Harness Review: Ozone BV1

: For paraglider pilots, equipment is integral to interacting with our airborne environment. Yes, we feel the relative wind on our faces and airspeed in our ears. And the feeling of gravity loading or unloading its unrelenting grasp communicates whether we should be looking for the cloud forming above our heads or the closest landing zone. But arguably, the information provided by our gear significantly helps with our flying experience on any given day.

For me, I find it easy to tell whether or not I like the equipment I’m flying. Factors like safety and stability or, perhaps on the opposite spectrum, speed and how a wing moves and communicates the airmass, determine what wing and harness combination I fly much more than feel or performance alone. Articles and podcast conversations often focus on wing progression, driven mainly by topics such as passive safety. But I have rarely heard much about harness choice, though I would argue that each harness I’ve flown over the years had as much, if not more, impact on my overall

by Jeff Shapiro

flight experience.

Harness design and features tend to be specific to each pilot’s mission. For example, a competition design will emphasize aerodynamic advantage and perhaps have the option for two parachutes and a large cockpit for multiple instruments, to name a few features. In contrast, a student harness is designed for ease of use. The Ozone BV1 fits squarely within the “hike-and-fly” category. Whether you’re out on a day mission or a multi-week vol-bivouac, you’ll want all the normal harness features but with an additional focus on overall weight, packability, and available storage.

I’ve tried many iterations within this genre of harness over the years—some I’ve liked, others not so much. I empathize with how difficult it is to address high safety standards and performance while keeping a harness light and large enough to provide the most sought-after factor within this category, storage. While trying to cross the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska’s Brooks Range, we had 60+ pounds of food, fuel, and bivouac gear. Fitting it all into our harnesses to make miles via air instead of soul-crushing hikes across arctic tussock was a make-or-break element to the trip’s success.

: In 2022, I tested and subsequently flew Ozone’s new vol-bivouac harness, the BV1. I now use it for both adventure flying and as my “daily driver.” In this review, I pass along my experience in the hope that it will inform you not only about this harness but also about the elements I value so that you can apply them to your own search for a harness that works for you. For that reason, I will break down my experience with the BV1 into the following categories: longevity, safety, performance, and packability.

When I received my BV1 in the box, I first noticed that the materials used in the harness were not the same as the prototype I’d test-flown. Being a harness designed for vol-biv, I wanted lightweight, which the prototype had indeed been. But I also wanted durability. In my experience, longevity in the field is arguably more important than lightness—the last thing I need in the backcountry is for my harness to fall apart. So, I was thrilled that the textiles Ozone chose for the production BV1 were far more robust than I’d expected. It was still very lightweight (1.9 kg in the MS), but as I inspected the stitching, the structure, and the external materials, I had the distinct impression that the harness would last in the harshest environments. After over 150 hours, it still looks new, which, for me, confirms that assumption.

Next, I looked at the parachute deployment system and the back protection. The BV1 has a front-mounted parachute container that doubles as an instrument platform. At first glance, it seemed on the small side, but because of a well-balanced mix of static and elastic materials, my lightweight parachute fit with no drama. I believe that bigger is better when it comes to a rescue parachute, and my canopy size is more than adequate for my all-up weight. But for this harness or any other in this category, I recommend using a lightweight version to fit best in the provided compartment. A practice toss revealed the entire system to be easy, smooth, and reliable. I love that the red handle is right in front of my face, making it easy to find in the most chaotic of events, should I find myself in that scenario.

For me, the back protection in the BV1 is one of its best attributes. The EN-certified inflatable airbag is huge and covers from under my thighs to high on my back. With the bellow/stuff sack provided with the harness, I can quickly fill the airbag and be ready to fly within minutes and with far more confidence than with any comparable foam option. A potential downside to an airbag might come from a hard, backcountry landing where something sharp creates the chance for a puncture. In this scenario, the harness would no longer have effective back protection, so carrying some kind of repair tape would be a smart addition to your kit. Luckily, the BV1’s airbag is easy to remove and repair.

As far as performance, I love that the internal structure of the harness is integrated into its split-leg design. I feel as though I’m being cradled in flight. With no webbing structure squeezing around me, I feel none of the small pressure points I’ve noticed in other harnesses. Nitinol rods in the back and under the seat also add a lot to in-flight comfort, especially when standing on my speed bar. Getting the harness on and off is quick, easy, and intuitive, thanks to the color-coded leg loop attachments. Plus, the braided lumbar and shoulder supports reduce weight and bulk and are a breeze to adjust, even while flying.

I also love the weight shift authority in this harness. In most other harnesses with a standard seat, I lose 20 to 30 percent efficiency simply because I slide a little in the seat when I try to engage my weight to one side. By contrast, in the BV1, due to its well-built split leg design, nearly all the weight I put onto my hip directly translates to the affected riser, resulting in more turn or corrective influence. Because of this benefit, I use less effort in flight and stay more relaxed in my core. With these attributes and the overall comfort, I feel perfectly happy to be “in the saddle” all day.

I’ll break packability into two categories, with the first being how the harness fits into a backpack for long hikes. A significant benefit of having an airbag for back protection is that the harness is far more packable when deflated. It’s terrific having a harness that packs to a size barely larger than the reserve parachute in it. And I was again pleasantly surprised that even with more robust materials than the test harness, it didn’t seem any bulkier in my pack. Folding the harness and putting it on my concertina bag before wrapping it up like a burrito resulted in a package so small that even in my smaller backpack, I still had room for my helmet, water, snacks, and extra flying clothes. The second category for packability is storage, and this harness has ample space for your gear. Even with all the standard amenities, such as a hydration sleeve, easy-to-access pockets for snacks and a camera, and an under-the-cockpit pocket for external battery packs, the storage available behind my back easily fit all gear needed for a 10day adventure.

Yet another advantage to the airbag back protection is that I can easily zip more gear into the space behind my thighs and then inflate the bag around it. If my packing is well thought out, the gear is securely held in place by the air pressure and doesn’t hinder the protection of my spine. On a side note, I was psyched that the BV1 came stock with attachments for my solar panel, which was a feature I’d always had to add on myself to other harnesses before extended trips. In my opinion, it’s the small details like this that show a well-rounded design.

Hopefully, some of the elements of the BV1 that I’ve pointed out will get you thinking more critically about your next adventure harness—or your next harness, in general. For me, the BV1 checks all the boxes. Of course, everyone is different, so if you get a chance to try one or more of the different designs available, do! If you’re anything like me, the obvious choice will come into focus after some air time and allow you to meet your goals using the best gear for the job!