Legstraps hurt

[VincentVL. 0]

For some reason my legstraps hurt the inside of my thigs (the tendon running from my crotch/groin area to my thigh and the muscles on the inside of my thighs near the groin)

I've tried loosening them and tightening them. Nothing helps. I don't understand why the legstraps are so wide near my buttocks because my body weight seems to push down on the more narrow front part of the legstraps? It's so bad that I don't like to do spirals anymore

Any bright ideas? Jumping student gear...

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Quote

Jumping student gear...

Sometimes thats just the way it is with "one size fits most" student gear.

[skymama 37]

I had huge bruises on my inner thighs with student gear, but I don't get that now with my own rig. So just hang in there, it should get better as you progress and downsize to your own rig.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[rwieder 0]

Don't laugh, just listen. Get a pair of Road Biker's shorts. Yeah, you know the kind Lance Armstrong wears, they have gelled crotches in them. Member, i said "Don't Laugh"

All B.S. aside, they work.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[MagicGuy 0]

As the other posters said, it's probably the student gear. It's never really comfortable and is made to fit everyone, but noone really well.

I, too, had major issues with them. Bruises and just overall discomfort. Then I bought my own rig... and haven't had that problem since.

Hang in there!

[wildfan75 1]

Attached is a picture of my inter thigh after a few jumps our our clubs only transition gear at the time. A cheaper and just as effective method to the biker's shorts is to wear oven mitts under your jumpsuit. They worked wonders for me!!! I recommend thumbs up if your a girl and thumbs down if your a guy.

By the way it looks way worse than it actually felt. Openings were a bitch though.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Remember...


"Pain is Temporary, Glory is Forever, Chicks Dig Scars!" -- Bozo

[countzero 7]

i wear slider shorts under my clothes/ jump suit. they are in the baseball/ softball section of places like Dick's or Sports Authority. the padding around the upper legs helps.

also are you sitting in the harness when under canopy or hanging with your legs straight down? talk to your instructors, they'll be able to give you some pointers on how to be in the harness for more comfort.

diamonds are a dawgs best friend

[LuvToFly 0]

Try wearing a heavy pair of shorts, underneath a pair of pants. Sometimes such "padding" can make a difference - short of getting gear that fits right - which usually means custom-made.

"The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment
of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

[ryoder 1,590]

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Don't laugh, just listen. Get a pair of Road Biker's shorts. Yeah, you know the kind Lance Armstrong wears, they have gelled crotches in them. Member, i said "Don't Laugh"

All B.S. aside, they work.

First, most biking shorts don't have gel. The hardcore bikers I know scoff at them. I do have a couple pairs. Second, the gel is in the crotch, not the thighs; It would do nothing for a parachute harness.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[headcase 0]

The modified 3 - 3 -3 check. Add a fourth 3 to include two balls and a Python to make sure they are cleared for takeoff or I suppose if you're a women lip, lip, plie.

Student gear hurts on purpose?

[AggieDave 6]

Maybe this should be a sticky or added to the FAQ (although it seems like its never read), since its brought up a good number of times each year.

My answer stays the same. Go to Wal-Mart, Target, Autozone, etc and pickup a set of seatbelt pads. They velcro around the seatbelt (or 5-point harness) and are padded with closed foam. They will fit around your leg straps like a champ and velcro on/off for ease of use.

We all know that student gear sucks. Its used, abused and made for one size fits most. Translation is that its not comfortable for anyone. Could new gear with new leg close foam leg pads be bought each year? Sure. That DZ could have a gold plated Otter too.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[bfilarsky 0]

I was/am having the same problem as you. In my vast amount of experience (11 jumps) I've noticed they don't bug me as much as my first couple. There are a few at the DZ with some padding on the leg straps, those are MUCH nicer!

[rwieder 0]

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Second, the gel is in the crotch, not the thighs; It would do nothing for a parachute harness.

Do you know, i mean do you KNOW for a fact, that this is a true statement?

In either event, A.D.'s suggestion is a better solution.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[Sletzer 3]

I'm still using student gear while experimenting with different canopies and I've definately had a few pinch the tendon you're talking about. I'm assuming no hard openings, just real disomfort while hanging in the harness. If you're hanging forward a bit and you try to move your legs up or down, the tendon tightens and the legstrap digs in. I know it sounds weird, but just don't wiggle your legs around much and that tendon won't tighten, and the strap won't dig in. Not really a general solution, but it helps.

Oh yeah, and try a different rig if it has the size canopy you need. Some rigs just aren't going to fit you well.

I will be kissing hands and shaking babies all afternoon. Thanks for all your support! *bows*

SCS #8251

[SPAWNmaster 0]

for what it's worth i share your pain. my custom wings is still being manufacturered so ive been renting gear from the proshops at the various DZs i jump at. the gear i jump i usually a step up from the student rigs i used to use but i have a feeling the pain won't really every completely go away until i get my custom rig.

can't wait for that 3d spacer foam :)

a tip that works for me is to cross your legs while in the saddle. like just cross them at the feet and for some reason it relaxes your upper leg and takes some of the strain off it

[mnealtx 0]

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for some reason it relaxes your upper leg and takes some of the strain off it

It brings your knees slightly up and forward, which takes the pressure off the inner thigh.

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

[adobelover 0]

Quote

Maybe this should be a sticky or added to the FAQ (although it seems like its never read), since its brought up a good number of times each year.

My answer stays the same. Go to Wal-Mart, Target, Autozone, etc and pickup a set of seatbelt pads. They velcro around the seatbelt (or 5-point harness) and are padded with closed foam. They will fit around your leg straps like a champ and velcro on/off for ease of use.

Yep...they're a cheap, easy and comfortable fix!

_________________________________________


Old age ain't no place for sissies!