torchbat11 0 #1 November 11, 2005 I just got my new merlin competition suit in today and i love it. I'm very impressed with how sturdy the construction. Can't wait to jump it this weekend and get it in arizona's tunnel for thanksgiving. Here are some pics of me flying it around my room and the halls. blue skies, rich Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GQ_jumper 4 #2 November 11, 2005 nice suit, but don't ever scare us again by naming a picture "full frontal!"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. --Dwight D. Eisenhower Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pr0ject42 0 #3 November 11, 2005 In the picture of you "belly on bed" your booties look a bit too long. I'd pay attention to how well they stay inflated while you're actually doing 4-way, instead of laying on a bed concentrating on keeping your toes pointed to the sky keeping them tight. Those were the exact colors of my first suit, and those booties were too long as well ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danger 0 #4 November 11, 2005 With the rig on and leg straps tightened the booties should be fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #5 November 11, 2005 I think most everybody builds suits with too loose booties. Look around the DZ - if you aren't walking funny..... Luckily, even with mega-booties it's an easy mod if you have the right machine. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elightle 8 #6 November 11, 2005 Rich, You'll get a boat load of advice in these forums and most of it is pretty accurate. The advice about tighter booties is one example. I'm a lightweight and for a long time thought tight booties were making me float. This year I improved my body position, tightened my booties (they should still be snugger), and was able to wear less lead (12 lbs as opposed to 17.5). I fly better and have more range vertically and horizontally. After I tightened the booties, I flew on the outside of a 73-way and, boy, did the more-responsive booties help. I stairstepped my way down to my slot, got level at 5 to 6 feet out and dropped the lower legs ever so slightly for that final move to my slot. Do I sound excited? All I'm saying is that Rehmwa is dead on. Learn to fly with snug booties. You'll have to keep your lower legs pointed up 90 degrees from your thighs but you'll have that extra kick when you need it for turning, moving forward, etc. Okay, enough from the "Ed Lightle" gallery. Congrats on the new suit! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torchbat11 0 #7 November 11, 2005 Thanks for the advice guys, they also look loose cuz i only have rainbow sandals on rather than my normal slip on vans. As well as the no rig thing. We will see how they look in the air on sunday. blue skies, rich Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bliston 0 #8 November 11, 2005 just make sure booties aren't so tight that you can't pull you feet to your ass while your arms are all the way streched in front of you. This will limit how agressive you can move backwards. BenMass Defiance 4-wayFS website sticks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torchbat11 0 #9 November 14, 2005 Jumped it this weekend and it was great I would highly recommend looking at merlin suits if you are in the market. The booties did great with real shoes, a good arch, and a rig on. It was a great time jumping (especially cuz i got to jump with dan/gq jumper, yeah you know you are jealous). blue skies, rich Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GQ_jumper 4 #10 November 14, 2005 my suit still looks better on me though!!History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. --Dwight D. Eisenhower Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nitrox100 0 #11 November 14, 2005 Quote In the picture of you "belly on bed" your booties look a bit too long. Quoting Airspeed advice on booties: With your jumpsuit on sit in a chair. Maintain a good posture with thighs to back at 90 degrees and lower legs to thighs at 90 degrees. In this position you should have slack in the booties when the feet are at rest. Pointing the toes to the max position should take the slack out of the bootie. If slack remains then bootie too long. Can't get toes fully pointed then too short. My only complaint about Merlin suits is they use too much spandex on the women's suits. They continue it down the back and along the leg to mid thigh. You crank some hard blocks on these and the leg spandex is ready to give out. They should build the women's and men's the same IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaLowestBird 0 #12 April 25, 2006 nice dorms......man I hated living in the dorms. Nice suit dudeConvo between my friend and his ex... Nick - "Chad talked me into skydiving." Her - "I thought you didn't like extreme sports" Nick - "Dating you WAS an extreme sport." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites