This is something I’m starting to feel like I’ve become an expert at: buying skydiving gear.
Last July I bought my first rig off dropzone.com. I just happened to be surfing online at 2am when it popped up. I was one of 5 people to respond within the first few hours. But luckily, I was the first and had dibs. The entire rig had 70 jumps on it. I thought for sure I’d keep it a long time.
Fast forward to Safety Day this year when a student, who is also a small girl, overhears me saying that I’m planning to downsize and want to sell my canopy. She was all over it. So I just happened to mention that my rig might fit…so she tried it on. Sure enough, she fell in love with it.
That’s when I realized it was time to start looking for new gear, again. Wait, didn’t I just do this?
So, being the mildly obsessive girl that I am, I went home and printed off at least 20 Infinity container order forms, pulled out my markers and colored pencils and went to work designing the perfect rig. I’d told myself I was going to get away from the electric purple and blue color scheme, go with something a little more “me.”
I tinkered with Spartan colors (green and white) but it just didn’t do anything for me. I tried my hardest to find a way to use their blue violet color, mainly because it was unique, but I still just wasn’t pleased. So after weeks of playing with colors I finally settled on a design.
And guess what: my new rig is blue and purple (and black). Turns out that color scheme was me after all.
Naturally, after placing that order it was time to get a matching freefly suit. So I called up my new friend Angela over at Freak n’ Suits and gave her a rundown of what I was looking for – but ultimately I wanted to give her creative freedom to make it look how she thought would be best.
Less than a month later my suit arrived! It fits perfect, and the colors are incredible! I highly recommend the electric blue for any suit that Angela makes for you. I couldn’t be happier with mine!
(Hard to tell just how bad ass the suit really is in this photo.)
Of course, the ordering process still is not complete. I need to get with Performance Designs to order my PD reserve – though that shouldn’t be too difficult as I’m just going to get stock white. And of course I’ve spent plenty of hours on PDs online canopy designer trying to find the perfect colors for the Sabre2 135 that I’m thinking of purchasing.
As you can see, purchasing gear can be a very involved process, especially when ordering new. But, in the end, when everything fits you like it should because it’s custom made for YOU, it’s worth it!
Needless to say the buying is never complete in this sport. Just when you think you’ve got it all, there’s the newest toy or shiny object you just HAVE to have.
My rig is scheduled for delivery in mid-July. When it arrives you can be sure to find pictures of my newest toys right here!
Blue skies!
Ashley
congratulations, look forward to seeing pictures of your new gear
I’m planning to buy my gear (my first…I’m just afraid to say the word because the beer police might rush me). I’m in the planning and saving stage and trying to decipher what parts to get new/custom (container?) and what to get used. It’s confusing as heck.
I also am having trouble understanding what canopies are better for what. I know I can demo some at boogies and what not but i just haven’t done that yet. So much to learn and it all come at ya so fast.
Any advice is appreciated.