As a paraglider pilot progresses, it is natural to evolve their equipment so it remains aligned with their level, their flying practice and their objectives. One of the first pieces of equipment that quickly becomes essential is the cocoon harness, especially when the pilot turns towards cross-country, distance flying or competition.
The cocoon harness combines in-flight comfort and performance, which makes it particularly well suited to multi-hour flights. It naturally becomes the go-to choice when a pilot starts to exploit thermals, link climbs and wants to leave the local area to go further.
Cocoon harnesses are built around a traditional harness structure, to which a speed bag, also called a leg cover, is added. This speed bag is generally attached around the harness and, depending on the model, can be zipped or unzipped so it can be replaced in case of wear.
The reserve parachute container can be positioned in two places:
Thanks to the speed bag, which forms the outer shell of the harness, cocoons offer two major advantages compared to classic harnesses.
On the one hand, the pilot is protected from the relative wind, which clearly improves thermal comfort. This is far from trivial when you consider that, within just a few thermal turns, you can quickly go from 1,000 to over 3,000 metres of altitude, with a significant temperature drop.
On the other hand, the cocoon harness provides an aerodynamic gain compared to a seated harness or a string. The speed bag creates a cleaner, more streamlined shape, improving penetration through the air mass. When combined with a rear fairing, also known as rear profiling or an aerocone, the harness performance and stability are further enhanced.
The piloting position in a cocoon harness differs clearly from that of a seated harness. Once the speed bag is tensioned with the legs, the pilot adopts a semi-reclined position, halfway between seated and fully reclined.
This position naturally improves aerodynamics, but above all in-flight comfort, especially during long-duration flights, where fatigue is felt much sooner in a classic harness.
Closing and opening the speed bag is mainly done using the feet, which requires a short adaptation period. This is why it is always recommended to do the first flights in calm conditions in order to get used to this new type of harness.
With experience, pilots usually manage to catch the skirt of the speed bag with one foot, just after take-off. If this proves trickier, it is always possible to assist the movement by briefly letting go of one brake handle.
For pilots who struggle more, there is a simple tip: use an elastic band to keep the skirt at the tip of the foot. This makes it easier to get into the cocoon once in flight.
At landing, the manoeuvre is generally easier. You simply need to relax the legs to loosen the speed bag, spread the thighs slightly, then open the skirt with one foot in order to exit the cocoon smoothly. This step must be anticipated, to avoid landing without having had time to get out, at the risk of damaging the speed bag.
Let’s now look at the different types of cocoon harnesses available.
These cocoons, often equipped with an under-seat protection in foam-bag or Koroyd, offer an excellent level of comfort and generally feature a seat board. With an average weight of around 4 kg, they are among the most accessible on the market. Their relatively high attachment points provide good stability, making them perfectly suited for starting XC and completing your first distance flights.
Cocoon harnesses can be equipped with different protection systems, each with specific advantages. Foam-bag is a simple, reliable and durable solution, offering constant protection, but at the cost of more volume and weight. Koroyd protections, made of thermowelded tubes, provide excellent impact absorption with an attractive balance between weight, volume and durability. Inflatable airbag systems such as Bumpair or Permair significantly reduce weight and bulk, but require correct pressurisation to guarantee their effectiveness.
As their name suggests, these cocoons are more lightweight and minimalist. Comfort can vary greatly from one model to another: some light cocoons remain very comfortable, while ultra-light versions may be less suitable for certain body shapes.
They are generally equipped with an inflatable airbag to save weight, with a total weight between 1.8 and 3 kg. Their construction relies on lighter ripstop fabrics than those used on classic speed bags (sometimes in neoprene), which reduces weight but also makes them more prone to wear.
In terms of protection, these harnesses most often use inflatable airbags such as Bumpair or Permair, pre-inflated modules before flight that comply with the EN 1651 standard.
These harnesses are built around a classic harness structure, to which a removable leg cover can be added. Some models, such as the EVO LITE 2 by Supair, offer an alternative to pure cocoons.
Generally recommended for pilots in progression, these harnesses prioritise comfort over pure performance. However, it is important to take care with adjustments, as a poorly adjusted leg cover can quickly generate discomfort in flight.
This category of harnesses appeared with the arrival of the Submarine by Ozone. Their distinctive feature is to use the relative wind to inflate the speed bag envelope, creating an extremely aerodynamic profile around the pilot.
Air penetration is clearly improved, with a significant glide-ratio gain compared to a classic cocoon. At a high level, where every detail is optimised, this gain is far from negligible.
Let’s now look at which practices match the different types of cocoons.
