I got the same issue with my Fly 2. The stitches are giving up on the leading edge. Same place by the look of it. I came to the forum as I was looking to check if anyone else experienced the problem. It does look like manufacturing defect considering this.
I cannot post photo on the thread yet, as it is restricted for new members. I will post when I can, but feel free to reach out and I would be happy to share photos.
Just following up on the stitching concern I mentioned earlier. I have some bad news: while I was pumping the strut today (with the leading edge already sealed), the leading edge spontaneously exploded. A friend lent me a spare wing from another brand, and the difference in construction is pretty obvious. Their closing seams are folded and use multiple rows of stitching, whereas the Firefly's stitching seems to be the weak point here. I've attached photos of the burst seam.
More or less the same is with there windsurfsails: the desgin is ussually good and looks cool, but the way they build it is focused on producing repetitive for a low (labour) cost. Rather cheap and cutting corners on longlivity while looking high performance.
Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..
More or less the same is with there windsurfsails: the desgin is ussually good and looks cool, but the way they build it is focused on producing repetitive for a low (labour) cost. Rather cheap and cutting corners on longlivity while looking high performance.
I agree. A friend of mine has already switched to another brand because of durability issues. From a construction perspective, the Aluula wing doesn't appear to represent a fundamental change in build philosophy. The seam layout, stitching density, and reinforcement strategy still seem optimized for manufacturing efficiency rather than long-term structural integrity and fatigue resistance. High load areas-especially along the leading edge and strut junctions-need more robust seam construction and reinforcement. I do not want to buy a new wing every year. Unless NP significantly upgrades their stitching quality and overall durability standards, I will be taking my business to another brand.
I hate reading this thread because I own two NP Fly wings - the standard poverty pack ones. I've really enjoyed using the wings, and now I'm just waiting for something to blow out.
Shame as I went with NP as in my old windsurfing days them and Gaastra were the flashest on the market in terms of quality and performance.
Select to expand quoteSA_AL said..
Just following up on the stitching concern I mentioned earlier. I have some bad news: while I was pumping the strut today (with the leading edge already sealed), the leading edge spontaneously exploded. A friend lent me a spare wing from another brand, and the difference in construction is pretty obvious. Their closing seams are folded and use multiple rows of stitching, whereas the Firefly's stitching seems to be the weak point here. I've attached photos of the burst seam.
Not saying this was the cause of your blow out, but the instructions for inflation say you should inflate the strut first, then the leading edge, and deflate in opposite.
Select to expand quoteshi thouse said..
I hate reading this thread because I own two NP Fly wings - the standard poverty pack ones. I've really enjoyed using the wings, and now I'm just waiting for something to blow out.
Shame as I went with NP as in my old windsurfing days them and Gaastra were the flashest on the market in terms of quality and performance.
Apart from a slight twist in the frame, which I've seen on Dacron wings from other brands and doesn't noticeably affect performance, and dealt with under warranty by Pryde - a big shout out to the UK rep Karl - I've clocked roughly 170 hrs on Firefly's in mostly standard construction, no worries for me.
In fact the warranty process should give you full confidence if you have any problems. I had quality issues with a wing from another brand and was fobbed off from the start.
Hi! Out of curiosity, I took out my 3-year-old FLY and inspected the seams. I did the same with last year's Firefly after a full season of riding. In neither case is there even the slightest sign of thread damage. Some time ago, when I was selling another FLY after two seasons, I also examined it carefully to make sure I wasn't passing off a defective product to someone. The wing was in excellent condition. Many of my friends ride NP wings, and honestly, this is the first failure I've come across.
The more I analyze wing construction, the more I notice a trend: many brands utilize a reinforced lapped seam (with a protective fold) on the leading edge, whereas NP use a different approach. I suspect this folded stitch design provides superior structural integrity, allowing the wing to maintain its shape better under high PSI without stretching or failing at the seam.
Select to expand quotegregd72002 said..
I got the same issue with my Fly 2. The stitches are giving up on the leading edge. Same place by the look of it. I came to the forum as I was looking to check if anyone else experienced the problem. It does look like manufacturing defect considering this.
I cannot post photo on the thread yet, as it is restricted for new members. I will post when I can, but feel free to reach out and I would be happy to share photos.
Here is mine. About to explode 
Greg, I've had that happen to a couple of North Nova wings. It's a pretty easy DIY fix as it's an external seam. Definitely fix before sailing again
I've seen the same issue with Vayu Aura wings amongst others .. especially when (over) inflated with electric pumps.
