Buying Beginner's Gear

[imarquez 0]

I am just about to finish my AFF program and I am Really Looking Forward to buy own Gear. As far as I have seen, Skydiving Gear can be as Expensive as you want, that's why I would like to get the Best $-Performance, always having safety in Mind, considering I am a beginner.

Any "Container-Main-Reserve-ADD" suggestions?

I am 176.3 Lbs and 5.64'...Yes I know I am a little Heavy for my size¡¡¡I am working out so I might loose a couple of Lbs.

AFF Student

[skybytch 273]

There is a lot of good information and answers to your questions here.

Talk to your instructors about canopy sizing.

[tbrown 26]

Whatever you get, have it rigger inspected. Some people think I'm against old gear, but that's not true. My own rig is a second hand beauty I picked up at a great price.

The problem newbies have is that they don't know what to look for. Definitely read up on Lisa's articles, which are published here at this website. And don't scrimp on paying a rigger for a full inspection of any used gear before you buy.

If you only want to belly fly, you can get along with some very nice older "velcro" gear. BUT if you have any ideas about freeflying, you'll need freefly friendly gear, which basically means that the velcro has been replaced with stiffened tabs and slots to hold it together at the higher speeds of vertical freefall.

What newbies need to look out for is some unscrupulous tyoes who will try to sell real beater gear at a very low price, because they know they can't sell it to experienced jumpers who know what they're looking at.

So whatever you think you want to buy, send it to the rigger first. And if the rigger doesn't like it, walk away. Don't EVER think you have to buy anything. If you can just be patient, you will find a very nice rig that you'll be happy - and safe - with.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !