Hike & fly equipment — the guide
Light wing, reversible harness, light reserve — what the APCO range offers for mountain and distance, with the weights from the datasheets.
Hike & fly means: up on foot, down in the air. Every kilo in the pack counts — here is what the APCO range offers for it, with the weights from the datasheets instead of estimates.
The wing: what “light” concretely means at APCO
- HYBRID — the lightest canopy in the range: 3.0–3.25 kg (sizes 20–25.56 m²). The hybrid profile (double + single surface) omits the bottom sail at the back; certified EN-B/DGAC, per the manufacturer “all but 2 manoeuvres rated EN-A”. APCO notes: “The Hybrid is light (3 kg), but not designed to be a ‘Lightweight’ wing” — the low weight is a by-product of the profile.
- NESTRA Light — the high-end EN-B: from 4.35 kg including standard risers, only 215 m of lines (“less than new generation EN-C 2-liners”). For sporty hike & fly with XC ambition.
- VISTA VI — the middle B at 4.6–5.4 kg; as a lightweight detail APCO offers the standard 3-line riser at only 99 g.
- KARISMA II — the school EN-A at 4.0–4.9 kg; per APCO 20 % (1 kg) lighter than its predecessor, which eases nil-wind forward launches — often decisive on the mountain.
On the fabric: where APCO uses Skytex 27 g, the manufacturer documents the effect concretely — on the Nestra Light “saving approximately 700 gr. with no sacrifice to longevity and durability”.
The harness: reversible saves the second piece
- Hike — 1.3 kg, harness and backpack in one, split legs, 160–190 cm, max. 120 kg. Per APCO “great for long mountain treks and challenging XC flights, ideal for speed flying and ridge soaring”. The protection airbag is optional (code 47035) — the EN certification applies with exactly this airbag.
- ChairBag Integral V — the full-feature reversible at 2.95 kg: Polycomb seat plate, integrated Cygnus airbag (DHV-certified), under-seat reserve container, approx. 100 litres of volume.
The difference in detail: Hike vs Goal and the harness guide.
The reserve: Light and Superlight
The Mayday range comes in Light and Superlight variants — the numbers from APCO’s comparison table (examples):
| Variant | Area | Weight | Packing volume | Sink rate | Max load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superlight Round 18 | 30.4 m² | 1.597 kg | 3,950 cm³ | 5.1 m/s | 115 kg |
| Light Round 18 | 30.4 m² | 1.922 kg | 4,800 cm³ | 5.1 m/s | 120 kg |
| Square 100 | 25 m² | 1.320 kg | 3,000 cm³ | 5.1 m/s | 100 kg |
The Mayday Square 100 at 1.32 kg and 3,000 cm³ is the most compact entry. Care is unchanged: repack every six months per the APCO manual. Selection logic in the reserve guide.
An example setup, calculated from datasheets
Hybrid (size 22: 3.1 kg) + Hike (1.3 kg) + Mayday Square 100 (1.32 kg) = 5.72 kg core setup — plus helmet, instruments, water and clothing to your own needs.
Practical notes from the workshop
- Let damp wings (dew at launch) dry before packing.
- Rocky launch sites stress the fabric — check the leading edge visually after alpine launches.
- Clarify reserve compatibility before buying: on the Hike, the container sits externally — we check the combination before delivery.
Setup advice with real weights and datasheets: [email protected].