The cocoon harness is primarily intended for distance flying. From the very first flights beyond the local area, it is possible to choose a cocoon to improve comfort. For pilots looking for a simple and versatile solution, a classic cocoon, with or without a rear fin, is an excellent choice.
For adventure lovers and physical challenges, light cocoons and ultra-light cocoons are particularly well suited. They significantly reduce pack volume, generally between 90 and 110 litres, compared to 130 to 160 litres with more classic equipment.
Combined with a light wing, these cocoons can create a setup that sometimes weighs less than 10 kg, ideal for hike & fly or bivouac.
Pilots oriented towards competition will lean more towards submarine-type cocoons, and more specifically their light versions for demanding events such as the Red Bull X-Alps or hike & fly competition.
Choosing a cocoon harness mainly depends on two criteria: torso size and leg length. In most cases, you simply need to refer to the manufacturer’s size charts, which indicate recommended sizes based on the pilot’s build.
For more atypical profiles (very tall, very slim, etc.), it is nevertheless recommended to test the harness before buying to ensure good support. It is also important to check compatibility with the reserve parachute, depending on its size and the pilot’s future practice.
The price of a cocoon harness varies depending on the model and its focus:
Air et Aventure offers a wide selection of cocoon harnesses at attractive prices, with many special offers throughout the year. Periods such as Black Friday or the sales are also great times to find cocoons at very interesting prices.
The cocoon harness forms the foundation of the equipment for pilots focused on cross-country and distance flying, but it is not sufficient on its own. To fly in good conditions and remain fully autonomous in the air, it is essential to complement it with several key accessories, designed for safety, control and comfort during sometimes long and demanding flights.
The reserve parachute is an essential safety component on a cocoon harness. Even though it is intended only for exceptional situations, it provides an additional and vital level of safety in the event of loss of control or a major in-flight incident.
On a cocoon harness, the reserve can be installed in a front-mounted position or in an under-seat position, depending on the harness design. The choice of model must take into account the all-up flying weight and compatibility with the reserve container, in order to guarantee a smooth and rapid deployment.
Finally, beyond the choice of the parachute itself, proper installation, regular repacking and maintenance are key factors in ensuring optimal effectiveness when its use becomes necessary.
The speed systems are among the essential accessories for a cocoon harness, especially when seeking performance in cross-country and distance flying. The speed system allows the wing speed to be increased when conditions require it, whether to optimise glides, fly into headwind, or improve average speed along a route. On a cocoon harness, it is generally integrated in an ergonomic way to ensure easy access and precise use.
Proper adjustment is essential to ensure smooth, comfortable and safe use throughout the flight.
The anti-G parachute is an accessory designed to increase pilot drag in order to raise the sink rate. The aim is to provide a significant descent rate without having to perform tight, aggressive spirals. This helps the pilot avoid excessive centrifugal forces and reduces the risk of a blackout, a critical situation in paragliding.
The ballasts and camel bags are commonly used accessories with cocoon harnesses, particularly in cross-country and competition. Ballast, usually in the form of a water bag, allows the all-up flying weight to be temporarily increased in order to optimise wing performance when aerological conditions are favourable. It can be emptied in flight if required, offering great flexibility to the pilot.
The camel bag, on the other hand, is dedicated to hydration. Essential during long flights, it allows the pilot to drink easily in the air without disturbing control. Well integrated into the harness or speed bag, it directly contributes to pilot comfort and concentration.
Whether used for performance or comfort, ballasts and camel bags play a key role in pilot autonomy and in the success of distance flights.
Buying your paragliding harness has never been so simple with Air et Aventure. Our online ordering system is clear, fast and intuitive: simply add the cocoon of your choice to the cart and follow the steps.
We offer several payment methods (card, bank transfer, cheque), with the option to pay in instalments. Delivery is available to your home, to a pickup point, or directly in store.
In accordance with the law, you benefit from a 14-day withdrawal period. And of course, our team remains available to advise you and guide you in your choice.
Our online shop specialising in paragliding offers one of the widest catalogues of cocoon harnesses on the market. You will find the biggest brands, as well as a wide choice of colours and accessories to complete your equipment.
Knowing that choosing a harness is an important step, we are available 6 days a week to support you and answer your questions.
Our shop relies on a team of pilots and instructors who test almost all of the cocoons we offer. You will always find a knowledgeable contact to advise you according to your flying practice and your level.
To offer you the best possible experience, Air et Aventure provides several harness hang points in store. You can sit in the cocoons, fine-tune the settings to your body shape, and benefit from the support of an advisor to find the harness best suited to your flying practice.
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