Athletic clothes that fit closeDress as you would for the gym, a Michigan drop zone says: leggings, joggers, a fitted T-shirt.
Long pants, even on a hot dayFour US drop zones recommend them over shorts; two of the four add that shorts are allowed.
Lace-up sneakers, tied tightAll nine drop zones read for this page ask for athletic shoes; seven ask for laces.
Thin layers you can add or take offSuggested by drop zones in England, New Zealand and the US: the air is colder at altitude.
The goggles the drop zone hands youA Wisconsin drop zone gives a pair to each tandem student.
Long hair braided or tied backBraid it, a Wisconsin drop zone says: hair left loose in the wind is likely to tangle.
Pockets emptied before you boardYou will be asked to empty them just before the jump, a North Carolina drop zone says.
All 71 things to wear
The short answer 7
Athletic clothes that fit closeDress as you would for the gym, a Michigan drop zone says: leggings, joggers, a fitted T-shirt.
The goggles the drop zone hands youA Wisconsin drop zone gives a pair to each tandem student.
Lace-up sneakers, tied tightAll nine drop zones read for this page ask for athletic shoes; seven ask for laces.
Long hair braided or tied backBraid it, a Wisconsin drop zone says: hair left loose in the wind is likely to tangle.
Long pants, even on a hot dayFour US drop zones recommend them over shorts; two of the four add that shorts are allowed.
Pockets emptied before you boardYou will be asked to empty them just before the jump, a North Carolina drop zone says.
Thin layers you can add or take offSuggested by drop zones in England, New Zealand and the US: the air is colder at altitude.
On top 9
Athletic top that sits close to the bodyA Wisconsin drop zone’s pick. Baggy tops flap in freefall: more annoying than dangerous, it says.
Bright colors, for the photosThey stand out against the blue sky, drop zones in Michigan and Georgia say.
Charity T-shirt, pulled over the jumpsuitTwo English drop zones usually let fundraisers wear one on top; one says to ask the instructor.
Fitted T-shirt, in summerOn a Michigan drop zone’s list of gym-style clothes; in Wisconsin a T-shirt is the summer usual.
Fleece top, in cool weatherA usual top at a Georgia drop zone when it is cool; a Michigan one layers fleece over a base.
Hoodie, with the hood tucked awayAn English drop zone allows hoodies if the hood is tucked in, so it cannot flap at your neck.
Light long sleeves, even in summerSleeves keep wind, sun and the harness off your arms, a Michigan drop zone says.
Sweatshirt or jumperWhat most people wear at an English drop zone, with joggers or leggings and trainers.
T-shirt and hoodie under the jumpsuitEnough in summer under the suit a Yorkshire drop zone issues, with tracksuit bottoms.
Legs 7
Close-fitting pants, in the warm months tooA New Jersey drop zone suggests them over shorts, since landings sometimes slide in.
Jeans that bend with youAccepted in Wisconsin and Queensland. A Michigan drop zone calls denim too stiff.
Joggers or tracksuit bottomsEasier to move in than skinny jeans, a Yorkshire drop zone says.
Leggings that stretchLeggings are named by drop zones in Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey and England.
Sweatpants, if your jeans are stiffA Georgia drop zone’s advice: jeans are fine only when they are easy to move around in.
T-shirt with shorts, in a Queensland summerFine at a Queensland drop zone, which supplies a jumpsuit, helmet and goggles.
Thick long pants that can get dirtyMany landings are seated slides, a Wisconsin drop zone says, so it suggests durable pants.
Shoes 6
Flexible trainers, not costly onesAn English drop zone wants shoes that flex and fasten with laces, not hooks or velcro.
Good running shoesEssential, a Queensland drop zone says.
Skate shoes that lace upListed beside tennis shoes by drop zones in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Sneakers with flat soles and a little treadA Georgia drop zone’s recipe: flat bottoms, some tread, laces and a closed toe.
Spare socks and a second pair of shoesAn English drop zone lands on grass that can be muddy, and suggests a dry pair for the car.
Trainers you do not mind getting muddyA Yorkshire drop zone’s ideal, though it says mud is unlikely in summer.
For a cold day 10
Flexible gloves with a grippy palmAn English drop zone’s kind: supple enough to feel the handles, with grip on the palm.
Gloves, early and late in the seasonA Wisconsin drop zone suggests them in early spring and late fall; a Yorkshire one keeps a stock.
Light extra layer, even on a hot dayDrop zones in Michigan and North Carolina say to bring one even when it is hot on the ground.
Light windbreaker over the layersA Michigan drop zone finishes a cold-day outfit with one, if it is needed.
Merino layer, on a cool morningA New Zealand drop zone’s autumn pick, worn under the jumpsuit it supplies.
Neck gaiter, in winterEssential in winter, a New Jersey drop zone says: it covers the neck, chin and forehead.
Rain jacket, for the wait on the groundA New Zealand drop zone suggests a light one for waiting, and warns against bulk in the air.
Several thin layers, not one thick oneWarmer and freer to move in, a Yorkshire drop zone says, and easy to add or take off.
Thermal base layer under everythingSuggested for cold days by drop zones in New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia and Yorkshire.
Warm layers for an April or October morningThe coldest jumps of a Wisconsin drop zone’s season, which runs April through October.
What the drop zone lends 7
Backup shoes, if yours will not doA Wisconsin drop zone keeps spare pairs for anyone who turns up in sandals.
