Last December, I showed up to a 22°F (-5°C) sunrise jump at my local drop zone wearing my standard summer skydiving jumpsuit, a thin cotton hoodie under it, and leather gloves I'd grabbed from a gas station on the way over. I made it through the 12,500-foot freefall shivering so hard I could barely grip my pilot chute, and by the time I landed, my fingers were so numb I couldn't unzip my jumpsuit for 10 minutes. That was the last time I ever underestimated cold-weather jump gear.
Cold-weather skydiving is, without a doubt, some of the best flying you'll ever do. Crisp, stable air means smoother freefall and softer landings, drop zones are almost empty of summer crowds, and post-jump hot cocoa tastes 10x better after a 15-minute canopy ride through 10°F air. But the wrong gear doesn't just make your jump miserable---it can lead to frostbite, delayed deployments, or even a full rig malfunction if you can't operate your handles with frozen, numb fingers. Over the last 8 years of jumping in temperatures as low as -20°F (-29°C), I've tested every piece of cold-weather gear on the market, and learned the hard way what works (and what doesn't). Below is the no-fluff guide to picking gear that keeps you warm, safe, and comfortable no matter how low the thermometer drops.
Start With Your Base Layers: Ditch Cotton First
The number one mistake new cold-weather jumpers make is reaching for a cotton hoodie or sweatpants to layer under their jumpsuit. Cotton holds moisture like a sponge---when you sweat during freefall or climb to altitude, that moisture freezes directly against your skin, turning your base layers into an ice pack. Skip cotton entirely, and opt for either 150--200g merino wool or synthetic base layers, both of which wick sweat away from your skin and retain heat even when damp. For temperatures above 32°F (0°C), a 150g merino long-sleeve top and matching bottoms are more than enough. For anything below freezing, step up to 200g weight, and pick a top with a high, tight collar that you can pull up over your chin to block wind. Avoid base layers with metal zippers, buttons, or logos on the chest or neck---those will freeze to your skin the second sweat hits them and wind picks up. Pro tip: keep a spare set of dry base layers in your jump bag at all times; if your first set gets damp from sweat or snow, you'll be grateful for the dry swap mid-day.
Pick the Right Jumpsuit: Ventilation Is Still Key
Your standard summer skydiving jumpsuit is designed to vent heat, not trap it---so it's almost useless for cold weather jumps. Look for a cold-weather specific jumpsuit with a windproof, water-resistant outer shell, a removable insulated liner, and sealed cuffs and ankles to block cold air from seeping in. Avoid suits with bulky zippers or loose fabric on the arms or legs that can catch on your rig's handles or deployment pilot chute mid-jump. If you don't want to drop $400+ on a dedicated cold-weather suit, you can get away with layering insulated windproof shell pants and a windproof jacket over your regular jumpsuit---just make sure the layers fit snugly enough that they don't billow in freefall or catch on your equipment. And no matter what suit you wear, skip the thick winter coat: you'll overheat during the climb to altitude, sweat through your base layers, and freeze the second you exit the plane. You should feel slightly cool when you're standing on the ground, not warm---you'll heat up fast once you're in freefall.
Head and Eye Protection: Frostbite on Your Ears Is No Joke
Most skydivers ignore head and face protection until they've already lost a chunk of skin to frostbite, so don't make that mistake. If you wear an open-face helmet, pick a thin, snug merino skull cap to wear under it---skip the thick beanie, which will slip down over your eyes the second you hit freefall airspeed. For sub-zero jumps, a full-face helmet is a game-changer: it blocks wind from hitting your face entirely, so you can wear a thin balaclava under it without it slipping down, and you won't have to deal with wind tearing at your eyes or cheeks mid-jump. For goggles, skip the basic tinted summer pairs. Look for goggles with a foam wind seal around the edges to block cold air, and a hard anti-fog coating on the lens. If you wear prescription glasses, pick goggles that fit comfortably over them, or invest in prescription inserts---foggy lenses are not just annoying, they're dangerous when you're trying to spot your landing area over snow or low cloud cover. Clear or light yellow lenses work best for overcast, snowy days, while darker tints are fine for bright, sunny cold weather jumps.
