Proper Harness Fit????

[Ducky 0]

After months of window shopping i am FINALLY piecing my beer rig together and need some help.I am planning on buying mostly used and building a rig as I have had no luck finding a complete rig that suits me or is not overpriced...

I have an "odd" physical build I'm 5'11" but only 135lbs. I am worried about finding a harness/container that fits right. Seeing as how I have never worn one custom made for me I am not entirely sure how a correct fitting harness feels. I have 55 jumps all on rental gear. I have jumped a total of perhaps 10 different rigs. The most common problem I have is leg straps that are too long and actually intersect and even bunch up when i tighten them leaving miles of strap to tuck in. This is obviously due to my skinny legs. Chest straps that are too long don't seem to pose such a problem, but I have the feeling I am not noticing the ill fit because that problem is easier to cope with.

So what I am asking is how do I check the fit of a harness?? What should I look for? and Can legstraps be altered, not the actual strap but the padding that encloses it? It's tough to judge when your lookin at a rig someone wants to sell you and all they can say is "Yeah it fits Great".

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Kwak

[PhreeZone 20]

Honestly... your a rare exception to my get used first rule. I'm assuming you are getting something thats a 150 or so as a main so in all likely hood your stick with a 150-135 canopy for at least 300 or more jumps. In your case I'd look at ordering new to make sure you get a proper sized harness and container. If you go with something like a Javelin or Wings you can size the container to fit a wide range of canopies. (My Javelin J2 has held a 120-176 cleanly) This might be the only container you need for 500 jumps or so if you order it large enough to hold the largest canopy you want.

With Javelins you can for 1 size smaller almost always and sometimes 2 or 3 depending on your packing and how long of a closing loop you use. Wings are similar as are Reflex (I know Mirage, Vectors cant scale so much)

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[drenaline 0]

I have the same problem with the legstrap, they are to long, but hey it was cheap and it fits. I bought it 650$ with the reserve, can you find a better deal?

Measure your height, inseam and weight, send an email to the manufacturer you that makes the rig you want and ask what size of harness they recommend, or send email to every online gearstore there is, but remember to send the size of your height, inseam and weight.

HISPA 21
www.panamafreefall.com

[councilman24 37]

For most rigs, shorter leg strap pads can be ordered and installed easily by a local rigger. It's the pad that keeps you from tightening the leg strap. The excess length can be stowed. Don't have it cut off, it limits resale. As you said the chest stap isn't an issue because there isn't a pad to get in the way.

The issue that can't be as easily delt with is the length of the lower lateral band and or diagonals. This essentially mean the waist and chest size of the harness. A harness with the connections between the main lift web (front of harness) and the container, sometimes called the lower laterals, that is too long for you will allow the container to shift from side to side on your back. This can effect flying and potentially be dangerous in other ways. If you see a rig that your thinking about, call the manufacturer and see if the the lower laterals can be shortened. In some cases they can, in some they can't. Some older rigs had adjustable lower lateral bands. They may still be available on some student gear.

Also, depending on the canopy sizes you may end up with a rig that is wider than your body. This can be an issue in flying, not so much safety.

Summary, legstraps easy to fix (but maybe $100+). Waist size tougher.

This may be the one component that you want to buy new and custom but I know a lot of tall skinny skydivers. Should be able to find something.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[riggerrob 643]

Pick a main canopy that you can comfortably land NOW. Not 100 jumps down the road, but a main that you can land comfortably now.
Look for a reserve about the same size.
Third, search for a used container that was designed for canopies that size. Hint, volume numbers published by canopy manufacturers are almost useless. So stick with container manufacturer's recommendations.
Like the earlier poster said, leg pads that are too long are likely to be your biggest problem, but it s easy to mail order a smaller set. Or you could ask your local Master Rigger to cut down the old pair.
Resizing harnesses is also a job for a Master Rigger. Start by measuring yourself and filling out an order form (as if you were ordering a new harness). Fax the order form to the manufacturer, along with the the serial number of the used rig you are considering buying. They will tell you which straps have to be shortened by how much and tell you how much it will cost to have the harness re-sized at the factory.
Compare the factory quote with what your local Master Rigger will charge and then decide.
Most likely you will end up with shorter leg pads and shorter horizontal straps.
Good luck

[beemertec 0]

I am 5' 11" and about 140 -145 lbs. I can't say for other manufacturers but as far as the Javelin a C-16 or C-17 harness
seems to fit me very well. The C-17 also allows for me to put on a few lbs.
Hope this helps.

