"I really really have to say this..." - NIVIUK ARROW & HAWK Harness Paragliding Review

[@flybubbleparagliding]

💬 What do you think about ARROW? ✅ Check the video description for useful links. 😎 Watch more: www.youtube.com/@flybubbleparagliding/featured 🏹 Niviuk ARROW: flybubble.com/niviuk-arrow 🦅 Niviuk HAWK: flybubble.com/niviuk-hawk

[@pegasusflying7376]

I have the Hawk and it's my first pod harness. I've only roughly got 8 hrs in it but absolutely loving it. It's really comfortable and makes me feel safe and secure. The bungee is amazing and I've had no issues getting into the pod with this method, so thanks to you. I also have the Kargo 160 backpack. Easy to pack and can fit all the additional bits of kit I take with me. Great video Carlo. Makes me even more confident I chose the right first pod for me. Thank you.

[@flybubblecarlo]

Great to hear, thanks for commenting and sharing your experience! 😊

[@cookiecanfly_]

@@flybubblecarlo mate did you notice when flying the harness that the harness digged into your sides under your armpits? I’m a flying a large 180cm tall

[@1951split]

I fly the Arrow (size M - 173cm 70kg) as my first pod, and I must say I really like it. I find it really comfortable. I really like the large accessible cockpit. It's a well built harness and I agree with almost everything said in this video. I also have the Kargo 160 rucksack. It took a few attempts to find a proper packing method for the harness, but now I manage to stuff it all into the Kargo without problems...

[@vikingforties]

@Flybubble - Your niggle at 14 mins in with the dented cockpit. I pack gloves and a few other things in there to keep the shape. Then remove the foam padding and pack the cockpit and foam padding in the centre of the harness. The shallow side of the pad fits nicely over the cockpit. Then I fold the harness in two and wrap the wing around it to pack. It's a better fit in the Niviuk Kargo 150 and leaves plenty of space for other gear.

[@manuelfischer9603]

Thanks for the review, Carlo. I'm flying the Arrow as well and I fully agree, it is an awesome harness! 👍👍👍

[@flybubbleparagliding]

It sure is!

[@flybubblecarlo]

Absolutely! 🥰🥰

[@ikumaexo]

I'm flying arrow. Great harness, everything I could have expected. ❤

[@flybubbleparagliding]

Wohoo 🥳

[@flybubblecarlo]

Glad to hear it, wishing you fun flights and happy landings! 😀😀

[@BischofBeat]

It is a Great Seat that I have Chosen as well. Critics Go only to its bulkyness. But By opening the Protector zip and pulling the foam a little bit out, it can be plied well. And with the Solos Air Protector of Ozone, that fits perfectly into the Department ( with a hole for the Nozzle) it has an even better Protection rate and loses its bulkyness. The air protector makes it perfect. The cockpit is generous and it can be opened easyly and the different departments are easily accessible.If it had a room for pens it would be perfect. While flying is perfect, it does not allow to stand straight at the start ( what WW Gto2 does).

[@flybubblecarlo]

interesting, thanks for sharing your thoughts! 👍👍🤓🤓😊😊

[@incomenomad]

Hey there! 👋 When it comes to keeping my flight deck in top shape, I've got a neat trick up my sleeve. 😎 I always wrap my gear in a tough, anti-scratch, and water-resistant cover while it's snug in my rucksack. 🎒 It's a game-changer for two reasons: 1. I can spread it out on the ground, and it's like a magic carpet for my equipment while I gear up for takeoff or pack up after a thrilling flight. 🛫 Plus, it's perfect for chilling with a cold beer post-flight. 🍻 It's all about keeping my stuff safe and sound. 2. Wondering what I do with it when it's time to hit the skies? 🤔 Easy-peasy! I just tuck it into the flight deck if there's extra room. And once I'm back on terra firma, I do the same thing before I roll up the wing. It's like giving my wing a cozy hug! 🤗 Safe flights and smooth landings! ✈️

[@flybubblecarlo]

Hey, thanks for sharing this great tip! 🙏🙏😊😊👍👍

[@flybubblecarlo]

What cover do you use - can you share a link to the cover, or something like it?

[@incomenomad]

@@flybubblecarlo actually I just bought the fabric and made it myself, but there are plenty of big Mountain Backpack covers out there which are OK to cover even larger rucksacks like 185Ls.

[@codyglasson8695]

This really solidified my choice in this harness as my first pod. I was 99% sure this is the way I wanted to go, thanks for the extra 1%!

