Equipment Guide

Everything you need to understand about the gear that keeps you safe in the sky. Always consult your instructor, coach, or rigger before purchasing gear — this guide is a starting point, not a replacement for expert advice.

Container (Harness/Container System)

The container, also known as the harness/container system or simply the rig, is the backpack that holds your main and reserve canopies, the AAD, and connects everything to your body. It is arguably the most important piece of equipment you own.

Choosing the right container depends on your body measurements, the canopy sizes you plan to fly, your experience level and other factors. Before you buy, talk to your Instructor or Rigger in all cases.

Manufacturers

United Parachute Technologies (UPT)

Manufactures the legendary Vector series. The Vector 3 and Micron have been industry standards for decades. Known for exceptional build quality and the invention of the 3-Ring-System.

Sun Path

Maker of the Javelin series, one of the most popular container systems worldwide. A common choice for experienced jumpers.

Aerodyne

Builds the Icon container system. Modern, clean design with emphasis on safety features and ease of packing.

Velocity Rigs

Manufactures the Infinity container. Widely respected for great quality and good fit thanks to their 'floating laterals' design.

SWS

Ukrainian manufacturer producing great quality rigs at cheaper prices. Buying new makes sense due to sizing importance. Note: may have TSO issues in the US.

Main Canopy

The main canopy is the parachute you deploy on every jump. Beginners start with larger, more docile canopies (190-230 sq ft) and progress to smaller, more responsive wings with experience and canopy education.

The most important metric is wing loading (canopy size vs total weight). Use the Wing Load Calculator to find yours and see recommended canopies.

Types

Beginner

Student / Beginner

Large, gentle openings, forgiving. Low wing loading.

Intermediate

Mid-size, responsive. 100+ jumps with canopy coaching.

Advanced

High Performance

Small, elliptical. Significant experience required.

Expert

Cross-Braced

Competition swooping. Expert-level skills only.

Manufacturers

JYRO

Based in New Zealand, formerly Icarus Canopies. Arguably the choice of many world's best canopy pilots. Known for amazing openings. Check their 'preloved' section for deals on barely used canopies.

Performance Designs (PD)

Largest parachute manufacturer in the world. Covers every level from Navigator/Pulse to Sabre3/Katana to Valkyrie/Peregrine. The standard in parachute design for decades.

Aerodyne

The Pilot is extremely popular for newer jumpers. The Zulu is a powerful nine-cell for experienced pilots. Known for reliable openings.

Fluid Wings

Newer manufacturer with a strong fanbase in canopy piloting. Cross-braced designs for advanced pilots and competition swooping.

Icarus World

Based in Spain, emerged from the Icarus split with JYRO. Produces the S-Fire and X-Fire in different classes.

Skylark

Ukrainian manufacturer. The Magellan is an intermediate alternative to Safire/Sabre. Significantly cheaper, very positive feedback. May be harder to resell.

Reserve Canopy

The reserve canopy is your emergency parachute, packed by a certified rigger. Must be repacked every 180 days (FAA) or 360 days (most of Europe). Its only job is to get you to the ground safely.

Never get a reserve smaller than your main. Many experts recommend not smaller than ~130 sq ft, as in case of unconsciousness and AAD fire, a too-small reserve may still be fatal.

Manufacturers

Performance Designs (PD)

The PD Reserve and Optimum. The Optimum is low-bulk, packing smaller than traditional reserves of the same size. PD reserves are the most widely used.

Paratec

The Paratec Speed is known for an extremely low-bulk design, reportedly the smallest-packing reserve. Be aware of the maximum weight limits.

Aerodyne

The Smart reserve series. Known for reliable openings and good overall performance across a range of sizes.

AAD (Automatic Activation Device)

An AAD automatically deploys your reserve if you pass through a preset altitude at freefall speed. It is a last-resort safety device that has saved thousands of lives. Most dropzones require one for all jumpers.

Multiple versions exist for different disciplines: Student, Expert, Tandem, Canopy Piloting, and Wingsuit.

Manufacturers

CYPRES (Airtec)

Inventor of the modern AAD and the most widely used worldwide. Industry standard for years. The only manufacturer using precision-blade cutters for maximal safety.

Vigil (AAD)

Manufactured in Belgium. Known for long battery life and straightforward operation. Available in Standard, Tandem, and Student versions. Very popular.

Mars (M2)

Slovenian manufacturer. Modern electronics, competitive price, gaining market share. Approved worldwide.

Helmet

A helmet protects your head during all phases of a skydive. Beyond impact protection, helmets reduce wind noise, provide mounting points for audible altimeters, and some feature camera mounts.

Types

Full-Face

Maximum protection and wind noise reduction. Standard for tunnel and most outdoor disciplines.

Open-Face

Lightweight, wider vision. Often used by students, angle flyers, and camera flyers.

Camera Helmets

Specialized mounts for large cameras. Integrated cutaway systems for professional camera work.

Manufacturers

Tonfly

European manufacturer. The TFX is a top impact-rated carbon fibre full-face with flip-up chin bar. The 2X and 2.5X are famous for stylish open-face camera helmets.

Skyhelmets

Premium carbon-fiber full-face. Most popular helmet for indoor skydiving worldwide. Lighter than TFX but less noise-reducing.

Cookie Composites

Market leader in skydiving helmets. The G4 is the flagship full-face, the G35 is gaining popularity, the M3 is open-face, and the Fuel is for camera.

Altimeter

Altimeters tell you your altitude — critical for knowing when to pull, break off, and execute emergency procedures. Most jumpers use a visual altimeter plus one or more audible altimeters for redundancy.

Types

Digital Visual

Number on screen, often with logbook and speed. More exact than analog. Wrist or chest-mounted.

Analog Visual

Needle and dial. Intuitive at-a-glance altitude sense without reading numbers.

Audible

Inside the helmet, tones/voice at preset altitudes. Essential for freefly, wingsuit, and formations.

Manufacturers

Alti-2

American manufacturer. Juno II digital altimeter with high reliability. Atlas II with advanced features including logbook and audible functions.

L&B (Larsen & Brusgaard)

Danish company. Viso II+ and Ares II digital altimeters, plus multiple audibles. Known for great customer support.

AON2

UK-based. The Brilliant Pebbles is a popular budget-friendly audible. Also produces visual altimeters.

VOG

The most famous speaking audible altimeter. Voice announces altitude for maximum awareness vs beep sounds.

AirlogOne

German startup. GPS-powered visual/audible altimeters with innovative data tracking beyond even pure GPS trackers.

Clothing

What you wear affects your fall rate, body position, and comfort. Jumpsuits are designed for specific disciplines.

Types

Freefly Suits

Tight-fitting for head-down, head-up, angle. Minimize drag for precise control.

FS (Belly) Suits

Baggier with booties and grippers for belly formations.

Swooppants

Rigid 3/4 length for sliding landings. Reinforced knees/rear.

Camera Suits

Designed for camera flyers with pockets and mount compatibility.

Tunnel Suits

Long-sleeve, durable materials for indoor flying. Reinforced grip areas.

Manufacturers

Option Gravity

Swiss manufacturer. High-quality skydiving apparel for all disciplines. Impressive style and quality.

Tonfly

Freefly and all-around jumpsuits alongside their helmet line. Quality materials, durable, modern fit. Popular with freeflyers.

Intrudair

Hungarian manufacturer. Leading name in apparel, wingsuits, and tracksuits.

Parasport

Italian producer. Especially known for their swooppants.

Content adapted from Skydive Nation. Always consult your instructor or rigger before purchasing gear.