Guide
Paragliding Equipment Checklist for New Pilots
Start with equipment that keeps flying simple and predictable: a beginner wing, a stable harness, a correctly sized reserve, a certified helmet, and basic protective gear. Instruments can wait until the first few hours of flying feel less busy.
Invest in quality equipment
If you are unsure about the quality of used equipment, get it tested before flying it. ParaStitch offers gear inspection support for wings, harnesses, reserves, and connection hardware.
View inspection services1. Wing: choose a beginner EN-A wing
For a first wing, choose an EN-A wing with forgiving launches and stable handling. We stock Sky Paragliders Gaia 3 for beginner pilots.
2. Weight range: sit comfortably in the middle
Calculate your all-up flying weight: pilot, clothing, shoes, harness, reserve, helmet, instruments, water, and anything carried in flight. Choose a wing size where you sit comfortably around the middle of the certified range, or slightly higher if your instructor or dealer recommends it for your site and conditions.
3. Harness: choose stability, support, and safety
A good beginner harness should feel stable, support your back, offer practical storage, and include proper safety protection such as foam or airbags. The harnesses we stock are at our workshop for size checks, so reach out before buying.
Gii 5 Harness
Comfortable hike-and-fly harness under 3kg for pilots who want a light, practical setup for training, travel, and mountain launches.
Twin 2 Evo Harness
Tandem pilot harness optimized for durability, passenger comfort, and dependable handling in repeated commercial paragliding flights.
Pax Evo Harness
Passenger harness for tandem paragliding, designed for secure fit, easy adjustment, and all-day comfort during introductory flights.
4. Reserve: match the weight and repack it
Your reserve must match your all-up weight range. Check the published sink rate and aim for below 5.5 m/s. Have the reserve inspected and repacked periodically, ideally every season, so the deployment system is not just theoretical safety.
5. Helmet: do not skip head protection
Use a paragliding helmet that fits securely and does not interfere with visibility or harness movement. We stock some Charly helmets; contact us for current availability.
6. Useful extras for the first flights
- Gloves for grip, warmth, and line handling.
- Ankle-supporting shoes for launches, landings, and uneven ground.
You will eventually want a vario, instruments, and a compass. For the initial few hours, keep the setup simple and focus on flying, launches, approaches, and landing judgment.
Need a gear check?
Bring the equipment to the workshop or share details before buying. We can help check fit, size, condition, and whether the setup makes sense for your flying stage.
Contact ParaStitch