Gloves: Dexterity Over Thickness
Thick, puffy winter gloves are useless for skydiving: you won't be able to grip your pilot chute, pull your handles, or work your altimeter zippers with them on. Instead, look for cold-weather skydiving gloves with a thin, dexterous palm and fingertips, a reinforced grip patch on the palm for handling your pilot chute and handles, and a windproof, water-resistant outer shell. Most cold-weather jump gloves come with a removable liner, so you can swap it out for a thinner one if temperatures rise mid-day, or add a liner for extra warmth on extra cold jumps. If you have smaller hands or struggle to grip handles with gloves on, add 2-inch handle extensions to your main and reserve deployment handles---they give you extra length to grip, so you don't have to take your gloves off to pull them in an emergency. Avoid gloves with big, bulky cuffs that can catch on your rig's buckles or handles mid-jump, and always bring a spare dry pair in your jump bag in case your first pair gets wet from snow or sweat. Hand warmers are a great addition, but never put them directly against your skin under thin gloves---they can cause second-degree burns in as little as 20 minutes. Tuck them in an outer pocket of your jumpsuit or a pouch on your rig instead.
Socks and Booties: Skip the Winter Boots
Regular winter snow boots are too bulky for skydiving: you won't be able to flex your ankles to do a proper PLF (parachute landing fall) if you land on ice or hard packed snow, and you won't be able to feel the ground under your feet when you flare. Instead, pick cold-weather skydiving booties with a snug fit, a non-slip rubber sole for traction on snow and ice, and a thin insulated liner. For socks, again, skip cotton---opt for 200g merino wool socks that wick moisture and retain heat even when damp. Avoid thick, bulky socks that bunch up inside your booties and cause blisters during a long day of jumping.
Rig Tweaks You Can't Skip
Cold weather doesn't just affect your body---it affects your rig, too. Before every cold-weather jump, test your main and reserve deployment handles with your gloves on to make sure you can grip and pull them easily. If you struggle, add extended handles or handle extensions to give you extra grip. Check all of your rig's buckles and adjusters before you put it on---plastic and nylon can get stiff and brittle in extreme cold, and buckles can freeze shut if they're wet. If you're jumping below 10°F (-12°C), add a windproof rig cover over your main liftweb and reserve container to keep cold air from seeping into your rig and making your deployment bags stiff. Also, swap any plastic or rubber deployment bags for nylon ones: plastic becomes brittle in extreme cold and can crack mid-deployment, leading to a main or reserve malfunction. It's a cheap, 10-minute fix that can save you from a very bad day.
Small Accessories That Make a Huge Difference
A few cheap, low-effort accessories can turn a miserable cold jump into a comfortable one:
- A windproof, moisture-wicking neck gaiter or balaclava that you can pull up over your nose and mouth during the climb to altitude, and pull down during freefall so it doesn't block your view.
- Thin ear warmers that fit under your helmet---frostbite on your ears is extremely common, painful, and completely avoidable.
- Waterproof gaiters to wear over your booties if you're jumping in snowy conditions, to keep snow from seeping into your socks and booties when you walk to the plane.
- A small pouch on your jumpsuit or rig to store hand warmers, so you can swap them out halfway through the day if your gloves get cold.
What to Avoid (I Learned This the Hard Way)
- Over-layering : If you're sweating when you're standing on the ground, you're wearing too many layers. You'll overheat during the climb to altitude, sweat through your base layers, and freeze the second you exit the plane. Stick to 2--3 layers max, depending on the temperature.
- Ignoring moisture : Wet gear freezes fast. If your gloves, base layers, or socks get damp from sweat or snow, swap them out as soon as possible---don't try to tough it out with wet layers.
- Skipping the pre-jump gear check : Cold weather can make your rig's materials stiff and your handles harder to grip, so do a full gear check before every jump, not just the first one of the day. Test your handles with your gloves on, and make sure you can pull them easily without fumbling.
Last month, I did a jump in 18°F (-8°C) with the gear setup I outlined above, and I stayed warm the entire time---even during the 20-minute canopy ride back to the drop zone. I didn't have to fumble with frozen handles, my fingers weren't numb when I landed, and the post-jump hot cocoa tasted even better than I remembered. Cold-weather jumps are worth the extra prep: the air is crisp, the views are unbeatable, and you get the drop zone almost entirely to yourself. Just don't make the same mistake I did that first time---invest in the right gear, and you'll be chasing snowy jumps all winter long.