Every so often, we hear a story from a customer that reminds us just how creative people can be with our gear. One of our most memorable came from a lightweight female skydiver who regularly jumped in formation with a team of men. Her problem?
She was too light — which meant when everyone else dropped into a perfect formation, she’d start to float above the group no matter how she positioned her body.
Her solution: a small, custom-fitted weight vest to help her fall a little faster and stay level with the team.
And it worked.
1. The Physics of Falling
In skydiving, your terminal velocity — the speed you fall — depends on your body mass and surface area.
Heavier jumpers fall faster; lighter jumpers fall slower. When skydiving solo, that’s no problem. But in formation skydiving, everyone must fall at the same rate to stay together in midair.
A well-balanced, secure weight vest can help a smaller jumper achieve that balance safely and precisely — as long as it’s fitted correctly and used under expert supervision.
2. Not All Weight Vests Are Created Equal
Our vests were originally designed for fitness and performance training, but we’ve learned they’re versatile tools in many fields — from firefighters and military trainers to, apparently, skydivers.
That said, skydivers need to be careful. A vest for skydiving should:
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Fit tightly to the torso with no loose straps or flapping material
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Have even weight distribution (front and back)
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Avoid any metal or bulky weights that could interfere with parachute harnesses
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Be tested at low jump heights or with professional approval before real use
If you’re not sure, always talk with a certified skydiving instructor or rigger before making a jump with added weight.
3. Why Some Skydivers Use Weight Vests
Weight vests in skydiving aren’t about training — they’re about precision control. Here’s where they can make a difference:
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Formation skydiving: Staying synchronized with heavier teammates
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Freefly discipline: Maintaining speed in different orientations (head-down, sit-fly, etc.)
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Wind tunnel practice: Helping light flyers stay grounded and stable in high airflow
In these cases, weight is used strategically, not for “more intensity” — but for more control.
4. What to Avoid
Don’t use standard gym vests or adjustable fitness vests with loose weights for jumps.
Skydiving weight vests are usually custom-made or modified for the sport — and tested for aerodynamic safety.
While we’re proud our designs have inspired crossovers, we always recommend using our vests for ground training unless you’re working with a qualified instructor who knows how to integrate added weight safely into your setup.
5. The Bottom Line
A weight vest can absolutely make a difference in skydiving — but it’s not about “training harder.” It’s about matching fall rates, staying in formation, and keeping everyone safe.
For most people, keep the vest on the ground. But for professionals who know what they’re doing — like our lightweight customer who soared in sync with her teammates — it’s proof that smart innovation and good design can take you higher (and faster).