Containers for women

[Donna 0]

I'm a 5'4" woman and I'm having a problem with my new container fitting me correctly. I haven't jumped it yet but when I have it on I feel like the top of the container comes up too high and when I go to lean back and arch it bumps me in the head. My rigger says the harness fits me fine and that the problem is in the size of the container which is quite long as I have a 190 Triathlon main and a PDR193. My container seems to be quite square and thick near the top and some say if I try a different brand I might find one that fits better. Some say I need to get smaller canopies. I would be willing to go down to a 170ish reserve but I don't want to go smaller with my main as I just got my A license. This container was custom made for me and I'm quite discouraged at the moment. I was wondering if there are any other women out there who have had a similar problem or if any of you jump a bigger canopy, what brand of container do you use? I don't want to go through the trouble of getting a different container if I'm just going to have the same problem. I did call the manufacturer but they don't think they can change much about it that will help. They basically just told me to try a different helmet such as a Bonehead instead of the Protec which I have. Thanks for any help.
Donna

[skybytch 273]

I think the problem is the container is too long for your torso. If you can downsize one or both of your canopies into a smaller container you'll likely get a better fit.
But don't downsize if you aren't comfortable with the idea! As long as you can arch, look up at your canopy and reach all your handles you should be able to safely jump with it until you are ready to downsize your canopies.
What kind of container is it? Different containers do distribute the canopies in different ways. You might check out a container like the Wings which when packed up looks fatter (front to back) but is shorter overall (top to bottom) than most other containers.
Good luck!
pull and flare,
lisa

[Geoff 0]

Mirage offer an option to make their containers in a special 'short' version, which is shorter top to bottom, but a bit thicker. It's designed specifically for jumpers under 5'6" tall.
Geoff

[Aviatrr 0]

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I haven't jumped it yet but when I have it on I feel like the top of the container comes up too high and when I go to lean back and arch it bumps me in the head.

Something else to consider.. When you are under canopy, the container will ride higher than it does otherwise.. Put the rig on, stand up, and have somebody lift the container from the shoulder straps, or push up on it from the bottom of the container.. Does it restrict your movement too much? If so, contact the manufacturer and let them know it needs to be corrected..
Mike

[Tee 0]

Hi Donna. I am also 5'4" and had the same problem as you when choosing a container. There are alot of the containers out there that are longer in the body. I finally settled on a Talon 1 container. It is nice and narrow and still ends in the small of my back. I jump a 135 Sabre with a 143 reserve and there really isn't much room to go any bigger, but the Talon 2 may fit and is still short. A friend of mine purchased a "short body" Quasar witch worked great for her too. Just look around, most models will come with a shorter version.
Tee

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[freaksister 0]

I am only 5'4" also. I have a Dolphin D-2 it fits fine regarding length but it is too big across the yoke...the shoulder straps slide down a bit and I always get bruises from the 3-ring release system. If I were to downsize and then get a D-1 it would probably be perfect. Just wanted to join in the discussion, letting you know there are other "mildly uncomfortable" female jumpers out there! I had to buy new gear because I couldn't find any the right size! They all seemed to be from six foot men!
Sis
"What we're all really seeking is something where we can feel the rapture of being alive."J.Campbell

[Whiskeychick 0]

I'm 5'1, and know your frustration all too well. Currently, I have a mirage (the short version). It fits great and is really comfortable. As Geoff mentioned, it's a few inches shorter than their normal containers, and a bit thicker to compensate for that fact. I'm not sure mirage offers the short version on a container sized for a 170 though.
-WC

[wingnut 0]

well okay i'm not female but i do have an idea to try. you all were talking about how it slips down over your shoulders. well i'm partial to racers myself and they make a N.O.S. version of thier container. NOS stands for narrow over the shoulders. just an idea, give it a try. and yey, i know most people don't like racers bcause they're two pin reserves.
<>

[Pammi 0]

I'm also 5'4" and have a D2 Dolphin. I guess I'm spoiled after jumping that huge student gear because mine is pretty comfortable and I have a rather short torso...I also don't have quite as large a canopy either tho, a Tri 160 and Tempo 170 reserve.
A guy down at my DZ was telling me a couple of weekends ago that he bought one of those Micro-Vectors (believe they are called Microns) for his wife and she loves it..it's much smaller and 'deeper'. So it will stick out a bit further on your back, but be shorter perhaps. You might check it out...
Pammi
"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."
-Joan Borysenko

[Donna 0]

Thanks, Lisa. I've decided to downsize my reserve but I don't feel comfortable downsizing the Triathlon yet. A recent knee injury makes it even more important to have a bit softer landing. I have decided to get a different container and have narrowed it down to 3, with Wings being one of them. Thanks for the help.
Donna

[Donna 0]

Hi Tee,
Thanks for the information about the Talon. I tried one on at my DZ this weekend and though it was a bit smaller than the size I would need, it felt really comfortable. Most importantly it seemed to be cut back a bit in the yoke area and didn't bother me at all there. I have some correspondence going with Riggings Innovation now to see if they think they could help me out. Does your Talon have the velcroless toggles? I am wary of them because I have heard stories of them coming unstowed and even saw a cutaway on a night dive because of one. Thanks for the help!
Donna

[Donna 0]

