Taping Booties

[SecondRound 1]

As an overeager newbie I bought a RW suit with booties figuring that I would be making a number of delays in my student suit before moving to a RW suit. Now it looks like I may be making some AFF jumps right away. I would like to use my own suit and I have searched the forums and the solution appears to be taping the booties. I am not sure how that would be done or even if it is a good idea, but I figured that RW folks would be my best source of advice. I am at a RW heavy DZ and so when I saw a good deal on a suit I grabbed it since my goal is to focus on RW. Thanks to all.

[Chiemel 0]

Hey there SecondRound. Congrats on getting into the sport and getting your first suit!

To answer your question, there's 2 things to keep in mind:
First of all, yourself. Do you feel safe wearing a suit that's currently "above your skill level"? Don't you think it'll add another distraction? Do you consider it important how you look in the sky during your first dives? Why not just go with the student suit, no distractions, made just for the purpose of simple skydives, and nothing that you can blame any mistakes on!

Taping your booties is an option, but it's kind of silly in my opinion.

Second thing is, ask your instructor. Some instructors wont let you wear that suit during AFF. Everyone gets the same treatment: basic suit, alti, and student rig. It gives a better reference, and gets rid of any outside distractions having "specialised" equipment.

In the end, if the suit fits, you'll be using it in no time. I think you're better of just using the student gear, and when the times comes, put on your awesome RW suit with booties, and give it a go. It's not going anywhere!

And pics of the suit, or it doesn't exist!

Good luck!

[rehmwa 2]

For AFF - "RW folks" are not your best source of advice. You AFF instructors are. For my students (and also having a wife who builds, designs and markets RW suits).

1 - If you went and got a suit......no issue using your own suit as long as the instructors are ok with it (they have to consider your fall rate and keeping a hold of you). I'd recommend, instead of just taping (which comes undone at unfortunate times) you have someone put a tack stitch in it (put the bootie up inside the cuff and then actually do a temporary stitch with military grade nylon thread - suit thread - so it stays put - and presents like a normal cuff).

2 - do you really want to wear this new suit knowing you'll likely duff a few landings and possibly tear it or get it filthy?

Their is something nice about having your own suit, no need to share, doesn't stink of others' sweat, it fits right, etc etc etc.


I encourage my students to NOT buy a suit until they get clear of AFF and the coached sequence - you can't assess the type of fit you need until you get some airtime post student stuff..... Around their A License timeframe, I encourage them to then get their first suit and get it in the final config they need (full grips, full sized booties - unless they have real issues or are tiny, then recreational cut booties - they can tack them up until they are ready to fly them - but the sooner they learn them, the better off they will be in the long run.) I don't encourage them to buy a 'beginner' suit - I think that's a sales scam frankly. This way they don't have to buy the 'real thing' in another year.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Ron 10]

Quote

I figured that RW folks would be my best source of advice

Nope, your AFF I's are the best source.

If you were MY student and the suit was appropriate for you while in AFF - I would let you wear it. If it was not, then you would not (at least you would not have me as your AFFI).

Rolling them up and tapping them will work. IF your AFFI's allow it.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Southern_Man 0]

rehmwa

2 - do you really want to wear this new suit knowing you'll likely duff a few landings and possibly tear it or get it filthy?

For this reason I recommend the student suits. Of course your rigger can repair/patch any holes you put in it.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[SecondRound 1]

I admit I got ahead of myself getting the suit. It was a good price and fits really well. As far as letting my AFFI make the call yea or nay that was always my plan, I just did not want to even ask if wiser heads let me know in advance that it was a very bad idea. One reason I jump at Wissota is that I have a great deal of confidence that my Instructor will keep me from doing anything stupid or dangerous through eagerness or ignorance.Also since I live near St. Paul I know a really good suit maker who is at the top of my list if I go to have a custom suit made for me in the future. Thanks for the input it makes sense and I will run it by my AFFI before I do anything else.

[rehmwa 2]

HA - I didn't know that was you. Well.....you got your answer. See you later

(if you want need someone to tack those booties out of the way instead of tape, come by the 'other' DZ this weekend. It'll only take a second. But I bet Mary has some mil-grade nylon thread on site too.)

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[SecondRound 1]

Quick update, I have been jumping the suit and after a half a dozen jumps other than on grass stain it looks untouched. Of course nailing my first stand-up did not hurt

[GooniesKid 0]

I love tapping booties..and by booties i'm not talking about those things you put over your shoes to increase surface area