It's a simple enough fix (before it explodes).. 2x lines of V92 thread stitching at 5mm stitch length along the entire LE should be standard.
Otherwise, I'd say that all of the Neil Pryde wings, (and Vayu) I've seen are built to an excellent standard and this shouldn't be a reason not to purchase. I haven't seen 2026 wings yet but I'd imagine this will be fixed this year.
Just seen a 2026 NP FF pro and can confirm the LE is indeed double stitched this year ..
Select to expand quoteSmeee said..
Just seen a 2026 NP FF pro and can confirm the LE is indeed double stitched this year ..
This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm a big fan of the NP performance profile, and hearing that the 2026 stitching has been reinforced for better pressure support is the best news yet. It is likely addressed in non pro version as well.
2026 wings are out, wondering if anyone's got any info. It looks like Neil Pryde has ditched the semi-aluula design on the Firefly Pro in favor of keeping it full aerotex or whatever, and have kept the Fly 4 Pro as the premium material wing.
Searched the internet but cant find any direct comparisons on the low end of the fly vs the firefly. Anyone that has experience with both and can say something about the low end of both wings?
Select to expand quotetvesurf said..
Searched the internet but cant find any direct comparisons on the low end of the fly vs the firefly. Anyone that has experience with both and can say something about the low end of both wings?
i've got both the fly 3 pro and firefly pro. the feeling when you pump is quite different - the fly pro has more pull-and-go power, and more backhand pull for sure.
the way you pump both wings is not the same. the firefly needs more technique and finesse to generate the same power. but this is because the fly pro is exceptionally easy to pump and get going with.
i rented the non aluula fly once, and the feeling was about the same.
Select to expand quoteZam said..tvesurf said..
Searched the internet but cant find any direct comparisons on the low end of the fly vs the firefly. Anyone that has experience with both and can say something about the low end of both wings?
i've got both the fly 3 pro and firefly pro. the feeling when you pump is quite different - the fly pro has more pull-and-go power, and more backhand pull for sure.
the way you pump both wings is not the same. the firefly needs more technique and finesse to generate the same power. but this is because the fly pro is exceptionally easy to pump and get going with.
i rented the non aluula fly once, and the feeling was about the same.
Thanks, that helps a lot already. Im wondering if this is still relevant for the 2026 range. According to NP the firefly is now the allrounder suitable for all levels and the fly iv now the 'performance' wing.
Im on the fence between the regular models (not the pro) and looking for something with good low end that creates good lift even when slightly underpowered.
Select to expand quotetvesurf said..Zam said..tvesurf said..
Searched the internet but cant find any direct comparisons on the low end of the fly vs the firefly. Anyone that has experience with both and can say something about the low end of both wings?
i've got both the fly 3 pro and firefly pro. the feeling when you pump is quite different - the fly pro has more pull-and-go power, and more backhand pull for sure.
the way you pump both wings is not the same. the firefly needs more technique and finesse to generate the same power. but this is because the fly pro is exceptionally easy to pump and get going with.
i rented the non aluula fly once, and the feeling was about the same.
Thanks, that helps a lot already. Im wondering if this is still relevant for the 2026 range. According to NP the firefly is now the allrounder suitable for all levels and the fly iv now the 'performance' wing.
Im on the fence between the regular models (not the pro) and looking for something with good low end that creates good lift even when slightly underpowered.
I've held the 2026 Firefly pro (both my wings are 2025). the biggest difference is that they changed the positioning of the wings in the range. the 2026 Firefly Pro now no longer has aluula in the tips. So it's pure aerotex or whatever its called. This made the wing relatively heavier than last year's model. I can't tell you how the on-water feeling is different. To be completely honest, there isn't a massive difference in feeling between the Fly Pro and Firefly Pro (they feel very similar, but the Fly Pro goes upwind faster and higher, plus the differences I mentioned). But if they've stuck to the same design brief, the Fly should have better low end than the Firefly, which might appeal to your use case. If you're not sure about the 2026 ones, get the 2025 models on discount. They're very good wings, and my only gripe with them is that they aren't autopilot tacking wings like some of the other brands.
What I personally can't figure out is that in the GWA slalom races, one of the better French women's riders is using the Firefly Pro to race and not the Fly Pro, and it's been performing well compared with more premium competitor wings. Neil Pryde/JP have nobody of real note on the men's side.
