My Honest Experience Before and After the Jump
I still remember the day I booked my first skydiving experience. I was nervous, excited, and totally confused about one thing—what to wear for skydiving. I didn’t want to look silly, but I also wanted to be safe and comfortable. If you’re like me, you’ve probably Googled “what to wear when skydiving” more than once. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.
I’m writing this not as an expert, but as someone who’s been there, jumped, screamed, and loved every second of it. My goal is to help you feel confident, prepared, and stylish (well, kind of) for your big skydiving day.
Tandem Skydiving: The Day I Jumped
I woke up with my heart pounding, caught between excitement and a few jitters. It was finally happening — my first-ever skydive.
Because it was a tandem jump, I’d be attached to an instructor who’d take care of everything from the moment we left the ground until we landed safely back on it. Still, the thought of stepping out of a plane thousands of feet above the ground was enough to make my palms sweat.
Standing in the drop zone, I watched tiny dots in the sky — other jumpers floating down — and couldn’t help but think, “Am I really doing this?” But when I met my instructor, some of that nervous energy started to fade. He gave me a confident grin and said, “Relax, you’re going to love it.”
Before we boarded, he gave my gear a quick once-over and nodded. “Nice choice,” he said, and that’s when it hit me — what you wear for skydiving isn’t just about looking good; it actually matters.
Why What You Wear for Skydiving Matters
You’re probably thinking, “It’s just clothes—how much can that matter?” But trust me, when you’re free-falling at 120 miles an hour, the wrong outfit can make things a lot less fun. What you wear up there isn’t just about looking good—it can make a big difference in how comfortable you are, how well your gear fits, and even how your photos and videos turn out once you’re back on the ground.
Skydiving isn’t only about having guts; it’s also about being ready. The right outfit keeps your harness snug, shields you from the wind, and lets you move without feeling restricted.
So, let’s get into what actually works—and what you should definitely skip.
What to Wear for Skydiving
1. Wear Comfortable, Fitted Clothes
I chose a pair of stretchy leggings and a fitted long-sleeve athletic shirt. You want something that moves with your body but doesn’t flap in the wind. Loose clothes can twist around the harness straps or slap against your arms and legs during freefall.
For men, a pair of flexible gym shorts or light track pants works great. For women, yoga pants or leggings are perfect. And trust me—avoid jeans. They feel stiff and uncomfortable once you’re strapped into the harness.
2. Dress for the Weather (Ground vs Sky)
You’ll be surprised how cold it gets up there. Even if it’s warm on the ground, temperatures drop by about 30°F (15°C) once you’re at jumping altitude.
If it’s hot, wear a light shirt and shorts or leggings.
If it’s cool, add a thin hoodie or long-sleeve shirt.
If it’s cold, most drop zones will give you a jumpsuit to wear over your clothes.
When I jumped, it was spring—warm on the ground, freezing in the sky. My lightweight hoodie saved me.
3. Choose the Right Shoes
You don’t want your shoes flying off mid-air! Wear closed-toe, secure sneakers or athletic shoes. Tighten the laces before the jump.
Avoid sandals, boots with hooks, or slip-ons. One of my friends wore loose sneakers, and one actually came off during freefall—it was gone forever. Lesson learned!
4. Tie Your Hair and Skip Jewellery
If you have long hair, tie it up in a ponytail or braid it. Loose hair will whip your face during freefall and block your view (and ruin your video).
Leave watches, necklaces, and rings at home. The wind pressure and harness straps make it easy for Jewellery to break or fly away.
I also avoided wearing makeup that day. The wind and goggles make it pointless—it’ll just smudge.
5. Use Provided Gear Properly
Your skydiving centre usually gives you all the main gear — a helmet, a pair of goggles, and the harness. Always check that each piece feels secure before you head to the plane. If your goggles seem even a little loose, speak up and have your instructor fix them. It’s better to adjust on the ground than midair.
