peckerhead 0 #1 August 18, 2005 In keeping with the "jumping without" threads... AAD's, Altimeters, Goggles, etc. How many jump without foot protection? Most of my jumps have been without an AAD. I have never used an RSL except for student jumps with a Stevens line. Many jumps without an altimeter. No goggles only by mistake..... However, I have never jumped without SHOES! I like to protect my landing gear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivingdutch 0 #2 August 18, 2005 I've jumped barefoot a few times. It's refreshing. Just keep you landing area in mind. An off DZ landing is probably not a good idea. Take off your shoes a while before you enter the plane please. http://dropman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingOsh 0 #3 August 18, 2005 A guy at my DZ refuses to wear shoes for about 10 months out of the year. Problem is he's a big fan of crew. The first time he came down with line burns on the top of his feet, the shoes went back on. -------------------------------------------------- Stay positive and love your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travman 6 #4 August 18, 2005 I've noticed some of the very experienced freestyle jumpers using barefeet on videos I've seen. It looks like they use their feet as a control surface. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #5 August 18, 2005 Quote..I like to protect my landing gear. Ditto, big brother.....except at the beach....off landing? WATER!...and the sand feels so good between the toes.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #6 August 18, 2005 I used to jump barefoot a lot. I think I was inspired by the whole "Hey, Freak Brother!" thing. Then I swooped an inch too low and took ALL the skin off the top of my left foot. I jumped a while longer without shoes cos I couldn't wear them till that healed, but since then - it's always been with shoes. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joellercoaster 6 #7 August 18, 2005 After going to all that trouble to make sure I had matching rig, jumpsuit and sneakers? Duh.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #8 August 18, 2005 I used to jump barefoot cause i thought i looked cool. Then i got smart and starting wearing shoes again. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LawnDart21 0 #9 August 18, 2005 About a 1000 jumps barefoot, aside from a few scrapes and cuts, no problem. Totally worth it IMHO. I only wear them now if I am doing a tandem or swooping. -- My other ride is a RESERVE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #10 August 18, 2005 If one were to do a search, they would find several threads on this topic.Also try a search on shoe type such as Teva etc as there is some good discussion on to jump or not jump with footwear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goose491 0 #11 August 18, 2005 Hmmmm, you don't have a vote option for me it seems. I LOVE to jump barefoot. It's such a nice feeling of freedom and refreshment. I've only done it a handful of times... but it's a bit of an event for me. That is, I won't do it on a big way, I'll always be a little more dilligent with confirming the spot and I'll tend to pull slightly higher than usual for me to help avoid an out landing, and (though I'm no pro-swooper now) I tend to take a longer, more straight in approach without riser input too to avoid dragging a barefoot and leaving much of it on the ground . Just like jumping with extra things, jumping without shoes is a whole lot of fun but requires some special consideration. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougiefresh 0 #12 August 18, 2005 I was having this discussion with one of the big boys at sdc a few weeks ago, after he noticed me jumping barefoot. He said he and some other big shots used to jump barefoot all the time... until he landed on hot asphalt with gravel on it. Needless to say, the shoes went back on.Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #13 August 18, 2005 Hot sand doesn't feel so good, though! I got those water shoes to wear for my beach jumps. Not a problem if they got wet since that's what they were made for! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #14 August 18, 2005 I'm basically always barefoot except at work, or while skydiving. Though I can walk across gravel with the thick callouses on my feet, there's just no way I'd risk even one landing that resulted in messy feet. I'd love to do it, but just don't think the risk/benefit ratio is worth it for me Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #15 August 18, 2005 I used to jump in sandals because I thought it was cool. For some reason I thought feeling the air in my toes was a good thing. A few fast landings taught me that good foot protection is critical. I can not imagine ever not wearing shoes, given that I load my canopy near 1.9. Even normal landings would hurt barefoot. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckerhead 0 #16 August 19, 2005 No jump boots? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ncrowe 0 #17 August 20, 2005 QuoteAfter going to all that trouble to make sure I had matching rig, jumpsuit and sneakers? Duh. Dude please tell me your doing the patrick sawyze from point break in your avatar.... "Don't Mess Around With the Guy in Shades- Oh No!!! " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanglesOZQld 0 #18 August 21, 2005 Would jump bare foot all the time if I could but our DZ policy is that we jump onto the beach with some sort of footwear ALWAYS no exceptions. This is for both the passenger and tm. I understand this as the t/m's would definitely appear way too casual rocking up to do a tandem wearing nothing on their feet. I work at another dz though doing AFF and can sometimes go for a jump without footwear. There are a lot of things to consider though. Fun jumping you should DEFINITELY be allowed to go without footwear if you are willing to WEAR (Pardon the pun lol!) consequences but if you are a t/m or instructor there are professional considerations to think of. Much the same as someone in a "meet the public" job not having shaven for a few days..... BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #19 August 21, 2005 In Florida, it is impossible to keep a 4 acre landing area free of stuff with stickers. I wear sneakers in the winter and sandals in the summer. I wear footwear because of the possibility of a cactus or sticker vine. Off landings would be a huge problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #20 August 21, 2005 QuoteIn Florida, it is impossible to keep a 4 acre landing area free of stuff with stickers. I wear sneakers in the winter and sandals in the summer. I wear footwear because of the possibility of a cactus or sticker vine. Off landings would be a huge problem MMMMM sandspurs......mmmmmm I dont care WHERE you think it would be safe to land barefoot.. even that nice pretty sand beach... where some assholes partying a few weeks before and breaking bottles with the remnants buried in the sand.. I have HUGE scar on the bottom of my foot where I nearly amputated my big toe from a broken beer bottle.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites