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If you love the rush of freefall or the quiet glide of a hang glider, picking the right gear changes everything. This guide walks you through top US manufacturers, trusted retailers, and smart shopping tips so you can land safely and enjoy every second in the sky. I’ll keep things practical, use plain talk, and point out what matters most—fit, safety, and value.
Think of a parachute as your living room when you’re falling—comfortable or cramped, it shapes the whole experience. The right canopy and rig give predictable openings, stable flight, and a safe landing. Get the wrong fit, and you can end up wrestling with an overly aggressive canopy or paying extra for an underperforming setup. Safety-tested equipment from reputable makers is worth the price, because lives depend on it.
When shopping, focus on three things: main canopy, reserve canopy, and automatic activation device (AAD). The container or rig ties everything together, while the harness keeps you secure. An AAD is a last-resort lifeline that deploys your reserve at a preset altitude if you’re unable to. These items, combined with regular inspections and certified packing, make the sky far less scary.
The US is home to several respected parachute and hang gliding manufacturers as well as specialty retailers. Shops that work closely with drop zones and certified riggers tend to offer better fitting services and post-sale support than general marketplaces. If you’re shopping online, prioritize stores that list certifications, service intervals, and offer access to certified packers and technicians.
United Parachute Technologies (UPT) and Performance Designs (PD) are frequently mentioned by skydivers for their main and reserve canopies, as well as containers. Sun Path Products supplies many canopy colors and lines, and ParaGear and other US makers produce containers and rigging supplies. For hang gliders, Wills Wing remains a major US name, offering gliders and parts through regional dealers.
For accessories—helmets, altimeters, jumpsuits—retailers like Amazon and specialty outdoor stores can be useful for quick buys. But for core skydiving or hang gliding pieces, look to authorized dealers, drop zone shops, and manufacturers’ online stores. Buying a canopy or container from a reputable source ensures traceable service history and warranty support.
Parachutes come in a few main styles, and choosing one depends on your experience level and discipline. Ram-air canopies (often called square canopies) are steerable and the most common for sport skydiving. Round canopies are typically used as reserves or for older military-style systems. Within ram-air designs you’ll find different profiles—some prioritize docile openings for students, while others are fast and highly responsive for experienced jumpers.
Ram-air canopies act like inflatable wings. They provide forward speed, steerability, and predictable flare characteristics. When sizing these canopies, wing loading—your exit weight divided by canopy area in square feet—matters. Lower wing loading (lbs per square foot) yields slower, gentler flight, which is ideal for students.
Round canopies are typically used as reserves because they open quickly and are inherently stable. Modern reserves often use round or semi-round shapes and are packed with specific deployment systems. Always follow manufacturer specs for reserve service intervals, typically measured in days or jumps.
Don’t let a beautiful canopy blind you to the rest of the system. The container or rig carries both main and reserve, plus pilot chutes, bridle, and other hardware. AAD models like Cypres or Vigil are popular because they are reliable and widely serviced in the US. Always register AAD battery and service life with the manufacturer and replace batteries or modules as recommended.
AADs are not a replacement for good decision-making, but they’re an important safety net. They monitor altitude and descent rate, and automatically fire the reserve if a dangerous profile is detected. When buying, check the last service date and the unit’s expected life in years or cycles. Factor AAD replacement costs into your budget—these units can cost a few thousand dollars new.
Containers come in student-friendly designs and advanced freestyles for experienced jumpers. Proper fit is everything: an ill-fitting harness can ride up, press on your ribs, or limit movement. Many shops offer fitting sessions at a drop zone to ensure your harness sits correctly and your leg straps and chest strap numbers are spot on.
Hang gliders require a different mindset than parachutes: you’re controlling an aircraft that needs trimming, tuning, and a good sense of local thermals. Wills Wing and Moyes are common names in the US market. Besides the glider itself, look at the harness, speed bar, and reliable helmet with proper impact ratings. Choosing a glider that matches your experience keeps landings predictable and flying fun.
Match the glider to your skill level: beginner wings tend to be more forgiving in stalls and ground handling, while performance wings seek lift better but demand precision. Harnesses designed for comfort reduce fatigue on long flights, and helmets designed for aerodynamics will save your neck during aggressive maneuvers.
Buying through a local drop zone gives you a massive advantage: hands-on fitting, certified riggers, and the chance to ask experienced jumpers for real-world feedback. Many drop zones maintain gear shops that stock new canopies, containers, and AADs from manufacturers. If you shop online, verify the seller is authorized and ask about service history, packing records, and whether a certified rigger can inspect the setup before you jump.
Drop zones often have pre-owned gear vetted by riggers, with packing logs and service tags—an invaluable resource. Online marketplaces can offer better prices, but they rarely come with that hands-on verification. If you buy used online, always have the gear inspected by a certified rigger before your first jump.
Shopping smart means prioritizing fit and documented service over flash. Ask for packing logs, dates of last reserve repack, AAD service dates, canopy age in years, and the serial numbers. When you try on a harness, simulate movements you’ll do in flight and check for pressure points. If a seller won’t provide service history or refuses inspection, walk away—there’s too much at stake.
Request the reserve pack date in days, the last AAD service record, the canopy’s manufacture date, and any known repairs. For used gear, ask how many jumps were made with that canopy and whether any major repairs were done. Documentation separates trustworthy sellers from risky ones.
Gear ranges widely in cost. A new student rig might start around $2,000 to $3,000, while intermediate and advanced setups—main canopy, container, and AAD—often run $4,000 to $8,000 or more. Reserves alone can cost $700 to $1,500, and AADs commonly cost $1,200 to $2,500 new. Add annual or semi-annual service, which might be $60 to $200 depending on the procedure.
Used gear can slash costs, but factor in inspection and possible re-servicing. A used main canopy with a few hundred jumps can be a sweet buy if the reserve and container have clean service records. Avoid gear with undocumented repairs or missing packing logs—those unknowns can end up costing far more than the savings.
If you’re new, rentals or borrowing through a certified coach lets you try different canopies and rigs before buying. Some shops offer rental rigs for a daily fee; others may have rent-to-own options that spread cost over time. Use rentals to confirm what wing loading and canopy size feel best for your flight style.
Maintenance is an ongoing commitment. Store canopies in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Follow manufacturer recommendations for reserve repacks—many specify a repack every 180 days for certain use cases, though modern systems and manufacturer instructions may vary. AAD batteries and modules have service dates and must be serviced or replaced on schedule.
Before every jump, visually inspect your rig: check pilot chute position, riser connections, main and reserve handles, and leg and chest strap snugness. Verify the AAD is green/ready, and confirm altimeter settings. These five minutes of habit can catch small problems before they become big ones.
The best gear in the world won’t replace training. Take courses, keep a coach, and fly with people who will tell you honestly when you’re getting in over your head. Community knowledge—drop zone veterans, certified riggers, and licensed instructors—will steer you toward quality gear and away from poor deals. Remember: respect for the sport and for safety procedures is what keeps the excitement alive.
Choosing parachutes, skydiving, and hang gliding gear is equal parts research, hands-on fitting, and community advice. Prioritize certified manufacturers, documented service histories, and proper fitting at a drop zone or dealer. Whether you’re buying new or used, keep safety at the center of every decision—because the sky is where you want freedom, not uncertainty. With the right gear and the right people around you, every flight becomes a memory you’ll want to make again and again.
