Buying a used harness or reserve: sizing by height, repack dates and what to walk away from

TL;DR

  • A harness must fit your height and torso and be certified for your weight. A harness that is too big or too small changes how you sit, how you weight-shift and how the reserve handle falls to hand.
  • A reserve needs a valid repack date, a certified load range that includes your total weight, and no signs of damage or damp. A reserve with no repack date is not a reserve you can count on.
  • Walk away from any item you cannot identify (no label, no serial) or where the seller cannot give the history.

Harness

Sizing: height first, then weight

Manufacturers publish size charts, mostly by pilot height and sometimes by weight. Typical logic: S, M, L, XL, with overlaps. Use the chart for the specific model, because sizes vary between brands. Check three things:

  1. Height and torso length. A taller pilot with a short torso can fit a smaller size than height alone suggests.
  2. Adjustability. Check the range of the chest strap, leg loops, back angle and seat plate. If you are at the end of the adjustment range, the size is wrong.
  3. Your total weight. Harnesses are certified for a maximum load. Your total take-off weight should be inside it.

Sit in the harness on a suspended hang test, or at minimum on the ground with weight on the straps. You should be able to sit upright, lean back, and reach the reserve handle without twisting. If a seller will not let you try it, treat that as a red flag.

Protection

Harnesses are certified under LTF/EN 1651 for the harness and for protection (back protector). Protectors come in several types:

  • Foam: simple, durable, and degrades slowly, with a typical lifespan that depends on UV and compression.
  • Airbag: light and pack-friendly, with good protection when inflated, but needs the air inlet to function and can be damaged by punctures.
  • Other systems: combined foam and airbag, or other designs.

Ask for the certified protector type and check its condition. Foam that has permanently compressed or crumbles has lost protection. An airbag must inflate and hold air.

Condition checks

  • Webbing: no cuts, frayed edges, burn marks or stiff, UV-faded sections. Faded webbing can be weaker.
  • Stitching at load points: shoulder straps, leg loops, carabiner attachment points.
  • Buckles: check each buckle for cracks and smooth operation. Many harnesses use pin or sprung buckles that wear.
  • Speed system pulleys and cords.
  • Smell and mould.
  • Reserve container: clean, dry and with a working closure and handle.

Age

There is no universal age limit for harnesses, but webbing and foam age. Many manufacturers recommend retiring or inspecting a harness after about 10-12 years or after heavy use. Check the manual for the model.

See also how to buy a used wing for a complete set check. You can browse used harnesses.

Reserve

Certified weight range

Reserves are certified for a load range. Your total take-off weight should be within it, and in practice slightly toward the upper-middle of the range to keep the sink rate down. Certification tests require a sink rate at the maximum certified load of no more than 5.5 m/s. A reserve loaded above its range sinks faster. A reserve loaded far below can be slow to open or less stable, depending on the design.

Round, square, rogallo

  • Round: stable, simple, higher sink rate for the same area; heavier and bulkier.
  • Square: lower sink rate than round for the same area, which is why they are popular.
  • Rogallo (steerable): steerable and light, but need a skilled pilot, and are used by some pilots as an advanced option.

Whatever the type, the reserve must fit the container of your harness. A reserve that is too large for the container makes deployment slower and harder.

Repack date

A reserve must be repacked regularly. The typical interval is 12 months, though some manufacturers allow longer and some countries or clubs require specific intervals. Check the manual and your country's rules.

What to ask:

  • Date of the last repack, and who did it
  • Date of the next repack
  • Whether the reserve has been deployed (a deployed reserve needs inspection by the manufacturer or a service centre)
  • Age of the reserve; many manufacturers set a maximum of 10-15 years or recommend an inspection after a certain age

A reserve is not like a wing: you can't test it by flying it. So paperwork, condition and the history matter more.

Condition checks

  • Open the container and unfold the reserve if the seller allows (it will need a repack afterwards, which the seller or the buyer should pay for).
  • Check for damp, mould or a musty smell.
  • Check the canopy for tears, burnt spots and discoloured fabric.
  • Check the lines and bridle for kinking, wear and damaged stitching.
  • Check the handle and the pin or closure system, and the connection to the harness.

A reserve that has been stored in a damp or very hot place needs a closer look. If anything is unclear, repack and inspect before you fly.

Walk away from

  • No serial number, label or certification marking
  • No repack date, or a date more than a year old without an agreed repack at the seller's cost
  • A reserve that has been used and not inspected
  • A reserve that is outside its age limit
  • Damage to webbing, stitching or buckles on a harness
  • Collapsed or crumbling foam or a punctured airbag
  • A load range that does not include your weight
  • A seller who cannot say where it came from or who refuses a return period

Price rules of thumb

  • A harness loses value more slowly than a wing, because it does not have porosity, and the main concern is the protector and webbing condition.
  • A reserve loses value primarily through age and repack status. A reserve with a recent repack and documents sells for more; a reserve without one needs a repack that costs you money.
  • Selling a set (wing, harness and reserve) is often convenient but not always the best price; see where to sell and what it is worth.

Use the wing value tool for the wing; for harnesses and reserves, compare listings in the used harnesses and used reserves collections. If you are looking for a particular size, create a gear alert. To sell yours, the sell page explains the outright purchase option at Paramarket.

FAQ

How often does a paragliding reserve need to be repacked? Typically every 12 months, though some manufacturers allow longer intervals and some countries have their own rules. Check the manual for your model and the rules of your country.

How old can a used reserve be? Many manufacturers set a limit of 10-15 years or recommend an inspection after a certain age. The limit depends on the model; ask the manufacturer for the age and condition of the one you are buying.

Which harness size do I need? Use the size chart for that model, based on height, and check weight limits. Then sit in the harness and check adjustment ranges. If you are at the end of an adjustment range, try the next size.

Can I fly a used harness without a protector check? No. Foam degrades and airbags can leak. Check the protector before the first flight.

Is a reserve that was deployed once safe to use? Only after inspection by the manufacturer or an approved service centre, and a repack. Do not buy one without that record.

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