Lightweight 0-3cfm cloth has changed sport parachuting. By applying it to certain sections of the canopy, or combining it with a zero-porosity leading edge, a well-designed lightweight canopy offers similar longevity to standard weight options when cared for appropriately. Ultralight cloth is not recommended for jumpers who are frequently landing in sandy, dirty, or brushy locations. If you primarily jump in the US Southwest, for instance, then you will need to take extra care of your canopy. Dirt and sand that works its way into the parachute will accelerate ageing as it grinds into the cloth’s coating. Moisture is also contra-indicated, so if you are planning a bunch of water landings then we don’t recommend the light option.

Lightweight cloth is significantly more expensive than standard weight 0-3cfm, and Porcher Sport offers the highest price material. Due to the volumes at which we purchase cloth in this spec, and the fact that we see it as a real benefit and performance upgrade, we are offer the OUTLAW LITE at virtually the same price as the OUTLAW standard.

Currently there are four major manufacturers of lightweight 0-3cfm cloth. Lightweight 0-3cfm cloth was originally developed by Porcher Sport of France for use in paragliding reserves. It was adopted by parachute manufacturers soon after and has been used with great success by a variety of brands since then. In cooperation with Ozone paragliders, which purchases this light/low-bulk cloth in large quantities, we have tested material from all major manufacturers. At this time the Porcher PN9’s performance in terms of mechanical stability, porosity, weight, and pack volume, is the best available. Not all “lightweight” cloth is created equal. Before considering a lightweight parachute design, ask the manufacturer what cloth is used. We are continually evaluating cloth options on the market to ensure that we are offering the best.

The OUTLAW's leading edge design was chosen for its balance of inflation speed and efficiency. By extending the top surface more into the leading edge, we increased the OUTLAW’s efficiency and performance at trim speed and deep brakes. We also extended the bottom surface into the leading edge in order to place the A-line attachment points as far forward as possible, to increase pitch stability. This would otherwise reduce nose opening size, so in order to maintain excellent nose-inflation during the opening sequence, five mini-vents were added to the A-chord line. This gives us the best of both worlds: a performance nose design, with rapid inflation and high stability. It adds up to increased pitch stability during inflation, canopy flight, and landing.

Inspired by a paraglider design, this key innovation allows low stall speeds and forgiving slow-speed characteristics. The OUTLAW excels in steep approaches using deep brakes. Spanwise tension in the canopy and a 3D-shaped differential cut between the top and bottom surfaces keep the Float-Flaps closed while the canopy is in trim flight, meaning that the OUTLAW's glide performance is not compromised. With brakes applied, profile camber increases progressively and opens the Float-Flaps, allowing some air to escape and add laminar airflow to the top surface of the canopy in the location that stall begins. This airflow stabilizes turbulence over the top surface and provides a smooth transition to deep-brakes for a steep approach with a low sink rate. The OUTLAW's forward speed can be greatly reduced to a stable deep-brakes configuration.

First introduced to BASE canopies on the Atair OSP, the slat system helps to increase airflow over the top surface of the canopy. The Float-Flap system provides a more direct feed to the critical area of the top surface while in deep brakes, and the Outlaw's single center cell slat encourages flow at the center span. In combination, the Float-Flaps and Center Cell Slat create the best deep-brake behavior of any BASE canopy.

ZP leading edges increase glide performance, opening performance, and sail longevity. The OUTLAW is the only BASE canopy with an ellipsed ZP leading edge, which positions more ZP where it is needed most, at the center span, and just enough outboard ZP to ensure performance. This design encourages priority center-span inflation for heading performance, and the cleanest most efficient airflow possible at center-span for glide and flare performance. A ZP leading edge is especially important in canopies made from ultra-light / low-bulk material, which degrades faster than traditional 0-3cfm cloth. Porosity at the leading edge is a crucial factor for glide and flare performance. Ultra-light cloth is too porous for use at the leading edge of a BASE canopy (or any main parachute, in our opinion).

The OUTLAW's unique upper brake cascade is constructed without loop to loop junctions. Finger-trapped lines allow a more consistent flex and prevent the acute-angle "kinks" that can lead to tension knots in the brake cascade. The benefits of the OUTLAW's smooth brake fan are apparent when stowing the lines – the brake line junction curves more smoothly in concert with the rest of your lines, reducing the chances of tension knots. A positive side effect of this design feature is a reduced spacing between upper brake lines, reducing the potential severity of line-over malfunctions. Always use a tailgate, slider-gate, or tail-restricting device in conjunction with packing methods that properly stage tail expansion. Redundancy is the key to reliability.

The OUTLAW's profile is based on more than a decade of paraglider research and development combined with the BASE experience of the Squirrel team. Our testing has shown that even in the thicker profiles that we use for low aspect ratio BASE canopies, small improvements lead to significant performance differences during all aspects of flight. The OUTLAW profile was chosen for its consistently pitch-stable behavior, dependable glide performance, and excellent slow-speed characteristics.

The OUTLAW features a varied crossport design to maximise spanwise airflow while retaining structural longevity. Unloaded and loaded rib crossports were designed using a load-calculation algorithm. Unloaded ribs feature larger crossport size overall, while loaded rib crossports are concentrated in the ideal locations for load and top-surface cleanliness. This optimization means that The OUTLAW benefits from unsurpassed air circulation inside the canopy, leading to progressive and homogenous openings with a compact and coordinated feel in flight and during flare.