Buying Skydiving Gear

Jumpsuit manufacturers are dialing in sizing for a larger number of body types and sizes to allow jumpers to find a jumpsuit that fits them off the shelf so they can be in the air or tunnel by the weekend in a new suit instead of waiting several weeks or months. Henry Kochen of the ChutingStar Crew put together a video overview of the the current selection of stock jumpsuits available to you at ChutingStar to give you an up-close look at their features, construction, pricing and sizing. Below are links to stock suits from Tonfly, Parasport and PittZ that can be ordered for immediate shipment so you're able to use it by the weekend! Continue reading →

Icarus World applauds those that have made skydiving their life by working to teach, mentor and coach other skydivers. In return for their service in the sport, Icarus is offering a discount program on its main canopies as well as the Nano reserve. To apply, you just need to submit a reference letter from your DZO with your order to ChutingStar. Once approved, you'll receive the discounts noted below. You also have the option for the Icarus Logo on your canopy at no extra charge through this program. Continue reading →

The Fusion helmet is the latest skydiving and wind tunnel helmet from USA helmet manufacturer, Bonehead Composites.

Bonehead's Fusion is exactly that...a fusion of their Aero, Rev2 and and REvolve helmets.

Check out these features:

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With the release of the STELLA electronic analog altimeter by LB Altimeters (aka Larsen & Brusgaard), skydivers are living in a brand new world of analog altimeters to choose from.

Even manufacturer Mads Larsen was surprised by the demand and response a few days before initial STELLA orders shipped out.

"The STELLA seems to have become very popular..." he told ChutingStar.

Continue reading →

(Published in Parachutist Magazine and Canpara Magazine) So you’ve decided to delve in the realm of freeflying, but you bought a used rig that’s just a tad big on you and that one main riser cover is always opening on you during exit. Is that a big deal? Probably. Can it be fixed? Maybe. Will I have to buy a whole new setup? Not likely. Lets take a look at a couple of things to consider before subjecting your body to the possibility of a premature opening at 150 mph.

Fit

It’s more critical your harness fits you appropriately now that your body will be moving around the sky in a multitude of positions. Throughout a freefly dive, you will expose all sides of the rig to the relative wind at some point. If the rig doesn’t fit you properly, it can push the rig from side to side, down your legs or up your back. At a minimum, this can affect your ability to learn new freefly skills. At worst, this can put you in a dangerous position of coming out of your rig. Continue reading →

(Originally published in Blue Skies Magazine & then updated periodically)

You’ve talked to your local instructors, scoured dropzone.com and Facebook, clicked through the gear shop web sites and even ventured into the risky eBay waters. Yet that first rig continues to elude you. Although you’d love to go all new, the cash isn’t there. So finding something used or continuing to rent seems to be your only remaining options.

But your thoughts keep coming back to a container that fits like a glove with all the latest, greatest options. So how do you combine the two?

Why not a brand new harness/container built to your body measurements and filled with used canopies and a used AAD? Not only do you get a rig with the latest technology, but also one that fits you properly. And you still can keep your costs low as you find a used main, reserve and AAD.

Continue reading →

(Published in Skydiving Magazine and Australian Skydiver Magazine)

I spend as much time talking to new skydivers about how and where to buy gear as I do actually rigging, instructing and skydiving. There is a good amount of basic gear information that applies to all new skydivers. If the new skydiver had this basic knowledge first, it would make finding the right gear easier, faster and a safer transaction for all parties involved.

So what does the new skydiver looking for gear need to know?

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(Published in Skydiving Magazine) If the used skydiving gear you are buying isn't local or hasn't been serviced by your local rigger recently, a "pre-buy" inspection should be a condition of the final sale. Having an established rigger, rigging loft or drop zone owner act as the middle-man in all used gear purchases not only protects the buyer, but also the seller. As the potential buyer, you want to know the used container, canopy or automatic opener is as advertised and is airworthy. You also want to make sure the container actually fits you. Continue reading →

ChutingStar buys high-quality used gear! We don’t buy everything, but we do buy items that our customers are looking for and/or that we know we can find a customer for in the near future. Most likely, you will get more money for your used gear selling it independently. However, if you are looking to earn quick cash, this is the right service for you. These steps below must be followed before sending your used gear to ChutingStar. Continue reading →

There is not a fail-safe way to know which size of helmet to buy online. Ideally, you would be able to walk into our ChutingStar shop and try a bunch on, or be able to try on helmets at your local drop zone. But for some, it's just not possible. Each manufacturer does post a size chart for its helmets. And that is a great starting point. You'll want to get a soft tape measure, which you can find in the sewing section of any grocery store. Measure around your head, level with your forehead and behind your ears. Continue reading →