Best Low Drag Harness
by Jérôme Daoust (Email), revised 2024/4/12-a
Definitions, acronyms:
· Cockpit = Flight deck = Instrument panel + Container.
· Get-Up: A type of leg straps that is straight from the seat to the chest strap. More painful on your private parts compared to true leg straps (wrapping around your leg) while running or kiting.
· FFA: Foam-Filled Airbag, where the foam only serves to keep the airbag (usually multi-chambered) inflated.
· LHS: Left Hand Side.
· Maillon: Also known as “maillon rapide”, “quick link”. Many harness manufacturers recommend a breaking strength of 2400 kg. Peguet > PG applications: Typical Stainless Steel models: 6 mm oval or 7 mm square.
· Pod: Front fairing, which encloses your legs.
· QR: Quick Release.
· RHS: Right Hand Side.
· SFL: Stiff Foam Lattice. Used to contain Koroyd blocks.
· Tail: Rear fairing, behind your upper body. The most important part for reducing aerodynamic drag.
· TBD: To Be Determined.
Purpose of this chart: Compare features of long tail harnesses. Ignoring these models:
· Short tails. It is understood that the length of the tail is not the only indicator of overall aerodynamic efficiency. Examples of excluded models: Advance Lightness 3, Apco Swift Sport + Swift Zero, Dudek Soul 2021 + Techno 2018, Neo Stay Up 2 (PGF, CDV), Nearbirds Zippy 2, Neo Suspender + Suspender 2, Nova Somnium, Ozone Ozium 2 + Forza, Sky Country Sector, Supair Delight 3 + Delight 4.
· Ultra lightweight (less than 2.5 kg) construction. Examples: Advance Weightless, Apco Kitto, Bogdanfly Pod, Kortel Kolibri EVO, Niviuk Arrow P + Arrow P Race, Nova Artus, Ozone BV1 + F*Race, Sea Runa, Skywalk Range X-Alps2, Supair Strike 2, Skyman X-Alps, Woody Valley Race.
· Not yet available. Example: Nova Artus (robust version), Woody Valley GTO Light 3.
My body: Male, 5' 10" (178 cm) and 165 lb (74.8 kg).
|
Color code: |
Ideal |
Could be better |
Barely acceptable |
Dealbreaker for me |
Unknown |
|
Talk |
Year |
Brand inte-rest |
Size for me |
Mass (kg) |
True leg straps |
Leg + Chest + Pod straps QR buckles. Fix. |
Distinct roll stop strap(s)? |
Seat plate |
Tested comfort |
Speed bar |
Protector. Max G. |
Reserve: Handle loc? 5+ L container? Special bag? Need maillon? Easy close flaps? |
Radio pocket easy reach? Fix. |
Instrument panel detach with zip, not Velcro? Fix. |
Packs small to fit rucksack |
Pod change |
Extra comment. |
|
|
Advance / Impress 4 |
2020 |
High |
M |
6.6 |
Get-up. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. No for pod. |
No. |
Yes. Remo-vable. |
No. Good feedback. |
Yes |
TBD cm FFA. 36 G w/ board. |
RHS and/or LHS. 3.0-6.0 L. Special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. Non stretch close loops OK. |
Likely, relocatable. |
Claimed easy & carry handle, but not observed. |
Bulky protector, but half-folds. |
Yes |
One-way valve to keep tail inflated: Extra back protection? Fussy tail. Settings slip. |
|
|
Advance / Lightness 4 |
2024 |
High |
M |
3.5 |
Get-up. |
Flat buckles at chest. QR collar. TBD for pod. |
TBD |
No. Seat shell. |
No |
Yes |
TBD cm FFA. TBD G. |
RHS. TBD L. Special bag. TBD: Need maillon if reserve loop small. TBD: Closure. |
Use generic zippered side pocket. |
TBD method for detachable panel. |
TBD |
Yes |
Included (silly) rucksack. No user manual yet. |
|
|
AirDesign / The Sock |
2022 |
Med |
M |
2.75 |
Get-up. Split. |
Special leg/chest. QR collar. QR + Special for pod. |
No. |
No. |
No. |
Yes |
16.5 cm inflatable. 35 G. |
