Your Equipment, Explained
Skydiving gear is purpose-built, life-saving equipment. Understanding what each piece does, how it works, and who makes it is fundamental to your progression in the sport. This guide covers every major equipment category, from the essentials every jumper needs to specialized tools for advanced disciplines.
This guide covers the core equipment categories that every skydiver needs: containers, canopies, reserves, AADs, helmets, altimeters, and clothing.
Always consult your instructor, coach, or rigger before purchasing gear. Proper sizing, compatibility, and condition are critical, and getting these wrong can create real safety issues. This guide is a starting point for your research, not a replacement for expert advice.
Buying gear from a popular manufacturer and in popular sizes and variants will also make it significantly easier for you to sell it later. Note that we show a selection of manufacturers that we consider relevant due to their popularity or exceptional quality, this is not a complete list.
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The container, also known as the harness/container system or simply the rig, is the backpack that holds your main and reserve canopies, the AAD, and connects everything to your body. It is arguably the most important piece of equipment you own. Choosing the right container depends on your body measurements, the canopy sizes you plan to fly, your experience level and other factors. Inform yourself online about the different sizes and features. Before you buy, talk to your Instructor or Rigger in all cases!
UPT manufactures the legendary Vector series. The Vector 3 and its Micron variant have been industry standards for decades. UPT is known for exceptional build quality, the invention of the 3-Ring-System and constantly being on the forefront of innovation in both funjumpers and world-championship competitions. They are arguably the most popular container manufacturer worldwide, often referred to as "the Apple of rigs".
Sun Path is the maker of the Javelin series, one of the most popular container systems worldwide. Javelin containers are a common choice for experienced jumpers and can be found on many dropzones around the world. It is one of the most known container manufacturers worldwide.
Aerodyne builds the Icon container system alongside their popular line of canopies. The Icon is a modern, clean design with an emphasis on safety features and ease of packing. However, it is rumored that Aerodyne will cease to exist as a company in the near future which might make it hard to get spare parts if something breaks.
Velocity manufactures the Infinity container. It is widely respected for great quality and a good fit thanks to their "floating laterals" design.
SWS is our secret tip. It is a Ukrainian manufacturer and produces great quality rigs that look beautiful. They offer much cheaper prices than other brands. Especially for rigs, buying new can make sense due to how specific and important sizing is. Note: apparently, there can be issues with SWS rigs when jumping in the US as they are not TSO approved which means FAA riggers cannot repack them if you'd have a cutaway in the US.
The main canopy is the parachute you deploy on every jump. Main canopies come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and performance levels. Beginners start with larger, more docile canopies (typically 190 to 230 square feet) and progress to smaller, more responsive wings as they gain experience and receive proper canopy education. Choosing the right main canopy is a decision that should involve your instructor, coach, or a knowledgeable rigger.
The most important metric for how fast and challenging a main canopy will fly is not canopy size alone. It is "Wingloading" which is canopy size compared to your total weight. To find your wingloading you can check our wingloading calculator on Avento. It will also show you different canopies which have a wingloading recommendation according to your wingloading (which does not mean you should fly them, there are many other factors as well).
Student / Beginner
Large canopies with gentle openings, slow turns, and forgiving flight characteristics. Designed for low wing loading and predictable behavior.
Intermediate
Mid-size canopies with more responsive handling. Suited for jumpers with 100 or more jumps who have received canopy coaching. There are other specialised wings as well which correspond to this level of performance (e.g. wingsuit canopies, target).
High Performance
Small, elliptical canopies designed for advanced pilots. These require significant experience, training, and a disciplined approach to canopy piloting.
Cross-Braced / Competition
Fully cross-braced canopies used primarily in competitive canopy piloting (swooping). These demand expert-level skills and carry significantly higher risk.
JYRO (formerly Icarus Canopies), based in New Zealand, manufactures some of the most popular and innovative canopies in the sport. Their canopies are arguably the choice of many of the world's best canopy pilots. JYRO canopies are known for amazing openings. Their lineup includes top wings in all classes. We suggest checking out their website for more information where they have great resources. Bonus tip: they have a "preloved" section on their website under "Stocklist" where they offer great deals on barely used canopies.
Performance Designs is the largest parachute manufacturer in the world, based in DeLand, Florida. Their lineup covers every experience level, from the Navigator and Pulse for students and newer jumpers, to the Sabre3 and Katana for intermediates and advanced pilots, to the Valkyrie and Peregrine for competitive swooping. PD canopies are the most commonly found on dropzones globally and have set the standard in parachute design for decades. They are known to generally be steeper than analogue JYRO canopies, which in the end comes down to personal preference.
Beyond their container systems, Aerodyne produces a respected canopy lineup. The Pilot is an extremely popular canopy for newer jumpers, and the Zulu is designed for experienced pilots looking for a powerful nine-cell wing. Their canopies are known for reliable openings and consistent performance. Note: as Aerodyne is rumored to cease to exist as a company in the near future it might make it hard to get spare parts such as linesets.
Fluid Wings is a newer manufacturer that has quickly earned a strong fanbase in the canopy piloting community. Their high performance models are designed for high-performance swooping and have seen success in competition. They focus on cross-braced designs for advanced pilots.
Icarus World is based in Spain and emerged from a split between them and JYRO, previously united under Icarus Canopies. They produce canopies in different classes such as the S-Fire or X-Fire.
Our secret tip. Skylark is a Ukrainian manufacturer and produce multiple wings in different classes. The Magellan is an alternative to the intermediate Safire / Sabre and the Odyssey to the Crossfire / Katana. They are not as widely known and less represented in the High Performance Crossbraced classes but the experience and feedback from other jumpers is very positive. They are significantly cheaper to purchase but might also be harder to sell later on.
The reserve canopy is your emergency parachute. It is packed by a certified rigger and must be inspected and repacked periodically (180 days under FAA, 360 days in most of Europe). Reserve canopies are designed to open reliably and fly predictably, even in less than ideal conditions. They are not performance canopies. Their only job is to get you to the ground safely when something goes wrong with your main. Never compromise on reserve quality or maintenance.
Choosing the right Reserve in the right size is vital. As a general rule, you never want your reserve to be smaller than your main. Many experts also recommend to not get a reserve smaller than 130ish (depending on your WL) as in case of unconsciousness and subsequent AAD fire, it might still be a fatal accident if the reserve is too small to land unconsciously and survive. In all cases, consult an Instructor or Rigger for your reserve choice.
PD manufactures the PD Reserve and the Optimum. The Optimum is a low-bulk design that packs smaller than traditional reserves of the same size, making it popular for jumpers who want to maximize their reserve size within a given container. PD reserves are the most widely used in the sport.
The german manufacturer Paratec produces, next to Rigs and Main Canopies, great Reserves. With the Paratec Speed, they offer a popular reserve that is known for an extremely low-bulk design that allows for a larger reserve in a given container. We did not find any official information on this but were told by multiple experts that Paratec Speed reserves pack the smallest among all competitors. Be aware of the maximum weight when buying a Paratec Speed as it is relatively low, especially for smaller sizes.
Aerodyne produces the Smart reserve series. Smart reserves are known for their reliable openings and good overall performance. They offer a range of sizes to match different container and jumper combinations.
An AAD (Automatic Activation Device) is a small electronic device mounted inside your container that automatically deploys your reserve canopy if you pass through a preset altitude at a speed that indicates freefall. It is a last-resort safety device that has saved thousands of lives. While not legally required everywhere, an AAD is considered essential by the vast majority of the skydiving community, and most dropzones require one for all jumpers. Nowadays, multiple versions of AADs for multiple disciplines such as Canopy Piloting, Students, Experts and Wingsuit exist to provide for the different needs and maximise safety.
Other than the other pieces of gear, this is a final list of manufacturers. As of now, we are not aware of any other manufacturer that is approved worldwide and has a reliable track record.
CYPRES, made by German manufacturer Airtec, is the inventor of the modern AAD and remains the most widely used worldwide. Their AAD's have been the industry standard for years, and they introduced multiple new versions such as a Wingsuit and C-Mode (Changeable Mode) CYPPRES 2. They are the only manufacturer using advanced precision-blade cutters, ensuring maximal safety. They are a valued partner of ours and we spent much time listening to Alex explain us how the CYPRES actually works. It is my AAD of choice, giving me full confidence that it will work, should I ever need it.
The Vigil is manufactured in Belgium and offers a strong alternative to CYPRES. Available in standard, Tandem, and Student versions, the Vigil is known for its long battery life and straightforward operation. It uses a different calibration approach than CYPRES and is very popular amongst Skydivers.
The Mars M2 is an AAD from a Slovenian manufacturer. It features modern electronics, a competitive price point, and a design that aims to combine the best aspects of existing systems. The M2 has been gaining market share and is approved for use at dropzones worldwide.
A helmet protects your head during all phases of a skydive, from aircraft exit and freefall to canopy flight and landing. Beyond impact protection, helmets also reduce wind noise, provide mounting points for audible altimeters, and some feature camera mounting systems. Choosing between full-face and open-face designs depends on your discipline, experience, and personal preference.
If you use an open face helmet, you will also need goggles to protect your eyes from the wind. They are usually very cheap. Skydivers usually use dedicated sealing goggles but some experienced jumpers opt for Sunglasses with a tight fit to the cheeks.
Full-Face Helmets
Full-face helmets cover the entire head and chin, offering maximum protection and wind noise reduction. Indoor Skydivers almost exclusively use full-face helmets and many in outdoor skydiving choose a full-face helmet for maximum protection and comfort in freefall.
Open-Face Helmets
Open-face helmets cover the top and sides of the head but leave the face exposed. They are lightweight, have a wider field of vision, and are often used by students, angle flyers and camera flyers.
Camera Helmets
Specialized helmets designed for mounting larger cameras. Used by dedicated camera flyers, often with top and front mount points. They are usually open-face helmets and have integrated cutaway systems and chin-cup straps for better stability. Don't worry, you can mount a GoPro on almost every helmet. Camera Helmets are necessary for professional camera flyers, often using large camera systems.