[@FlyingCraic]

I've flown mine for 100 - 150 hours, awesome harness. A few things, the speed bar snapped on stage 2nd and burst out of stitching on the 3rd stage. The foot plate crumbled. Would like to see a drink routing for the front blast pocket. Tried to run my water underneath to get the weight lower, but the zip undid and had the water bladder bouncing around the bottom of my speed bag for the rest of the flight.

[@AnthonyMcCleane]

What a great comprehensive review. Thank you.

[@thisisyol]

Nice review! You should have shown us how it packs down in the rucksack with that 2-Liner if that is one of the problems.

[@flybubbleparagliding]

Thanks! 🥳 Check out our previous video... you can see the actual packing at the very end of it 😎🦅 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXiuhp53Z7-sgZI

[@lewisjohn892]

Great review of a great harness. I find it a bit cumbersome on the ground but that could be because I had to get an XL due to having quite a long back for my height (@ 6'). The side flaps at the front of the seat dig into my legs a bit when on the ground but possibly they'll flex to my shape over time and that could also be because a size Large would fit me better apart from the back length (which I found uncomfortable when I tried it - digging in a few inches below my shoulders, where the reserve bridals connect whereas the XL is perfect back length-wise). But in the air the harness is sublime as you well describe - its comfort is disproportionately good for its weight. That fact that it's relatively light for what you're getting, means that even though it makes for a bulky rucksack, it sits on the back comfortably in the Kargo 160; with the XL it's a slightly tight fit due to the extra length of the harness but it's okay and there's still plenty of room to stuff clothing down the front (and it has a side pocket for your water bladder and bits & bobs). The flight deck / cockpit 'dent' seems to disappear when in flight mode. I love the blue/green stripe decals which are a bit retro and add to what's already a slick and sleek design. It's also surprisingly robust for its weight - I got dragged 20' across gritstone at Stanage Edge due to a cack-handed launch and a gust of wind but the harness barely shows any wear & tear. Great job Niviuk

[@LaurentVF]

Same, feels cumbersome on the ground but great in the air

[@turkeyphant]

I'd love to see a comparison between the arrow p and the range x alps which would be my dream harness if it had an under seat reserve.

[@flybubblecarlo]

See how the Niviuk Arrow fits in a backpack with a 2-liner and other gear in our review of the Zoom X2C: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXiuhp53Z7-sgZI

[@LiiMuRi]

Cheers! Have you also tested the Arrow P?

[@flybubblecarlo]

Cheers back! 👋 Yes, Nancy and I have tested the Arrow P plenty! 😁 Review to follow, in the production queue... ⚒

[@march8745]

@ Carlo which mount you have on the left carabiner for the insta stick? Got the same harness already 1 year and also loving it. Just the packing is an issue get it in 130 advance bag with the X2c wrapping around so don't need the bend inflators. But it's tight though.

[@flybubblecarlo]

mount on the left carabiner for the insta stick flybubble.com/flytec-bumblebee

[@flybubblecarlo]

I really like the Advance COMFORTPACK 4 backpacks ( flybubble.com/advance-comfortpack-4 ) and also found you can fit the Arrow and Hawk in the size 130L however I find the Niviuk Kargo 160L Backpack ( flybubble.com/niviuk-kargo-160l-rucksack ) is a better fit. The Advance COMFORTPACKs are more luxurious and fully-featured. The Niviuk Kargo Backpacks are lighter and more compact, and go up to bigger sizes.

[@steveshovlar994]

I fly the Arrow. Fabulous harness but doesn’t pack down small. Feels on rails and takes out micro bumps.

[@flybubblecarlo]

Agreed! 👍👍😀😀

[@cookiecanfly_]

Very comfy harness!! Does anyone else have it dig in to their sides under their armpits when pulling break? I’m flying a large and am 180cm tall.

[@davidwashington4282]

Great harness but we need an inflatable protection and a detacheable cockpit

[@p66pur]

I put my rab jacket in there when i land, glider sits on top and flight deck has kept its shape..

[@flybubblecarlo]

Thanks for sharing that useful tip! 👍👍🤓🤓

[@ja-ha00]

The Arrow is great and I love flying it. I also have a problem before take off. The seat board presses on my legs near the knees. What size did you test for your height? I am 173 cm tall and have size "L".

[@flybubblecarlo]

Hi. I'm ~ 181cm tall, weight ~ 80 kg, medium/slim build and flying size L. Size L might be too big for you?

[@flybubblecarlo]

Actually, if you're 173 cm tall and have size L then it's almost certainly too big, and the size M would be right for you - see the tech data: flybubble.com/niviuk-arrow

[@BischofBeat]

It is my “competition Seat”

[@Karl-Friedrich]

Do you have a second rescue on board?