Front only. Max 4.5 L for M, 5.0 L for L. No special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. Non stretch close loops OK. |
Use generic zippered 2 side pockets. |
No, and not removable. |
Yes (user manual). |
Using sewing machine |
User manual. Not for aerobatic maneuvers. Put rucksack in under seat container. |
|
|
Apco / Swift Race |
2016 |
Low |
M//L |
6.2 |
Yes. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. Zipper for pod. Video. |
Yes. Adjust. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
17 cm FFA. 44? G. |
RHS and/or Front. 6.0 L video. No special bag. No maillon needed. Non stretch close loops OK. |
Yes. |
No, plate held by Velcro. |
TBD, doubtful. |
No |
||
|
Dudek / Pogo 4 |
2020 |
Low |
M |
5.3 |
Get-up. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. Pod has a ball closure. |
No. |
Yes. Remo-vable. |
No. |
Yes |
15 cm FFA. 39 G w/o reserve. |
RHS or LHS. TBD L. Special bags (2). Need maillon if reserve loop small. Non stretch close loops OK. |
Yes, move to R or L shoulder. |
Claimed detachable but method TBD. |
TBD, doubtful. |
No |
||
|
Gin / Genie Lite 3 |
2020 |
High |
M |
4.8 |
Get-up. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. Yes, for pod (3 clips). |
No. |
Yes. |
No. Good feedback. |
Yes |
RHS and/or Front. 5.5 L. Special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. Non stretch close loops OK. |
No, generic back pocket. Fix. |
No, by any method. |
No. Stiff back protector: 34” long for L. |
No |
Seem robust. Video presentation (Russian). Rucksack sizing. Oddly oriented back air inlet. Back pocket barely fits rucksack + wing bag. |
||
|
Gin / Genie Race 5 |
2023 |
High |
M |
7.5 |
Get-up. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. Zipper for pod. Video. |
No. |
Yes. Remo-vable. |
No. |
Yes |
RHS and/or LHS. TBD L. Special bag. Need maillon. Non stretch close loops OK. Video. |
Internal on RHS. Fix. |
No. Whole deck removable. |
No. Stiff back protector and long. |
No |
Rucksack sizing (for GR4). |
||
|
Gin Genie X-Lite |
2022 |
High |
M |
3.3 |
Get-up. Thin straps. |
QR for all. Video. |
No. |
No. |
Yes |
RHS and/or Front. 5.5 L. Special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. Non stretch close loops OK. |
Use generic zippered side pocket. |
No, by any method. |
Yes: Video + Fits 80 L rucksack. |
No |
Cosmetic recall. Review: XC Mag + M Brown. Genie Lite 3 rescue deck OK. Rucksack sizing. |
|||
|
Kortel / Kanibal Race II |
2017 |
Med |
M |
7.1 |
Get-up. |
All QR minus one special pod closure. |
Yes. Adjust. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
TBD cm FFA. 36 G. |
RHS and/or LHS. 2.6-5.3 L. No special bag. TBD: Need maillon if reserve loop small. TBD: Closure. |
Use generic side pocket. |
Yes, video. |
No, video. |
No |
Pin-Lock carabiners provided, replace wisely. |
|
|
NearBirds / Genesis |
2021 |
Low |
L |
TBD ~6.0 |
Get-up & groin pad. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. QR for pod. |
Yes. Adjust. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
18 cm FFA. TBD G. |
RHS and/or Front. TBD L. Special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. TBD: Closure. |
Yes, on shoulder. |
Claimed detachable but method TBD. |
TBD, doubtful. |
Yes |
Manual unclear. Rucksack incl. Web sizing is M or L for 178 cm, manual suggests L. Out of production. |
|
|
NearBirds / Genesis Race |
2020 |
Low |
L |
7.8 w front cont. |
Get-up & groin pad. |
QR for leg/chest. TBD for collar, pod. |
Yes. Adjust. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
