I'm looking for your recommendations for the most fun/ounce backpackable kite.

Price is no concern. This is my fun we're talking about.

If you have a Dollar Store in your area, I would recommend checking there. They usually have a selection of small and incredibly light kites that have provided me good service at the beach. They usually feature some sort of childrens comic book hero on them, but I think that makes them more fun...and there a buck, so when they get torn up...just throw them away!

Cheers

I have an older version of one of "Into the Wind" air foil kites and they're fun. I actually used it a lot on wilderness canoe trips to pull the canoe across lakes when the wind was close to the right direction. The three beginner kites at this link are 3.5, 4.1, and 4.3oz.

http://www.intothewind.com/shop/Stunt_Kites/Beginner

Edited by Quoddy on 04/26/2009 14:20:19 MDT.

I second in to the wind kites. I have many and most are very packable. My favorite is a little dangerous:

http://www.intothewind.com/shop/Stunt_Kites/Power_Kites/Beamer_III_3

No matter which you choose, they can add more fun to a great hike.
Mike

Definitely an airfoil/parafoil type. No setup needed. Just leave it all hooked together and cram it in a stuff sack. I have a single line. Makes a nice signal.