What to Wear Skydiving?

There’s a lot to consider when jumping out of a perfectly good airplane for the first time – including what to wear skydiving! It may seem trivial compared to other items on the checklist, but it should not be discounted. You can definitely wear the wrong thing, and definitely regret it. So, what should you wear when skydiving? Let’s get into it …

Clothing

Your skydiving photos and video will be images you share widely, and look back on often. It’s understandable that you want to look good. But … what’s best on the ground, may not be best in the sky. 

The ideal skydiving outfit is, first and foremost, comfortable. Athletic clothing, like yoga pants, leggings and T-shirts, is advisable in warm weather. Be mindful to avoid very short shorts or tank tops, as the tandem skydiving harness may shift and irritate the skin during freefall and under canopy. You can also invite bumps, bruises and grass stains, especially if you end up sliding on your behind during landing. 

Close-fitting layers are smart in all seasons, as the temperature at altitude is several degrees cooler than on the ground. Loose-fitting clothing, scarves, and anything that might suggest a snag hazard are a definite no-no. If you’re unsure of what to wear or were hoping to wear a skydiving jumpsuit over your clothes, call your DZ!

Shoes

The best shoes for skydiving are close-toed and lace up. So, sneakers, trainers, skate shoes, tennis shoes, etc. You want shoes that are snug and won’t fly off in freefall. (You’d be surprised at how much damage a fast-falling shoe can do to people and things on the ground!) 

For your safety and comfort – and that of your instructor – sandals, flip flops or thongs, heels, boots, and anything with hooks is prohibited. You want to also avoid shoes with grippy soles as they can cause you to inadvertently skip a beat and stumble. 

Hair

How to wear your hair skydiving is important! Hair long enough to obstruct your instructor’s view should be tied back into braids, a bun, or ponytail. The same rules apply to those with lovely long beards! Keep your beard out of your face and your instructor’s by braiding or tying it. Not only will your tandem instructor thank you, but you’ll be a lot happier with your photos and video (and also the state of your hair and beard on landing!). 

Note, no hats are permitted as they are destined to fly off into the great blue yonder. Please connect with your dropzone if you intend to wear a religious head covering during your skydive.

Glasses

Don’t miss a single moment of your skydive! Can you wear glasses skydiving? Yes! And yes, you can wear contacts skydiving! Most every dropzone has handy-dandy skydiving goggles that allow you to keep your glasses on and contacts in during your jump. If they’re not offered to you, ask for them – you don’t want your sky high experience to be a literal blur! 

If you have the option of wearing glasses versus contacts, opt for your contacts – especially if your glasses have a high-profile frame. For you to hang on to your specs and lenses, your goggles need to fit snugly. If your skydiving goggles shift in flight, you might kiss your glasses goodbye!! 

Note that there’s a trick for keeping your eyes from drying out, as is often a worry for those wearing contacts or who have recently had LASIK surgery. (We skydivers have a trick for everything – we are nothing if not innovative!) We’ll stick a piece of tape over the vent holes on either side of the goggles and, just like that, no dry eyes!

Jewelry

As a general rule in skydiving, if you don’t want to lose it, leave it on the ground. So, just like your shoes and your glasses, make a thoughtful decision about your skydiving jewelry and accessories. Sentimental and priceless items should stay in your bag or car, and anything that might pose a snag risk must be removed. 

If there’s something special (and small) you want to take to altitude, talk with your instructor about it before boarding the plane. Most likely, your tandem instructor can help you secure a spot for it or come up with a safe solution.

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Have other questions about getting ready for your tandem skydive? Check out our Tandem Skydiving FAQs or call your dropzone for more information.