FINSTERWALDER Paralock 3
€84.00*
Delivery time: DE 1-3 working days, EU 3-10 working days
The next generation paragliding carabiner with extra safety in dangerous situations: Its quick-release function makes it possible to prevent dangerous interactions between the reserve and the paraglider, is useful in high wind conditions on the ground and and can prevent death by drowning in the event of an emergency water landing.
Since spring 2025, the Paralock 3 has been equipped with a line guard and may only be operated in double-secured mode for both mono and private tandem use. This only delays the release functionality by a few seconds.
The Paralock 3 is easy to use, but a safety check is always essential when attaching the risers to the carabiners.
With the Paralock 3, the securing pin can be actuated when the release lever is open and the check has not been carried out, which keeps the lock in the open position.
Because of this potential operating error, the Paralock 3 is not permitted for commercial tandem use.
The successor model, the Paralock 4, is expected to launch in 2027. Its design eliminates the possibility of operating errors, and handling has been further improved. When it is released, we will offer owners of older Paralock models a favourable exchange deal.
Unlike conventional paragliding carabiners, the Lock of the Paralock is form-fit, so the dynamic stress relevant to material fatigue in flight is only a fraction.
The Paralock has survived the fatigue test of 2,000 load changes at 525 daN top load and then 5 million load changes at 240.5 daN at an accredited materials testing institute without damage. This is equivalent to 5 years with unlimited flight hours for a take-off weight of up to 240 DaN (e.g. tandem, HG, UL). The maximum recommended service life for mono paragliding use is 8 years, with no risk of material fatigue even with extended use.
- Helpful in emergency situations, as the connection can be released under load
- Long service life without the problems of material fatigue
- Intuitive and safe operation with additional blocking option
- Easy and twist-free installation on almost any harness
- No need to carry a crosscut knife.
- 2.800 daN breaking load at only 75 g weight
Breaking load: 2,800 daN
Inner height: 44 mm
Weight: 75 g
Replacement interval: 8 years (mono) / 5 years (tandem & hang glider), unlimited flight hours
Manufacturer information: Finsterwalder GmbH, Pagodenburgstr. 8, 81247 Munich, GERMANY, office@finsterwalder-charly.de
- According to LTF, the maximum allowed sink rate for paragliding rescue systems is 6.8 m/s, corresponding to 24.5 km/h. However, many pilots are not aware that in the reserve parachute certification process, the sink rate is determined without the paraglider. Interactions between paraglider and rescue system can increase the sink rate substantially – for example, by increased swinging or due to a resulting shear position. The risk of injury increases accordingly.
- Although modern reserve parachutes usually reach maximum sink rates of "only" 5.5 m/s, corresponding to approx. 20 km/h, these values are often only achieved by a lateral drift that generates lift. A paraglider that is not separated or only separated on one side impedes this drift and thus substantially increases the sink rate.
- The possibility to choose the landing site with a steerable rescue system is a significant safety plus. If the main glider is not separated, this safety advantage is foregone.
- It has shown that a separated paraglider usually collapses very quickly, which makes its later recovery easier. In the case of a tree landing, there is also a much lower risk of damage to the glider when it does not carry the full pilot weight.
- Dangerous downplane situations after an emergency parachute deployment, as shown in this video, can be avoided.
Frequently bought together
