The development of the structure is the result of the work done on the latest X-Alps, offering maximum comfort while keeping it as light and simple as possible.

Inspired by the F*Race2 structure, the Sublite's structure features a rigid and comfortable back to provide optimal support during long flights. The seat, a hybrid with two ergonomic leg straps and a protective pad that acts as a seat plate, offers optimal comfort, while providing good maneuverability and excellent leg support.

The geometry is simple for ease of use, and features an ABS to optimally adjust the stability of the harness. The lumbar splice adjustments allow for perfect and precise adjustment of the seat angle.

It's a real pleasure to fly the Sublite. Performance, comfort, and lightness combined to create the best tool for hike & fly competitions.

Sam Jobard, Chassis and Structure Designer

Designing the Sublite was an exciting challenge. After the success of the Submarine, we saw the potential of this technology in the world of hike & fly racing, pushing weight and performance further than ever before. From the start, our goal was clear: create a harness that’s fast and simple to use, allowing pilots to set up in seconds with complete confidence.

The Sublite has been my personal flying gear for the past year, and I’ve put in countless hours of testing in all kinds of conditions. The result is a harness that is exceptionally light, remarkably comfortable, and designed for true performance. Its compact flying position delivers outstanding stability, even in strong turbulence. Every detail has been tuned for the best possible balance, making it a race harness you can trust.

Baptiste Lambert, Envelope Designer

When I was first flying a normal Submarine, I couldn't imagine that kind of harness would ever be practical for hike and fly competitions. It was just too complicated and time consuming to set it up for a short 5 minute glide. But when I flew the Sublite for the first time, I realized in a second that this harness would be extremely competitive, at least for long distance hike and fly races.

In the inside, there are only two straps, everything is light, easy to handle but it gives you a very comfortable position. You only need to close one short zipper of the envelope and attach the external velcro cockpit to get ready. Especially for supported races, the external cockpit is very practical. Once airborne, grab the pod with your feet then the magnetic closure system works without any further input. For landing, you can focus fully on the glider and the terrain by just opening the envelope with a soft push with your knee or your feet.

On my first long cross country flights with the Sublite I was impressed by its performance compared to similar wings with a normal pod harness. Especially in half or full speed bar, the performance of my glider remained higher than those without submarine harnesses

During the X-Alps, it was pleasing to see the difference between my harness and common pod harnesses. This advantage in glide saved me some meters of hiking and gave me also a mental boost. Especially for the last glide to Schmittenhöhe, it was nice to know I had slightly better performance than the others, so I didn't need to risk anything. I could just float with the others and decided on the final glide.

The real strength test for the Sublite was the Eigetour. I was not sure if this light harness could handle the landings and the take offs in the rocky environment off the mountain huts. The very thin envelope is what worried me the most, but even after 25 top landings and take offs in this Alpine area, I didn't use the repair patches I carried with me. The Eigertour didn't only show that the Sublite is robust enough for those races, it also showed that it is competitive on races with many short flights and lots of packing and preparing.

So for me, the Sublite is perfect for cross country flying with light gear, for long hike and fly races, and also for very short hut to hut races.

Lars Meerstetter, Team Pilot and X-Alps Competitor

I was lucky enough to get one of the first Sublites. I flew the Sublite throughout the whole summer in the Alps, whenever I wasn’t under my Enzo. In Pakistan, I used it for some vol-biv and even flew a 308 km FAI triangle with the Zeolite 2.

From the very first moment, I was impressed. I love the feeling of flying in a submarine-style harness – it’s so much quieter, and the sensation of gliding through the air is stronger than ever. I also need fewer clothes to stay warm, which makes flying more comfortable overall.

The storage is large enough to fit all my camping gear or some climbing gear, and the added performance of the harness is a real treat. It actually made me rediscover my Zeolite 2 and appreciate its full potential. In Pakistan, I flew 10 hours with it, and the comfort was incredible. The pockets and cockpit are very well organized and accessible, making it easy to reach everything I need during flight.

Fabi’s 308km triangle’s story in the heart of the Himalayas:

"I’d been dreaming of this flight for a year.

This time, it was a short trip to Hunza, just to show my sister and her husband this magical place.

No real plans, no climbing partner, just the idea of getting acclimatized and, if lucky, giving a 300 km FAI triangle a go.

Conditions were warmer and higher than last year, but it overdeveloped nearly every day. Flying alone in these wild peaks, no radio, no contact, felt strange at first. But soon I found a rhythm and started to enjoy the solitude.

I was flying with the Zeolite 2 and the new Sublite. Probably the best combo for hiking up 1,100 m and flying 10 hours. Plus, the margin you have with such a wing gave me a lot of confidence.

I woke up at 5 am, hiked the 1,100 vertical meters to takeoff, and started to doubt, because up high, the wind was hauling, and I could see snow flags on all the summits above 7,000 m.

At takeoff, it was nice, and the day started to work around 8:30 am. I launched a bit later.

It was a blue day, hard to read, with weak climbs and no clear lines. I flew conservatively, slow, but safe. The southern leg opened up, and the views toward Nanga Parbat were mind-blowing.

Crossing back above Gilgit, I hit brutal sink, arriving very low, stressed, and desperate not to drop into the dusty valley layer. But above a small white triangle of rocks, I found a 400 m climb. It saved the flight. On Rakaposhi’s west face, I finally caught a strong climb to 6,500 m.

From there, gliding past its massive north face back toward Karimabad felt like flying through a dream.

In the end, I closed a 308 km FAI triangle on a day I wasn’t even sure would be flyable. My phone died, I wasted 1,000 m of altitude but I made it.

A flight I’ll remember forever.
Thank you, Hunza."

Fabi Buhl, Team Pilot and Adventurer