Paragliding Bawas · Equipment Guide
How to Choose Your Paragliding Kit
A practical guide for pilots in India — covering wings, harnesses, reserves, instruments, and the brands we trust.
Harnesses
Wings & EN ratings
Reserve parachutes
Instruments
Trusted brands
Step 1
Choosing your paraglider
Your wing is the most important purchase. Get this right and everything else falls into place. There are three things to nail: the EN safety rating, the weight range, and the build type.
01
The EN rating system
EN-A
Start here.
The most forgiving category. Designed to recover from collapses with minimal pilot input. Right for students and early solo pilots.
EN-B
Intermediate pilots.
Higher performance with more pilot responsibility. Move here once you have solid hours and SIV training. The most popular category among recreational pilots worldwide.
EN-C
Sport pilots.
Medium on the performance rating, demanding active piloting. For experienced XC pilots only.
EN-D
Advanced.
High performance, highly demanding active piloting. For experienced XC and competition pilots, and for pilots chancing distance records. Its the highest pilots fly for hike and fly (vol biv) experiences.
EN-CCC
Advanced.
High rate performance gliders, highly demanding active piloting, with high risk factors. For experienced competition pilots only. these gliders are not forgiving and require extremely precise piloting control. Only pilots flying more then 200 hours a year should be on this class of glider.
70% rule for weight range
Each glider has a certified all-up weight range (pilot + harness + gear).
Aim to sit at roughly 70% of the top of the range for the best handling and launch feel.
EN- certificate example
02
Determining the average life span of the glider
Regular vs. lightweight build
Lightweight gliders use thinner fabric and fewer lines for hike-and-fly. They're lighter to carry but wear faster.
Regular builds are more durable for day-to-day school and recreational flying.
Read the section in your glider manual stating airtime expected.
Read independent reviews
Flybubble publishes detailed, honest glider reviews by test pilots. Read these before buying — they're the best independent resource available.
Youtube videos also help distinguish one gliders life span from others.
Step 2
Choosing your harness
Your harness is your seat in the sky. It also houses your reserve and takes the impact if you land hard. Comfort and protection are the two things that matter most.
03
Protection type
Foam protector
Passive, always ready. Simpler, and zero setup — good for students and casual flying. No pre-flight inflation required.
This is known to protect you better in high stake situations. it is however heavier then other types of protection.
Airbag protector
Inflates as you take your seat in the harness during flight, providing better cushioning in hard landings. Preferred for XC. Must be checked for full inflation before every flight.
If you stumble at take off this type of protection is not ready to protect you for that impact, it is usually used by pilots confident enough in their take-off and landing skills to not need much protection in the first place.
04
Fit & features
Size correctly
Always use the manufacturer's sizing guide. Sit in the harness before buying if possible — a poor fit affects both comfort and flying posture.
Seat plate
Some harnesses include a rigid seat plate for better load transfer and hip support. Useful for longer XC flights; with better control on weight shift authority.
Step 3
Choosing your reserve parachute
Your reserve is the one piece of gear you buy hoping never to use — but it must be ready to save your life in seconds. Choosing and maintaining it correctly is non-negotiable.
05
Canopy types
Round reserve
Simple, reliable, affordable. Descends vertically with no lateral control. Suited for training and flat terrain environments.
Cross / square canopy
Opens fast and has better pendulum stability than a round. The preferred choice for most XC pilots. Non-steerable versions are simpler; steerable versions give you landing control.
Charly Dimond cross (steerable) reserve
Glides forward and allows a degree of control over where you land. Ideal for mountain or coastal flying where obstacle avoidance matters.
Our recommendation for all terrain.
06
Deployment & packaging
Reserve deployment bag (D-bag)
The inner container that holds the reserve in your harness. The D-bag design affects how cleanly and quickly the reserve deploys. Check compatibility with your harness brand.
Handles and accessibility
The handle must be easy to locate and pull under stress. Look at the handle if possible, but learn its position by feel.
Annual repacking
Reserves must be repacked every 12 months to maintain fast opening speed. Fabric develops compression memory when stored folded, and to replace the rubber-bands helping the bridle in place — a fresh pack can be the difference in a real emergency.
Step 4
Other instruments & accessories
Your core instruments help you fly safely, navigate, and communicate. These don't need to be expensive — start simple and upgrade as your flying develops.
07
Safety-critical items
Helmet — full-face or half-face
Full-face helmets offer chin and jaw protection and are recommended for all flying. Half-face helmets are lighter but leave the face exposed. Choose a CE EN 966 certified air sports helmet — not a cycling or ski helmet.
Carabiners
Rated steel or aluminium carabiners connect your harness to your risers. Use only certified paragliding-specific carabiners — never hardware store items.
These will come with the harness when you purchase it, however they deteriorate over time and need to be replaced before the rest of the harness, when purchasing new ones make sure you purchase clearly safety certified ones.
Brummel hooks
Small connectors used to attach the speed bar to the harness lines. Easy to replace and inexpensive — check them for wear at every inspection.
Radio
A reliable handheld radio for communication with your instructor and other pilots. Yaesu, Bowfang, Kenwood, and Motorola are the most common in India. Your instructor will advise the best frequency band for your flying site.
08
Flight instruments
Variometer (vario)
Tells you your rate of climb or descent with a beep. Essential for thermal flying — you can hear the lift just after you feel it. Entry-level varios like the Skytraxx or SkyBean are reliable starting points.
