Hello! I am new to parawing and am looking for stash belt recommendations. Is the ozone stash belt still leading the pack or are there other ones I should be looking at?
Much appreciated.
I’ve heard the NSI has a better closure so you won’t lose your parawing by accident on a duck dive.
I have the NSI and have used the Ozone once - so pretty limited experience with that one. Rather than a velcro tab over the top (like the Ozone), NSI has an elastic cinch. The pouch is not elastic like the Ozone, but the bottom is mesh so it drains nicely. If you cinch the cord down tight, it keeps the parawing pretty secure, but the tradeoff is that its probably harder to stash and deploy with the cinch setup. A 4.3 Pocket Rocket fits, but its pretty tight with the bar stuffed. The NSI is very well built and the harness is the right balance of support while also not being restrictive for me.
I think its kind of a tossup between the NSI and Ozone and each of them has merits and drawbacks. To be honest I’m not 100% sold on either as a perfect option. If you aren’t in a rush, I’d probably wait as I expect better options will be coming.
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Thinking about adding a snap button to the Velcro on my Ozone pouch. This could help better secure the pw on the paddle out/in. The Velcro is just not strong enough by itself.
Someone’s gotta make a semi waterproof pouch that closes with magnets
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this would be a VERY cool application for Fidlock, which Mystic already uses on some of their products. I have this neoprene mystic jacket that has a magnetic Fidlock waterproof pocket and a magnetic closure over the zipper. The waterproof one would be too secure and cumbersome and the placket cover might be too weak, but there are lots of very cool Fidlock systems. Mystic also uses their magnetic buckles on some of their helmets. Personally I think a waterproof closure would have more issues than a non waterproof version (filling with water and not draining mostly).
I do think that the stretchy pouch fabric has some real benefits for packability vs the static fabric in the NSI belt. Also not at all sold on some of the side-stuff pouches Ive seen previews of.
@foilrat has hinted that he’s coming out with a stuff pouch or something similar. I think it sounded like he was working with an existing manufacturer on it, but I could be wrong there.
Here is a video of some Fidlock closures. I think the magnetic buttons could work well. Maybe one (or two) that holds the pouch closure open for stuffing, then another that snaps it closed. Even better a longer bar that does the same. Some of the Yeti soft coolers use something like this too.
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I have that one and use it with a harness hook no problem. The buckle slides to the side and the hook (or line) is centered or slides. The webbing strap goes all the way around so you can rotate the buckle to where you want it. If you are worried about the buckle unlocking you can always replace it but mine hasn’t ever opened with heavy load. It’s not perfect but the harness line or hook is no issue whatsoever- in fact mine came with a hook on it.
Ozone wins in my book for DW. Easy to quickly stuff into the stretchy pouch. Way easier / faster than the BRM, and have had issue with the Velcro for DW application.
Ended up modifying ym Ozone stash belt. Plastic ball with bungee that encircles the whole pouch. Release is via the yellow webbing tab, which is also easy to find by feel, and recluse after stash. Works fine up to my 4.0 POW
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I have the North stash harness and love it. Comfortable, versatile, and quality materials. Difficult to get my 5m in there quickly, but I may need to refine my pack up. The 4 and 3m fit in the pouch good. Side entry instead of top. Leash attachment points on both hips. Strong plastic hook that slides and belt isnt too bulky.
If you hide the control bar (grippy) inside the pw material whn stashing, it all slides in easiest.
new takoon stash belt, similar to the north version:
Aside from some stitching issues, I really like the Ozone belt & form factor. Big stretchy elastic pouch that top-opens can operate like a third hand when packing down. I get the leading edge, bar, and lines organized and then stuff them into the corner of the pouch, which holds them in place while I wad up the remaining canopy.
I would not use any other style of belt at this point!
The velcro closure is a weakness though, I just covered it with a mated piece of velcro to stop the lines from sticking to it. I only use it if it seems like there’s gonna be some drama coming/going at the beach.
Kudos for posting this Noripplez, the Ball Toggle + Bungee with tag works great!
Coupla small tweaks - removed the velcro tab completely as lines get caught on it, and used hi density foam for the ball so nothing hard to hit.
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anyone tried harness bar instead of hook on the Ozone belt? Looking to relieve the rib squeeze on those long UW/DW’s.
Obvs have to be bloody careful not to stab your board, but damn that bridle loads up when you’re edging hard over big swell when lit.
Been using a wingfoil harness from ride engine because the ozone belt didnt feel good in the lower back area.
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I was thinking of that too. Ozone one doesn’t feel so great, especially without a thick wetsuit or if you’re overpowered.
Then just wear a rashguard and put it under your shirt rather than in the pouch? Could definitely work
The manera PW vest has a lot of support
Another option is just to sow a pouch to a rashie