Booties Question

[pilotdave 0]

While I'm down because of a knee injury on my last jump, I figured it's a good time to send in my jumpsuit (Bev Suit) to have booties added. I'm trying to decide between the regular booties or cordura booties. I have a pretty slow fall rate. I've seen cordura recommended to faster fallers before. Would it slow me down more? I assume cordura lasts longer, but does it have any other advantages in booties?

Any recommendations on zippers? Bev recommended at least the 12 inch zippers. Heard that zippers have been known to open on occasion, but I'm not doing any serious RW where a zipper opening would likely ruin my week.

Any other recommendations? Is it a big mistake to spend about $80 on a 4 year old (with under 200 jumps) jumpsuit?

Dave

[diablopilot 2]

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I assume cordura lasts longer, but does it have any other advantages in booties?

It is WAY more durable. I'd go with it. Many people don't remove their booties on landing, so the cordura is very nice to have. When I used to work for a jumpsuit manufacturer we found we almost never had to repair cordura booties.

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Any recommendations on zippers?

They make it easier to get the booties on and off, and make it more likely that the booties will fit even if you wear different shoes.

Is it a big mistake to spend about $80 on a 4 year old (with under 200 jumps) jumpsuit?
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No, sort of.

Do you see yourself ever doing big ways? You may want a couple of jumpsuits for that. One without booties is nice for being in the base and stuff, while you could make a second suit fit a different fall rate.....

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[headoverheels 334]

Booties of any kind are going to make you fall slower. I've heard that you need another 4-5 pounds of weights to compensate, and that seems close to correct for me. I got 800 jumps out of my non-codura booties on my Tony suit, before retiring it for other reasons. I haven't had any booty zipper problems. I wouldn't go for oversized booties either, for the type of jumping you say you are doing.

[sammer 0]

I would get the zippers. The booties on my Bev Suit are a real pain in the ass to get on. I've actually ripped the leather loose twice now putting my booties on. I think the zippers would make things much easier. I also agree with diablopilot on the cordura, for the same reason he stated. They are very tough (except where the leather bottoms attach).

As far as spending $ money on that suit: I think that would depend on how it looks/fits and whether or not a brand new one would be worth another $300 to you.

Sam

[Remster 30]

I dont have a Bev Suit, but I hate zippers on booties. I dont know why, but they never last longer the 100 jumps or so for me. My last suit was without zippers, but then again, its huge for my huge ass, so the booties are big and fairly easy to slip on and off with a bit of convincing.

Remster

[Nightingale 0]

cordura.

my first landing in my new suit (poly-cotton booties) I put a hole in the bootie. Wish I'd spent the extra for cordura.

and yes, zippers are very convenient. I'm quite glad I got them. I just got the 12" ones, and they're great.

[pilotdave 0]

Thanks for the replies.... it's boxed up and ready to ship out tomorrow. Cordura with 12" zippers. Thought about getting a new jumpsuit but decided I don't wanna have to come up with a different color scheme and would feel dumb getting a second identical suit.
Dave

[headoverheels 334]

Great!

Just to add a note: I would strongly suggest not removing your booties until after you land, unless you are the only one in the air. I never did anything to the leather booty bottoms on my Tony suit (i.e., no Shoe Goo), and they are still perfect after 700 landings.