The ADVANCE AXESS 5 is an all-round Paragliding harness designed primarily for beginners and recreational pilots seeking simplicity, robustness, and easy handling. With a focus on safety, user-friendliness, and compactness, the AXESS 5 is positioned by ADVANCE as their classic beginner harness that facilitates effortless transitions between running, seated flight, and standing for landing. Its straightforward adjustment and closure systems promote a smooth pilot experience, which is especially beneficial for those new to the sport.
Design and Safety Features
The AXESS 5’s design prioritizes protective safety features over ultralight or high-performance cross-country optimization. It incorporates a Honeycomb PP seatboard for a stable and predictable seating geometry, which many students and leisure pilots appreciate for enhanced comfort and control. Despite its sturdy construction, ADVANCE highlights the harness’s relatively small packed volume, thanks to a neatly folding back section and compressible protector.
A standout element of the AXESS 5 is its advanced protection concept. The harness combines a removable ADVANCE Air-Foam Hybrid main protector with supplementary SAS-TEC visco-elastic protection panels placed on the sides and extending along the back to the neck area. Unlike simpler underseat-only protection solutions, this setup provides comprehensive passive safety, safeguarding the pelvis, spine, and sides against impacts. Notably, the Air-Foam Hybrid protector is immediately functional before takeoff and achieves full operational capacity within roughly 60 seconds as the harness converts from rucksack to flight mode.
Usability and Comfort
The Balance Strap System is a particularly thoughtful feature aimed at beginner pilots, easing the common difficulties of sitting down after takeoff and standing up before landing. Together with an Easy Connect System and a 2-buckle closure system, it ensures quick and secure harness engagement. Additional convenience features enhance everyday usability, including a pre-fitted carbon speedbar, Ronstan ball-bearing speed-system pulleys for smooth accelerator operation, a reserve container with a labyrinth closure for safety, drink-system compatibility, multiple pockets, and leg-strap holders.
Technical Specifications and Suitability
Available in sizes S, M, and L, the AXESS 5 covers pilot heights from 155 cm to 202 cm. The weight ranges moderately between 4.0 kg and 4.4 kg across sizes, reflecting a balance between durability and portability rather than pursuing ultralight classification. Certification under EN and NfL standards with a maximum pilot weight limit of 120 kg provides a reliable safety benchmark. Included in the delivery are the hybrid protector, SAS-TEC elements, a Honeycomb PP seatboard, two Edelrid Alias aluminium carabiners, an inner container with handle, and a speedbar, ensuring that pilots receive a complete package ready for flight.
Target Audience and Trade-Offs
The AXESS 5 is best suited for training schools, beginner pilots acquiring their first harness, and recreational flyers who value passive safety and straightforward operation over minimal weight or aerodynamic refinement. Due to the sturdier seatboard construction and integrated wide-area protection, more experienced hike-and-fly or dedicated cross-country pilots may find its weight and design less specialized compared to lighter cocoon or minimalistic harness options. This trade-off aligns with its emphasis on comfort, robustness, and ease of use rather than high-performance ambition.
Customer Reviews and Market Presence
Publicly available customer feedback on the ADVANCE AXESS 5 is currently limited. The majority of accessible information derives from manufacturer details and gear-focused journalistic coverage rather than a broad base of verified buyer reviews. Industry sources such as Cross Country Magazine echo ADVANCE’s framing of the AXESS 5 as a beginner-friendly and safety-conscious harness, highlighting its simple handling and robust protective features.
Positive impressions from available sources underscore the harness’s suitability for novices and leisure pilots, the ease of handling it offers, and the unusually compact packed size for a well-protected seatboard harness. Conversely, the inferred drawbacks include its moderate weight and design focus which may not satisfy pilots seeking ultralight gear for aggressive hike-and-fly or competitive cross-country flying.
Conclusion
In summary, the ADVANCE AXESS 5 presents a convincing option for paragliders who prioritize safety, simplicity, and durability in their harness, especially those at the start of their flying journey or enjoying relaxed recreational flying. While definitive customer sentiment and long-term usage insights remain scarce online, the harness’s solid specification, easy adjustment, and enhanced passive protection position it positively within the beginner/all-round market segment.
For more detailed information about the ADVANCE AXESS 5, please visit the manufacturer's website. To order top-quality Paragliding equipment, explore your options at Paragliding4.me.