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In Summary
Outfitting yourself for skydiving is a significant investment, with a complete new setup costing between $8,000 and $14,000, including the main and reserve parachutes, container, safety devices, altimeter, and helmet. While used gear can reduce expenses, all equipment must meet strict safety standards and undergo regular maintenance.
When trying something as novel as skydiving, you might be curious about all the equipment that goes into the experience. Maybe you’re nervous before your first jump, and knowing more about the gear will help ease your mind. Or, you could be working toward your skydiving A-License and hoping to budget for your own setup! Either way, regardless of your familiarity with the sport, this skydiving equipment list will be a good read about what’s what with the gear.
So, how much does it cost to be a skydiver? Let’s dive in.
Main Parachute Cost: $2,000 - $4,000
Reserve Parachute Cost: Around $2,000
How many parachutes do you have? All skydiving rigs have two parachutes: the main canopy and the reserve canopy. The main canopy is what jumpers deploy for a standard skydive. There are many styles – larger, gentle canopies for students; well-rounded sport parachutes for solo jumpers; and high-performance wings for advanced swoopers. Prices vary with size, material, and performance characteristics.
The reserve canopy is your backup and is designed for the best dependability. It’s built to deploy quickly and dependably in case the main canopy fails. While the overwhelming majority of jumpers rarely deploy their reserve, it’s required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and offers immense safety value to the system.
Container Cost: $3,000 - $6,000
Think of the container as the backpack that holds your main and reserve parachutes, along with the deployment mechanisms. Costs vary due to containers being sized to fit your needs, color-coordinated, and having extra accessories.
For example, one of the most typical accessory upgrades is a Skyhook system, which allows a more rapid deployment of the reserve in some emergencies. It’s more expensive than a standard reserve static line (RSL), but many feel it’s worth the money.
For tandem students, in addition to a container, they also need a harness to attach to their instructor’s skydiving equipment. These harnesses are designed to accommodate different body shapes and sizes so that the forces of parachute deployment are distributed evenly; however, there is a weight limit for these harnesses.
AAD Cost: Around $1,000
An Automatic Activation Device (AAD) is a small computer that monitors your altitude and speed. If it detects that you’re still in freefall at a low altitude (indicating you haven’t deployed a parachute), it automatically fires a small cutter to release the reserve.
AADs save lives! They’re required on tandem skydiving equipment and strongly advised for any licensed jumper. Most models need to be serviced after some years, which is an additional but important maintenance cost.
In addition to your container and parachute system, you need some important accessories to skydive safely:
Altimeter Cost: $200 - $500
An altimeter tells you how high you are and when it’s time to deploy your parachute. There are three main types:
The majority of jumpers use a combination, e.g., an analog on the wrist and an audible within the helmet.
Skydiving Helmet Cost: $50 - $800
Helmets can range from soft, open-face student helmets to high-end full-face helmets with camera mounts. Student helmets work well and are economical, while full-face helmets offer wind protection, better communication with audibles, and a clean profile for videography.
First-time tandem jumpers use basic helmets and goggles provided by the dropzone. For experienced jumpers, investing in a good helmet is about comfort, safety, and personal preference.
If you’re working on your USPA A-License, some of these prices might seem daunting. When you searched, “How much does a skydiving parachute cost?” you were probably hoping for a lower number. Luckily, it’s cheaper to buy used – and many new jumpers choose this route.
Most people invest in new gear sized exactly to them when they know it will be their forever gear. For those still relatively early in their progression (less than 1,000 jumps), used gear offers a lower-cost alternative.
With used gear, however, you need to know safe buying habits:
If unsure, get an instructor or rigger’s recommendation before purchasing.
When considering “How much does skydiving cost?” you can’t forget about ongoing maintenance costs. Regular upkeep is necessary to keep your gear legal and safe:
So, how much does a full skydiving setup cost? For brand-new skydiving equipment, you can expect to pay:
Safety comes first in skydiving– every item on our skydiving equipment list is carefully developed, tested, and regulated. While the initial expense can be prohibitive, most skydivers believe it’s an investment in safety and in the sport as a whole, to be enjoyed over the long haul.
For first-time tandem jumpers seeing the cost of a single jump and asking themselves why it costs what it does – remember, you’re not just paying for a ride. You’re paying for training an instructor, a well-maintained parachute system, state-of-the-art safety gear, and decades of industry experience so you can land smiling. And if you’re wondering if skydivers make a lot of money, let’s just say that most of us choose to work in skydiving out of passion for the sport!
Ready to experience the thrill for yourself? Book your jump today and see why the sky is absolutely worth every penny. Blue skies!