| It used to be in the 1980s that parachute pants | | | | can be made of special slippery fabrics and tailored |
| were all the rage in hip-hop fashion. If you’re old | | | | tight around the body for faster speeds. Or they can |
| enough. you can think back to kids wearing MC | | | | be designed in that typical MC Hammer baggy fashion |
| Hammer parachute pants to school. singing | | | | with canvas-like material to help slow down fall |
| “Can’t Touch This” and dancing down | | | | speeds. |
| the halls. Those days are long gone. thankfully. And | | | | Other clothing that doubles as protective and |
| though skydiving pants are still part of some | | | | practical gear for skydivers includes a helmet and |
| alternative fashion ensembles. such as hippy pants | | | | goggles. Helmets are mandatory clothing for beginner |
| and other baggie gear that twenty-first century | | | | jumpers. but don’t be embarrassed if you |
| hippy types like to wear. they are very much an | | | | happen to be one. Most experts wear them too. You |
| important part of skydiving gear in general. | | | | can even individualize yours. choosing from styles like |
| And what’s more important to skydivers but | | | | old leather football helmets to hard. motorcycle-like |
| their gear? It is their gear that protects their lives. | | | | helmets. Depending on your helmet. you may need to |
| and they in fact put their lives in the hands. so to | | | | protect your eyes with goggles. |
| speak. of their skydiving gear. Now you can see the | | | | The pants. suits. and helmets are just one aspect of |
| importance of skydiving pants. Skydivers can wear | | | | your skydiving equipment. Other gear includes an |
| jeans or shorts underneath their parachute pants | | | | automatic activation device (or AAD). which helps to |
| depending on the weather. but they sure as heck | | | | safeguard you in case you drop too low in altitude |
| better have those skydiving pants on over top. | | | | without pulling your cord. The AAD does it |
| These pants are part of the whole jumpsuit. These | | | | automatically for you. Also. there is the reserve static |
| aren’t necessary required to leap out of plane. | | | | line (or RSL). which is another safety device. The RSL |
| but they can help to control your speed and give you | | | | is your lifeline and pull cord for your reserve |
| more control when you’re in freefall. These | | | | parachute. |
| jumpsuits tend to made in two general styles. They | | | | |