Skydiving in Hot Weather? Here’s What to Wear Skydiving in the Summer

Getting ready to leap into the North Carolina skies this summer? From what to wear skydiving to staying hydrated, this guide has you covered with the best tips to have a cool, comfortable, and confident skydive in the summer heat – let’s go! 

What Clothes Should I Wear When Skydiving? 

Your skydiving outfit MATTERS. Really? Yes! Just imagine trying to enjoy yourself in the sticky heat of summer while wearing jeans and a hoodie. Um … no thanks! Dressing in light and breathable clothing that you’re comfortable in is key. 

Is it better to wear shorts or pants when skydiving? 

When it comes to skydiving, pants are generally a better choice over shorts because of the tandem harness leg straps as well as providing a bit of extra protection in the event of a slide-in landing. This is why some experienced skydivers opt to wear a skydiving suit (aka “jumpsuit”) that has long sleeves and full-length pants.

What are the best colors to wear skydiving? 

Wondering how to look cute when skydiving? All you have to do is be yourself. Skydiving is a wonderfully freeing experience, and your smile says it all! If you want to stand out in your photos, we suggest wearing any color that contrasts against the ultimate backdrop: THE SKY. 

Can you wear flip-flops or sandals? 

Nope. Covering your little piggies in closed-toed shoes is a requirement to skydive as a tandem student. We highly recommend wearing shoes with laces to ensure a tight fit, but if you have some trusty slip-ons – like Vans – you should be good to go. 

Why no sandals? Shoes are projectiles and the wind is fast! If your shoe catches the wind in just the right (or rather, wrong) way, it’s going to get sucked into the abyss of the sky, never to be seen again. Shoes also protect our feet from getting knocked on the airplane or the ground while landing. 

Skydiving In Summer: What To Eat 

Will you get sick if you eat before you skydive? You actually have a higher risk of feeling a bit green around the gills if you don’t eat! Yep, you heard that right. A well-fueled body keeps you energized and in-the-moment – two things necessary for a fun skydive! 

Jumping from an airplane brings tons of new and exciting feelings, including an influx of adrenaline. Without properly regulated blood sugar, this increase in adrenaline can result in anxiety and feeling icky, rather than the desired feeling: a thrill-filled joy! 

This is our rule-of-thumb when it comes to eating: eat what you normally would, in moderation. That being said, steer clear of conventionally heavy, greasy, or wickedly spicy foods. Think of it this way: if your norm is 10 cherry toaster strudels (yum), then let’s cut it back to 5 before your jump – moderation is essential. 

Skydiving In Summer: What To Drink 

Hydration plays a huge role in a safe and enjoyable skydiving experience. Keeping water on hand is critical. If “plain water” isn’t your fave, go for drinks with electrolytes, like sports drinks or mix-in packs. The biggest mistake we see is people chugging water once they feel really thirsty – don’t let yourself even get to this point by being intentional about staying hydrated throughout the day. 

Just as important is what NOT to drink before a jump: alcohol! Hitting the hard stuff in the eight hour window prior to your jump is actually illegal, but we’d suggest doubling or tripling that timeframe. Alcohol dehydrates you and can leave you feeling bleh – two things that don’t mix very well with freefalling at over 100 mph through the sky. To ensure an enjoyable experience, save the sauce for the post-jump celebration! 

An honorable mention of another no-drink: tons of caffeine! We know you’re hyped, but drinking more energy drinks or coffee than you typically do can make your body go a bit haywire. We promise the feeling of freefall is the only wake-up call you’ll need! 

More Summertime Skydiving Tips And Tricks 

Stay cool. North Carolina is known for having hot and humid summers. Staying in the shade, bringing a little fan, and having a water bottle or cooling towel on hand are smart choices. 

Get rest. We all feel better when we have a good night’s rest. Prioritize sleep the night before your jump to ensure your body is in peak condition to take on the warm day! 

Listen to your body. You know yourself best. And if your summer jump preparation didn’t quite cut it or you’re just feeling out of it (beyond the expected pre-jump jitters), then let us know! There is no shame in rescheduling or sitting out if you need to. Remember, it’s much better to be on the ground wishing you were in the sky, than in the sky wishing you were on the ground! 
The cool air at altitude feels most delicious when skydiving in hot weather. We can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself – come jump with us today!