What to Wear Skydiving in Any Season: Your Guide
When gearing up for your first jump, it’s important to come prepared—not just mentally, but physically, and especially in terms of what to wear when skydiving. How you dress plays a critical role in both comfort and safety during your freefall, parachute ride, and landing.
How do you look cute when skydiving for all those photos and videos? Well, you dress for success! People look their best when they’re confident, and this happens when they’re comfortable, in this case, with their clothing choices.
Whether you’re jumping in warm, sunny conditions or braving the cooler months, this article will answer, What is the best thing to wear when skydiving? Let’s jump into how to dress for skydiving!
What To Wear For Skydiving: Spring & Summer
Spring and summer offer optimal skydiving weather with comfortable temps and sunny skies. So, do skydivers wear less clothing when it’s hot? Should you wear pants or shorts skydiving? What shoes are best? Ah! Decisions, decisions. We’ve got you!
The goal with all skydiving attire – no matter the season – is to provide comfort on the ground AND in the sky. When deciding what to wear skydiving in summer or in spring, consider lightweight, breathable clothing. Athletic wear is best. Bring layers so you’re comfortable throughout the day.
- Pants vs. shorts: We suggest pants, even in those warmer months. Wearing leggings or close-fitting pants is recommended. Why not shorts? Sometimes we slide in when we land! If you show up on jump day in a skydiving outfit that’s less than ideal – or you just really want to look the part – don’t worry, we can kit you out with a skydiving jumpsuit.
- Summertime footwear: Aren’t you supposed to let the dawgs breathe when it’s hot out? Not when you’re jumping out of a plane! The best shoes to wear skydiving are close-toed. Why? Safety! Banging a toe on the side of the plane or snagging it on the ground when you land is not awesome. Opt for shoes with laces to keep them extra snug during freefall.
What To Wear For Skydiving: Fall & Winter
Layers are your best friend when dressing for skydiving in the cold, but don’t take inspiration from Little Randy Parker in A Christmas Story! You need to have free range of motion in your arms and legs.
Although thick scarves and winter hats aren’t skydiving-friendly, there are several clothing and accessory options you can strategically select for fall and winter skydiving. Three of the most popular items for enjoyable skydiving in the cold are buffs, gloves, and long underwear.
- Buffs: Neck buffs – also called gaiters – are commonly used in skydiving during any season to keep your luscious locks out of your face and guard your hair from the breeze (or freeze!) of freefall. Buffs double as protection from the wind for your neck, forehead, and chin, making them essential in the winter.
- Gloves: Many skydivers opt to wear gloves year-round! It’s important to remember that we lose approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit for every 3,000 feet gained in altitude. This means, if we jump out of the plane at 13,500 feet, the temperature at that altitude will be about 40 degrees cooler than it is on the ground! Our bodies provide less blood flow to our fingertips, and wearing gloves prevents them flopping in the cold wind being potentially uncomfortable. In fact, as long as you have adequate dexterity, you can even double up on gloves.
- Long underwear: When skydiving in cooler weather, long-underwear (also called thermals, long johns, or general base layers) is a must for staying warm without compromising mobility. This under layer helps keep your body insulated and ensures that your temperature is the last thing on your mind during your skydive!
What NOT To Wear Skydiving
Want to know what not to do before skydiving? Dress for the ’gram and not in accordance with common sense! Calling out the wrong clothes to wear skydiving is important not only for comfort reasons, but also for safety reasons.
- Jewelry: Don’t wear anything you’d be sad about losing. If part of your daily attire is an heirloom necklace or some snazzy earrings, leave them on the ground. The wind is strong, and once something is whipped off at 13,500 feet, it’s 99.99% gone forever.
- Bulky clothing: Winter coats, puffer jackets and hoodies may be enticing – it’s chilly all the way up there – but they prohibit movement and may billow, getting in your tandem instructor’s way.
- No-no shoes: Open-toed shoes, sandals, slides, flip flops, boots, and heels are all major no-nos! Lace-up athletic shoes are the only way to go.
- Hats: The second your head pops outside of the airplane and into the glorious blue sky, that hat is toast!
Now that you know exactly what to wear for skydiving in any season, you’re all set to enjoy the thrill of freefall with comfort and safety at the forefront. Don’t forget to pack your essentials, layer up for cold weather, and avoid any items that might get in the way of your jump. If you’re ready to take the leap, don’t wait — book your tandem skydive today!