Armstrong Foils unveils three carbon masts for every rider level

Armstrong Foils has turned mast choice into a real tuning call, not a box to check. In a factory walkthrough in China, Matt Nuzzo and Armie Armstrong laid out a three-mast carbon range built around very different rider needs: the Carbon Mk II, the Performance Mk II and the Performance X. The message was clear after three years of focused development, the mast is now a performance decision that can change how a foil feels more than another small hardware swap ever will.

The Carbon Mk II sits at the entry point to carbon in the lineup, and its specs explain why. Armstrong built it around a 15.8 mm section and a 116 mm chord, then priced the 655 mm version at $899.99 and listed it at 1530 g. That extra thickness and width are there for a reason: more forgiveness, more stability at lower speed and a calmer feel for riders who want carbon construction without jumping straight to the most aggressive hardware. Armstrong also keeps the alloy mast in the picture as the durable, affordable lower-cost route into foiling.

The Performance Mk II is the one for riders who already foil comfortably and want a mast that reacts faster under load. Armstrong lists the 725 mm version at 13.8 mm thick, 114 mm chord and 1740 g, with a price of $1,649.99. The company says it brings 30% more bending stiffness and 20% more torsional stiffness than its predecessor, numbers that matter because less twist under pressure usually means cleaner feedback, better pumping efficiency and more control through turns and touchdowns. Nuzzo called it the mast "most people need for most riding" once they are past the beginner stage.

At the top of the stack sits the Performance X, the specialist’s choice. It uses an ultra-thin 12 mm profile, a reduced 106 mm chord and ultra-high-modulus carbon, with the 725 mm version listed at 1650 g and $2,349.99. Armstrong’s FAQ says it is best for riders chasing glide and speed above everything else, especially on smaller to mid-size foils and often for lighter riders around 90 to 95 kg and under. That shorter chord is meant to lower drag and loosen the setup, giving the mast more turning freedom and top-end efficiency.

Taken together, the range shows a market that has split by rider lane. The Carbon Mk II solves progression and stability, the Performance Mk II solves control and all-around versatility, and the Performance X solves speed and glide. In foil surfing, that means the mast is no longer background equipment. It is the part that can decide whether a setup feels locked in, lively or fast enough to matter.