Skyward Chronicles: Latest Reviews in Paragliding Gear

The T-Shirt ICONIC by NOVA is a thoughtfully designed regular-fit unisex shirt that appeals specifically to paragliding enthusiasts who appreciate understated yet meaningful apparel. Featuring a subtle anthracite melange color and a graphic made up of discreet paragliding-related icons, this garment balances style with a nod to the adventurous spirit of the sport. The fabric blend of 45% cotton, 45% modal (TENCEL™), and 10% elastane (Lycra®) results in a very soft and smooth touch against the skin, along with excellent stretch and shape retention that lasts through wear and washing. A key sustainable feature is the use of TENCEL™, a biodegradable and compostable fibre produced in an environmentally friendly way in Austria, reinforcing the product’s low-impact footprint while supporting high comfort and durability. Made in Europe (Turkey), it caters to both men and women with true-to-size fits and slightly elongated torsos for better coverage during active or casual wear.

The Icaro Paragliders Parus² is a modern EN-B certified tandem paraglider that excels as a reliable, lightweight wing designed for both professional commercial use and recreational flying with family and friends. Its complete redesign features innovations such as a shark-nose profile and ultra-light STA15 fabric, significantly reducing overall weight to 6.5 kg for the 35.5 m² size and 7.2 kg for the 41.5 m² size, which greatly benefits launch, landing, and in-flight handling characteristics.

The ICARO Alba is a modern, certified round rescue parachute designed specifically for single-seat paragliding pilots who favor the classic round reserve style but want enhanced performance and reliability. Engineered with a focus on maximum structural strength, very fast opening, low sink rate, and high pendulum stability, the Alba system balances proven stability with modern materials and design. It is available in three certified sizes (Alba 85, 105, 130), catering to different maximum pilot loads, with relatively light overall weights and compact pack volumes that make it adaptable to a wide range of harnesses.

The NOVA MONTIS+ presents itself as an innovative, ultralight hike & fly paragliding harness system expertly designed for pilots who prioritize flexibility, safety, and low weight without compromising comfort. Combining the renowned MONTIS harness with the reversible INVERTO rucksack, the total system weighs approximately 1.3 kg and offers a spacious 60-litre rucksack volume, making it ideal for a broad range of flying experiences—from casual evening glides to challenging alpine tours.

The Epic Freestyle is a paraglider specifically designed as a highly forgiving and confidence-building EN/LTF-B certified wing tailored for pilots keen to learn and progress in freestyle, SIV, and entry acro flying. It also remains fully capable of everyday use and cross-country (XC) flights, making it a versatile choice for dynamic pilots. This article provides a detailed analytical review based on the manufacturer's specifications and aggregated insights from instructors and pilot feedback.

The Aquila is ICARO’s dedicated freestyle paraglider that skillfully combines acro-style agility with robust thermal and cross-country (XC) flying capabilities. Featuring the company's best thermal profile, the Aquila offers impressive climb and soaring performance for a compact freestyle wing, making it an appealing choice for pilots seeking a blend of playfulness and serious flying functionality.

The FERUS paragliding rucksack offers a versatile solution for pilots engaged in hike & fly, vol biv, and general paragliding activities. Crafted with an emphasis on lightness and comfort, this rucksack is available in two sizes—80 L weighing 760 g and 105 L at 820 g—both designed to integrate seamlessly with NOVA’s ITUS harness. The option to use it as a reversible backpack when paired with the ITUS harness adds to its functionality, making it a smart choice for pilots seeking convenience in the field.

The ADVANCE Women’s Shirt in the elegant plum colour represents a thoughtful evolution of a previous model, designed to enhance comfort, style, and everyday usability. Crafted from a blend of 95% cotton and 5% elastane, this T-shirt aims to deliver softness, breathability, and a slight stretch for improved fit and freedom of movement. Available in sizes XS to XL and produced in the EU, it caters to style-conscious women who value quality manufacturing and a refined look.

The UP SUMMIT X EN/LTF B is a high-end paraglider designed to deliver performance close to that of advanced C-class wings while maintaining the safety and certification standards of the B category. By adopting a 2.5-liner “hybrid” line layout combined with a newly developed Generation-X airfoil, it aims to offer a powerful blend of competitive glide, speed, and responsive handling with reduced pilot workload and enhanced passive safety. This wing targets experienced EN-B pilots who seek to push their cross-country flying to new heights without stepping into the higher demands of EN-C gliders.

The UP KANGRI X EN/LTF B is a state-of-the-art lightweight cross-country paraglider crafted for experienced pilots looking to excel in hike & fly, bivouac, travel, and serious XC flights. As a hybrid 2.5-line design, it strikes a balance between performance and manageable pilot demands, making it ideal for those with solid flight experience seeking an all-around high-end B-class wing.

The UP Trango X EN/LTF C represents the cutting edge in the renowned Trango series, crafted for ambitious cross-country (XC) pilots seeking high performance with manageable handling. It is a high aspect ratio, 2.5-liner wing that combines advanced aerodynamic design, structural innovations, and pilot-friendly characteristics to "switch to the fast lane" in the EN-C category.

The ICARO Pro-Handle is an innovative steering handle system designed specifically for paragliding pilots seeking to enhance comfort and control during flight. This combination of a soft neoprene “pillow” grip with a solid aluminium stick mounting aims to alleviate hand fatigue and increase steering precision, making it especially beneficial for longer, intensive flights.