Gin GTO 3 paraglider review

25 Jul, 2025
by Carlo Borsattino

The Gin GTO 3 is Gin’s latest high-performance, high-end EN-C two-liner. Designed with competition and serious cross-country flying in mind, it aims to deliver top-tier performance in the sports class. While all the technical specs and product details are available on Gin’s website, in this review we focus on our first impressions and flying experience with this wing.

First Feel: Solid and Confident

The moment we pulled the GTO 3 overhead, it felt very solid and comfortable—even in sporty, turbulent conditions. This wing is built for collapse resistance and feels noticeably stable in the air. It’s clearly designed to deliver performance first and foremost, prioritizing solid handling over being overly “touchy-feely.”

Agility and Handling Compared

Compared to wings like the Bonanza 3, the GTO 3 feels a little less agile, which is likely due to its higher aspect ratio and more wing surface to manage in turns. It isn’t sluggish by any means, but it demands a bit more finesse. We’d say it strikes a balance between solid, stable handling and enough agility for serious cross-country and competition flying.

Performance and Glide

Flying alongside a Skywalk X-Alps 5 two-liner, we were impressed by the GTO 3’s performance. It felt significantly better performing than the Bonanza 3, especially in terms of glide and collapse resistance. The wing stays solid and monolithic in turbulence, moving less around the pilot’s head compared to other wings like the Photon and Light, which tend to be more “lively.”

Brake Feel and Control

The brake travel is moderate, with an initial contact point at about 15 cm before the pressure firms up noticeably. The brakes feel direct and firm but not overly heavy, giving confident feedback on the stall point, which is very clear and forgiving for a high-performance C-Class glider.

Compared to the Photon and Lyght, the GTO 3’s brake travel is shorter, but it’s easier to manage without needing to wrap the brakes multiple times.

Climb Rate and Harness Compatibility

We flew the medium size (up to 105 kg) at 103 kg with the Advance Impress 4 harness, which remains one of our favourite sports class XC harnesses. The climb rate felt very good, with no disadvantage noticed at this loading. It handles thermals efficiently and offers strong performance throughout the flight.

Speed System and Rear Riser Control

The speed bar is light and very usable, allowing the glider to pick up speed quickly and confidently. The leading edge feels solid at higher speeds, and the wing remains efficient and stable.

We were also impressed by the rear riser design, featuring nylon/plastic handles that provide excellent grip and control. The GTO 3 encourages flying “on the bar” and using rear riser control extensively, stepping up from the more introductory Bonanza 3 in this regard.

Descent Techniques: Spirals, Big Ears, and Wingovers

Spiral Dives: The GTO 3 handles spiral dives well, with stable, manageable behaviour appropriate for the class.
Big Ears: We found that classic big ears using outer A-lines are not really effective on this wing. Attempts resulted in flappy, unstable ears, making big ears impractical.
B3 (Tip Stalls): These are easy to deploy, stable, and provide a good descent rate increase—more so than on the Photon or Lyght, but not as extreme as some other wings.
Wingovers: The GTO 3 shines here, feeling solid and fun with great energy buildup and carving turns. It’s a really enjoyable wing for wingovers.

Pilot Profile and Use Case

This wing is aimed squarely at pilots flying sports class EN-C gliders who want the absolute best performance. It’s a natural step up for those flying the Bonanza 3 or similar and ready to handle the higher demands of a two-liner with increased aspect ratio and finesse.

For pilots prioritizing racing, sports class competitions, or pushing for maximum XC performance, the GTO 3 is an excellent choice.

It’s also a strong all-around cross-country glider that will suit those less interested in competition but wanting a reliable, efficient wing for thermaling and distance flights.