💬🍿 What do you think about THE SOCK? 📐😎 Find practical sizing info in the video description! 🔥👉The Sock used in this review now on sale in very good conditions: flybubble.com/airdesign-the-sock-size-m-1m232008 ⏰🎯 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 INTRO 0:37 THE SOCK 0:50 What THE HECK is “THE SOCK” 1:13 FEELING 1:34 ROLL 2:01 PLAYFULNESS 2:22 WEIGHTSHIFT & POSITION 3:31 EASE OF USE 3:53 COMFORT 4:23 WHO IS IT FOR 4:48 DESIGN OVERVIEW 6:22 INFLATABLE PROTECTOR 8:03 SPEEDBAG & BUILD QUALITY 8:38 COCKPIT 9:10 FRONT RESERVE CONTAINER 10:14 STORAGE 12:30 SPEED SYSTEM 13:30 DURABILTIY 14:28 CLIPPING IN 15:33 PACKING
It's the silliest objection, but I wouldn't want to fly with the motto "Break your own rules" plastered down my legs. No room for that attitude in this sport, in my opinion. Those rules keep me alive. So I'd peel that off. Other than that it looks like a nice harness! 😅
The whole marketing department of AD lost track of their mission and vision in my opinion. The ‘look how cool we are’-cartoon product placement is so off in this niche. IMO it totally doesn’t fit the history of AD as well.
Another tip, I've found that the under seat pocket in the harness can hold a light paraglider backpack, concertina bag, and helmet bag. It's best to fill it with soft items for added protection and comfort, leaving more space in the main rear pocket. Be careful not to overfill it to avoid discomfort or damage not covered by the warranty. Placing items in the under seat pocket does not typically affect your centre of gravity. Alternatively, you can also store compact items in the speedbag nose cone pocket. Hope this information proves useful to someone.
I've been flying with the Sock as my first Cocoon harness and I'm very pleased. The L version fits with an AD Soar 2 26m2 in a 70L bag with room left for helmet, jacket and water, it's been a great H&F companion and though I haven't flown more than 4h with it, I find it very comfortable. I use the underseat compartment to store my backpack which helps strengthen the fake-seatboard feeling. Just got out of a SIV with it and it also is quite possible to continue piloting in a seated position for more bold manoeuvers like full-stalls. Thanks for the review, You've got a long list of tests coming up if you're going to review all the wings you've flown with it shown at the beginning 😅
Haha, I do hear some funny comments from some paraglider pilots when testing LittleCloud wings, or anything unusual. 😉 From my testing, LittleCloud wings offer pretty much exactly what Tom at LittleCloud says they do, simple fun. 🪂🎈 It seems to me they are clearly made for fun-focused folk, who totally get them. 😁👌 Although I've found they perform surprisingly well, considering how simple they are, they are not made for performance-oriented pilots, always thinking about numbers and relative performance, who do not get them at all. 😉 Personally, I like to fly all different kinds of gear for different reasons, sites, weather, mood... . When I just want to have fun and muck about, I find LittleCloud wings great. 🤡😃
@@flybubblecarlo amen to that Carlo! Such a shame so many forget that fun was the main reason we all got into flying in the first place. I know there's no need to convince you, you're obviously bonkers (in a good way right Nancy........ Nancy???) 😂
LittleCloud wings are relatively inexpensive, which is great for those on a tighter budget, looking for what they have to offer. This also makes them a great option for pilots looking for another wing for flying in breezier conditions (choosing the appropriate size) or coastal flying, saving wear-and-tear on their more expensive paraglider.
@@flybubblecarlo yeah it's an old argument I am used to hearing. Hopefully with the huge rise of the parakite sport e.g. Flare Moustache etc. more people will become accustomed to flying so called "uncertified" gliders and having faith in them 👍🏻
As you say, the AirDesign The Sock and LittleCloud Grasshopper Mk2 are very similar harnesses, both produced in cooperation between these two paragliding brands. However, there are important differences between them. These differences can be worked out by comparing the product descriptions and user manuals, checking other reviews, reading comments on forums, etc. We may add extra details like this to our written review of the AirDesign The Sock.
