Once you’ve moved beyond the basics of skydiving, it’s time to think about upgrading your gear to match your advanced skills. The right equipment can make a significant difference in your performance, safety, and overall experience when you’re pushing the limits in the air. Advanced skydiving gear is designed to offer enhanced control, durability, and comfort, enabling jumpers to perform complex maneuvers and jump with confidence. Let’s explore the characteristics of gear tailored for seasoned skydivers and how to choose the best setup for your needs.
Characteristics of Gear Suited for Advanced Skydivers
Gear designed for advanced jumpers is typically more specialized and performance-oriented than beginner or intermediate setups. The focus is on precision, durability, and adaptability to various jump types. Advanced gear often features lightweight materials, streamlined designs, and custom options that allow a jumper to optimize their equipment for speed, agility, or stability depending on the jump.
Another essential characteristic is enhanced safety features that support complex freefall maneuvers and less predictable canopy flights. The equipment must withstand more stress and provide consistent reliability. This includes higher quality hardware, reinforced stitching, and improved deployment systems that minimize the chance of malfunctions.
High-Performance Main Parachutes
The main parachute is arguably the most critical piece of equipment for any skydiver, but advanced jumpers usually opt for high-performance canopies that allow for more control and quicker responses. These parachutes offer better glide ratios, faster turn rates, and more predictable openings, which are vital during intricate formations or swooping landings.
Many advanced canopies are made from lightweight, high-tenacity nylon or other specialized materials that reduce drag while maintaining strength. Additionally, advanced jumpers may choose canopies with smaller square footage for increased speed and enhanced maneuverability, though this requires excellent canopy handling skills to ensure safe landings.
When selecting a high-performance main parachute, consider your jumping goals—whether it’s distance, speed, or precision landing—and seek advice from experienced jumpers or instructors who understand which canopies excel in those areas.
Advanced Altimeters and Technology
Precision timing is everything in skydiving, and advanced jumpers benefit greatly from using sophisticated altimeters and technology to track their altitude and rate of descent accurately. Modern altimeters come in digital and audible forms, with some even integrating heads-up displays within helmets or wearable devices.
Advanced altimeters often provide multiple modes to suit different jump types—freefall tracking, canopy deployment alerts, and automatic logging of jump data. Models with audible alarms are especially useful to remind jumpers of deployment altitude milestones without requiring them to look away from the sky.
In addition to altimeters, GPS tracking devices and jump watches can help with navigation, logging, and post-jump analysis. Using these technologies allows you to refine your performance over time and plan your jumps more effectively.
Container and Harness Upgrades
For serious skydivers, upgrading your container and harness can improve comfort, durability, and safety significantly. Advanced containers are streamlined, made from heavier-duty materials, and often feature lightweight components to reduce overall bulk without sacrificing strength.
Customization options include modular containers that allow easy adjustments or component replacements, as well as designs tailored to specific jump styles—such as wingsuiting or canopy relative work (CRW). Improved harness systems provide better load distribution, which reduces fatigue and increases focus during the jump.
Many advanced skydivers also seek containers with enhanced reserve compartments and better deployment systems, such as pull-out pins or spring-loaded pilots’ chutes, contributing to quicker and more reliable reserve parachute deployments.
Specialized Helmets and Communication Devices
Safety and communication are paramount in advanced skydiving disciplines. Helmets built for high-speed or formation skydiving provide aerodynamic profiles along with impact protection. Common types include full-face helmets and tunnel helmets equipped with audio compatibility for communication devices.
Communication devices designed for skydiving allow jumpers to stay in touch with each other during freefall or canopy flight, which is crucial for team jumps or coaching scenarios. These devices can transmit real-time instructions, help coordinate formations, or alert others in case of emergencies.
When choosing a helmet and communication system, look for gear that integrates smoothly, offers clear sound quality, and is comfortable during long jump days. Some helmets also come with mounts for cameras, providing an additional way to analyze your performance.
Clothing and Jumpsuits for Higher Speeds and Formations
Your outfit is more than just style—it directly impacts your aerodynamics and comfort. Advanced skydivers wear jumpsuits designed for specific disciplines, such as tracking, formation skydiving, or wingsuiting. These suits feature specialized fabrics and cuts that reduce drag and enhance body control in freefall.
For example, tracking jumpsuits have wings between the arms and legs to increase surface area and glide distance, while formation suits prioritize stability and grip. Material choice also matters—breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics keep jumper comfort high during long, active jump days.
Additionally, reinforced panels and padding in critical areas improve durability against the rigors of repeated jumps, while custom tailoring ensures the best fit for your body type, contributing to optimal flight precision.
Tips for Choosing Equipment Based on Jump Type
The type of jump you plan to do influences what gear upgrades make the most sense. Here are some general suggestions:
- Formation Skydiving: Prioritize stable, easy-to-handle canopies and suits that promote grip and aerodynamic stability. Consider helmets with communication capabilities for team coordination.
- Swooping and Canopy Racing: Opt for fast, high-performance main canopies with excellent glide ratios. Your container and harness should support rapid, precise control inputs, and your suit should reduce drag.
- Wingsuit Flying: Look for lightweight, aerodynamic containers and harnesses that interface well with specialized wingsuits. Full-face helmets and communication devices are essential for safety.
- High-Altitude or Technical Jumps: Advanced altimeters with multiple modes and reliable reserve systems are critical. Consider suits designed for thermal regulation at altitude.
Consider consulting with coaches or experienced jumpers who specialize in your chosen discipline to get tailored recommendations.
Maintenance Considerations for Advanced Gear
Advanced skydiving gear requires diligent maintenance to ensure longevity and safety. Routine inspections of all equipment components—especially containers, harnesses, parachutes, and hardware—are non-negotiable. Look for wear and tear such as fraying seams, damaged hardware, or compromised fabric.
Proper packing and storage play significant roles in gear preservation. For example, high-performance canopies should be packed carefully following manufacturer recommendations to avoid damaging suspension lines or fabric integrity. Altimeters and electronic devices need battery checks and firmware updates regularly.
If you’re unsure about any maintenance procedures, seek advice or service from certified riggers and gear specialists. Keeping a maintenance log can also help track servicing schedules and repairs.
Elevate Your Skydiving with the Right Gear
As an advanced skydiver, your gear is an extension of your skills and safety on each jump. Upgrading to specialized equipment tailored to your style and goals unlocks new levels of performance, precision, and fun in the sky. Whether it’s a high-performance canopy that responds instantly to your control inputs, a state-of-the-art altimeter that keeps you perfectly timed, or a custom jumpsuit that enhances every movement, investing in quality gear pays off in every jump.
Take the time to research, try out, and carefully select equipment that matches your discipline and ambitions. With the right setup, you’ll be better equipped to take on challenging jumps, push your limits safely, and continue enjoying the exhilarating world of advanced skydiving.
