The Concertina Bag Light by NOVA is a specialized, lightweight paraglider packing bag designed to protect modern wings equipped with leading-edge rods. Its unique cell-to-cell “concertina” packing method prevents sharp folds on the leading edge, helping preserve rod integrity and fabric life. This structured approach, combined with features aimed at ventilation and user convenience, positions it as a premium option for pilots wanting both protection and low carrying weight.
Design and Protective Features
The bag’s core innovation is its support for concertina packing from profile rib to profile rib, which avoids damaging the rods by eliminating tight folds. Inside, a mesh flap secures the wing’s nose, while internal buckles fix the mid-section to minimize canopy shifting during zipping or transport. A dedicated riser pocket separates risers and lines from the fabric to reduce tangles and abrasion risk. These design choices collectively ensure that the wing is stored in an optimal shape that slows wear on delicate parts.
Ventilation and Practicality
Recognizing that pilots often pack wings on damp or humid surfaces, NOVA integrates a substantial mesh panel running the length of the bag. This feature promotes air circulation and moisture escape, critical for preventing mold and fabric degradation. Additionally, an anti-snag zipper slider and cord stoppers at each zip end simplify opening and closing without catching delicate materials.
Weight, Sizes, and Compatibility
Despite its full-length cell protection, the Concertina Bag Light remains impressively lightweight, starting at approximately 328 grams (without compression straps) for size S and scaling up to roughly 482 grams for size L. Available in three sizes (S, M, L), the bag is color-coded for easy identification and accompanied by a thorough size guide that maps bag sizes to specific NOVA wings. This ensures pilots can select an appropriate bag size tailored for their wing, minimizing guesswork and optimizing fit.
Ease of Use and Packing Guidance
NOVA emphasizes user friendliness via detailed printed packing instructions on the bag, which educate pilots on the recommended rod-friendly method. This includes rosette collection, wingtip layering, line arrangement, securing the wing with mesh flaps and buckles, and folding techniques. Compression straps are long enough to wrap the packed bag around a harness, facilitating unified packs especially useful for hike-and-fly pilots.
Market Position and User Feedback
As of early 2026, there are no publicly available end-user reviews for the Concertina Bag Light on main retailer or partner websites; thus, evaluation primarily derives from manufacturer specifications and product positioning. The bag is bundled with several new NOVA wings, such as the Mentor 7 Light and Codex, indicating the brand’s trust in it for regular cross-country and semi-light wing use. Given its feature set, weight, and ventilation, it is poised to satisfy pilots prioritizing wing longevity and practical packing solutions.
Potential Pros
- Lightweight design suitable for hike & fly and semi-light wings.
- Concertina packing system reduces wear on rods and fabric.
- Ventilated mesh reduces moisture retention.
- User-friendly features like anti-snag zipper and printed packing aid.
- Compatibility guide reduces sizing errors.
- Compression straps allow convenient harness bundling.
Potential Cons and Considerations
- Absence of independent user reviews makes durability and material longevity speculative.
- Concertina packing can be bulkier and slower than simple stuff sacks; ultralight minimalist pilots may prefer alternatives.
- Non-NOVA wing owners must verify bag dimensions carefully.
- Pack Roll accessory for improved rod bend radius is sold separately, which may cause confusion.
Conclusion
The NOVA Concertina Bag Light represents a thoughtful balance of protection, weight savings, ventilation, and pilot-friendly design, making it an excellent choice for pilots flying NOVA’s rod-reinforced wings or those seeking to extend their paraglider’s lifespan without heavy carry weight. While the lack of publicly available user reviews leaves some practical reliability aspects unconfirmed, its adoption as standard equipment on current NOVA models speaks to its acceptance in the paragliding community. For detailed product information, visit the manufacturer's website and consider ordering from trusted online retailers such as Paragliding4.me.