The equipment is made to keep you safe, but comfort is just as important. When I jumped, my goggles stayed snug the whole way down, and I could see everything so clearly — the open sky, the clouds drifting by, and the ground far below. It was an unbelievable view I’ll never forget.
Is Parachuting Safe?
I get this question all the time: “Is parachuting safe?”
When I first started researching skydiving, that was my biggest worry too.
Here’s the truth: modern skydiving is extremely safe when done with certified instructors and well-maintained equipment. Every parachute rig has a main parachute, a reserve parachute, and an Automatic Activation Device (AAD).
The AAD automatically opens the reserve chute if the main one doesn’t deploy in time. In other words, you’re protected by multiple safety systems.
I learned that skydiving accidents are very rare. Statistically, driving a car is riskier. So yes, parachuting is safe, as long as you follow instructions and jump with a licensed operator.
Is Skydiving Worth the Risk?
Before my jump, I kept asking myself, “Is skydiving worth the risk?” And after doing it—I can say 100% yes.
Skydiving isn’t just an adrenaline rush; it’s a moment that changes how you see life. When I jumped, I felt pure freedom—no fear, no stress, just peace.
You realize how small your problems are when you’re looking down at the world from 13,000 feet. That feeling is priceless.
So yes, skydiving has risks, but so does everything that’s truly exciting. The difference is that skydiving teaches you to trust, to let go, and to live fully in the moment.
What I Actually Wore: My Skydiving Outfit
Here’s a breakdown of my outfit that worked perfectly for my tandem jump:
- Top: Fitted long-sleeve Dri-Fit shirt
- Bottom: Stretchy leggings
- Shoes: Snug, lace-up running shoes
- Outerwear: Lightweight hoodie (for the cold air up top)
- Hair: Braided and tucked under the helmet
- Gear provided: Helmet, goggles, and harness
I felt comfortable, safe, and confident—everything stayed in place during the jump. My photos turned out amazing too!
What Not to Wear for Skydiving
I learned a few lessons the hard way (and from watching others):
- ❌ No flip-flops, sandals, or high heels
- ❌ No scarves, jewelry, or loose clothing
- ❌ No bulky jackets or jeans
- ❌ No dresses or skirts
- ❌ No GoPros unless allowed by your instructor
Skydiving is about safety and simplicity. The less distraction you have, the more fun you’ll have in the air.
How to Become a Skydiving Instructor
After my tandem jump, I was hooked. I asked my instructor, “How do I do what you do?” He laughed and said, “It takes time and training, but it’s worth it.”
If you’re wondering how to become a skydiving instructor, here’s what I learned:
- Start with a tandem skydive (like I did).
- Take AFF (Accelerated Freefall) training.
- Complete a minimum of 200 jumps.
- Get your USPA (United States Parachute Association) license.
- Apply for instructor training and certification.
It’s a long journey, but those who do it say it’s the most rewarding job in the world. Imagine getting paid to jump out of planes, meet amazing people, and share the thrill of flight every day.
Pro Tips Before You Jump
Here are a few extra tips I wish someone told me before my first jump:
- Eat light before your jump (nothing too heavy).
- Stay hydrated.
- Arrive early for safety training and gear fitting.
- Ask questions! Instructors love explaining things—it helps you feel more comfortable.
- Don’t overthink it. Once that plane door opens, you’ll forget every worry.
Final Thoughts
When I first looked up “what to wear for skydiving,” I thought it would be an easy answer. But after trying it myself, I learned it’s not just about the clothes—it’s about being ready, feeling confident, and trusting yourself.
If you’re getting ready for your first tandem skydive, wear something comfy, listen to your instructor, and enjoy every moment. You’ll always remember the feeling of stepping out into the open sky.
Many people ask, “Is skydiving worth the risk?” or “Is parachuting safe?” Once you try it, you’ll see that skydiving isn’t just safe—it’s one of the most amazing things you can do.
So, put on the right outfit, tie your shoes, take a deep breath, and go for it. The best view in life comes after the biggest leap!