Reviews reserves

For the reserves, a real comparison is not easy because we don't want to try all reserves in real and nobody agrees about certifications and how to analyse the results.

We can say that the most important when choosing a reserve is « the sink rate and how many m² » : everybody understands that a 35m² parachute goes down slower than a 25 m² one).

Oscillation is a variable parametre which is not reliable on basis of certification reports : EN test pilots throw reserve and after opening they throw main wing, so no turbulence or mirror effect measured)

It doesn't matter what certification the reserve has (EN,SHV, LFT, DHV, or even old AFNOR), they have different criteria, but they all measure sink rate. If you want to meet the EN criteria with a reserve LFT certified with 6m/sec sink rate, you just take a bigger one.

Most of our reserve parachutes have the same good old technology : Pull-Apex.

The reserve saves our life mainly because it stops the rotation (auto-rotation, spiral dive...). The sink rate of the reserve is higher than the wing but not than a wing in spiral.

No matter the sink rate, be prepared to touch the ground fast and hard , so practice judo fall;)

About sizing, choose between small for a fast opening and big for a good sink rate : some xc pilots have 2 reserves, one small if near the ground, one big or rogallo if cravate or big twist very high.

Usually, if you have only one reserve, be more than 10 kg under the max weight in flight given by the manufacturers.

The table herunder shows all measures available (given by manufacturers) : m², sink rate, weight, price + our rating though we have tried them in flight.

See other comparisons : Paragliders - Harnesses - Reserves - Vario-GPS - Radios

If you need an advice, feel free to call us + 33 4 50 64 02 32.

TFW max : max weight in flight - TFW max reco : max weight in flight recommanded by manufacturer – sorted by TFW max reco (increasing)

Pour les secours, un comparatif réel est plus difficile car nous n'allons pas faire secours avec tous les modèles et parce que tout le monde (voir personne) n'est d'accord sur les tests d'homologation et comment les interpréter.