Aug 31, 2006, 1:53 AM
Post #1 of 19
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Shoes
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I can't find much in the archives about shoes, well pretty much nothing. Does everyone wear running shoes for jumping or is there a preferred type of shoe out there? Still new to the sport and no one has told me not to wear my New Balance running shoes.
If there is something better or safer, I would like to know.
Nothing wrong with running shoes if that's what you like. Personally I prefer a skateboard style shoe since it lets my feet slide on landing, which is nice when landing in no wind. My personal preference in that regard are Etnies; however, you may find a pair of shoes that fit your feet better.
The only kind of shoe that isn't really good for skydiving are sandles, even though they're fasionable. Its easy to catch the lip of the sandle and break toes. Especially with modern canopies that have a plane out portion of the landing instead of sinking down through the flare. Oh, the other only kind of bad shoe would be anything with hooks on it. You know like the speed hooks on hiking boots that used to be popular (and are still found on work boots and the such). Just think about snagging one of those in a line or on something. Not good.
You hit the nail on the head. I was mainly concerned about the landing portion. I am thinking that my shoes are keeping me from running off some of my better landings. They seem to catch the ground and not let go. My canopy is one of those that lieks to plane out and fly along the ground so I think a pair of draggable shoes might be in order.
i used to wear whatever sneakers i had, but i started wearing chucks' high tops. before i got my rw suit (with booties), i was always worried about losing a shoe in freefall. had a couple of close calls, but if i had tied them tighter and knotted the laces i would have been okay. the chucks' also have a flat sole and slide pretty good.
Flat soled skate shoes are good for sliding out your landings. I personally wear nike shox high tops because i need the ankle support. they are not good for sliding, but give me the ankle support i need.
I don't slide landings, too many gopher holes, so I've worn Alps sandles for years. That or normal cross trainers. Sometimes I want traction and wear approach shoes.
Some of the guys used to wear wrestling shoes for some more feel, high top, thin soles.
I have three different pairs of skate shoes that I wear. I make my choice depending on what color jumpsuit I am jumping or if I plan on pond swooping. All have flat, easy-to-slide soles. My primary pair are Sketchers and both the other pair are later-model Vans.