[@flybubblecarlo]

🤓🤓👍👍😊😊

[@SuperFourex]

When I tested the arrow, I felt the seat board in the back of my legs, when relaxing the legs. this was desturbing me. Not Even in the delight 4, which has the same comfort, and which is mine now. Greetings from germany

[@flybubblecarlo]

Thanks for sharing your experience and preference! For me this again highlights how there is almost never one right answer to "Which is the best... X?" for everyone. A lot is down to personal preferences and which is the best match for the individual. As you might've already seen from our review of the Supair Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport, we think they are also great harnesses: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpicnGtvbKmraas

[@flybubblecarlo]

For sure though, the Supair Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport have a smaller, half-size seatboard than the Niviuk Arrow and Hawk, which have a full size seatboard. However, as with the Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport, the seat board of the Arrow and Hawk is also removable. So the pilot can choose to fly without the seatboard, if they wish. Personally, as with the Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport, I prefer to keep the seatboard with the Arrow and Hawk, as it doesn't negatively affect them for me, and I feel like it gives them more weight shift authority. Having said this, I could easily fly with or without the seatboard; it's not that important for me.

[@flybubblecarlo]

Although I'm not surprised that the mini seatboard doesn't both you on the Delight 4 / Sport, I am a little surprised that the seatboard bothered you so much on the Arrow. Allow the Arrow / Hawk do have a full seatboard - which some pilots prefer, others don't - I found it far more comfortable than some other harnesses with a full seatboard e.g. Gin Genie Lite 1 / 2 / 3. Are you sure you were testing the right size of Arrow?

[@SuperFourex]

@@flybubblecarlo Yes I did. The seatbord of the delight is a Little wider and little shorter than the arrows seatboard.

[@SuperFourex]

I checked the arrow in a Paragliding Shop, they fixed it for me. Here in Germany „Wasserkuppe“ they prefer the arrow, they say the fitting and the material is better. But for me the comfort is the same.

[@AussieDangerDave]

Loove flying in it, but find that once Ive turned around on launch, its impossible to look up and check the wing as it rises up and blocks the back of your head. Anyone else had any issues? Might take out the seat board and see if it changes anything because none of the other adjustments have fixed the problem :(

[@flybubblecarlo]

I find almost all harnesses with a more supportive back and aerodynamic shaping restrict looking straight up at the wing when ground handling, especially if the harness is on the big side for you. I've not found the Arrow and Hawk to be especially difficult in this regard; actually better than some. Some harnesses are very restrictive and so looking up is very difficult even with correct posture e.g. the Skywalk Cult 4, which I I find very stiff and restrictive for movement (and rather stiff and bulky overall). The solution I find is correct technique, stance and posture, and checking the wing by looking up but to the sides, one at a time (left then right, or vice versa) which is also better for correct technique, stance and posture. Correct size and setup is of course also important. Hope this helps. 🤓

[@AussieDangerDave]

@flybubblecarlo Thanks Carlo. I launch from some very small spaces where getting a twig in the lines is quite common so a quick secondary check is important - granted a pod harness is not ideal in these circumstances however, I noticed my friend in his WV GTO x alps does not have any issues and can easily look straight up, but no doubt it is related to the design (and perhaps to some extent my posture). It certainly is crazy comfy in the air.

[@flybubblecarlo]

@@AussieDangerDave 👍 Have you tried the looking up to the sides, rotating your head left and right? I think this is much better than looking straight up, which I feel interferes with your stance and run. What do you think?

[@AussieDangerDave]

@@flybubblecarlo Just spent the day doing a little ground handling in it. No surprise.... you're right lol It's all in the posture! Simply not designed for looking up. It's my first pod so thank you for your help! I am now very happy :)

[@LaurentVF]

Grewt review. I always pack my jacket in the flight deck to keep its shape in the bag.

[@NelsonsWings]

As a perfect illustration of how different harnesses work better for different people, I tried the Hawk, which is essentially the same as the arrow in terms of the way it feels and fits, and I was incredibly uncomfortable in it. After only 10 minutes of hanging in my simulator, I couldn't stand it. I also found it very difficult to get into. In all fairness, I am not a slim person. I've got back problems and I'm somewhat of a Neanderthal in body shape. I ended up sending it back, which was frustrating, because the design of the cockpit was really great. The other thing that drove me crazy about it was the pod adjustment system. It was almost impossible to get right, I didn't like all the little knots and the loops it was somewhat Byzantine. I ended up getting the Delight 4 and I'm happy with it. I don't like the fact that the speed bag is not user replaceable, because where we fly here in the Southwest, those speed bags take a beating.