Speed bar
A foot pedal that tensions your lines and increases airspeed by flattening the glider's angle of attack. Type and length varies by harness — confirm compatibility before buying.
There are a variety of speed bars available in the market you can try them out and feel free to pick the one you are most comfortable with, no danger there.
However ask a professional to set up the system for you since its a delict adjustment.
Step 5
Who we recommend and why
We've narrowed our equipment recommendations to three brands we know, trust, and service at our Parateckie workshop. Here's what makes each one stand out.
Nova Performance Paragliders
Paragliders and Harnesses
Nova has been building paragliders since 1989, when founder Hannes Papesh sewed the first Nova wing on his mother's sewing machine in Innsbruck. Today they are one of the leading manufacturers in the world, producing wings from entry-level EN-A gliders to high-performance competition wings. Their harness range is engineered around the same core principle — passive safety first. Nova harnesses feature well-developed airbag protection systems and straightforward, clearly colour-coded buckles, making them easy to use correctly every flight. The Nova Prion series is particularly popular among student pilots in India; the Ion and Mentor series carry strong reputations in the EN-B and EN-C categories for XC flying.
Gin Paragliders
Paragliders and harnesses
GIN Gliders was founded in 1998 by South Korean competition pilot and designer Gin Seok Song, with one guiding idea: build wings that he himself would love to fly. No glider leaves the factory without Gin's complete sign-off — a standard that has held for over 25 years. The GIN team has competed at the top level of the Paragliding World Cup every year since the brand was founded, and that competition DNA flows directly into their recreational range. The result is a lineup that covers every level — from the forgiving EN-A Elise and Bolero for beginners, to the intermediate Yeti and Evora for developing pilots, to the world-class Boomerang for competition. GIN gliders are known for a characteristic that experienced pilots notice immediately: they feel alive in the air — responsive, honest, and genuinely enjoyable to fly at any level.
BGD — Bruce Goldsmith Design
Paragliders
BGD was founded in 2012 by Bruce Goldsmith — 2007 Paragliding World Champion, three-time British champion, and one of the sport's most respected wing designers. The brand's philosophy has always been simple: build wings that are safe, high-performing, and genuinely enjoyable to fly. Rather than chasing certification numbers alone, every BGD glider is designed to give the pilot clear, honest feedback and intuitive handling. Their EN-A and EN-B range is particularly well-suited to students and intermediate pilots, offering passive safety without dulling the flying experience. Bold, recognisable colour schemes are a BGD signature — making their wings easy to spot in the air, which matters more than people realise.
Finsterwalder & Charly
Helmets & Reserves
A family-owned German company founded in 1974, Finsterwalder & Charly (trading as Charly for helmets) has been at the forefront of paragliding safety equipment for over five decades. Their Charly helmet range has been a market leader in air sports for more than 40 years and is found in flight schools around the world — a track record very few brands can match. All Charly helmets are certified to CE EN 966 (air sports standard), which requires twice the impact absorption height compared to ski helmets. Their reserve parachute range has pioneered several innovations including steerable cross canopies and rocket deployment systems. For pilots who want proven, no-compromise safety equipment, Finsterwalder & Charly is the reference point.
How to buy Paragliding equipment, FAQs
Q: What EN rating should I buy as a beginner in India?
A: Start with EN-A. These wings are designed to recover from collapses with minimal pilot input, giving you the best chance to learn without the glider adding to the workload. Move to EN-B only once you have 50–100 hours and your instructor signs off on the step up.
Q: How do I choose the right weight range?
A: Weigh yourself with all your gear — harness, reserve, instruments, water, clothing. That's your all-up weight. Match it to a glider's certified range and aim to sit at around 70% of the top of that range. Flying too light makes the glider feel sluggish and hard to launch; too heavy reduces your safety margin.
Q: Foam or airbag harness — which should I choose?
A: For students and regular recreational flying, a foam harness is simple and reliable — it's always ready, no pre-flight inflation needed. For XC flying and longer flights, an airbag harness provides better protection in hard landings. Whichever you choose, ensure the harness fits you correctly — a harness that fits badly is a harness that can't protect you properly.
Q: Should I buy new or used equipment?
A: For your first wing, new is strongly recommended — you get a known service history, a manufacturer warranty, and peace of mind. Used gear can sometimes offer good value but must be professionally inspected before flying. Our Parateckie workshop in Jogeshwari, Mumbai offers full inspections including porosity checks and line measurement. Contact us before buying used to arrange a pre-purchase inspection.
Q: What is a steerable reserve?
A: Standard round and cross reserves descend vertically with little or no control over direction. A steerable reserve has a glider-like canopy shape that allows forward flight during descent, giving you the ability to steer away from obstacles and to some what choose your landing spot. They are ideal for mountain or coastal flying where obstacle avoidance matters.
Q: Which brands does Paragliding Bawas recommend?
A: For wings, we recommend NOVA, BGD and GIN. For harnesses our recommendation is Nova and Gin. For reserves and helmets we advice Finsterwalder & Charly.
Not sure where to start?
Talk to an instructor before you buy
Buying paragliding gear without flying advice puts your life at risk. Our instructors will help you match the right wing, harness, and reserve to your body weight, skill level, and the flying you want to do in India.
Call or WhatsApp us: +91 98209 11994 · naashaparagliding@gmail.com
Already own gear? Our Parateckie workshop in Jogeshwari, Mumbai offers porosity checks, line inspections, reserve repacks, and full airworthiness assessments for all brands.