We (Flybubble) are AirDesign and LittleCloud dealers, so can of course supply all products from these brands (and almost all products from almost all brands).
Have been flying the sock since it came out. No complaints minus the inflatable protector needing to be replaced once already. Maybe just got unlucky, but not sure. Very comfortable on 5 hour flights and love the size / weight for traveling and flying around the world! Good price too compared to others in the category.
@@hchallenator no issues at all. Assuming you have a big enough bag to fit the wing etc together. Difficult if you want to put the harness back in the sack it comes with, but no issues if you lay it inside the wing and then pack that way for quick up and down etc. I fly it with an x-alps 5 so I tend to just unclip to protect wing more, but probably not necessary. The big side pockets are nice for mittens / battery pack etc. got a lot of use in Switzerland! Held up very well considering how much I fly it.
Great harness - however, have had the same problem with the inflatable protector- air leaks on the seams. Was told by the supplier that Air Design says not to fully inflate though I don't see that in the manual.
I’ve got a large Sock, very pleased after a year of flying. There is some speculation on line that filling the under seat storage with soft goods (I stuff my rucksack in there) improves safety performance….any thoughts?
I meant to include a mention of this in this review. I added a comment about this, copied here for you: Another tip, I've found that the under seat pocket in the harness can hold a light paraglider backpack, concertina bag, and helmet bag. It's best to fill it with soft items for added protection and comfort, leaving more space in the main rear pocket. Be careful not to overfill it to avoid discomfort or damage not covered by the warranty. Placing items in the under seat pocket does not typically affect your centre of gravity. Alternatively, you can also store compact items in the speedbag nose cone pocket. Hope this information proves useful to someone.
Nico, previously the French Air Design dealer, confirmed as much on French forums: they saw lower G figures with the lower pocket filled with something like the carry backpack or quick pack bag.
Bonjour, merci pour ce test de la Sock ! Malgré les sous titres je n'ai pas compris les 3 autres harnais plus confortables à 8'25''... ce sont lesquels svp 😁 ?
The pack volume of the Supair Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport is between the Advance Lightness 2/3/4 and Niviuk Arrow, closer to the Lightness 2/3/4. See our Flybubble reviews of all of these e.g. Supair Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport review: th-cam.com/video/0g9k897Dx3I/w-d-xo.html
@@daanboucher9164 Glad to be of help. 🙂 I plan to include this kind of thing in future reviews, as I know if helps pilots with buying decisions, however the problem is that this adds to the production time, and they already take so much time to produce! 🤔😖😅
I don't think the Niviuk Arrow and Hawk are bulky. It's mainly that, because Niviuk have clearly prioritised comfort, handling, safety, ease of use and features over how they pack, it's not a good idea to fold them in half. This means they pack relatively longer and narrower, rather than shorter and fatter. There are are more compact options but the Hawk and Arrow do offer exceptional comfort, handling, safety and ease of use for the weight and pack size. When you also factor in the excellent build quality and relatively good price, they also offer exceptionally good value for money, I think.
Ah une autre question, si vous avez la réponse ! sinon j'irai tester cela. Est ce que un Beamer 130 light rentre dans le cockpit ? et ces sangles de liaisons et commandes passent t-elles dans la partie prévue pour rejoindre les épaules...?
Hello. Yes, I can confirm that a High Adventure Beamer 3 Light size 130 fits in to The Sock M. I've fitted one before. The pack size (and so fit) is quite similar to the Charly TARGETcross ST Light size 125. You can compare the technical data of these reserves, and others, including the weights and pack volumes, in the Reserves section of on our website: flybubble.com/reserves
I can also confirm that the reserve bridle channel of The Sock can accommodate the steerable reserve bridles and controls of the High Adventure Beamer 3 Light ( flybubble.com/high-adventure-beamer-3-light ) and Charly TARGETcross ST Light ( flybubble.com/charly-targetcross-st-light ) as long as they are correctly attached and laid out, following the manufacturer user manuals of the reserve and harness. As always with something as safety critical as this, if in doubt seek expert service or assistance.