Geoff and Whiskeychick,
I did check out Mirage but they aren't sure that their container would fit me any better if I stay with the same size canopies that I have. Like I said in my reply to Lisa, I really want to stay with the Tri190 for this summer anyway. They are a nice container and I wish they would fit but I don't dare take another chance on getting one with the same problem. Thanks for the idea!
Donna

[Donna 0]

Hey Wingnut,
I never said you had to be female to answer! :o) I have heard about the Racers with the NOS option. Nancy and John from Jumpshack have been very helpful and think they can solve my problem. They can truly custom build a container and harness system to fit my body. We have a lot of Racers at my DZ and a very competent rigger than is used to working with them. I don't mind the 2 pin CYPRES even though it means I have to sell my new 1 pin one already. The only thing that is holding me back from getting one is the 2 sided RSL. I have read all the articles on jumpshack.com about it and know those at Racer truly believe and trust in it but everyone else tells me to stay away from the 2 sided option. My other choice would be to just not use an RSL but I'm not sure I want to do that either. I'd be very interested in what other Racer owners have to say about this. Thanks for all the help!
Donna

[Donna 0]

Thanks to Pammi, Mike and Sis, too for your help. At least I know I'm not alone. I agree, Sis, that so much of the gear is made to fit big guys. That is the main reason I went with new because everything I saw used wasn't the right size. So then I was so disappointed when my new stuff didn't fit! At least I've learned a lot from all this, though it was a very expensive lesson.
Thanks again!
Blue skies,
Donna

[Craig 0]

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I don't mind the 2 pin CYPRES even though it means I have to sell my new 1 pin one already.

I might be mistaken, but if it is new I think you only have to buy the dual release cutters and plug it into the CYPRES you already have since it should have a "Field replacable cutter". The older units, as in at least a few years old, had to be sent to Airtec for them to retrofit for the two pin systems, or vice versa. It would be worth checking out instead of buying a new unit and trying to sell the old one.
Craig

[Donna 0]

That's great news, Craig! I'll definitely check into it.
Thank you!!
Donna

[SpeedRacer 1]

"Containers for women?"
I didn't know women came in containers! What a concept! I'll have to swing by the supermarket today & see if they're having a sale!
Speed Racer
"Blue Skies, Red eyes, Sore thighs!"

[mountainman 0]

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I didn't know women came in containers! What a concept! I'll have to swing by the supermarket today & see if they're having a sale!

Hey, Speedracer! I wouldn't go looking for the ones on SALE. Remember, there is a reason they are on sale. I am thinking they probably have a pin loose or something. Oh wait, that is common. Hmmmm....You may want to try something a bit more pricy like.....a Sears. hehe
Brandon and Laura
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/
a work in progress

[Aviatrr 0]

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I have some correspondence going with Riggings Innovation now to see if they think they could help me out. Does your Talon have the velcroless toggles? I am wary of them because I have heard stories of them coming unstowed and even saw a cutaway on a night dive because of one.

Hey Donna.. The Talon 2 comes with velcroless toggles, which are great.. There are directions in the Talon 2 owners manual that details how to set up your rig so that the toggles won't cause a problem.. It involves sewing part of the brake set loop closed(on your main canopy steering lines), to bring the loop down to a certain size.. This is to be done by a rigger, of course..
If this is done, the toggles work great.. If not, you risk a chance of being unable to release one or both brakes.. As far as them coming unstowed, I have not experienced it.. In my opinion, it would be harder for these to come accidently unstowed than typical velcro toggles.. You might also ask Espen and Alan B. about their experiences with Talon's with velcroless toggles - they both jump them also..
The only downside with the velcroless toggles is that you have to modify the canopy lines to accept them.. Not a big deal, really.. If you later sell the canopy separate from the rig, or want to place it in another rig with different toggles, the lower steering lines will probably have to be replaced..
Mike

[Tee 0]

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Does your Talon have the velcroless toggles? I am wary of them because I have heard stories of them coming unstowed and even saw a cutaway on a night dive because of one.

Hi Donna.

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[impasto 0]

Hi Donna!
I am 6ft tall, and believe it or not - have exactly the same problems as you.. I haven't had much time to read through the entire string.. so my reply may be a bit off target.. but I will say this:
It is NOT safe or right that your harness doesn't fit you correctly... if your harness comes up to high, it means you will be hanging too low in it, and your cutaway handle position will change (I have jumped rigs where the handles are next to my chin!)
Please do yourself a favour and contact Chute Shop in South Africa. Their containers are all TSO23(d) and the manufacturer is a FEMALE!! (They manufacture the Vortex II container.. very highly acclaimed. I jump one myself and it fits like a glove...and I jump a 210!)
She will most certainly be able to give you good advice.

[alan 1]

Donna, you don't need to sell your one pin CYPRES, it can be converted to two cutters. No big deal, contact Cliff at SSK.
alan

[Donna 0]

Thanks, Alan. A couple people have mentioned that and it sure is good news. If I decide to go with a Racer that will be a big help. I still haven't ruled out the Talon or Wings yet either. Right now I'm in the process of sending the rig I have back to the manufacturer. They think they might be able to reposition the hip junction to move the rig further down my back. Maybe that will help enough and I won't have to get a new one, though I still like the idea of a container 3-5 inches shorter. It sounds much more comfortable!
Thanks to everyone for your help!
Blue skies,
D