Tonfly is a European manufacturer producing high-quality helmets for skydiving and tunnel flying. The TFX is their top impact-rated full-face model. It is made out of carbon fibre and a flip up chin bar for comfort in the plane. It is one of the most popular helmet for indoor skydiving, known for excellent noise reduction and together with the Skyhelmet often considered the most premium full-face helmet. With the 2X and the 2.5X, Tonfly is especially famous for stylish open-face camera helmets that are commonly used by expert free- and angle flyers.
Skyhelmets produces a premium carbon-fiber full-face helmet. Especially for indoor skydiving it is the most popular helmet worldwide but also has a strong standing in the experienced outdoor skydiving community. It is lighter than the TFX but less noise-reducing.
Cookie is the market leader in skydiving helmets, based in Australia. The G4 is their flagship impact-rated full-face helmet with an optical-grade polycarbonate visor, slim profile, and audible altimeter pockets. The G35 is a lighter, more compact full-face model strongly gaining popularity for its design and camera mounting system. Cookie also produces the M3 open-face helmet and the Fuel camera helmet. Cookie helmets are seen on the majority of sport jumpers worldwide.
An altimeter tells you your altitude during the skydive, which is critical for knowing when to pull, when to break off from a formation, and when to execute emergency procedures. Altimeters come in three main types: visual (wrist or chest-mounted), digital, and audible (worn inside the helmet). Most jumpers use a combination of a visual altimeter and one or more audible altimeters for redundancy.
Recently, altimeters with advanced technology such as GPS tracking emerged. They offer data insights like a Flysight and often visual information for navigation.
Digital Visual Altimeters
Digital altimeters display altitude as a number on a screen, often with additional features like logbook, speed display, and configurable alarms. Worn on the wrist or chest strap (for Wingsuiting). They are more exact than Analog Altimeters.
Analog Visual Altimeters
Traditional analog altimeters use a needle and dial display. Many jumpers prefer analog because the needle position provides an intuitive, at-a-glance sense of altitude without needing to read numbers.
Audible Altimeters
Small electronic devices that mount inside the helmet and emit tones or voice alerts at preset altitudes. Essential for freeflyers, wingsuiters, and formation jumpers where visual altimeters may be hard to read. Most Dropzones require an Audible Altimeter on top of a Visual Altimeter for most disciplines other than Belly.
Alti-2 is an American manufacturer with a strong standing in both Sport and Tactical Skydiving. They produce the Juno II digital altimeter with high reliability and the larger Atlas II which includes advanced features such as a logbook function and has versions that can be used as both a visual and audible altimeter. They are a partner of ours and I jump an Alti-2 altimeter myself.
L&B is a Danish company that produces the Viso II+ digital altimeter, the Ares II digital altimeter, and multiple audibles. L&B is known for great customer support and their products are very popular.
AON2 is a UK-based manufacturer known for the Brilliant Pebbles audible altimeter and visual altimeters. Their products are competitively priced and offer reliable altitude alerts. The Brilliant Pebbles has become a popular budget-friendly audible option.
The VOG speaking audible altimeter is the most famous speaking altimeter. The VOG can be set for different heights where a voice will say the altitude which allows for maximum altitude awareness compared to classic Beep Sounds.
AirlogOne is a german Startup producing innovative GPS-powered Visual and Audible altimeters as well as a pure GPS tracker. They are very innovative and include countless fascinating data and tracking features going beyond even what pure GPS Trackers offer.
What you wear on a skydive affects your fall rate, body position, and overall comfort. Jumpsuits are designed for specific disciplines, from tight-fitting freefly suits that minimize drag to baggy formation skydiving (belly) suits that increase surface area and slow your fall rate. Choosing the right jumpsuit or clothing depends on the discipline you fly, your body type, and the group you jump with.
Freefly Suits
Tight-fitting suits designed for head-down, head-up, and angle flying. They minimize drag and allow for precise body position control at higher speeds. Exist in both long- and short-sleeve. Specific tunnel suits exist that differ mainly in materials used and always being long-sleeve.
Formation Skydiving (FS) Suits
Baggier suits with booties and grippers designed for belly-flying formations. The extra fabric slows fall rate and provides grip points for building formations.
Swooppants
Rigid pants, usually 3/4 length, used for Swooping. They have reinforcement at knees and rear for rigidity when sliding in a landing and often include a pocket to stow the RDS (The removable slider and deployment system used in canopy piloting). Also often chosen by other Skydivers that don't want to wear a full suit but still want the rigidity to slide in a landing.
Based in Switzerland, produces a range of high-quality skydiving Apparel for all disciplines. They have been a partner and supporter of Skydive Nation for a while and impress with style and quality.
Tonfly produces a range of freefly and all-around jumpsuits alongside their helmet line. Their suits are well regarded for quality materials, durable construction, and a modern fit that works well in the tunnel and in the sky. Especially popular amongst freeflyers.
Intrudair is a Hungarian manufacturer that has become a leading name in both Apparel as well as Wingsuits and Tracksuits.
Italian producer of skydiving equipment. Especially known for their Swooppants.