The short version
- A reserve is essential, not optional. Fly with one, always.
- Size it to your maximum all-up weight — pilot, gear, fuel, everything.
- Get it repacked on schedule. A reserve that's sat folded for years may not open cleanly.
- Practice deployment on the ground so the motion is automatic when seconds matter.
Most pilots will fly their whole lives and never throw their reserve. But the ones who needed it and had it are the reason we all fly with one.
A reserve parachute is your last line of defense — the backup that gets you down if your main wing becomes unflyable from a major collapse, a structural failure, or a mid-air. It's simple gear, but choosing and maintaining it correctly matters enormously, because it only has to work once, at the worst possible moment.
Do you actually need one?
Yes. Unequivocally. There is no responsible version of paramotoring that skips the reserve. The altitudes and speeds involved leave no margin for "I'll be careful" — if your main wing fails and you're too low to sort it out, the reserve is what stands between you and the ground. Every serious pilot flies with one. So should you.
How to size a reserve
A reserve is rated for a maximum weight, and this is the number that matters most. You size it to your total all-up weight: your body, your clothing, your motor, harness, full fuel, and everything else you leave the ground with. Add it all up and choose a reserve whose maximum certified weight comfortably exceeds that figure.
Never undersize a reserve
An overloaded reserve descends faster — meaning a harder landing exactly when you're already in an emergency. When in doubt, size up, not down. If your all-up weight is near the top of a reserve's range, choose the next size. This is not the place to save money or weight.
Types of reserve
| Type | Character | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Simple, proven, reliable opening | Most pilots, all-round use |
| Cross / square | Less oscillation, more stable descent | Pilots wanting a steadier ride down |
| Steerable / rogallo | Some directional control | Advanced pilots who train on it |
For most pilots, a quality round or cross reserve is the right choice — fast, dependable opening with no complexity to manage in a crisis. Steerable reserves offer control but require you to actually know how to use them under stress. Simpler is often safer.
Repacking: the part people forget
A reserve isn't fit-and-forget. Left folded in the same creases for too long, the fabric and lines can take a set that slows or compromises deployment. That's why reserves need periodic repacking — unpacked, aired out, inspected, and refolded by someone who knows how.
Follow your manufacturer's recommended interval (commonly every six to twelve months). It's an inexpensive service that keeps the one piece of gear you're truly betting your life on ready to perform. We offer reserve repacking — build it into your seasonal routine.
Practice the throw
In a real emergency you won't have time to think. Practice locating your reserve handle and simulating the deployment motion — grip, pull, throw — until it's muscle memory. Do it on the ground, repeatedly. The pilots who deploy successfully are the ones who've rehearsed it.
Choosing yours
Pick a certified reserve from a reputable manufacturer, sized correctly for your maximum weight, in a straightforward type you understand. Make sure it's compatible with your harness's reserve container. If you're unsure about sizing or compatibility, ask us before you buy — getting this right is exactly the kind of thing a shop run by pilots is for.
Need help sizing a reserve?
Message us your all-up weight and harness, and we'll confirm the right reserve and container fit.
Browse reserves →This guide is general education, not personalized safety advice. Always follow manufacturer instructions, have your reserve packed by a qualified professional, and train deployment with your instructor.