Indoor Skydiving Gear: What You Need to Know

Has that first taste of flight got you hankering for more? 

At Paraclete XP, we have first-time flyers covered with all the indoor skydiving gear they’ll need, but if you want to take indoor skydiving from being a one-and-done bucket list item and turn it into a new hobby, it’s time to talk about investing in your very own indoor skydiving gear. 

Why do you need your own indoor skydiving gear?

The learning curve for indoor skydiving can be steep, and tunnel time isn’t exactly cheap. In the beginning, many do not realize that the indoor skydiving gear you select can directly affect your progress. Investing in your own indoor skydiving gear is as much about a commitment to your new hobby as it is about setting yourself up for success. Save money in the long run and pick the right indoor skydiving gear at the start!

Haven’t the faintest clue where to begin? No sweat! Dearest soon-to-be frequent flyer, here’s what you need to know. 

Ixnay on the Etalmay: AKA No Metal! 

The flight chamber of the indoor wind tunnel is made up of a series of plexiglass panels, and the base is a woven net of sturdy metal cables. Wearing metal in the tunnel is a no-no for two reasons. Reason one: it can damage the tunnel walls. Reason two: it (or you) could snag on the net. It’s for these reasons that we don’t allow helmets with metal camera mounts into the tunnel, and why we suggest not wearing steel-toed shoes or boots, rings or other metal jewelry while indoor skydiving. 

What piece of indoor skydiving gear should you buy first?

In our opinion, a properly fitting full-face helmet is the first piece of indoor skydiving gear that a burgeoning indoor skydiver should invest in. While providing ample noggin protection, a full-face helmet also helps keep the wind out of your face and can even dampen the sound of the wind. This allows you to focus more on what you’re learning without the constant tickling distraction of rushing air. 

Communication within the tunnel is paramount to learning. It’s important for your instructor to see your eyes and mouth while you fly, and it’s important for you to be able to clearly see your instructor’s hand signals. This is why we suggest that you steer clear of tinted visors when selecting a helmet.

At Paraclete XP, we provide all flyers with an open-face hard-shelled helmet, which requires the use of goggles (also provided), and for an additional fee, flyers can rent a full-face helmet. Eventually though, you’ll likely tire of renting and want to purchase your own helmet. As far as helmets for indoor skydiving go, we suggest either a Cookie G3, a Cookie G4, or a KISS full-face helmet. 

Other Important Pieces of Indoor Skydiving Gear

Suits

For the first few times you book, the jumpsuit provided to you will be adequate. As you become accustomed to the sensations of body flight in the indoor wind tunnel, though, it will be important for you to purchase your own suit. 

The suit you select will ultimately depend upon the type of flying you are interested in pursuing. Some suits have booties that go over your shoes for extra flying power and large grips for practicing relative work. Other jumpsuits lack any extra material or grips. These jumpsuits are typically used for a type of flying called freeflying. Regardless of the type of flying you pursue, we suggest that you select a full-length suit rather than one with short-sleeves or short pants. 

Furthermore, in general, you do not want the suit you choose to be too big or bulky. Rather, the ideal jumpsuit will be a snug, but comfortable, fit. 

Gloves

While gloves are not required for indoor skydiving, they do help to provide protection from the wind and from the net. If you choose to wear rings while indoor skydiving, gloves are a must. 

Protective Pads

Knee and elbow pads can make learning to indoor skydive a bit more comfortable too. As you begin to learn new body flight orientations, you may find yourself bouncing into the walls and net more than you once did. Knee and elbow pads help add an extra (and much appreciated) layer of protection. 

Ready to get geared up? At Paraclete XP, we have some indoor skydiving gear for sale on site. For further information or questions, feel free to stop by or give us a call!