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Armstrong

Armstrong · High-aspect front wing

Armstrong HA1180 Review

9.3/ 10 Estimated score

9.3

Estimated from 3 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price$989Range $989–$989.99 across 2 retailersSee sources

The HA1180 is the largest wing in Armstrong's second-generation High Aspect range. Where the first HA foils were built around raw glide, the revised range shifted focus toward surf riding, pumping and turning, and the 1180 is the low-end workhorse of that family.

View on Armstrong Foils

Quick specs

Type: High-aspect front wing
Area: 1180 cm²
Range: Second-generation HA: 580 to 1180 cm² in 100 cm² steps
Construction: Armstrong carbon with Performance Meta Anodising fittings
Disciplines: Prone, SUP, downwind, wing
Position in range: Largest and lowest-speed HA wing

Armstrong's second-generation HA range spans 580 to 1180 cm² in 100 cm² increments, and The Foiling Magazine's range review notes the design focus shifted toward surf riding, glide and pumping rather than the pure race glide the original HA foils chased. The 1180 sits at the top of that ladder as the wing you pick when the swell is small, the wind is light, or you are heavier and want an easier takeoff.

Tonic Mag's review of the 880 to 1180 range covers the same generation and is worth reading alongside it. If you are comparing across brands, the foil index on Surfex lists every wing currently covered including the Axis ART PRO series and the Unifoil Progression line.

Pros & cons

Biggest wing in the second-gen HA range, so the low end is very strong
Second-generation design brief shifted toward surf riding, glide and pumping
Works across prone, SUP downwind and wing without swapping platforms
Steps of 100 cm² through the range make it easy to size up or down later

Large span asks for space, so it is not the wing for tight pocket turns
Armstrong recommends downsizing from first-generation HA equivalents, which confuses upgrades
Needs a matched Armstrong fuselage and stabiliser to perform as intended
Premium carbon pricing at just under $1,000 USD

How it surfs

Sizing across generations is the one thing to get right. Armstrong's guidance for the revised HA foils is to downsize relative to the first generation, because the new sections produce more lift per square centimetre. A rider who was on a first-gen HA1225 will often land on the HA1080 or HA1180 rather than reaching for the biggest wing available.

The 1180 is not a turning wing. Span this long trades pivot for glide, so if most of your riding is tight surf turns, the MA range is the better fit. Where the 1180 earns its place is in connecting bumps, long pump-backs and downwind runs where sustained lift matters more than radius.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
HA880	880 cm²	Lighter riders, more wind	Advanced
HA980	980 cm²	All-round prone and wing	Intermediate+
HA1080	1080 cm²	Marginal conditions	Intermediate+
HA1180	1180 cm²	Heavier riders and downwind	Intermediate+

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Armstrong HA1225	First-gen HA with maximum low-end	Marginal conditions	9.2
Armstrong MA1000	Mid-aspect all-rounder with more turn	Surf and wing	9.2
Axis ART PRO 1201	Race-derived glide and pumping	Prone, wing, downwind	9.3

Verdict

The HA1180 is the low-end anchor of Armstrong's second-generation HA line. Published range reviews point to the design shift toward surf riding, glide and pumping, and this is the size to pick when conditions are marginal or you need lift early.

Estimated score: 9.3 / 10

Estimated from 3 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

9.3/ 10

9.3

3 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
The Foiling Magazine — Armstrong HA range review	No numeric score	"The revised second generation HA range spans 580 to 1180 cm², and the design focus shifted toward surf riding, glide and pumping compared with the original high-aspect foils."
Tonic Mag — Armstrong HA foil range 880 to 1180	No numeric score	"Tonic Mag's range test covers the second-generation HA wings from 880 to 1180 across prone, wing and downwind use."
Armstrong Foils official product page	No numeric score	"The manufacturer listing confirms the HA1180 in the current HA front foil range at $989.99 USD."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

$989

$989–$989.99 · 2 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Inland Sea	$989	—	Visit
Armstrong Foils	$989.99	+$0.99	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What is the Armstrong HA1180 best for?+

Light-wind and small-swell riding where sustained lift matters: downwind runs, long pump-backs and heavier riders who want an easier takeoff.

How big is the HA1180?+

1180 cm² of area, the largest wing in Armstrong's second-generation HA range which runs from 580 to 1180 cm² in 100 cm² steps.

How much does the HA1180 cost?+

Armstrong lists it at $989.99 USD. Inland Sea has stocked it at $989.00 USD.

Should I downsize coming from a first-generation HA foil?+

Yes in most cases. The revised HA sections produce more lift per square centimetre, so riders commonly move down one or two sizes from their first-gen equivalent.

HA1180 or MA1000?+

The HA1180 is the glide and pumping wing. The MA1000 is mid-aspect and turns tighter, so it suits surf riding where radius matters more than sustained lift.

Does the HA1180 need a specific fuselage?+

It is designed around Armstrong's own fuselage and stabiliser system, and performs as intended when matched to those components.