Ozone F*Race 2: A Serious Ultralight Harness

Unpacking It: What You Get and What You Notice

The F*Race 2 makes its philosophy clear the moment you handle it. Ozone has stripped away anything that doesn't earn its place, resulting in a harness that feels purposeful rather than bare. This is not a competition envelope harness — the geometry follows a conventional layout, which means it's approachable for pilots who haven't flown a dedicated race pod before.

• Ultralight construction focused on removing mass, not features
• Standard harness geometry — accessible for a wide range of pilots
• Compact inflation pump included in the package

The pump is surprisingly small, yet it does the job effectively, capable of bringing the protector to a firm, rock-solid pressure. Where you choose to carry it is flexible, and there's a dedicated internal pocket for small essentials. Access to the inflatable protector is from the rear, which keeps the overall aesthetic clean and the setup uncluttered.

Protector System

Ozone has equipped the F*Race 2 with a rear-entry inflation system that includes a dump valve — a combination that allows both faster inflation before launch and quicker deflation once you're down. This isn't a novel concept, but the implementation here is genuinely good.

An in-flight inflation tube is also routed and accessible from the cockpit position. This lets you top up pressure if you notice any loss during flight, or speed up deflation post-landing without having to dig into the harness packaging. It's a thoughtful touch that makes a real difference on longer flying days.

Flight Deck, Cockpit, and Pockets

The reserve container sits at the front and doubles as the structural base for the flight deck. For pilots who want to fly extremely light, the flight deck can be detached entirely. Behind it, there's a practical rear pocket — sized well for a battery pack or compact accessories.

The chest pocket is another standout: genuinely accessible while flying, not just a token inclusion. The flight deck itself is on the softer side, which limits how suitable it is for heavier or bulkier electronics. Treat it as a platform for maps, light instruments, or a phone, and it performs well.

Soft Carabiners

Soft textile carabiners are fitted as standard. They save meaningful weight compared to aluminium equivalents and hold securely once set up correctly, but they do demand more patience during rigging. Threading them properly and getting them seated into the elastic retention sleeve takes longer than clipping a conventional karabiner.

Once rigged, there's nothing to worry about — but pilots who pre-rig the night before or work quickly at launch will notice the extra steps.

The Optional Backpack

The rucksack is sold separately and doesn't come in the box. That said, it's very clearly engineered specifically for this harness — not adapted from an existing design — and the pairing works exceptionally well.

• Generous internal volume for its compact exterior
• Thoughtful internal organisation for pilots carrying full kit
• Comfortable enough to wear on extended hike-and-fly approaches

Ozone considers this among the best rucksacks they've produced, and it does feel like a complete system rather than a separate product. If you're buying the F*Race 2 for hike-and-fly or vol-biv use, adding the bag is worth doing.

In the Air: Ergonomics and Aerodynamics

The tail fairing runs noticeably longer than what you'd find on a standard recreational harness. It stops short of full submarine territory, but it's clearly angled toward improving aerodynamic drag reduction while keeping handling manageable. Airflow reaches the tail section through side channels — one on each side — which means the fairing begins inflating during the takeoff run rather than relying on a sealed envelope that needs to be fully pressurised before launch.

Ground adjustment is quick and logical. Lengthening or shortening the system requires no special knowledge and can be done in moments before a flight.

What Extended Testing Revealed

After flying the F*Race 2 across several months and pairing it with more than twelve different wings, a clear picture emerges. The harness earns its place at the top of Ozone's lineup — not through any single impressive specification, but through the combination of attributes that pilots actually care about in the field.

The structural solution Ozone has found here is particularly notable. A Dyneema load-spreading web combined with two longitudinal stiffening rods in the backplate eliminates the soft, imprecise feel that plagues many ultralight pod harnesses. The result is a harness that transmits pitch and roll feedback cleanly, without the sensation of sitting in a bag. Even after several consecutive hours airborne, support remains consistent and fatigue-free.

Recline range is wide, and the ABS stability system allows real-time fine-tuning in flight — useful when adapting to different conditions or switching between wings with different speed ranges and handling characteristics.

Protection coverage is among the strongest available in this weight category. Storage, while not lavish, exceeds what you'd expect from a race-oriented design. Together, these qualities make the F*Race 2 a legitimate option for vol-biv use, not just XC or competition flights.

Strengths

• Exceptional weight-to-performance ratio
• Inflation system with dump valve and in-flight top-up access
• Structurally rigid despite low overall mass
• Clean layout with practical, usable storage
• ABS system for in-flight stability tuning
• Outstanding optional backpack — feels like a matched system

Limitations

• Soft carabiners are time-consuming to rig correctly
• Flight deck not well suited to heavy electronics
• Pump storage may not suit every pilot's preference
• Backpack is an additional cost — not included as standard

Expert Note

The manual quotes a reserve compartment capacity of 3–5 litres. Real-world testing across a wide range of reserve parachutes puts the practical comfortable limit closer to 3–4 litres. If your reserve sits toward the larger end of that range, check compatibility carefully before committing to the purchase.

Verdict

The Ozone F*Race 2 occupies a well-defined and genuinely useful space: too purposeful to call a touring harness, but too practical and versatile to be considered purely a competition tool. It targets pilots who want to fly efficiently over distance without accepting the setup complexity or learning curve of a full race pod.

The structural engineering is the headline achievement — Ozone has solved the rigidity problem without adding meaningful weight, and the result is a harness that handles with precision and remains comfortable across long flying days. Add best-in-class inflatable protection and a surprisingly usable storage layout, and the F*Race 2 stands as Ozone's most accomplished harness to date. Highly recommended for pilots ready to step up their efficiency without stepping away from practicality.