Z5 Harness

With the Z5, all the upgrades that others sell as extra cost options are integrated into the design at no extra cost. We pioneered the low profile front entry pod harness over 30 years ago, and we’ve been improving it ever since.Configure your harness with the Z5 Order Form.

Structure

The Z5 is a suspension style harness, meaning that it has no rigid frame structure, but is supported via a series of suspension lines that route from inside the harness and up through the carabiner. The harness has three anodized aluminum spreader bars built in to the harness to relieve lateral compression forces as well as providing attachment points for the suspension lines. All major structural points on the harness are assembled and sewn using methods similar to the construction of skydiving harnesses. The result is a flexible and comfortable harness that folds compactly, is easy to repair, and its simple design allows for easy maintenance and safety inspection.

Materials

The standard exterior of the Z5 is constructed of 420 diamond rip-stop nylon. This fabric provides exceptional abrasion durability, high tear strength, and excellent UV resistance. The interior cloth is 400 denier Antron. Antron is strong, durable, and has a smooth, non-abrasive finish. Sandwiched between these two cloth layers is a layer of ¼” thick Volara foam. This high-density foam increases the long-term comfort of the harness and resists compaction. The harness features two Click-Lock buckles across the chest. These buckles feature an anodized aluminum body and stainless hardware. Top quality YKK zippers are used throughout the harness.

Safety

The Z5 harness has an outstanding safety record. The Z5 harness in the side-mount reserve parachute configuration was DHV tested and certified to 150 KG. The chest mount configuration of the harness is not DHV certified, though the construction of the harness, other than the reserve configuration, is identical. The Z5 is not intended for aerobatic use.

Storage

The Z5 was designed to accommodate a wide range of pilot needs. It features two large and expandable side pockets each of which features a large rear compartment and a smaller front one that is accessible in flight. The left side front pocket contains an integral bungee retainer that can be used to secure a camera, radio, or GPS. The larger portions of the side pockets feature external cinch straps that can be used to flatten the pocket when not in use, or to assist in securing larger items such as oxygen canisters or water bottles.

There is a zippered compartment built into the base of the front mounted chute container that allows for quick access to gloves, snacks, or even a small camera or back-up radio.

The internal back storage compartment runs almost the full length of the harness. It can accessed from both the inside and the outside the harness. It features an internal expansion baffle that allows the back storage area to be extended outwards, converting the harness from a compact, casual soaring configuration to high storage capacity XC configuation by using a single zipper.

Adjustability

The Z5 offers a wide range of adjustments to optimize pilot comfort. Both the legs straps and shoulder straps are adjustable and once adjusted will not loosen or otherwise go out of adjustment while flying. A foam sizing block is provided with the harness and can be removed as the harness shrinks over time. Pitch adjustment is provided and is simple to operate and secure while in flight.

Included Options And Features

You have a choice of four stock body colors, all in 420 600 denier diamond rip-stop nylon: black, royal blue, red and charcoal (silver). These can be combined with your choice of any available wedge color, or split the wedge with two colors (see Z5 harness color selector). Custom body colors, including a split body color combination, are available as an extra cost option. Please see the harness order form and the Ordering and Sizing Guide for more information on color choices and options.

Both the top and bottom entry zippers are secured with Velcro and user replaceable. The bottom zipper features an emergency egress handle that can be used to assist the pilot in the event of a zipper failure. The boot skid abrasion protector is also user replaceable. The Z5 comes standard with a hook knife pouch and a zipper-attached, removable radio pouch. The radio pouch is designed to fit the majority of compact handheld radios on the market today. Because it’s removable it can be left on the radio at all times allowing ready use both on and off the harness.

Every Z5 comes with the quality of construction and attention to detail that is the hallmark of all Wills Wing products. We support our products and our customers, and we guarantee your satisfaction.

(Note to export customers – Wills Wing harnesses are designed for use with the Free Flight parachute system – in which the deployment handle is incorporated into the parachute system deployment bag. The harness does not include a deployment handle.)

• Large expandable double compartment side pockets
• Front mounted shoulder adjustment
• Double layer padded shoulder straps
• Better coverage/seal at rear of neck
• Both front and side mounted parachutes are deployable with either hand
• Available with chest or side mounted parachute container
• 420 denier diamond nylon outer layer
• Custom sizing available on request
• Harness bag
• 10,000 pound steel carabiner
• Sheath for hook knife
• In-flight angle of attack adjustment cleat
• Three integral spreader bars
• Front mount parachute container has internal adjustable size baffle
• Velcro retained entry zipper (for emergency exit and easy replacement)
• High density, ultra durable, Volara™ closed cell foam insulation
• Replaceable boot scuff protector
• Adjustable shoulder straps with high density foam padding
• Full length Antron™ cloth interior lining
• Full length rear storage accessible from inside or outside with full length zippers
• Padded, adjustable leg loops
• E-Z open and close zipper system
• Tow loops for both air and truck tow
• Hatchback–integral large volume expandable back storage container
• 2-piece entry zipper and bomb-bay doors make it easier to walk in and rock up for landing
• Wider harness cut for reduced lateral pressure
• New stronger spreader bar design
• New rigging configuration reduces drag, improves comfort
• Removable radio pouch offers in-flight access to controls.

Some options may be incompatible with others. See your Wills Wing dealer for details.

A Note on Harness Pricing

The Z5 is a full featured harness, on which we offer custom sizing when necessary, customer’s choice of harness mains length, and customer choice of 4 standard body colors and a wide range of accent wedge colors, for no extra charge, at the standard price of $1300.00 retail. These harnesses are built to the customer’s individual order, and the $1300.00 price reflects our cost of doing that. If the customer requires custom work beyond custom sizing, the cost for that additional custom work will be quoted and added to the $1300.00 price.

We also make inventory harnesses, in batch production, at a lower cost to us. We pass these cost savings along to the customer by offering inventory harnesses at a reduced retail price of $1150.00. An inventory harness is a harness which is ordered out of our inventory, from the inventory harness list. If the list indicates that the mains have not been fabricated at the time the harness is ordered, the customer may specify custom length for the mains at no extra charge. If the mains are already attached, this is not an option. The harnesses listed on the inventory harness list are the only harnesses that qualify for the $1150.00 price. A harness built to customer order, whether or not it requires custom sizing, is always priced at $1300.00. Please do not confuse “stock size” with inventory price.

Harness Sizing

The table below relates Wills Wing harness sizes to individual body measurements. These are the actual ranges for the Z series models and can be considered approximate for the Flylight Deluxe model.

Custom Sizing Instructions

Z5 Order Form

Harness Ordering Guide

The armpit to floor measurement is an important sizing parameter. With arms held 30 degrees out from the body and the shoulders held level, measure from a ruler held level in the armpit, to the floor. Measure your chest and hips with a light shirt only. If you want to specify non-standard fit (tight for better aerodynamics or loose to accommodate extra bulky clothing) indicate that separately. Note that a loose harness fit may compromise comfort and increase pressure rotating upright to landing attitude. If you have owned or test fit a Z1, Z2, Z3 or Z4 please include the harness number or enough information for us to identify the harness size. Wills Wing harness main support straps are sized to hang a properly fitted, standard harness 1″ to 2″ above the control bar base tube of any WW glider, when the pilot attitude adjustment is slightly head down. That corresponds to a top of base tube to hang loop dimension of 55 inches. Variations in pilot size and individual harness adjustment preferences change the hang distance above the base tube with standard mains. We strongly recommend that you size your harness mains to fit a standard Wills Wing glider hang loop. Shorter main lengths are available on request, but they increase back compression and discomfort.

Sizing Modifications (LENGTH MOD, CHEST MOD) are in inches and reflect changes made for custom harnesses.
For example ‘ XL, Length +3, Chest -2 ‘ would be best for a tall, thin person.