18 cm FFA. TBD G. |
RHS and/or Front. TBD L. TBD: Special bag. TBD: Need maillon if reserve loop small. TBD: Closure. |
Yes, near carabiner. |
Claimed detachable but method TBD. |
TBD, doubtful. |
Yes |
No user manual. 185 L rucksack included. Website sizing is M or L for 178 cm. |
|
|
NearBirds / Vibe |
2019 |
Low |
L |
6.0 w front cont. |
Get-up & groin pad. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. Mix elsewhere. |
Yes. Adjust. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
18 cm FFA. TBD G. |
RHS and/or Front. TBD L. TBD: Special bag. TBD: Need maillon if reserve loop small. TBD: Closure. |
Yes, near carabiner. |
Claimed detachable but method TBD. |
TBD, doubtful. |
Yes |
No user manual. Website sizing is M or L for 178 cm. Ziad’s review. QDebFly review (French). |
|
|
Niviuk / Arrow |
2022 |
High |
M |
3.95 |
Get-up. |
QR for all minus 1 for pod. Video. |
No. |
Yes. |
No. Good feedback. |
Yes |
15 cm FFA. 32 G. |
RHS. 10.0 L. No special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. Easy flap closure. |
Use generic zippered side pocket. |
No, by any method. |
No. Use Niviuk 150 L, Nova 145 L. GL3 ref. |
Yes |
Video of features. User manual. Ziad's review & video + Comparison. |
|
|
Niviuk / Drifter 2 |
2023 |
High |
M |
9.5 |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
No. |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD, doubtful. |
TBD |
No user manual yet. |
|
|
Ozone / Exoceat |
2015 |
High |
S |
9.4 |
Get-up. |
Mix of QR buckles, zip and eyelet (pod). |
No. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
TBD cm FFA. 35? G. |
RHS and/or LHS. TBD L. No special bag. TBD: Need maillon if reserve loop small. Complex closure. |
Use generic side pocket. |
Yes, cockpit side zips. Plate held by Velcro. |
No. |
No |
Assembly video. Inflation intake and “Bomb bay” closure look home-made. |
|
|
Ozone / Forza 2 |
2023 |
High |
M |
6.1 |
QR for leg/chest & collar. TBD for pod. |
No. |
Yes. Remo-vable. |
No. |
Yes |
TBD, ignoring mfr claim. |
RHS and/or LHS. 2 containers, TBD L. TBD: Special bag. TBD: Need maillon if reserve loop small. TBD: Closure. |
Use side or above pod pocket, |
TBD, doubtful. |
TBD |
No user manual yet. Easy repair claim. |
|||
|
Ozone / Submarine |
2022 |
High |
M |
8.15 |
Get-up. |
No. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
TBD cm Koroyd + SFL. TBD G. |
RHS and/or LHS. TBD L, small. No special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. Complex closure. Video. |
Use generic side, upper pocket. |
Claimed detachable but method TBD. |
TBD, doubtful. |
Yes |
The whole envelope is replaceable. Poor instrument visibility & access. Ziad's review. |
||
|
Sky / Skylighter 4 |
2019 |
Low |
M |
3.0 |
Get-up. |
Flat buckles leg/chest. TBD elsewhere. |
No. |
Yes. Semi-rigid. |
No. |
Yes |
15 cm FFA. 39 G. |
RHS. 2.3-7.6 L. No special bag. Need maillon if reserve loop small. Non stretch close loops OK. |
Use generic side pocket. |
Claimed detachable but method TBD. |
TBD, doubtful. |
Yes |
||
|
Sky Country / Sector Race 2 |
2021 |
Low |
L |
4.5 |
Get-up. |
TBD: Website says QR buckles. |
TBD. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
15 cm FFA. TBD G. |
RHS. TBD L. TBD special bag. TBD need maillon. TBD flap closure. |
Yes, on shoulders. |
No, plate held by Velcro. |
TBD, doubtful. |
TBD |
English version of website has very little info, no user manual. |
|
|
Supair / Delight 4 Sport |
2022 |
M |
3.8 |
Get-up. |
QR for leg/chest & collar. At least 1 QR for pod. |
No. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
12 cm FFA. 35 G. |
RHS. 2.9-5.5 L. Special bag. TBD need maillon. TBD flap closure. |
Use generic zippered side pocket. |
No, by any method. |
Likely: Easy removal folding FFA. |
No |
No user manual yet. In addition to the FFA, there is a back plate. Tree rescue kit. |
||
|
Swing / Connect Race Lite |
2020 |
Med |
M |
3.3 |
Get-up. |
Yes. Adjust. |
Yes. Remo-vable. |
No. Same as GTO Light 2? |
Yes |
16 cm FFA or inflatable. 38? G. |
RHS. 3.0-6.5 L. Special bag. No maillon needed. Elastic close loops. |
Yes. |
No, plate held by Velcro. |
Yes. Smaller with inflatable protector. |
Yes |
Rebranded GTO Light 2: Adds seat plate, minus foot sliding protector, maybe same protector. |
||
|
Woody Valley / GTO Light 2 |
2020 |
High |
M |
3.3 |
Get-up. |
Yes. Adjust. |
No. |
Yes. Comfy. |
Yes |
16 cm FFA or inflatable. 38? G. |
RHS. 3.0-5.0 L (5 L reserve fits easy). Special bag. No maillon needed. Elastic close loops. |
Yes. |
No, plate held by Velcro. |
Yes. Smaller with inflatable protector. |
Yes |
Alterations (QR instead of flat buckles) requests refused. Max 3 L ballast to avoid reserve container zip bursting open. |
||
|
Woody Valley / X-Rated7 |
2015 |
High |
L |
7.7 |
Get-up. |
All QR, except one pod plastic hook (OK). |
Yes. Adjust. |
Yes. |
No. |
Yes |
14 cm FFA. 33? G. |
RHS and/or LHS and/or Front. 4.0-10.0 L. No special bag. No maillon needed. Elastic close loops. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
No, need large rucksack. |
No |
Robust bottom material. 3 safety warnings. |
Extra info
Should you get a pod harness?
· Compared to a regular harness (without pod and tail):
o Pros:
§ Improved aerodynamics. Reduced Pilot Drag mostly improves sink rate and glide, but not airspeed.
§ Easier to stay warm, less need for lower body clothing (weight saving).
§ You look like an experienced pilot, or are you pretending?
o Cons:
§ More complicated to setup: For body adjustments, and when getting ready to launch.
§ Awkward at take-off and landing.
§ Complicates flight incidents, due to pod drag (lateral airflow on the pod yaws the pilot), and flatter body position (greater body yaw inertia) increases risk of riser twists. During an incident, bend your knees and pull in your legs to reduce your body’s yaw inertia.
· Denis Cortella: A few thoughts on pod harnesses.
Max G from protector impact test.
· In most cases, a pilot using a front-mounted reserve will also have a bottom reserve.
· The worst-case scenario considered, is for a fall which is too close to the ground to benefit from a reserve parachute deployment. So, we use the result with a lower reserve parachute installed (otherwise we use the result without reserve):
o For protectors not intended to be reusable following a reasonable impact (like those with Koroyd), only the first G load is used from the 2 impact tests. The German norm is updating to only measure the 1st impact (reference in French).
o For protectors designed to be reusable following a reasonable impact, only the first G load is also used (for consistency) from the 2 impact tests.
· Koroyd website for the material itself.
· Compared to a (foam-filled or inflated) multi-chambered airbag protector:
o The Koroyd material offers more resistance from the start of its compression (graph), closer to a constant deceleration (more time near max G), instead of a more linear increase of deceleration (air pressure inside the airbag builds from its compression) over more time and distance.
