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Ozone F*Race 2 Ultralight Pod Harness Review

Ozone F*Race 2 Ultralight Pod Harness Review

  • by Carlo Borsattino

Ozone F*Race 2 Ultralight Pod Harness Review

  • by Carlo Borsattino
Ozone F*Race 2 Ultralight Pod Harness Review

Flybubble note: Throwback to our first look at this harness. When we first saw the Ozone F*Race 2, this was very much a first-impression review. Since then, we’ve tested it extensively across a wide range of conditions and with over a dozen different wings. That means we can now give proper, experience-based buying advice on it through our Match service.

The Ozone F*Race 2 is one of the most interesting ultralight racing harnesses. It’s clearly designed for pilots who want performance without unnecessary weight, while still keeping things practical.

At 181 cm and around 80 kg, this puts the Flybubble Carlo right between sizes. After testing, the Medium is the better fit. The Large felt too roomy, particularly around the hips and shoulders.

First Impressions & Setup

Straight out of the bag, the F*Race 2 feels minimalist and refined. Ozone’s intention is obvious: cut weight, keep function.

  • Ultralight design without stripping away essentials
  • Standard harness geometry – not an envelope-style race harness
  • Compact pump included

The pump is very small, but surprisingly effective and capable of inflating the protector rock-hard. Personal preference aside, it’s practical. There’s flexibility in where it’s stored, and an additional internal pocket for small items. The inflatable protector is accessed from the back, keeping everything clean and simple.

Protector & Inflation System

The inflatable protector uses a rear inflation system with a dump valve, allowing for faster inflation and deflation. This is a proven concept, and it works very well here.

There’s also an inflation tube that can be reached in flight. This allows you to top up pressure if needed, or deflate the protector more quickly after landing.

Flight Deck & Storage

The front-mounted reserve position also acts as the flight deck platform. The basic flight deck can be removed if you want to strip the setup back even further.

Behind the flight deck is a useful rear pocket, ideal for a battery or small accessories. You could fly this harness very minimal, but the chest pocket is genuinely useful and easy to access in flight.

The flight deck itself is a good size, but relatively soft, so it’s best suited to lighter items rather than heavy electronics.

Soft Carabiners

Soft carabiners come as standard. They’re lightweight and secure, but they are more fiddly to set up than traditional aluminium carabiners.

Once fitted correctly and tucked into the elastic sleeve, they do the job well – just don’t expect the fastest rigging process.

Optional Backpack

The backpack is an optional extra and not included as standard. However, it’s clearly designed specifically for the F*Race 2 and works extremely well with the harness.

  • Very good internal volume
  • Well thought-out layout
  • Comfortable carry for hike & fly use

Ozone claims this is one of their best rucksacks to date, and it certainly feels like a well-matched system rather than an afterthought.

In-Flight Design & Ergonomics

The tail fairing is noticeably long – longer than most standard harnesses, but not quite in full submarine territory. It’s clearly aimed at improving aerodynamic efficiency while keeping handling straightforward.

Instead of relying on a sealed envelope, the tail fairing inflates via side channels, one on each side. This allows for quicker inflation during takeoff and avoids the need for everything to be perfectly sealed.

Adjustment is simple and intuitive, allowing easy lengthening or shortening on the ground.

What We Like

  • Excellent balance of lightweight design and performance
  • Smart inflation system with dump valve and in-flight access
  • Clean layout with genuinely usable storage
  • Very good optional backpack

What Could Be Better

  • Soft carabiners are fiddly during setup
  • Flight deck is too soft for heavy items
  • Pump storage won’t suit everyone

Conclusion

The Ozone F*Race 2 is a refined ultralight harness aimed squarely at pilots who want speed, simplicity, and efficiency without the compromises of a full envelope race harness.

It sits comfortably between lightweight XC and performance-focused gear, making it a strong option for pilots who want to push distance while keeping things practical.

After several months of testing

After months of testing the F*Race 2 with more than a dozen wings, our opinion is clear: this is Ozone’s most refined harness to date. We’ve genuinely enjoyed flying it, and it’s earned a permanent place in our test quiver for ongoing gear evaluation.

The standout feature is the balance between very low weight and pack size and excellent structural rigidity. By combining Ozone’s Dyneema weight-spreading “web” with two flat stiffening rods in the back, they’ve solved the “wallowy” feel that’s common in many ultralight pod harnesses.

The result is strong handling authority and excellent lengthwise support, remaining comfortable even after several hours in the air.

The F*Race 2 is also user-friendly and highly versatile. It can be flown fairly upright or fully reclined, and the stability is easy to fine-tune in flight via the ABS system, allowing it to be adapted to conditions or wing choice.

The inflatable protection is among the best in its class for coverage, and storage is surprisingly generous for a race-oriented harness. This also makes it a realistic option for vol-biv flying, not just XC or competition use.

Expert Tip: While the manual says the reserve compartment takes 3–5L, our practical testing of many reserves shows that 3–4L is the real-world limit for a good fit. If you're looking for an ultralight pod that doesn't compromise on protection, handling, performance, or build quality, this is a massive step forward in R&D and highly recommended!

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