Gloves on loanAn English drop zone and a Michigan one both lend them.
Goggles that fit over glassesKept by drop zones in England, Queensland, New Zealand, Wisconsin and Georgia.
Helmet, where the drop zone issues oneSupplied in Queensland. A Wisconsin drop zone does not permit helmets on tandem students.
Jumpsuit over your own clothesIssued in Yorkshire, Queensland and New Zealand; on offer at three of the other drop zones.
Jumpsuit with handles at the kneesAn English drop zone’s tandem suits have them, to help you lift your legs for landing.
Soft hat, handed out with the gogglesA Yorkshire drop zone calls its soft helmet a requirement of tandem jumps in the UK.
Hair, glasses and headwear 8
Contact lenses, left inFine under goggles at three drop zones; the Queensland one asks you to tell your instructor.
Eyeglasses, under the gogglesGlasses are fine to jump in, a Michigan drop zone says.
Headscarf or turban, well securedWelcome on a tandem at an English drop zone, which also has hats that go over the top.
Long beard, kept out of the instructor’s faceA Georgia drop zone asks the same of a long beard as of long hair.
Low ponytail, under the soft hatHow long hair fits under the hat a Yorkshire drop zone issues.
Stud earrings, left inUsually fine, a Michigan drop zone says, though it suggests taking off everything else.
Tight bun or ponytailEither works, a Wisconsin drop zone says, but hair the wind can reach may tangle.
Your own beanie, at your own riskAn English drop zone allows one on a tandem but cannot promise it stays on in freefall.
Leave on the ground 17
No baggy or flowing clothesLoose fabric flaps in freefall and can catch in the harness, a Michigan drop zone says.
No big, stiff bootsAn English drop zone wants feet and ankles free to move, so you can run off a landing.
No boots with lace hooksA snag hazard, a Georgia drop zone says. A Yorkshire one tapes over the hooks before you jump.
No costume with trailing fabricA Wisconsin drop zone welcomes costumes but turns away long, draping fabric and strings.
No flip-flops, sandals or slip-onsNot allowed at a Wisconsin drop zone: a shoe that falls off is a hazard to people below.
No heels of any heightNot permitted at a Wisconsin drop zone; a Georgia one rules out heels and open toes together.
No heirloom or sentimental jewelryWhat the wind takes at altitude is gone for good, a New Jersey drop zone warns.
No jumping barefootA Wisconsin drop zone requires shoes, because a slide-in landing can cross rough ground.
No loose hat or thick scarfHats and scarves will blow off, a Wisconsin drop zone says. A New Jersey one agrees.
No phone, camera, keys or walletDrop zones in Wisconsin and North Carolina bar phones and cameras and have lockers on site.
No puffer jacket or winter coatBulk limits movement and can billow into the instructor’s way, a New Jersey drop zone says.
No rhinestones, grommets or dangling stringsA North Carolina drop zone lists them, with buttons, as things that can snag the equipment.
No rings, necklaces, bracelets or watchesAll come off at a Wisconsin drop zone, with dangling earrings: harness and wind catch them.
No skirt or dressNeither gives the cover you need, a Michigan drop zone says.
No tight clothes that restrict youAnything that limits your range of motion gets in the way of the jump, a Georgia drop zone says.
No white pantsGrass stains, a Wisconsin drop zone warns.
No woolen glovesWool can interfere with the velcro on the equipment, an English drop zone says.
How it works
What should I wear skydiving? Close-fitting athletic clothes, long pants and lace-up sneakers; the drop zone hands you goggles. These 71 things follow nine drop zones in the US, England, Australia and New Zealand.
Read the full guide
How much colder it is up there
A Wisconsin drop zone puts the air at 14,500 feet 20 to 30°F below the ground temperature; a North Carolina one says 30 to 40°F. A New Jersey one counts about 10°F for every 3,000 feet, or about 40°F at 13,500 feet. A Yorkshire drop zone says midwinter air at jump altitude can reach −20°C.
Jeans and hoodies: drop zones disagree
Jeans are accepted in Wisconsin and Queensland; a Michigan drop zone calls them too stiff. A Wisconsin drop zone recommends hoodies and an English one wants the hood tucked away, while a New Jersey one counts hoodies as bulk. Each drop zone has its own practices, the United States Parachute Association says.
Questions and answers
What should I wear for skydiving the first time?
Dress as for the gym, a Michigan drop zone says. At an English one most people jump in joggers or leggings, a jumper and trainers, and three of the nine drop zones issue a jumpsuit to go over them.
What clothes should I wear skydiving in summer?
A T-shirt with jeans or athletic pants is the usual at a Wisconsin drop zone. A Michigan one prefers light clothing that still covers arms and legs, and a Queensland one is happy with shorts and a T-shirt under its jumpsuit.
What should I wear to skydive in cold weather?
Thin layers: a thermal base, a fleece or pullover, then gloves and a neck gaiter. Drop zones in New Jersey and Michigan advise against bulky jackets, and an English one lends gloves.
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses skydiving?
Yes. Drop zones in England, Queensland, New Zealand, Wisconsin and Georgia keep goggles that fit over glasses, and three say contact lenses can stay in under goggles.
Do you wear a helmet on a tandem skydive?
That depends on the drop zone. A Queensland one supplies a helmet, a Wisconsin one does not permit helmets on tandem students, and a Yorkshire one hands out a soft hat that it says UK tandem jumps require.