Jumpsuits

As skydiving has gotten more expensive, this very important piece of skydiving kits is being skipped more and more. Don't. Dress for success.

While this section is geared towards belly suits, some concepts will apply to free-fly suits as well. Regardless of discipline, talk to your instructor about your fallrate to determine what suit is appropriate for you.

Used gear is great, but fit is quite important. Avoid used unless it is deeply discounted (< $200) as you may still need to get it adjusted to fit properly.

Fit

Ideally, you would want a suit that is fitted to your body. Excess/loose fabric, while adding drag, also "muddy"s your moves. You'll want a suit that lets you fly with others, in the middle of your fallrate. It is better to fall too slow and add a weight belt, than add drag. See fabrics for options to adjust fall-rate.

Booties

There are no downsides to booties - they simply increase your fall-rate range and ability to track. If for some reason you do not want to use your booties, you can always tuck them in.

Size

You should get the largest booties that the manufacturer provides. Bigger = more power & range. You'll want the bootie to start at the top of your knee, and the larger the size, the higher up that bootie will be.

Vents

Adding vents is not recommended for most skydivers, and especially not for newer jumpers. This option is typically reserved for videographers.

Ridges

Some manufacturers have the option to get ridges - two seams that run across the front of the bootie. These give you a channel of air between the two seams. You can also add bungees to go inside of these ridges, keep the bootie always tensioned/engaged.

On the one hand, people who add ridges to their suits say that they come with an additional learning curve, and it is true that there are specific things you can do differently with this newly added channel of air (speak to Joey Jones for more info about this). On the other hand, people who have multiple suits can go back and forth between the suits and notice no difference. You will even see teams with members in both camps.

If you have the extra cash to splash, go ahead and purchase these with the bungees. At the very least, they'll keep the toe of your bootie from dragging across the ground when you take them off.

When it comes to the foot, you have 3 options to close the bootie around your foot, and how you take off the bootie under canopy. Most manufacturers only offer 1 or 2 to pick from.

Zippers vs. Bungee vs. Elastic

WIP

Grippers

You should always get the largest available, as well as grippers on both the inside and outside of your legs.

Inside-Leg Grippers

You should always get these. Thank me later, when you have to dock on someone without them.

Elastic Grippers

You should never get these. Some manufacturers offer elastic grippers - grippers with the center portion being spandex instead. The marketing gimmick for these is that it allows you to really get your fingers deep in the pocket. These are always tried by different manufacturers and never see any adoption. You want the gripper to be a rigid extension of the jumper's suit, so it's responsive, rather than a gripper that gives and isn't as rigidly attached.

Short Sleeves

WIP (I want to try short sleeves before making a recommendation)

Single vs. Double Arm Grippers

You will occasionally come across jumpsuits that have 2 sets of parallel arm grippers. The argument is that they are for exits, but in practice, there are top teams with single grippers and still exit every formation in the competitive pool.

I personally don't like double grippers. Perhaps this is due to me being more of a mid-level competitor, but if I instinctively reach for grips, occasionally I'll end up with both grippers in hand. It's not problematic, just not solid. On the other hand, I will be trying them on my next suit, and they are more aesthetic, so I may reconsider.

Gripper Material

WIP. The insides of grippers, surprisingly, vary significantly between manufacturers. This also affects how you dry them after washing.

Fabrics

Porosity of the fabric influences fall rate. Thicker/less porous fabric will fall slower.

Regardless of which suit you purchase, if buying new, make sure to get areas of high wear reinforced with Cordura (a strong, thick material). For most, this would mean on the butt (from sitting and landings), and knees (from kneeling, especially when putting on booties on a hard floor).

Layering

If you want a slower suit, some manufactures can add a second layer of fabric. Just be aware that the thicker/slower the fabric => the less porous => the more heat is trapped.

Inside/Outside Mesh Lining

WIP, but so far I have to see any negative feedback on either the inner or outer layer. While it is a premium option, a soft interior mesh will keep the hot, outer layer away from your skin.

Pockets

Arm Pocket

I would recommend at least one small exterior zipper pocket to easily store your earplugs.

Inside Chest Pocket

Great place for your phone and cannula.

Altimeter Window

I've never personally liked the look, positioning, and how they wear over time, but they are a common option. The only pro is that it is one less thing to worry about when gearing up.

Hook Knife Pocket

Not a fan. I prefer my hook knives on my rig. The look is odd, and depending on placement, it is something you can snag/lose on the tunnel net.

Leg Pocket (Front, Upper Thigh)

Not only do you rarely ever want anything bulky in this pocket, because it's in a very tensioned area, it's hard to actually get things out of. I'd probably only store a cannula here.

RDS Pocket

WIP, as I have yet to see these in the wild, but an elastic pocket on the back of your leg seems like it would be convenient.

Other options

Shoulder Pads

WIP, since I have yet to see these in the wild, but the goal is to add padding where the rig is carried.

Knee Pads

WIP, since I have yet to see these in a built-into a suit, and I am not aware of potential downsides (perhaps in bootie feel/strength, since the knee is the origin point of the bootie). Otherwise, these would be desirable for tunnel-flight, plus normal knee pads make your knees sweaty.

"Grippier" Sleeves

Can't imagine a real use case for these.

“Swoop” cords

These can be used to further increase drag on a loose belly suit. A cord with a thumb loop comes down your sleeves, and when engaged, will increase surface area by making your loose arm fabric rigid. This is typically used only by older, heavier jumpers.

Similar to a wingsuit, these do require some skill, as an added rigid wing can cause you to become unstable if not controlled.

FAQ

Why don't they make zip-on grippers?

Zippers cannot take the constant heavy pulling used for some of the piece-partner moves. Neither are they as rigidly attached as those that are sown on, and therefore don't "feel" as good to use. You can fly all static formations (aka randoms), as well as some block moves, without grippers. Its just something you really should get though.

First of all, you don't need grippers to fly belly

Why does everyone wear all black?

Competitors at the highest level prefer all black jumpsuits and black grippers (with a pinstripe going through them), as they will wear white gloves. The stark contrast of white on black is for judges to easily confirm valid grip taking.

If you're reading this article, then please get some color. You (and others) will appreciate as it helps make you recognizable in pictures, videos, and in the air.

Manufacturers

Budget

Pro ($$$)

Lesser-known

Discontinued