beginner gear

[k_marr08 0]

I did a search for this on the forums and didn't find nearly as much as I thought I would (I didn't look for that long though..) just wondering: I need to buy some gear soon (I have none, am on my way to my A) curious as to what you guys have to say about what kind of helmet/gloves/rig to get, whether I should buy a whole rig or bits and pieces, etc. The helmet thing - for beginners who essentially need to practice RW, at least for a while before they try anything else, what's a good helmet? so then obviously the jumpsuit would be RW??? Also not as major for the summer but will become important towards september: gloves - batting gloves?? or special skydiving gloves?? I want to be able to feel the toggles...just bored so if anyone has anything to say on this topic please do :-)
-Katie

"I believe the risks I take are justified by the sheer love of the life I lead" - Charles Lindbergh

[excel485 0]

I bought a Z1 helmet and a altimaster 3 glowface altimiter..i think from paragear. Then bought newman gloves at the dz.

Then ordered a mirage G4, cypress, reserve and am buying my main from one of the guys at my dz. You will get many opionions on what type gear and why used is better than new...and vice versa.

If you can afford new, thats what i would do. Its sized exactly for you. But thats just my opinion and I only have 29 jumps.

Hope thsi helps.

Andrew

[skybytch 273]

Helmet - Depends on how much money you want to throw at it and how fashion concious you are. Protecs are inexpensive and provide good head protection; downside is they aren't stylish. Moving up the price scale, "freefly" helmets (open face like the Mindwarp, Guner, Aviator, etc) provide some head protection (surprisingly, not as much as a Protec does) and are stylish; downside is they cost a lot more. An open face helmet can be used for any kind of skydiving.

Full face helmets (Z1, Oxygn, Factory Diver, etc) are more expensive yet. They're great for cold weather or if you're doing jumps where the risk of getting kicked in the face is higher. Downsides are lenses that fog and reduced peripheral vision.

Personally, I think the best bang for the buck is the Protec.

Rig - read this.

Jumpsuit - read this.

Gloves - Batting gloves work fine most of the time.

[cdhezel 0]

like all sporting gear, what your comfotable wearing is the best, (as long as it does the job) My helmet is open because I like hearing and feeling the air,gloves that are comfortable and allow dexterity , the jump-suit of course must be apprpriate to the style of flying that attracts you. as for canopy, since you will probably not have your 1st canopy long, and unless money is no object, buy a used rig, but get it checked first. my start rig was a vector II with a PD 190. great for all conditions..... comfort beats style

When I go, I want to pass away in my sleep, just like my dear old Grandmother, NOT screaming like the passengers in the car she was driving.

[k_marr08 0]

thanks guys - read the articles, thank you - informative - Will definately look out for good gear over the next few months :-)

"I believe the risks I take are justified by the sheer love of the life I lead" - Charles Lindbergh

[ChrisL 2]

Quote

Helmet - Depends on how much money you want to throw at it and how fashion concious you are. Protecs are inexpensive and provide good head protection; downside is they aren't stylish. .

You can MAKE a Protec stylish (to a degree), then you get the best head protection plus look pretty good and its cheap (relative to other skydiving headgear)

I painted mine to match my rig and jumpsuit...

See?

Click the thumbnails to see full sized pics...

__

My mighty steed