As always, advice from an experienced jumper, instructor, or rigger is best. Look for the rig to be snug whilst still comfortable and see how well the hip rings and laterals align with your hips. While these usually provide a good basis for sizing, it’s always best to try the container on if possible (preferably with both canopies packed). For the original specifications, there may be 5-10 different measurements given, but generally on the second hand market they are listed by just height and weight. There are 3 main criteria to look for in a container: the harness size, container (canopy) size, and features.Īlmost all containers are made to measure the original purchaser, so you’re looking for something that was made to measure someone of a similar size to you. Canopy compatibility generally just comes down to sizing, and each container manufacturer offers guidelines in this area. Compatibility is very good, with most container systems built to accommodate common AADs as standard.

There are many options available for each of these parts, and there is a lot of scope for mixing and matching from different manufacturers. ComponentsĪs you should know from your training, a parachute system (“rig”) is comprised of 4 components: The information hereafter should provide you with a starting point for this process. Once you have tried out a range of options and you are jumping frequently, you may want to consider buying a rig. You are likely to be progressing through different canopies and you will want the opportunity to try different kit to see what features and characteristics you like, and the hassle of buying and selling gear frequently would be quite a headache!įrom a financial viewpoint, if you are doing fewer than 30 - 40 jumps per year it may actually be cheaper to pay £10 - £20 per jump for kit hire from your DZ than to own your own rig as the cost of depreciation and maintenance could be higher than the rental fees! Should I Buy or Rent?Īt the early stages of your progression, renting is likely to be a good option for you. If you’re not sure who to ask, the Chief Instructor at your dropzone will be the best person to either help you or point you to someone who can.

You can find a lot of information online, but only somebody who has seen you jump and had a face-to-face discussion with you can give the advice you need to make the right choice. If you take just one thing from this page, let it be: seek as much advice as possible from the instructors and coaches at your Dropzone. This post is intended to provide basic advice to help you avoid common mistakes, provide links to further reading, and encourage you to seek proper advice from an instructor. Buying a rig is a highly personalised process and what is right for one person may not be right for another.

Skydive xdream