Question about harness vs canopy size

[Orange1 0]

Firstly, let me say that it will be a while before I buy my own kit and yes I will ask the guys on the DZ, but just wanted to get some opinions first.

I've been told that i will probably have to get a harness made up for me as I am quite small and it's difficult here to find small second-hand harnesses. I've read the posts about making sure the harness and canopies are compatible etc so I am aware of those issues. My question is, it seems that "everyone" seems to downsize after a year or whatever on their first canopies. What kind of leeway is there in later putting in a smaller canopy than the size it was designed for? Would this lead to deployment problems etc?

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[FrogNog 1]

Manufacturers can typically make the main container on the harness so it can easily hold one size step smaller than the size it was intended for, or even two size steps smaller (although it could get "squishy" at this point). It is my understanding (with only a handfull of handfulls of jumps and a year and a half in sport) that new jumpers who get kit made for them will ask the manufacturer to make it a tight fit for the size of main they want to put in it to start out, and that will last them two downsizes, which can be quite a while. With the smaller canopy in there, just shorten the closing loop appropriately. (The manufacturer can tell you what is safe to do with their containers with real numbers.)

I don't know as much about reserve sizing. I seem to recall they can go down a single size in a reserve in a container, but I don't know for sure about two. And so far it hasn't bothered me because I really, really like having a big fat reserve canopy. (It cushions some of my landings. )

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[mnealtx 0]

*disclaimer: I am not a rigger or a harness/container manufacturer, any information should be double-checked with them*

With that said, this is what I know from recently ordering my own gear:

If you buy a new rig, the harness is going to be sized to your body measurements.

The container will be sized against the main/reserve canopy sizes that you give them when you order. Some manufacturers give you the option of a loose/regular/tight fit container - this has to do with how well the canopies you have chosen will fit the container.

From the information I've gathered here on DZ.com, if a container is ordered against a specific canopy size, it MAY be possible to downsize 1 or perhaps 2 canopy sizes before the container will be too loose. This is something you should discuss with a rigger, gear dealer or the harness/container manufacturer before ordering a new rig.

I also recall seeing posts that mention the manufacturer being able to fabricate a new harness, sized to you, if you purchase a used rig that has the appropriate main/reserve container sizes.

Hopefully older and wiser heads will chime in and be able to give you more info and/or correct any mistakes I may have made - good luck with the gear seach.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Orange1 0]

thanks
and re reserve, I share your view - don't see any reason to go downsizing those :-)

mnealtx - thanks for correction, i was talking about getting the harness AND container made up.

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[skybytch 273]

Quote

My question is, it seems that "everyone" seems to downsize after a year or whatever on their first canopies. What kind of leeway is there in later putting in a smaller canopy than the size it was designed for? Would this lead to deployment problems etc?

You can safely go one (and in most cases two) sizes smaller than the size main your container was built for. I know some people who purposely order their containers to fit a main one size bigger than what they plan to put in it so it's easier to pack and softer on their back.

[larsrulz 0]

Quote

The container will be sized against the main/reserve canopy sizes that you give them when you order. Some manufacturers give you the option of a loose/regular/tight fit container - this has to do with how well the canopies you have chosen will fit the container.

Second time this misconception has come up recently on here. When rig manufacturers mention a loose/regular/tight fit for their rig, they are talking about how the harness will conform to your body, *not* how the canopies will fit into the container. Most manufacturers use a standard sizing chart for all rigs they make, and a certain size will tell you, for example, that a 190 will pack like a brick (very tight), a 170 will be tight, and a 150 will be loose. This means you know that if you start with a 190 then it will fit fine and you should be fine downsizing as low as a 150, but will be less than desirable.

I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF

[mnealtx 0]

Actually, I was speaking from my own experience, when I ordered my rig - I was asked if I wanted the canopy fit tight, medium or loose.

I did see the post in the other thread about whichever manufacturer it was that gives a harness fit option - was the first time I'd seen mention of that.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Quote

Firstly, let me say that it will be a while before I buy my own kit and yes I will ask the guys on the DZ, but just wanted to get some opinions first.

I've been told that i will probably have to get a harness made up for me as I am quite small and it's difficult here to find small second-hand harnesses.

Note that the manufacturer can install a new harness on a used rig for hundreds of dollars. You may be better off financially buying a used container
with a new harness instead of a new container with your sized harness.