Alright, There Are Quite a Few Questions About Gear 🤙
So, we decided to summarize some key points to help out. Of course, there are different methods and opinions on the subject.
What Does Our Gear Consist Of?
1. The Rig – Container
Height
Weight
American Standard – TSO
Examples: Vector, Mirage, Javelin, Firebirds, Icon, Wings...
2. Main Canopy
7-Cell Canopies
9-Cell Canopies
3. The Reserve Parachute
We wouldn’t want to take risks with the parachute we rely on as our last chance.
It’s essential to trust the reserve for its quality and longevity.
Most of the time, if a main canopy of a certain size fits, a reserve of the same size should also fit, and we will prefer a larger reserve than our main, because most of the times we will be opening lower and might land outside.
Maximum lifespan: 18–20 years
Reserve Openings(reserve card):
1 reserve repack will appear as a single line
reserve opening will appear as an X
If a reserve parachute has more than 3 deployments or 20 repack, its quality begins to decline. This is typically marked in squares on the packing card.
AAD - CYPRUS / VIGIL
Buying New Rig or Secondhand
Buying New Gear from Local Dealers
Rigs: FIREBIRD
Canopies: Skylark
Jumpsuits: INTRUDAIR
You can talk to them and get some guidance and explanations on what is more appropriate for your level
Don’t forget to factor in taxes and shipping costs. For more details:
Buying Secondhand Gear Locally Search for used gear within the local community.
Facebook Group: Skydiving Gear Buy & Sell
WhatsApp Groups: Includes general groups for skydivers and DZ-specific groups.
This option is cheaper and involves buying from people in the community, but the market is relatively small.
Buying Secondhand Gear from Abroad Look for gear in international Facebook groups. Search for “skydive” on Facebook, join all the relevant groups, and stay active.
Advantages: A larger market with a wide range of prices.
Disadvantages: Requires handling money transfers, shipping, and dealing with people you don’t know.
While Traveling or Through Someone Traveling Abroad You can order gear from an international store or find secondhand gear at a foreign club.
This is usually the cheapest, most reliable, and fastest option—if it’s available.
Measurements
Knowing your measurements can be useful, as if you were ordering a new rig. This can help you understand your size range when looking for secondhand gear.
It’s recommended to have someone experienced take your measurements. While measurement requirements can vary slightly between rig manufacturers, they’re generally similar.
Here’s a video example that explains the process and covers most of the key measurements you’ll need 🤟.
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