The Genie Race 5 is a paragliding harness designed for competition racers, optimized for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. It features an inflatable tailfin, a sealed, sleek pod, and integrated containers for two reserve parachutes.
Long-time paraglider pilot, Flybubble friend, and customer Phil Clark reviews his new purchase.
Test and review of GIN GENIE RACE 5 by Phil Clark
There had been news about the Genie Race 5 throughout 2022. By the time prototypes appeared at events like St. Hilaire, it seemed like delivery was imminent, but it took another seven months before I finally got my hands on this beauty.
Fitting
At 1.85 meters barefoot, I’m right on the cusp between sizes. Harness fit is subjective, so it’s worth trying one out rather than buying blindly and hoping for the best. The size L of the Genie Race 4 was a perfect fit for me, so I assumed the size L of the Genie Race 5 would be similar. Being at the lower end of the height range but with long limbs, I opted for the medium foot block in the pod. Setup was straightforward, and both the manual and videos are clear.
Construction
I installed a light square reserve on the left and a regular-weight Beamer 3 size 130 in the back on the right (larger reserves would fit fine). The pockets under the seat and flight deck are spacious and reinforced to carry weight, with plenty of room for packing bags or food, fluids, and ballast. The rear pocket is a little tight for the largest Gin rucksack, but it still fits, including a normal concertina bag at the bottom. I also put 2 liters of water in a pouch back there. Instead of side pockets on the pod, there are now chest pockets on the vest section.
The air supply for the inflatable rear section enters at the front, so it’s important to ensure the foam dome isn’t crushed when packing. You also need to remove and reinstall the support pillars; although they’re stiff to insert initially, they become easier to install after a few setups.
Use the cinch cord to pull the rucksack pocket tight against the backplate. There’s no scuff sheet lining the bottom of the pod, but the entire outer skin is interchangeable.
Launching
Launching is fairly straightforward for pod-style harnesses. As soon as the glider comes up, the weight and bulk become apparent, and I found myself overbalanced on the first few launches. Pulling the wing up with the tail tucked under your elbow is mandatory. Getting into the pod is easy—I haven’t struggled yet, and there’s no need for bungee cords tangled in your laces or letting go of the controls to adjust the bag with a hand. Perhaps the end of the pod is a little heavier, making it easier to get into than my Weightless.
A word of caution: Before launching, you MUST secure the leg straps. There’s no backup 'anti-forget' safety system, so it’s entirely possible to think you’re ready to launch without having your legs secured. Be sure to perform a proper pre-flight check before takeoff!
In the Air & Landing
Settling into position feels secure, similar to my Genie Race 4. Zipping up is easy, but I do it once I’m high and settled, after pulling down the visor on my full-face helmet.
The stability strap is gone, but it’s not missed. The harness works well with the Boomerang 12 just as it is. Also gone are the ratchet blocks for the speed system, but again, with the Boomerang 12, I don’t feel like I’m missing them at all. I haven’t yet tried the harness with any other wing.
Unusually, the speed system lines of the harness connect directly to the risers of the wing (after removing the speed system lines from the risers). I swapped ends for the speed system lines to eliminate knots at the riser end. The knots are now in the pod, with the excess line looped up and secured away. Symmetrical stitches on the speed system lines help with even setup, but quickly swapping or detaching the glider isn’t easy with this setup.
The flight deck is ample in size. I fly with a Flymaster LIVE DS FLARM (a large dual-screen device, 186x132x18 mm) and a large smartphone, both of which fit perfectly. The deck is well-positioned and sits at a perfect angle. You can’t adjust the angle, but you don’t need to—it’s ideal as is, adding to the impression that 'this has been sorted before release.' The instruments don’t tend to get bumped or pressed during launch either. You can stow a power bank under the deck if you’re running a ‘mobile’ flight instrument.
Landing is just as easy as launching. It’s simply a matter of bending your knees and rotating upright—don’t forget to unzip. Unzipping the upper vest zip is also helpful.
Packing Away
Packing is much less of an issue compared to the Race 4. It’s comfortable to carry with some of the weight in the flight deck ballast pouch carried outside the main rucksack. Obviously, this isn’t meant to be a hike-and-fly harness, but carrying it on flat terrain for half an hour is easily doable, and I rarely have to do more than that. Across the top of the Blorenge in southeast Wales, maybe? If I expect to do a lot of carrying, I take my hike-and-fly setup (Niviuk Klimber 3 P, Advance Weightless, light reserve).
I bend my packed wing over the folded harness to help preserve the reinforcing rods. Make sure you have a large backpack to accommodate the bulk, and you’ll be fine. You’ll need the largest bag for the size L harness. I position the leading edge at my back, with the wing over the top of the harness so the trailing edge is nearest the zip.
There’s only one fold, which I alternate, and the wing is only in the rucksack for transport to the hill and the carry to launch.
Versus the Competition
I looked at the Ozone Submarine at release, but the second skin wasn’t available when I placed my order several months ago. I chose the Genie Race 5 based on how happy I was with the Genie Race 4. It was really only between those two at the time of order.
There are other full-fairing high-end competition pod harnesses now, but I still think I’d choose the Gin. I like the low-drag approach with minimal frontal area; they retained the new style protector and intake for the harness in the nose. The skin is durable, and it’s easy to zip back up if you undo it. It’s almost perfect right out of the box, and there’s nothing I want to change apart from a couple of strap settings.
Who’s It For?
What I wanted was a durable aerodynamic harness with space for safety gear. What I have is the most compact version of that style of harness available. It’s clean, refined, well put together, and I have no doubt it will last me a long time. It is bulky, but with lighter harness classes, you lose the aerodynamic refinements and some safety features. So far, I’ve only flown it with a high-aspect 2-liner (Boomerang 12), and for me, it was well worth the money and the wait.
Flybubble test and video review of GIN GENIE RACE 5 with Phil Clark
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