Not that I want/need this kind of harness, but unless you aim to crash into low-flying aircraft, I wouldn't worry about the air bag losing pressure with height... ...as long as it recovers the lost pressure again, as you descend. 🪂❣️
@@raoulduke1914 I wondered if anyone would reply 😄👍 My point is, very few XC flights would start next to the sea, but finish at 3000 metres. I'm pretty sure it's usually t'other way round. So, changes in atmospheric pressure shouldn't be an issue... ...BUT, if the airbag leaks 😵 that could lead to a whole heap of pain and trouble.
@@raoulduke1914 Sounds wonderful... But anyway, *if* I wanted a harness with an inflatable airbag, I'd be more concerned that it leaked, than any small changes due to the effect of atmospheric air pressure. Safe flying 🪂👍👍
I’ve got a large Sock, very pleased after a year of flying. There is some speculation on line that filling the under seat storage with soft goods (I stuff my rucksack in there) improves safety performance….any thoughts?
💬🍿 What do you think about THE SOCK?
📐😎 Find practical sizing info in the video description!
🔥👉The Sock used in this review now on sale in very good conditions: flybubble.com/airdesign-the-sock-size-m-1m232008
⏰🎯 TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 INTRO
0:37 THE SOCK
0:50 What THE HECK is “THE SOCK”
1:13 FEELING
1:34 ROLL
2:01 PLAYFULNESS
2:22 WEIGHTSHIFT & POSITION
3:31 EASE OF USE
3:53 COMFORT
4:23 WHO IS IT FOR
4:48 DESIGN OVERVIEW
6:22 INFLATABLE PROTECTOR
8:03 SPEEDBAG & BUILD QUALITY
8:38 COCKPIT
9:10 FRONT RESERVE CONTAINER
10:14 STORAGE
12:30 SPEED SYSTEM
13:30 DURABILTIY
14:28 CLIPPING IN
15:33 PACKING
It's the silliest objection, but I wouldn't want to fly with the motto "Break your own rules" plastered down my legs. No room for that attitude in this sport, in my opinion. Those rules keep me alive. So I'd peel that off. Other than that it looks like a nice harness! 😅
agree its a pretty silly slogan in this game
Agree, it's the worst slogan I know. If you are wont to break rules, the last ones you break should be your own!
The whole marketing department of AD lost track of their mission and vision in my opinion. The ‘look how cool we are’-cartoon product placement is so off in this niche. IMO it totally doesn’t fit the history of AD as well.
I fly with it and yes, everytime I see it makes me think hmmmm... Word "break" shouldn't be no near paragliding 😀 still a great harness
Another tip, I've found that the under seat pocket in the harness can hold a light paraglider backpack, concertina bag, and helmet bag. It's best to fill it with soft items for added protection and comfort, leaving more space in the main rear pocket. Be careful not to overfill it to avoid discomfort or damage not covered by the warranty. Placing items in the under seat pocket does not typically affect your centre of gravity. Alternatively, you can also store compact items in the speedbag nose cone pocket. Hope this information proves useful to someone.
I've been flying with the Sock as my first Cocoon harness and I'm very pleased. The L version fits with an AD Soar 2 26m2 in a 70L bag with room left for helmet, jacket and water, it's been a great H&F companion and though I haven't flown more than 4h with it, I find it very comfortable.
I use the underseat compartment to store my backpack which helps strengthen the fake-seatboard feeling.
Just got out of a SIV with it and it also is quite possible to continue piloting in a seated position for more bold manoeuvers like full-stalls.
Thanks for the review, You've got a long list of tests coming up if you're going to review all the wings you've flown with it shown at the beginning 😅
I have this harness, use it in hike and fly, contests and it is simply great!
