What To Wear Skydiving For The First Time
If you’re going skydiving for the first time, you might be feeling a bunch of different emotions, from extreme nerves to excitement.
You already have the date booked and have the big day circled on your calendar. It’s your first time skydiving and you’re ready to go on your big adventure, but you may have one crucial question: what should I wear skydiving?
When going skydiving for the first time, it’s important that you choose your outfit with care. The tips below will help you figure out what to wear while skydiving, but you should also consult with your skydiving center for any additional guidelines and important information.
Going skydiving for the first time might feel like the most exciting day of your life! But it can also be nerve-wracking and you may feel a little overwhelmed and scared about jumping out of an airplane and free-falling at 120 miles per hour!
The good news is it’s actually quite simple to put together a safe and comfortable outfit for the day of your jump. Here are some of our best tips to help you choose what to wear skydiving.
What to Wear Skydiving for the First Time
While this guide will focus on women’s apparel, the suggestions for what to wear (and what not to wear!) for both men and women are the same.
1. Bring On the Active wear
Can you wear anything skydiving? Do you wear pants or shorts for skydiving? These are some questions you might have before skydiving for the first time.
While you can wear your own clothing while skydiving, remember that it is a high-intensity sport and activewear is always the best option when it comes to getting dressed.
The best activewear for skydiving is a pair of athletic pants, leggings, or yoga pants, and well-fitting layered tops.
2. Layer Up
If you’re lucky enough to have warmer weather on the day of the jump you might think that short sleeves, tank tops, and athletic shorts are okay to wear. However, it is typically 30 degrees colder up in the air so you’ll want to layer up to protect yourself from the cold air.
At the very least, it’s a good idea to wear long sleeves and long pants or leggings without enough stretch while skydiving during the summer.
If you’re skydiving in cold weather your best bet is to wear a base layer and a thick layer, too. Just leave the bulky jackets and puffy coats at home because those will restrict your movement too much, and light layers actually keep you warmer on cold days.
Amazon is a great place to look for affordable apparel. Here are a few long-sleeved shirts perfect for your first tandem jump:
Shop Long-Sleeve Shirt #1 | Shop Long-Sleeve Thermal Shirts 2-Pack | Shop Long Sleeve Shirt #3
3. Keep It Comfortable
Skydiving is not the best time to debut a stylish new outfit. A cute pair of athletic leggings and several thin layers on top are going to be infinitely more comfortable than wearing a tight pair of jeans and a fancy top.
Wearing stretchy, comfortable clothing helps with ease of movement and is a better choice if you want to avoid an unpleasant experience.
You also want to make sure you’re wearing something you don’t mind getting a little dirty because you might end up with some mud or grass stains on your clothing after your landing.
Here are a few simple suggestions for bottoms:
Shop Leggings #1 | Shop Leggings #2 | Shop Leggings #3
4. Wear Proper Footwear
It’s important to wear the right shoes on the day of your skydive for safety reasons. Leave the flip flops, high heels, sandals, boots, and any loose shoes at home because if you bring them skydiving you’ll be asked to change at the skydiving center.
Closed-toe shoes like a sturdy sneaker or tennis shoes are the best shoes for skydiving. However, make sure to wear a pair you don’t mind getting dirty in case you have a muddy landing.
Landing may involve a little bit of skidding around so sneakers or tennis shoes provide the best grip, especially in poor weather conditions.
Pro tip: Remember to tie your laces extra tightly because it’s not unheard of for a first-time skydiver to lose a shoe or two while in free fall!
Here are some comfortable shoes that would work well for your jump:
Shop Sneakers #1 | Shop Sneakers #2 | Shop Sneakers #3
5. Keep It Simple
Don’t wear clothing that has any embellishments on it, because this can be hazardous during your skydiving experience.
You’ll also want to skip clothing with hoods for the same reason. They can be dangerous when flapping about in the strong wind.
6. What About Glasses?
If you normally wear prescription glasses, it’s still possible to wear them skydiving. You’ll just want to make sure you have them on a secure retainer cord. The last thing you want is to lose them on your way down. Many skydiving centers will also have a pair of goggles that you can borrow that will fit over your glasses.
You can also wear contact lenses while skydiving. Most of the time they will remain in your eyes with no issue, but it’s a good idea to bring along an extra pair just in case. The best way to ensure you have no issues is to wear a pair of goggles.
7. Borrow a Jumpsuit
If you don’t want to wear athletic wear you still want to ensure that you’re properly covered up and protected on your first jump, so consider borrowing a skydiving jumpsuit. All skydiving centers will have these on hand, and it’s likely what your tandem instructor will be wearing.
Skydiving jumpsuits are comfortable and sturdy and will protect you from the elements, especially on cooler days during the winter months. Just slip one on over your clothes and you’re ready to go!
8. Pull Your Hair Back
For ladies with long hair, you’ll want to pull your hair back into a low ponytail or a braid when skydiving. You’ll reach a velocity of 120 MPH in just 3 to 5 seconds, so pulling your hair back is important if you don’t want it to end up extremely windblown, knotted, and tangled.
Additionally, having your long hair whipping around can be a safety hazard for a tandem student AND skydiving instructor if you aren’t going the solo route. However, it’s still encouraged for solo skydivers to secure any long hair as well.
The same thing goes for men with long hair too (past shoulder-length) or even long beards! Secure any long hair with a hair tie before you go skydiving.
9. Leave the Accessories at Home
Hair accessories, jewelry, and skydiving don’t mix. In fact, many skydiving centers will say to leave anything at home unless you’re okay with not seeing it again.
Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hair bands, and any other accessories have the potential to fly off while you’re in free fall. In addition to the possibility of getting lost, jewelry and accessories can snag on your hair or equipment, causing a dangerous and painful situation.
10. Wear Bright Colors and a Smile!
While it’s important to choose the outfit you wear skydiving carefully and prioritize comfort and sturdiness over fashion, you can still wear a memorable outfit.
But what are the best colors to wear skydiving?
Choose bright colors that will stand out in photos and videos on social media, and don’t forget your big beautiful smile! This is the best accessory that you can bring to your first skydive.
Final Thoughts
You are going to have the time of your life trying this new sport and it’s important to be prepared by dressing in a way that is both safe and comfortable.
Comfortable activewear is the best choice when it comes to your attire. Remember that long layers are a good rule of thumb for keeping warm way up in the air where temperatures are 30 degrees cooler than they are on land.
Also, remember to skip the jewelry and accessories. Safety is the most important thing, so all you need is a hair tie to pull back long hair into a low ponytail or braid.
If you follow these tips, you will have the perfect skydiving outfit for your first skydiving experience!
