After talking about the best harness for paragliding, in this post we want to show you the different safety systems that each harness has. This is another important element to take into account when deciding which harness to purchase.
There are no better or worse protection systems, as all of them undergo a meticulous approval process to meet established safety requirements. The comparison should be between the different types of protection that exist, with different characteristics and materials, developed specifically for each discipline and level of flying. And with this information you can choose the type of protection that best suits your needs.
Types of safety systems
Firstly, there are two main safety systems in paraglider harnesses: impact protection and emergency parachutes.
Impact protection consists of two distinct types: foam and airbags.
On one hand, protective foams can be simple –made of a single material– or composite –made of several layers of different materials–.
Composite foams are distinguished by their independent energy absorption elements, such as our Orikami protection, which is made of foam and a metamaterial with exceptional energy absorption capacity that recovers its shape and characteristics after impact.
On another hand, airbags can be standard or inflatable. Standard airbags, which are now the most common, self-inflate through the air inlet in the harness when you start flying. Inflatable airbags must be blown up before take off by means of a tube, like our Apair protection.
Apart from impact protection, there are also emergency parachutes, the safety system to be used when you experience an incident in flight which is impossible to recover.
Parachutes are not usually included with the purchase of a paraglider harness, but many models have a space reserved for their installation, usually at the front or under the seat.
Below you will find details of the type of protection that we have integrated into each of our harnesses.
Makan: this is the Niviuk harness designed for instruction, and is ideal when you begin flying. It will give you maximum safety on your first flights, with easy access to the emergency parachute handle, located on the lower right-hand side of the harness. The protective foam (16 cm, resistant to an impact with a force of 35 G) is located under the seat and offers exceptional cushioning against possible impacts.
Konvers 2: Niviuk's versatile reversible harness has a standard built-in airbag and an under-seat container for quick and easy access to the parachute.
Roamer 2: it offers the possibility of attaching and connecting a standard self-inflating airbag system, as well as adding a parachute front container with the Kase P.
Sherlock & Watson 2: Our two tandem harnesses are designed with the same safety system. Both the pilot's and the passenger's harness offer the option of using two types of protection: airbag or foam. The airbag ensures safety at all times, as it is pre-inflated at launch thanks to the Nitinol rods. If you prefer foam protection, you simply place it inside the airbag and take off. Both options provide maximum safety during flight. The Sherlock has a compartment for the emergency parachute and the fully integrated and easily accessible V-bridle, with the handle located at the bottom right.
Hawk & Arrow: the quintessential pod harnesses. The combination of different materials such as a low density open cell foam, combined with an ultra low density closed cell foam, create a very safe 15 cm lightweight protector that guarantees an impact absorption of 34 G. Both harnesses have an integrated parachute compartment under the seat, with a handle on the right side for a quick and easy deployment.
Drifter 2: Orikami is the new and revolutionary protection technology developed by Niviuk's R&D team. It is the thinnest and most efficient on the market, with only 5.5 cm of thickness. The Drifter 2 also includes a SAS-TEC component in the back. Made with very safe viscoelastic foam, it offers great impact protection. It has space for two integrated emergency parachutes, both located at the bottom of the backrest and easily accessible with a handle on each side of the harness.
Roamer 2 P: the favourite harness of hike & fly fans. It is made with Dyneema cords reinforced at the connection points, with the possibility of attaching a parachute using the Kase P front container.
Arrow P & Arrow P Race: Both ultra-light pod harnesses have two protection options: foam or inflatable protection. The foam is 14 cm, very compact, and low-density, offering the best compromise between lightness and impact absorption. The inflatable Apair protection is ideal for those seeking compactness, safety, and lightness. It weighs only 240 g and stands out for its efficiency and practicality. Safety and comfort have been enhanced by integrating the parachute compartment into the right side of the harness, making the daily use much more comfortable and practical.
We hope this information has helped you to choose your next paragliding harness!
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