Best Regular Harness for 2011
by Jérôme Daoust, revised 2011/8/22
Please send in comments on your harness. It will help others to shop for their next one.
Unwanted features:
· Footrest / stirrup.
· Front leg fairing.
· Airbag. Prefer always-ready foam multi-cell airbag.
My body: Male, 5' 10" (178 cm) and 172 lb (78.1 kg).
My selection: On 2011/8/21, I decided to purchase a Skywalk / Cult 3 from Torrey Pines Gliderport. For now, the reduced storage volume of an airbag harness is not worth the safety concerns: Impact energy absorption varies too much depending on inflation time (after launch), airflow direction (OK with under seat inlet, not good with side inlet when falling vertically) and if the reserve parachute was deployed (less energy absorption if no longer under seat). So I chose a foam-bag harness from the table below.
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Color code: |
Good |
So-So |
Bad |
Unknown |
|
Model |
Talk |
Size |
Revie-wer |
True legs strap (easy on privates)? |
Easy entry without footrest. |
Seat plate material. |
Cupped seating: Reclined seat board + Full back support. |
Built-in speedbar retractor. |
Back protection. |
Side protection. |
Can use quick-links instead of carabiners. |
Storage easily fits rucksack. |
Built-in reserve container. Location? |
Extra comment. |
|
Advance / Success 2+ |
M? |
Jérôme |
No. |
Carbon fiber. |
Hs seat angle adjustment. Needs testing. |
Yes. |
18 cm dual-chamber foam. |
No. |
Yes. |
Variable volume. Under seat. RHS handle. |
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|
Gin Gliders / Genie 4 |
M is right size, but shoulder straps almost too long. |
Jérôme |
No. Some separation at seat plate. Ball buster when chest strap is short. |
Yes. |
Wood. Optional Carbon fiber. |
Comfort OK. Has seat depth straps for cupped seating. Good back angle adjustment. |
Yes. X diagonal system under seat. |
15 cm multi-chamber foam. Optional 17 cm. |
Optional. |
Yes, tested. |
Yes. Very easy to fit a Nova rucksack. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
Expensive with all options. Cam-lock buckles for lateral straps. Auto detach foot stirrup (not speed line) on reserve deployment. Nice construction, attention to details. |
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|
Kortel / Kamasutra 2 |
|
M? |
Jérôme |
No. |
Carbon fiber default or option? |
No. |
Mousse bag 14 cm. |
No. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
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|
Skywalk / Cult 3 |
M is good fit. |
Jérôme |
Yes + Padded. |
Yes. |
Comfy, some pressure at front of seat plate. Seat angle adjusts (good range) with strap to front. Back is rigid, padded, mesh-textured. |
No. But Velcro to hold it. |
17 cm. Access from right side, under reserve bridle channel flap. |
Protexx, blue dense foam. |
Probably, but the 3 connected straps well suited to AustriAlpin Powerfly Inox with wide base. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. Container: 2800 cm3 min, 6200 cm3 max. |
Good value for price. Simple, clean look. Automatic Separation System for the speed system (problem solved), also works without foot stirrup. Weight without reserve: 5.72 kg (12 lb 8 oz). |
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|
Sup'Air / Evo XC 2 |
M? |
Jérôme |
Yes. |
Wood. Optional Carbon fiber. |
No. |
Bump'Air 17 cm. |
No. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
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|
Swing / Connect 2 |
L? |
Jérôme |
Yes. |
Wood. Optional Carbon fiber. |
Has seating depth adjustment. Needs testing. |
No. |
17 cm foam. |
Optional. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
2+ year old design. Not popular in USA. |
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|
Woody Valley / Velvet 2 |
L? |
Jérôme |
No. |
Wood. Optional Polycarbonate. |
Has seating depth adjustment. Needs testing. |
No. |
17 cm foam. |
Optional. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
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|
Woody Valley / X-Over 3 |
L? |
Jérôme |
No. |
Wood. Optional Polycarbonate. |
Has seating depth adjustment. Needs testing. |
No. |
17 cm foam. |
No. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
Extra info
Safety problem with airbag harnesses.
Study done for reversible airbag harness, but safety concerns applicable to all airbag harnesses: DHV, 2011/2/2: Safety problem - Convertible rucksack harness.
Open VS pod harness.
Denis Cortella: A few thoughts on pod harnesses (source).
Paragliding Forum: Does a pod harness make sense for me?
