Hike & Fly gear: how to choose your harness ?
On the snow, under the sun or in the middle of autumn leaves, no matter the season, there is always time for a hike & fly session!
But to ensure this activity remains enjoyable, it’s important to know how to gear up, what equipment might be right for you, and how to choose it. Today, let’s explore harnesses designed specifically for Hike & Fly!
Hike & Fly: A Growing Trend
And we are not only talking about climbing the summits! For a few years now, the practice of hike & fly has become increasingly popular among paragliding pilots.
Walk up to the takeoff, whether official or wild, and come down under a glider delights many people. Then, everyone is free to vary the pleasures: simple walk, bivouac, cross-country... The possibilities are almost infinite!
The advantage of cross-country gliding is that the conditions required to fly aren’t as demanding as those for cross-country flying, for example. A stable air mass, a light headwind, and off you go on an adventure!
And yes, our pilots were delighted to discover that, even with unpredictable weather, adventure is still within reach:
Captain Wild x Supair - October 2022
This explosion of the hike & fly is also due to the general lightening of the material of paraglider. In addition to the more modern designs that allow weight savings In addition to the more modern designs that save weight, the so-called "light" products are multiplying on the market, and the same is true for the harnesses that come in various categories dedicated to rando flight.
Which harness for the hike & fly session ?
There's something for everyone! No matter what your skill level is or what type of activity you're into, there's bound to be a harness that's right for you. Below, we'll go over the different options for traveling light.
The reversible harness
Whether you want to start hike & fly or keep a high level of passive safety, the reversible harness is the most versatile solution in terms of light equipment.
A " reversible harness " is a harness that also doubles as a " rucksack." Simply flip the harness's back panel to switch to backpack mode, and vice versa. Simple and effective, this saves the weight of a traditional " rucksack ."
The advantage of these reversible harnesses is that they can be used as everyday harnesses without any problem thanks to their high level of accessorization and the large volume of the bag.
Extremely comfortable and with no compromises on safety, it’s the ideal choice if you want to use just one harness for all types of flying or if you’re looking to start hike & fly early in your progression.
If you're curious to learn more about reversible harnesses, check out the ALTIRANDO Lite 2 for more details.
The Adjustable Harness
A modular harness is the solution for adapting your gear to whatever you feel like doing at the moment.
This is a harness to which you can add features using a module. The RADICAL 4 is a good example of a modular harness: it’s an ultralight frame to which a module can be added, transforming it into an “ reversible harness ” equipped with a reserve parachute and an airbag.
Thanks to this option, a modular harness of this type can be used for both comfortable hike & fly session and mountain flight, which requires more lightness. Designed specifically for the mountain use, it is a harness lighter than an ALTIRANDO Lite.
The harness is therefore more or less accessorized depending on the option used. Thus, you can give the advantage to the comfort or the weight according to your needs.
This type of equipment is a good fit for you if you’re looking for a very lightweight harness that allows you to maintain a high level of passive safety—when needed—by adding a removable airbag and rescue pouch.
The thong harness
This is the most extreme version of the light harness. String harnesses like the EVEREST 3only keep the essentials for maximum weight savings. Here, the priority is given to lightness. Used with a small glider mountain, like the EIKO 2in 16m² for example, you get an ultra-light pack with very little volume .
This gear is ideal for tackling significant elevation gains, whether for trail running or paragliding. However, it is very specialized equipment that is not recommended for beginners, given the lack of shin protection or any other passive safety features.
The light pod harness
Here we are at the last type of harness : the light pod harness.
This category is for pilots who want to mix hike & fly and distance flight. Cross country is not incompatible with hike & fly, on the contrary!
The pod harness light is even the equipment of choice for bivouac flight for example. These harnesses allow a huge weight saving compared to a standard pod harness while keeping a good level of comfort for long flights.
In addition, passive protection is provided, with, in most cases, under-knee protection and a designated space for first aid.
On the STRIKE2it is for example possible to replace the standard foam protection with an inflatable one for even more lightness without compromising on safety.
The light pod harnesss are often more technical to adjust and you should not hesitate to take your time to adjust it perfectly to your morphology and feel comfortable in the harness.
While this may not necessarily be the best choice if you're new to the sport, this option will delight you if you're a fan of long-distance flying and want to be able to hike with your paragliding gear on your back.
As we've seen, each harness is designed for a specific use. To make the best choice from this wide range of options, it's essential to determine the type of activity you're planning to do so you can find the right balance between safety, comfort, and light weight.
If you're unsure about the many models available on the market, feel free to contact your usual retailer for personalized advice.