§ This is good for reducing the thickness of the protector, but will make the protector feel too stiff for minor to moderate impact. You sacrifice comfort during lesser impacts.
§ Airbags offer a softer response for minor to moderate impacts, as if you could select “just enough” stiffness to meet the situation’s needs.
o For strong impacts along an ideal compression axis, this protector is similarly effective to an airbag (FFA or inflatable) twice its thickness, so there is an aerodynamic advantage: The thinner the protector (with same safety) the less drag due to a reduced cross-section area.
o Does it lose more effectiveness, when an impact is not well oriented?
o Just like a car that has crumple zones to absorb impact energy, it needs repair after a significant impact.
· The “Neo Koroyd” protector has different versions shown on the Koroyd website. They are a mix of Koroyd inserts, held within a SFL. They are used inside Neo (list of versions). Gin (Picture for Genie X-Lite + Genie Lite 3) and Ozone (Submarine) harnesses.
o The SFL has a few purposes:
§ Provides residual protection following a previous impact/compression of the Koroyd inserts. Although a damaged protector should have been previously repaired.
§ May prevent cumulative minor damage to the Koroyd inserts, by supporting minor loads (storage compression, transport nudges).
§ As in the case of the Gin Genie X-Lite, it can serve double purpose as a seat plate, to eliminate/minimize the outside pressure on your hips and thighs.
o After a hard impact, just replace the Koroyd inserts that were damaged (video), not necessarily the whole protector (reference).
o It is recommended to replace the whole protector after 5 years.
o Various harness sizes use the same Koroyd material/inserts (same stiffness before crumpling). If you are a lighter pilot, you can expect higher G’s before deforming it to absorb impact energy.
o Unhelpful cases:
§ PGF > Luc De Meester, 2022/04/11 + Picture of protector after accident + Discussion 1 + Discussion 2.
§ YouTube > ShareMyJoys > Review of my paragliding crash with spinal injury, 2022/10/13 + Discussion.
o Discussion:
§ PGF > Neo Koroyd protection downside.
· Manufacturers avoiding it.
o Nearbirds, 2023/8/23 (ref 1, ref 2), extract: "Determined to understand the implications, we asked medical experts on the intricacies of human body response during vertical falls on rigid surfaces. The conclusion was simple: a fall requires sufficient time for back muscles along the spine to reflexively engage, ensuring a straightened spine upon impact. This counteracts forward spinal bending. When the spine is bent forward, the vertebrae are in contact with each other with a small area of their edges and the likelihood of injury increases significantly. Thus, the preparation of the body for impact is a very important moment in saving the pilot’s health. When operating a honeycomb protector, the acceleration growth gradient is so high that it does not give the body the time necessary to prepare for an impact which is probably the reason for more serious injuries to pilots when falling on these protectors.".
FIX: If the straps (legs or chest) holding your body, or pod closures, do not have quick-release mechanisms:
· One can use a hook knife in an emergency (tree, water, or backward landing). Some harnesses provide one. I like the Benchmade / 7 Hook.
FIX: If the instrument panel cannot be easily detached with zipper or clip (not Velcro):
· Each instrument can have its own easy release mechanism, for example a soft holder.
FIX: Radio pocket location, not convenient to reach/handle the radio:
· Do not place the radio in a back pocket, use another generic front pocket. Maybe get a shoulder strap radio holder.
Online discussions and information.
· PGF > Best Low Drag Harness for 2022.
· PGF > Pod harness sheet comparison for you + Worksheet by Eman Buzin.
· PGF > most stable pod harness.
· PGF > Data Available for Types of Harness Impacts?
· Tandem Paragliding / Paragliding harness comparison 2022.
· Air Turquoise / Reports (Para- Test). To find harness test reports, including protectors.
· Need to upgrade your speed bar? Consider the “LiteStep”: PGF discussion + USA importer.
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