shorehambeach 9 #1 October 24, 2012 So I managed to get my way through AFF with a student jump suit and got myself a shiny new as a bravery reward Tried the booties in the tunnel for the first time and was a wierd--felt like the only time i tried to ice skate when I was a kid. I have jumped since without putting on the booties - but would like to get peoples feed back in the transition from just wearing my converse to being brave and wearing the booties rather than letting them flap around in the wind ! I felt there was restricted movement in my feet which freaked me out a bit..... Its a Merlin suit from Deland - even though i am in the UK Thank in advance .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #2 October 24, 2012 If you're gonna use 'em in free-fall, might be a good time to get some practice with them in the blowhole... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mstlaurent 0 #3 October 24, 2012 I assume your have a good and stable position. If not don't add new things now. You understand what the booties do? What's your experience in the tunnel? You jumped your suit without putting the booties? This is not a good idea. Either you put them or you jump with an other suit. If you have little experience in the tunnel and little experience in freefall, the tunnel is not the best place to try your new suit. Try it in freefall with the booties on. You will not feel that much difference and you will get used to it quickly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorehambeach 9 #4 October 24, 2012 Yes nice and stable & 2 hours tunnel time. I guess the booties deflect the air flow better than a pair of converse... maybe it was me .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC1 0 #5 October 24, 2012 Booties are not that big a deal, just jump them. You'll be used to them in no time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #6 October 24, 2012 You will not feel that much difference and you will get used to it quickly. Quote I dunno...I sure feel a major difference wearin' booties. I must have bigger feet than you do. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mstlaurent 0 #7 October 24, 2012 The booties give you a lot more power. If you don't know what your legs are doing or if you don't know what to do with your legs, you will have to work hard in the tunnel. But as you saw it's not that bad after all. In freefall, based on your experience I would say put your booties correctly, go for it and have fun! Oh yeah, one last thing: Do you NEED booties? Probably not. Not at this time. Would I recommend a suit with booties to someone with your experience? Probably not. Not that this is a problem but I think it adds something you just don't need now. It helps to to things that you're not ready to do and it makes other things more difficult if not impossible to do... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mstlaurent 0 #8 October 24, 2012 Quote I dunno...I sure feel a major difference wearin' booties. I must have bigger feet than you do. That's a valid point! Seriously all booties are not created equal and I have to admit that I'm not sure how much the feeling will change between the different brands/models. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorehambeach 9 #9 October 25, 2012 Thanks guys I guess I just need to get used to the feeling :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EOCS 0 #10 October 25, 2012 i got a suit with booties after about 120 jumps so ive not much experience on them but the first thing i noticed is that on a break of track then wanted to kick me head down at first and they seem to make my track alot faster. Also..... FF ftw :P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #11 October 25, 2012 The restricted movement in your feet will happen as if you point your toes, that will tighten the bootie and you'll feel the pressure on your feet. You'll get used to it after a while, and I use that as a check for if I am pointing my toes or not!! There are loads of different types of booties - standard, mega, vented etc. Each vary in size, and purpose. I noticed a difference going from a suit with standard booties to one with mega booties. Can barely remember the last time I did a jump without booties. Personally I think that if you are going to be doing belly flying, they are a tool available to use to help get more performance in the flight, so why not use them? Do you NEED them, maybe not, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use them. When anyone is buying a new FS suit, I'd personally recommend they get them. After a while you'll stop noticing they are there and it will all seem natural.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorehambeach 9 #12 October 25, 2012 Thanks Degen - tried them in the tunnel in Bedford for the first time and it weird having restricted movement. I'll man up and just get in with it.... Thanks all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5.samadhi 0 #13 October 25, 2012 I fly booties when I am flying on my belly and I find that after awhile of using them I dont really fly with my arms anymore. I just keep my arms tucked up close to me so I can take a dock easily and plus it has the added benefit of feeling much more stable in my shoulder (which is an old injury). I totally use my legs to turn, drive forward/back, etc. could I do this without booties? Yes, but the booties make the movements much more powerful. When you are confident in your ability you can use that power. For awhile you won't be able to max out your power in the sky...like a beginner weight lifter kinda...but after awhile you will train your ability to use power. Fun part is it is a lifetime training process nobody is ever finished! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_Polite 0 #14 October 25, 2012 Quote You jumped your suit without putting the booties? This is not a good idea. Either you put them or you jump with an other suit. If you have little experience in the tunnel and little experience in freefall, the tunnel is not the best place to try your new suit. Try it in freefall with the booties on. You will not feel that much difference and you will get used to it quickly. Really, all of this is total shit! Why is it bad to not wear the booties on a jump? What would be wrong with learning to use booties in the tunnel? The tunnel is THE best place to learn to fly with decent coaching And yes there is a noticable difference in freefall with booties. It's not dangerous or anything but you can tell a difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mstlaurent 0 #15 October 26, 2012 Quote Really, all of this is total shit! No comment Quote Why is it bad to not wear the booties on a jump? You would recommend someone with 32 jumps, still learning the basics to jump with his booties flapping around? Not me. Quote What would be wrong with learning to use booties in the tunnel? The tunnel is THE best place to learn to fly with decent coaching Nothing wrong. He has 32 jumps and I didn't know what experience he had in the tunnel. I think he better spend his money on a jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_Polite 0 #16 October 27, 2012 If you tuck the bootie up into the leg it's a none issue, even if it flaps around some it doesn't matter. The tunnel is cheaper and has a much higher learning curve. $ for $ you get more out of tunnel than you will in the sky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostlybadge 0 #17 October 27, 2012 i put my booties on the jump after i got my a-cert and found it strange for the first few jumps ended up getting a bit unstable after dropping a leg but after that is was fine. My problem has come with my only jump since then without booties on. After 20hrs of tunnel and 250 jumps all flat with booties i decided to do a jump in shorts which resulted in a few problems. 1. couldnt dive to the formation as i was not used to not having the pressure on my lower legs so went over vertical and ended up on my back. 2. i backslid 3. my track was less than pathetic 4. at pull time i realised that i drop a leg to compensate for my arm moving but as there was not the normal pressure there i ended up flipping myself onto my back with great style with my PC in my hand managed to throw while i was on my side to was ok. Lesson learnt though dont fly without my FS suit on Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joellercoaster 6 #18 October 28, 2012 QuoteYou would recommend someone with 32 jumps, still learning the basics to jump with his booties flapping around I'd recommend someone with 32 jumps (and no tunnel time) borrow a suit for a tiny bit longer. But, if they did buy one, I'd recommend they buy one with booties, and learn to fly in that. People get carried away with how different flying with booties is to without, and it *is* different. But it's not harder, and it's definitely more effective.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