Littlecloud ❤ i hope you didn't scare too many UK pilots bringing all that colour and fun to the hill 😎
Haha, I do hear some funny comments from some paraglider pilots when testing LittleCloud wings, or anything unusual. 😉 From my testing, LittleCloud wings offer pretty much exactly what Tom at LittleCloud says they do, simple fun. 🪂🎈 It seems to me they are clearly made for fun-focused folk, who totally get them. 😁👌 Although I've found they perform surprisingly well, considering how simple they are, they are not made for performance-oriented pilots, always thinking about numbers and relative performance, who do not get them at all. 😉 Personally, I like to fly all different kinds of gear for different reasons, sites, weather, mood... . When I just want to have fun and muck about, I find LittleCloud wings great. 🤡😃
@@flybubblecarlo amen to that Carlo! Such a shame so many forget that fun was the main reason we all got into flying in the first place. I know there's no need to convince you, you're obviously bonkers (in a good way right Nancy........ Nancy???) 😂
LittleCloud wings are relatively inexpensive, which is great for those on a tighter budget, looking for what they have to offer. This also makes them a great option for pilots looking for another wing for flying in breezier conditions (choosing the appropriate size) or coastal flying, saving wear-and-tear on their more expensive paraglider.
I think the main put-off for most paraglider pilots is that LittleCloud choose not to have their wings flight-certified, for the reasons they explain.
@@flybubblecarlo yeah it's an old argument I am used to hearing. Hopefully with the huge rise of the parakite sport e.g. Flare Moustache etc. more people will become accustomed to flying so called "uncertified" gliders and having faith in them 👍🏻
A little cloud with a different name. Can you also make a video on the grasshopper?
As you say, the AirDesign The Sock and LittleCloud Grasshopper Mk2 are very similar harnesses, both produced in cooperation between these two paragliding brands. However, there are important differences between them. These differences can be worked out by comparing the product descriptions and user manuals, checking other reviews, reading comments on forums, etc. We may add extra details like this to our written review of the AirDesign The Sock.
We (Flybubble) are AirDesign and LittleCloud dealers, so can of course supply all products from these brands (and almost all products from almost all brands).
they are not the same! not to mention how ugly the grasshopper is
Have been flying the sock since it came out. No complaints minus the inflatable protector needing to be replaced once already. Maybe just got unlucky, but not sure. Very comfortable on 5 hour flights and love the size / weight for traveling and flying around the world! Good price too compared to others in the category.
@@hotpucky great, I am almost ready to buy one after checking it out at Coup Icare! How does it go to keep the glider connected between flights?
@@hchallenator no issues at all. Assuming you have a big enough bag to fit the wing etc together. Difficult if you want to put the harness back in the sack it comes with, but no issues if you lay it inside the wing and then pack that way for quick up and down etc. I fly it with an x-alps 5 so I tend to just unclip to protect wing more, but probably not necessary. The big side pockets are nice for mittens / battery pack etc. got a lot of use in Switzerland! Held up very well considering how much I fly it.
Great harness - however, have had the same problem with the inflatable protector- air leaks on the seams. Was told by the supplier that Air Design says not to fully inflate though I don't see that in the manual.
@@bictonwa yeah same. I dont fully inflate, but they definitely dont last super long. Great harness otherwise!
Interesting way to pack it. I’ve had mine for a year and never even considered doing it that way!
If it is not a secret... What packing method do you use? 😊 Thank you for your comment 🙌
I’ve got a large Sock, very pleased after a year of flying. There is some speculation on line that filling the under seat storage with soft goods (I stuff my rucksack in there) improves safety performance….any thoughts?
I meant to include a mention of this in this review. I added a comment about this, copied here for you: Another tip, I've found that the under seat pocket in the harness can hold a light paraglider backpack, concertina bag, and helmet bag. It's best to fill it with soft items for added protection and comfort, leaving more space in the main rear pocket. Be careful not to overfill it to avoid discomfort or damage not covered by the warranty. Placing items in the under seat pocket does not typically affect your centre of gravity. Alternatively, you can also store compact items in the speedbag nose cone pocket. Hope this information proves useful to someone.
