across the profile, ensuring better wing stability over time and, as a result, greater durability for your wing.
Finally, the new line configuration reduces the total length of the lines. This feature improves the STEP X's performance by reducing drag.
The STEP X’s handling is reassuring. Its smooth and intuitive control allows you to maximize your thermal climb rate so you can fly farther without tiring yourself out with unnecessarily complex maneuvers. In fact, it’s by prioritizing fun and safety above all else that the STEP X stands out from certain EN-B+ wings, which can sometimes be very demanding to fly. The wing doesn’t try to compete with an EN-C, but it gives you the tools to continue your progression toward higher performance with complete confidence.
The STEP X is the natural next step after an entry-level EN-B wing like the LEAF3 or the LEAF3 Light, and it gives you everything you need to prepare for the transition to an EN-C wing.
High-performance, lightweight, and durable—that's the promise of this wing at a crossroads.
"The STEP X is my best ally in every situation. It's incredibly agile and very fast for its class, yet it remains incredibly reassuring when conditions get technical."Nico Lutz - Team Pilot
"The Step X is both stable and safe, yet still delivers excellent performance. It's a superb lightweight kite for hike & fly."Elio Lami - Team Pilot
"My STEP X gives me precise information about conditions in the air and lets me fly with confidence. It’s solid in thermals and cuts through valley winds effortlessly. Responsive in tight turns, it remains super stable. It’s perfect for cross-country flying and bivouacking: compact, with thin risers and lines that are easy to handle."Julieta Rivosecchi - Team Pilot
Features
- Cross-country
- Hike & Fly
- Experienced recreational pilot
- sharknose profile
- Lightweight, Ergonomic Lifts
- Anti-friction rings
- Smart Mini Ribs
- Ear Kit
- Fender-End Drainage System
- Ronstan Low-Friction Pulley
- Extrados: Dominico N20 DMF
- Ceiling: Dominico 10D White
- Internal structure: MJ Tex MJ32 HF / Porcher Skytex 27 HF 70000E91
- Reinforcing rods: MJ Tex 32 HF
- Rope: Edelrid, Liros
- Links: Soft Link Dyneema
- EN Standard
- LTF Standard
- Class B
3D Model
Introduction to STEP X
STEP X - Technical Details
Check out a full review of the STEP X by Dust of the Universe: read it here!
Technical Specifications
| XS | S | M | ML | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying weight range (kg) | 55–75 | 70–90 | 80–100 | 90–110 | 105–125 |
| Number of cells | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 |
| Floor Area (m²) | 21 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| Wingspan (m) | 10.85 | 11.60 | 12.07 | 12.53 | 12.97 |
| Chord (m) | 2.39 | 2.56 | 2.66 | 2.76 | 2.86 |
| Flat aspect ratio | 5.65 | 5.65 | 5.65 | 5.65 | 5.65 |
| Projected area (m²) | 17.54 | 20.04 | 21.71 | 23.38 | 25.05 |
| Projected area (m²) | 8.41 | 8.99 | 9.36 | 9.71 | 10.06 |
| Projected aspect ratio | 4.04 | 4.04 | 4.04 | 4.04 | 4.04 |
| Wing weight (kg) | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| Homologation | EN-B+ | EN-B+ | EN-B+ | EN-B+ | EN-B+ |
| Number of elevators | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 |
| ACRO | No | No | No | No | No |
| Speed bar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trim | No | No | No | No | No |
| Another adjustment system | No | No | No | No | No |
Performance at the End of the Lines
With its EN-B+ certification, the STEP X is classified as a “Sport” wing. Its design and the entire design process are designed for cross-country flying.
Performance is at the heart of the STEP X flight program.
As a result, it is suitable for pilots who already have some experience—particularly in cross-country flying—to help them advance further in the sport.
STEP X is designed to make high performance accessible. Thanks to its excellent maneuverability and reassuring passive safety features, this wing gives you the confidence to improve your distance flying and build solid cross-country skills—enough to confidently consider moving up to an EN-C-rated wing.
The STEP X can be summed up in three words: high-performance, agile, and reliable.
STEP X, a wing at a crossroads
Available starting at 3.8 kg, the “X” model embodies the concept of a balance between lightness and durability. Designed for pilots looking for a lightweight wing without compromising its longevity, the STEP X features a wide range of materials to deliver excellent in-flight performance and comfort on the ground.
Built with a combination of strong and lightweight materials, the STEP X offers a durable structure without sacrificing the wing’s lightness. The parts of the wing that are subject to the most stress are reinforced with sturdy fabrics for increased durability, while the areas under less stress use lighter materials to reduce the wing’s overall weight.
With its balanced design, the STEP X is an ideal choice primarily for cross-country pilots, but also for those who enjoy touring flights.
It offers a pleasant flying experience, while its light weight and compact size make it comfortable to handle on the ground, allowing for versatile use across a variety of terrains.
The STEP X is an “all-terrain” wing designed for distance.
Technology for Long-Range and Sustainability
The STEP X design prevents the profile from deforming over time, ensuring maximum in-flight performance throughout the wing's entire lifespan.
In fact, the internal structure is designed to ensure optimal tension across all the fabrics that make it up.
Dividing a diagonal into several independent strips not only makes the wing lighter but also ensures excellent profile stability by evenly distributing tension and preserving the fabric’s weave structure, thereby preventing deformation and promoting the wing’s long-term durability.
Second, the STEP X’s more streamlined line layout contributes to the wing’s overall lighter weight while reducing drag for better in-flight performance.
Whether it's the choice of materials, the structural design, or the line layout, everything is carefully engineered so that the STEP X combines performance with lightness.
Precise handling
Its lightweight construction—without being ultralight—gives the wing an intuitive and playful feel. The STEP X conveys information about the air conditions while filtering out unnecessary turbulence, allowing you to fly with precision to make the most of all types of air conditions.
When it comes to thermal efficiency and cornering performance, the STEP X rivals the best in its class.
Equipped with rear control bars, you have everything you need for precise control, whether you're flying in thermals, during transitions, or on a glide path.
The new layout of the suspension lines along the airfoil gives the wing greater consistency across its entire wingspan. The cross-strip positioned between the B and C lines has been widened to improve the wing’s handling at high angles of attack and facilitate inflation.
Its 5.7 aspect ratio and wing profile geometry deliver excellent performance and a pleasant gliding experience, which will delight cross-country pilots as they set out on their first 100 km flight.
"I was very surprised by the Step X's performance. The handling is agile and precise. Controlling the C-level is smooth. Even after several hours of flying, you don't feel exhausted. In accelerated flight, the wing literally cuts through the air."Nico Lutz - Family Pilot
Gallery
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions About STEP X
For experienced EN-B pilots who want a wing designed for cross-country flying, yet comfortable for both cross- hike & fly.
The STEP X is EN-B certified and ranks at the top of this category: it offers better performance than a beginner-level EN-B glider like the LEAF 3 and requires an experienced pilot.
XS 55–75 kg, S 70–90 kg, M 80–100 kg, ML 90–110 kg, L 105–125 kg from all-up weight.
From 3.8 kg for size XS to 4.8 kg for size L.
Yes. It was designed to strike a balance between lightness, durability, and performance, with excellent long-term durability.