Gear category

Helmet

Protection and mount for audible, camera, visor. Open-face vs full-face is the first choice.

3
Models listed
4
Manufacturers
€250–650
Price range
Moderate
Used market
01 — Overview

What it is and how it works

Helmet chosen by discipline and comfort. Open-face (Protec, G3) for belly and early jumps — better voice communication and peripheral vision. Full-face (Cookie G4, Tonfly 2X) for freefly, angle, wingsuit — total protection, aerodynamic profile, impossible to self-injure with pilot chute at deployment. Both fit audible, external camera, adjustable visor.

02 — What to evaluate

Key specs

Type (open-face / full-face)

Open = more comms, less protection. Full = more safety, harder to communicate in plane. Many switch to full-face after 50-100 jumps.

Closure (chin-strap / snap)

Belt chin-strap = adjustable, reliable, less elegant. Magnetic snap = fast but may open in freefall if mispositioned. Many schools recommend chin-strap for early years.

Audible + camera slots

One audible (L&B Optima II) on temple. Camera (GoPro, Insta360) on top — needs cut-away protection to avoid cable ripping visor in emergency.

03 — Manufacturers

Reference brands

CookieTonflyBoneheadKISS
04 — Models

3 flagship models

Cookie
G4
€450–€650
New

World's best-selling full-face. Replaceable visor, audible + camera slots, aerodynamic profile. Italian freefly default.

Intermediate (B-C)Advanced (C-D)Expert / competition
Manufacturer site →
Tonfly
2X
€450–€600
New

Italian full-face. Slim profile preferred by competition freefly for head-down drag reduction. Optional photochromic visor.

Advanced (C-D)Expert / competition
Manufacturer site →
Bonehead
Mindwarp
€250–€350
New

Lightweight open-face, chosen for early jumps and belly FS. Excellent ventilation, aggressive pricing.

StudentNovice (post-A)
Manufacturer site →
05 — Lifecycle

Lifespan and used market

Lifespan and maintenance

Composite helmets last 5-10 years if not shocked. Severe impact = immediate replacement (even if helmet looks fine). Visors replaceable separately.

Used market
Moderate

Moderate supply, needs active search. Fluctuating pricing. Only buy with certified rigger inspection.

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All gear categories
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Disciplines
FAI sport disciplines
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Safety
Safety framework and procedures
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Sources: official manufacturer product pages, USPA SIM Section 5, PIA bulletins. Indicative pricing from European dealers, April 2026. Quota 4000 does not test gear — no individual reviews. For model-specific evaluation: certified rigger or trusted instructor.

Basic Pack Job: How to Pack Your Main Canopy Without Mistakes

Packing your main canopy correctly requires following a precise sequence: lay out and inspect the canopy, align the lines, build a symmetrical pack job, and position the pilot chute correctly. A poorly executed pack job won't necessarily cause a malfunction, but it does increase the likelihood of off-heading openings, line twists, or a slider that won't come down.

10 min read
Attrezzatura

Full Face vs Open Face Helmet: Which to Choose for Skydiving

In skydiving, a full face helmet protects your chin and face but reduces auditory perception and the visor can fog up; an open face offers greater sensory freedom and is preferred by many instructors and advanced freefly jumpers. For a newer jumper with 50–200 jumps, an open face with solid lateral protection is often the most versatile and learning-friendly choice.

9 min read

Canopy Malfunctions: Types, Frequency, and Emergency Procedures

Canopy malfunctions fall into two categories: partial (the canopy opens but is compromised) and total (the canopy fails to open at all). The standard procedure always follows the same sequence: assess altitude, attempt a correction if the malfunction type allows it, and when in doubt, cut away and deploy the reserve. Training with an ENAC-certified school is the only way to practice these procedures safely.

8 min read
Attrezzatura

Skydiving Jumpsuits: How to Choose Between Materials, Sizing, and Used Gear

To choose a skydiving jumpsuit, you need to consider your discipline, your freefall weight relative to the group, and whether you need a slick or draggy fabric. For skydivers with 50–200 jumps, a mid-weight cordura suit with mesh grippers is a versatile and durable starting point.

9 min read
Attrezzatura

Your First Canopy: How to Choose Without Getting Hurt

For their first personal canopy, a novice with 50-200 jumps should choose a 9-cell intermediate category canopy (like a Sabre2, Pilot, or Spectre) with a wing loading not exceeding 1.1-1.2 lb/ft². Size should be calculated based on exit weight (body + gear) and never chosen 'small to grow into': you choose a canopy for today, not for the future.

9 min read