Buying your first container skydive setup is a massive milestone that usually happens right around the time you're tired of smelling the previous student's sweat in a rental rig. It's that transition from being a "student" to being a "skydiver" with your own gear. But let's be honest—looking at a gear catalog for the first time feels a bit like trying to read a foreign language. There are so many buckles, flaps, and "essential" add-ons that it's easy to get lost in the weeds.
The container is basically the backpack that holds everything together. It houses your main parachute, your reserve, and that life-saving little computer called the AAD. Because it's the piece of gear that actually straps to your body, the fit is everything. If it doesn't fit right, your skydiving experience is going to go from "thrilling" to "annoying" pretty fast.
Why the Fit Matters More Than the Color
I know, we all want to look cool in the sky. Picking out neon colors and custom embroidery is the fun part of ordering a new container skydive rig. But if you prioritize aesthetics over fit, you're going to regret it by jump ten. A container that's too big will slide around during freefall, especially if you start getting into belly flying or freeflying. You don't want your rig shifting toward your neck when you're trying to track away.
On the flip side, a container that's too small is a literal pain. If the yoke (the part that sits on your shoulders) is too narrow, it'll dig into your collarbones. If the main lift web is too short, you'll be hunched over like the Hunchback of Notre Dame while you're walking to the plane. When you're under canopy, a poorly fitted harness can pinch in places you definitely don't want to be pinched. Take your measurements seriously, or better yet, have an experienced rigger do them for you.
Understanding the Internal Components
While the outside looks like a sleek backpack, the inside of a container skydive rig is a bit of a masterpiece in engineering. You've got two separate compartments: one for the reserve on top and one for the main canopy on the bottom.
The way these compartments close is pretty clever. Most modern rigs use a "pin and loop" system. When you pull your pilot chute, it pulls the pin, and the container opens up to let the main canopy fly free. But then there's the reserve side, which is a whole different beast. That side is held shut by a much tighter pin and is usually only touched by a certified rigger every six months.
One thing you'll hear people talk about a lot is "madi-covers" or "riser covers." These are the flaps that protect your lines and pins from the wind. If you're planning on doing high-speed disciplines like freeflying, you need a container skydive rig with really secure covers. You do not want a "premature opening" because a flap caught the wind at 160 mph.
New vs. Used Gear
This is the age-old debate for anyone getting into the sport. Buying a brand-new container skydive rig is an incredible feeling. You get to choose the colors, it's built exactly to your body measurements, and it has that "new car" smell (well, "new nylon" smell). The downside? It's expensive, and the wait times can be months. Sometimes a manufacturer might have a six-month backlog, and that's a long time to wait when the weather is perfect.
Buying used is a great way to save a few thousand bucks. The skydiving community has a pretty robust used market. However, you have to be careful. You need to check the "DOM" (Date of Manufacture). A container that's 20 years old might still be airworthy, but it won't have the modern safety features or the comfort of a newer model.
If you go the used route, always have a rigger inspect it before you hand over the cash. They'll look for frayed webbing, rusted hardware, or sun damage to the fabric. It's the best couple of bucks you'll ever spend to ensure your "deal" isn't actually a death trap.
The Bells and Whistles: Are They Worth It?
When you're looking at a container skydive order form, you'll see options for things like RSLs, Skyhooks, and various types of pilot chute handles.
An RSL (Reserve Static Line) is a lanyard that connects your main risers to your reserve pin. If you cut away your main, the RSL pulls the reserve pin for you. It's a fantastic safety feature. The Skyhook is a specialized version of this that actually uses the departing main canopy to pull the reserve out of the bag even faster. For most people, these are "must-haves."
Then you have the handles. Do you want a standard "pud" (a soft handle) or a "plastic pipe" handle for your pilot chute? Do you want a "D-ring" or a "soft handle" for your reserve? These mostly come down to personal preference and what you practiced with during your AFF or static line training. Stick with what you know until you have enough jumps to understand why you might want to switch.
Comfort Features You'll Thank Yourself For
If you're planning on doing back-to-back loads all day, you want a container skydive rig that treats your body well. Look for "spacer foam" on the backpad and leg pads. This stuff is breathable and adds a layer of cushioning between you and the heavy parachutes.
Another big one is the "articulated harness." This means the harness has metal rings at the hips and sometimes the chest. These rings allow the webbing to pivot as you move. Without them, the stiff webbing has to bend and fold, which can be bulky and restrictive. An articulated harness feels much more like a part of your body rather than something you're just carrying.
Maintenance and Longevity
Your container skydive rig is an investment, and if you take care of it, it can last you ten years or more. The biggest enemy of nylon is the sun. UV rays break down the fibers over time. If you're hanging out at the dropzone between jumps, don't leave your rig sitting in the direct sun. Put it in a gear bag or throw a cover over it.
Also, keep it out of the dirt as much as possible. Sand and grit can get into the weave of the fabric and act like tiny sandpaper, wearing down the threads from the inside out. If you land in a dusty area, give it a light brush off.
Lastly, pay attention to your "bungees" and closing loops. These are small, cheap parts that wear out frequently. If your closing loop looks even slightly frayed, replace it. It's a thirty-second fix that prevents a very expensive and dangerous accidental opening in the plane.
Final Thoughts on Your Purchase
At the end of the day, your container skydive rig is the piece of equipment you trust with your life. It's easy to get caught up in the gear-head talk about drag coefficients and aerodynamic profiles, but for most of us, it's about safety and comfort.
Talk to the local instructors and riggers at your dropzone. They see every brand and model come through the door, and they know which ones hold up over time and which ones are a pain to pack. Don't be afraid to ask to try on someone else's rig (on the ground, of course) to see how different brands feel on your shoulders. Once you find that perfect fit, the sky feels a whole lot more like home.