Blue Skies
Steve
Ok, so it's pink, but I'm secure in my manhood, and I still look cool coming in under it!

[Ducky 0]

Wow, very helpful so far to all! Yes i have tried a Javelin c-16 and it fit fairly well, but it was not a rig I want to own. It was older and needed some help.

I am looking at a Wings container '97 model "made for a guy 5'10 185" w-11. The price is right, but only problem is it fits a 150 -175 main where as I plan on starting with a 150 main. I don't see this as a huge dilema as I will probably purchase a new container before I ever downsize.

Most fo my 55 jumps have been on a 160 safire with balance mixed between hornet 190s and a few Sabre 150s. I feel comfy on the Sabre 150 and would have many more jumps on that size, but it's very uncommon to find canopies that size in rental gear. The jumps I have on one were a loner rig.

I have no desire to downsize quickly or even moderately. I have seen first hand the effects of flying beyond your abilities. The memories of that day stay with me in all that I do not just skydiving. I hate that life was lost, but I do my best to assure that it was not in vain. Yeah I get funny looks for razzing people about their canopy size with my low experience. If nothing else I put the bug in their ear and they can ask more "qualified" peeps.

kwak

Sometimes your the bug, sometimes your the windshield. Sometimes your the hammer sometimes your the nail. Question is Hun, Do you wanna get hammered or do you wanna get nailed?????

[HeatherB 0]

Hey Ducky - I sent you a PM. If you need anything just let me know!
blue skies,
Heather
Sunrise Rigging

[DZDale 0]

Ducky

How about buying some South African Gear, prices are great and you would probably end up paying the same for second hand gear as you would for brand new South African Gear. Check out the gear section for the Hornet Main, and Tempo Reserve. A very Good South African Container is the Vortex II made by a company called chute shop, I own one and the quality is great and the rig also looks great.
Check out http://www.icarus.co.za for prices. Note that prices are quoted in South African Rands.

Blue Skies
Dale

"The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival." - safe swoops -

MY DZ

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

Or stick with PISA for all three and get a TearDrop Superfly. I have one, and they're a excellent rig. A lot of riggers / reserve packers over here don't really like the Vortex II as there haev been quality control problems on them (reserve flaps etc).

____________________
Say no to subliminal messages

[dterrick 0]

Blue Skies Ducky!

I emailed Icarus for a quote on a brand new Hornet. I was shocked at the result considering every time I see something quoted in $USD I need to multiply by 1.6.

Here, a "decent" used Sabre will cost me just shy of $1500 and a new one nearly double that (remember we also pay higher income taxes than you 'mericans so we're starting to talk about some serious jump tickets lost here ... ... ... even for USED gear!

The Hornet... just shy of $1350, airmailed to my door, taxes and duty paid.

...what decision?

Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

[PhreeZone 20]

The TearDrop Superfly is not able to be jumped by Americans in America due to the TSO issues.... Only the Tempo is TSO'd in the states.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

Howcome? It's got the TSO cert in the manual and on the warning label.

____________________
Say no to subliminal messages

[riggerrob 643]

All the Teardrop Superflies that I have packed had TSO labels.
They were all made by Thomas Sports Equipment. Since PISA has built parachutes under TSO for many years, it would only make sense for them to sew TSO labels on to the Teardrops that they are now building.

[wmw999 2,452]

I was just enquiring of Manny at Icarus (a big retailer of SA gear) about the Teardrop. It's TSO'd in the US if it's a UK-built one (i.e. built by TSE). It's not TSO'd in the US if it's bought directly from PISA. The Vortex (also SA-built, by Chute Shop I think) is TSO'd in the US when bought from SA.
That's pretty much straight-from-the-horse's-mouth information. You know to know the provenance of the particular Teardrop before you can know if it's TSO'd.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)