Lightweight Harnesses?

Jim Bittlestone · Post by **Jim Bittlestone** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:20 pm

Hi all, I am looking at getting a lightweight harness. I currently use a sup air evo xc and like it, what would folk recommend for a beginner like me?
I have briefly seen the apco chair bag, sup air hybrid and the airwave one only in passing. But know nothing about harnesses at all. I would like it to have an enclosed reserve like mine now. Just looking to save weight and bulk and perhaps get a safer harness too?
Cheers
Jim

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:33 pm

i have the aiirwave gt light and must say is very nice to fly inn, also is enclosed reserve. your welcome to have a go of it, also is the bag as well i think the whole thing with glider reserve is about 12kg so nice and light. also looks good as well. but must say i still think for flying the pod is the nicest thing to fly though i would not advocate this harness as a first harness due too associated risks.

my last light weight harness is still ut on permanant trial

cheers gary

Jim Bittlestone · Post by **Jim Bittlestone** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:36 am

cheers gary is this the same harness that ali brought to the meeting a few months ago? Looked good what i saw of it.

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:46 am

it could well be in the back of my van if you are around cramlington or i am going to washington later

cheers gary

Jim Bittlestone · Post by **Jim Bittlestone** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:54 am

cheers gary, im in durham today at work, finally caught up with me. Ill call you later
cheers
jim

bdoub · Post by **bdoub** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:19 am

I bought the altirando XP this spring, a lighter wing (Aspen I), and lighter reserve. I went from carying 22+ kg to about 16kg.

My back, legs and lungs are much happier.

Davehorn has an altirando as well, so might be good to get his oppinion.

It's comfortable, I get good feedback from the wing through the harness. The airbag works, I've had one light bump landing and didn't even feel it.

Disadvantages, I find having the reserve in a front pack in the way when moving on the ground. It also tends to pull the mallons horizontal just before take off and I always have to double check them that they are vertical and the risers aren't rising from the side of the mallon.

Also, it has a stirup, which I really like to fly with and find it adds to the comfort as well as to the ease of weight shift, but it does get tangled before launch and walking around with the speed bar.

Again, before launch, I always have to double check it to make sure the stirrup is on top of the speed bar and not vice versa (or wrapped around a couple of times) and that the speedbar and pulleys work smoothly. I've just made this a part of my preflight check.

I have also had the chest buckle come undone on me twice when I carry something in my front pocket of my flight suit. If I lean forward the top latch can be depressed and the buckle opens - not pleasant.

So, just some things to consider.