What to Wear Skydiving
Thursday, May 22, 2025
What clothes should I wear skydiving? So glad you asked – here’s the short version: wear fitted, weather-appropriate athletic clothing; think leggings, joggers, or base layers with breathable tops. Choose closed-toe lace-up sneakers and skip anything too bulky or loose. Dress for movement, safety, and comfort.
Skydiving is an unforgettable thrill to try at least once in your lifetime. But it’s also a sport, which means the right clothing matters for both safety and enjoyment.
Keep reading for footwear tips, dos and don’ts for what to wear skydiving, and even suggestions for cute skydiving outfits that are photo-ready but still practical. And remember, if you have any questions at all about clothing or any other part of our jump, you can contact our team, who will be happy to help.
What Clothes to Wear Skydiving
If you’re planning a tandem skydive with us, you’ll be joining thousands of people every year who choose to jump from an airplane.
It’s important when considering what to wear skydiving to remember that it is a sport. That means you need to wear what you’d wear as standard for any sport:
- Comfortable shoes/sneakers/running shoes
- Comfortable pants (jeans can be restrictive)
Can I Wear Leggings, Joggers, or Yoga Pants?
Yes – so long as they’re snug and flexible. Leggings are a great choice of what clothes you should wear skydiving. When it comes to planning cute skydiving outfits, it’s most important that you’re comfortable and your body has a full range of motion. Just avoid any bottoms that are too restrictive, so you can move freely, or too baggy as they’ll whip around in the 120 mph winds of freefall.
What to Know About Skydiving and Shoes
Flat, secure, closed-toe shoes – ideally lace-up sneakers – are best for skydiving. Boots, especially heavy or steel-toe boots, should be avoided. Shoes with hooks around the laces, spikes, or other elements that could pose a snag hazard are a definite no-no, as are sandals, heels, or shoes that could fall off. If you wouldn’t wear the shoes while playing tennis, you probably don’t want to wear them on your skydive!
Skydiving Gear Provided
On the day of your jump, we’ll provide you with everything you need to make a tandem skydive. This includes an adjustable tandem skydiving harness that securely attaches you to your tandem instructor, and skydiving goggles that protect your eyes from the wind and let you see the phenomenal view up there. If you wear eyeglasses, these goggles will fit right over top of your frames. Let your instructor know if you wear contacts while you’re kitting up.
What Not to Wear Skydiving
Due to the nature of the sport, there are certain things you should not wear skydiving for your safety and comfort:
- Scarves
- Loose or sentimental jewelry
- Crop tops, low-cut shirts, short shorts, embellished clothing
- Shirts with a collar
- Anything that could snag on equipment
- Bulky coats or overly baggy pants
- Shoes that can’t be laced up tight
The reasons behind not wearing these items has everything to do with the wind and your harness. If the wind can take something, it will – and, unfortunately, you’re not likely to see it again. Plus, it makes everything stick straight up and flap around. A scarf flying in your instructor’s face will obstruct their vision; a collared shirt will snap against your neck.
The harness is snug (without being uncomfortably tight) over your shoulders, across your chest, and around your thighs. Exposed skin in those areas might get irritated during your skydive, and anything with buttons or decoration at the shoulders or hips will rub.
Note, if you wear a scarf or other headwear for religious or cultural reasons, let us know. We will do our best to find a safety-informed workaround.
Cute Skydiving Outfits: Can You Look Good While Staying Safe?
Capturing the moment with photos or video of your skydive means the memory will last forever! If you’re hoping to feel confident in photos, we recommend colorful tops, matching activewear sets, or fun hairstyles like French braids. So long as your fit doesn’t interfere with your harness and goggles, you’re welcome to personalize your look. You can even write on your hands and arms to send a special message loud and clear!
What To Wear Skydiving
In Cold Weather
When it’s cold on the ground, it’s really cold in the sky! Expect the temperature up high to be a few degrees lower than it is at ground level and dress accordingly.
A few tips for cold-weather skydiving:
- Wear lots of layers. Layers retain heat between them and therefore it’s usually much warmer to wear more thin layers than one thick layer.
- Bring a coat to wear when you land. You may be ready to bundle up after your jump.
The reality is, for new skydivers especially, you’re unlikely to feel the cold. That’s because your adrenaline will keep you nice and toasty. These tips will ensure you don’t feel the chill on the airplane ride up, in freefall, or under parachute.
What to wear skydiving
in warm weather
Just as it’s good to wear lots of thin layers when it’s cold, it’s a good idea to wear thin layers when it’s warm. You may want sleeves during your jump for the slight temperature drop between the ground and altitude. Long sleeves can protect you from the sun too. Of course, if it’s super hot, nix the sleeves – comfort is the name of the game.
Some people get pretty sweaty while jumping. If that sounds like you, consider a change of clothes for after your jump. Sweaty or not, make sure you stay really well hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Skydiving Clothing & Gear Checklist
Come back to this checklist for what clothes to wear skydiving before you head out for your first jump:
- Fitted, flexible athletic clothing
- Layers if it’s cold or maybe chilly at altitude
- No loose accessories or scarves
- Closed-toe sneakers
- Contacts or glasses
- Hair tied back securely
Are You Ready to Skydive?
Ready to dress the part and make your first jump? Let’s GO! Book your tandem skydive at Skydive St. Louis!
