8 categories, 28 verified flagship models, EUR pricing from manufacturer pages. No individual reviews: Quota 4000 doesn't test gear. Lists public specs and community consensus.
New justified for reserve (long service life, clean maintenance trail) and AAD (electronics with known lifecycle). Used acceptable for main and container if provenance + certified rigger inspection. Used price typically: 40-60% of new.
Wing loading = (exit weight lbs) / sq.ft. Post-license: 1.0 max. Below 100 jumps many stay between 0.8 and 1.0. Going above requires dedicated canopy coaching. Downsizing without skill = top contributor to under-canopy incidents.
Priority: 1) helmet + altimeter + suit (cheap, personal), 2) AAD (active safety), 3) reserve (passive safety), 4) container + main (the system). Container + main bought together: size compatibility is binding.
The rigger is the person following you for years: reserve inspection, maintenance, modifications. A good rigger advises what to buy in your context. Pick the rigger before buying, not after.
The wing you actually fly. 7-cell, 9-cell, elliptical, crossbraced — choice driven by wing loading and discipline.
The canopy that saves lives. 7-cell docile, packed by certified rigger, repacked every 6 months.
The harness holding everything together. Custom-sized to body and canopies. Custom order, 3-6 month delivery.
The electronics that auto-activate reserve. ENAC de facto standard — no school lets you jump without one.
Primary altitude awareness instrument. Analog + audible is the standard pairing.
Technical flying outfit. Belly, freefly, wingsuit — each discipline has its shape. Custom-fit to flyer weight.
Protection and mount for audible, camera, visor. Open-face vs full-face is the first choice.
GoPro, Insta360, dedicated cameras. For personal debrief first — content second.
Order-of-magnitude, not quotes. Prices sampled from European dealer lists (Apr 2026). Actual kit depends on specific models, sizes, used manufacture year.