Venturing into the thrilling domain of skydiving? Your pulse quickens. Your stomach churns. Above all these, the last thing you should be fretting over is, ‘What should I wear while skydiving?’ This sour note of worry can easily be nixed, as this guide will lay down the essentials for donning the perfect skydiving outfit, ensuring safety, comfort, and a dash of style. Suiting up properly is instrumental to your overall skydiving experience, let’s explore why.
The Importance of the Right Attire for Skydiving
Exceptional skydiving experiences require more than just courage; the right attire plays a significant role too. Safety and comfort are paramount. Hence appropriately chosen attire becomes a crucial partner in the leap of faith. It reduces risks, ensures comfort and, importantly, significantly contributes to a world-class skydive. From temperature insulation to harness compliance, the right skydiving outfit helps prime your performance and optimize your free-falling experience.
What To Wear Skydiving: An Overview
Making the right skydiving wardrobe choices can influence both your comfort and safety in the air. Luckily most sky diving places will offer you a protective jumpsuit to wear over your clothing, but what you wear underneath matters too.
Think of practical, comfortable clothes that are not restrictive nor too large and baggy. In essence, it’s about creating a synergy between comfort and practicality- prompting an unforgettable skydiving adventure from take-off to landfall.
Is It OK to Wear Jeans Skydiving?
There has always been conflicting opinions about wearing jeans for skydiving. Some veteran skydivers don’t mind the firm fabric of denim while others argue about its restrictive nature. Let’s discuss the pros and cons.
On a positive note, being a thicker fabric, they can keep you warm during a cooler day. However, the downside of wearing jeans while skydiving is they can be quite restrictive and less flexible, which can limit your maneuverability in the air. The stiff material can also cause discomfort when harnessed up.
What NOT To Wear Skydiving
When it comes to skydiving, what you should not wear is just as crucial as what you should. Deciding to wear clothing that is not suitable can pose potential discomfort or even dangerous situations.
Clothing types you should avoid are anything too loose or baggy. This includes flowy dresses or skirts, baggy shirts or pants, and loose footwear like flip-flops. Baggy clothes can create difficulty when attaching the safety harness, and loose items could potentially fly off during free fall. Footwear like flip flops can easily come off during free fall or pose a danger during landing.
Shorts and Skydiving: Yay or Nay?
With the adrenaline pumping through your veins on a hot sunny day, one might wonder if it’s okay to skydive wearing shorts. Technically, yes, you can skydive wearing shorts. If the skydiving place you are using offers jumpsuits, then there is no risk to wearing shorts underneath. However, if you do not have a jumpsuit, it does come with certain risks and precautions.
While shorts offer more breathability, they lack protection for your legs. You might be prone to scrapes or bruises during your landing. So, if you choose to wear shorts, make sure they are sturdy, fit well, and does not interfere with your safety harness.
Skydiving Attire Tips & Recommendations
Getting your attire right can definitely enhance your skydiving experience. Here’s what we recommend.
Start with a comfortable-fitting t-shirt and pants. Preferably, choose a blend of cotton for breathability and elasticity for freedom of movement. Sports or athletic wear can be a great choice too. Pair your outfit with comfortable running shoes that provide good ankle support and stay secure on your feet.
Tackling Weather Conditions
Weather conditions significantly impact what you should wear during a skydiving adventure. Selecting the right apparel helps ensure a comfortable and safe experience, improving your overall enjoyment of skydiving. Appropriate clothing can also protect you from extreme weather conditions, rain, wind, sun, and the drastic drop in temperature experienced while freefalling.
Wardrobe choices should always consider the day’s weather forecast. If the sun is shining mercilessly, lightweight clothing that protects against harmful UV rays is recommended. For rain or cold weather, wearing water and wind-resistant outer layers can prove beneficial. The temperature drops significantly as you ascend, so layered clothing is advised regardless of ground temperatures.
Tips for Summer Skydiving Attire
In summer, opt for breathable clothing, like cotton t-shirts and shorts. Remember to apply sunscreen before you jump and consider wearing light-colored clothes to reflect sunlight. Sunglasses can protect your eyes but ensure they’re secure. Also, wear sports shoes that offer adequate support and comfort.
Tips for Winter Skydiving Attire
In winter, thermal undergarments, gloves, and hats become essential wardrobe inclusions. Multiple layers are beneficial as you can remove or add them according to changing weather conditions. Waterproof and wind-resistant outer garments along with sturdy shoes can protect against frostbites or extreme cold.
Can You Wear Glasses when You Go Skydiving?
Yes, you can wear glasses when skydiving. However, to prevent them from flying off during the freefall, you would be provided with large goggles that fit over your glasses comfortably. If you usually wear contacts, these are typically okay too — just make sure to let your instructor know.
We’ve covered a range of points on what to wear when skydiving, highlighting how weather conditions play a significant role in your clothing choices. Whether it’s sunshine-filled summer or a frosty winter day, appropriate attire can elevate your experience and provide crucial protection. We hope these tips enable you to dress suitably and ensure a safe, comfortable, and exhilarating skydiving adventure.
Share your skydiving experiences with us below! We’d love to hear about your daring dives and the outfits that made them memorable.