Nico, previously the French Air Design dealer, confirmed as much on French forums: they saw lower G figures with the lower pocket filled with something like the carry backpack or quick pack bag.
Bonjour, merci pour ce test de la Sock !
Malgré les sous titres je n'ai pas compris les 3 autres harnais plus confortables à 8'25''... ce sont lesquels svp 😁 ?
Hi 👋🥳 Advance Lightness 3, Advance Lightness 4 and Niviuk Arrow 🙌
Great that you compared the pack volume to Lightness and the excellent but bulky Arrow. Could you please compare pack volume to the popular Delight 4?
The pack volume of the Supair Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport is between the Advance Lightness 2/3/4 and Niviuk Arrow, closer to the Lightness 2/3/4. See our Flybubble reviews of all of these e.g. Supair Delight 4 and Delight 4 Sport review: th-cam.com/video/0g9k897Dx3I/w-d-xo.html
Thanks!
@@daanboucher9164 Glad to be of help. 🙂 I plan to include this kind of thing in future reviews, as I know if helps pilots with buying decisions, however the problem is that this adds to the production time, and they already take so much time to produce! 🤔😖😅
I don't think the Niviuk Arrow and Hawk are bulky. It's mainly that, because Niviuk have clearly prioritised comfort, handling, safety, ease of use and features over how they pack, it's not a good idea to fold them in half. This means they pack relatively longer and narrower, rather than shorter and fatter. There are are more compact options but the Hawk and Arrow do offer exceptional comfort, handling, safety and ease of use for the weight and pack size. When you also factor in the excellent build quality and relatively good price, they also offer exceptionally good value for money, I think.
Ótima harness!
Ah une autre question, si vous avez la réponse ! sinon j'irai tester cela. Est ce que un Beamer 130 light rentre dans le cockpit ? et ces sangles de liaisons et commandes passent t-elles dans la partie prévue pour rejoindre les épaules...?
Hello. Yes, I can confirm that a High Adventure Beamer 3 Light size 130 fits in to The Sock M. I've fitted one before. The pack size (and so fit) is quite similar to the Charly TARGETcross ST Light size 125. You can compare the technical data of these reserves, and others, including the weights and pack volumes, in the Reserves section of on our website: flybubble.com/reserves
I can also confirm that the reserve bridle channel of The Sock can accommodate the steerable reserve bridles and controls of the High Adventure Beamer 3 Light ( flybubble.com/high-adventure-beamer-3-light ) and Charly TARGETcross ST Light ( flybubble.com/charly-targetcross-st-light ) as long as they are correctly attached and laid out, following the manufacturer user manuals of the reserve and harness. As always with something as safety critical as this, if in doubt seek expert service or assistance.
How do you compare it to the WV GTO?
Not that I want/need this kind of harness, but unless you aim to crash into low-flying aircraft, I wouldn't worry about the air bag losing pressure with height...
...as long as it recovers the lost pressure again, as you descend.
🪂❣️
mountains can be high no?
@@raoulduke1914 I wondered if anyone would reply 😄👍
My point is, very few XC flights would start next to the sea, but finish at 3000 metres.
I'm pretty sure it's usually t'other way round.
So, changes in atmospheric pressure shouldn't be an issue...
...BUT, if the airbag leaks 😵 that could lead to a whole heap of pain and trouble.
@@siskygod44 yes true probably not an issue, where I live we can be launching at around 700masl and flying into mountains 2500masl
@@raoulduke1914 Sounds wonderful...
But anyway, *if* I wanted a harness with an inflatable airbag, I'd be more concerned that it leaked, than any small changes due to the effect of atmospheric air pressure.
Safe flying 🪂👍👍
@@siskygod44 If you took off at 1000 m AMSL and landed at sea level, how would this affect the pressure and volume of air inside the airbag? 🤔🤓
I’ve got a large Sock, very pleased after a year of flying. There is some speculation on line that filling the under seat storage with soft goods (I stuff my rucksack in there) improves safety performance….any thoughts?
Hello again. See my reply to your other, duplicate comment. 🙂