Skydive Buy & Sell+ List your gearYour first skydiving rig: new or used?
Buying your first rig is a big step, and a good one. Here is how jumpers usually think it through, and who to ask before you spend any money.
Start with the people who know you
Talk to your instructors, coaches and a certified rigger at your drop zone before you shop. They know your size, your jump numbers and where you are headed in the sport, and they can tell you which gear and canopy sizes make sense for you right now.
New or used
- New: known history, manufacturer support, and a rig made to fit you. It costs more, and lead times can be long.
- Used: usually much cheaper and available sooner, but you inherit its history and you have to verify it.
- Either way, fit, a canopy size that suits your experience, and a rigger who has looked at it matter more than the price.
If you go used
Ask for the full history, the paperwork and the repack records, and have a certified rigger inspect the rig before you pay. Our inspection checklist and our guide to buying used gear safely show what to bring and what to ask.
Common first-rig mistakes
- Buying a canopy that is too small because it was a deal
- Falling for a rig that does not fit your body
- Skipping the rigger inspection to save time or money
- Paying before you have seen the gear and its paperwork
How Skydive Buy & Sell helps
- Browsing is free. Create a free account to see full details, ask questions, and make offers.
- Moderators check new members' listings before they go live, and verified riggers and trusted members can take down a listing that looks unsafe.
- Buyers and sellers deal directly. We never handle payments or shipping.
- Reputation comes from confirmed sales, reviews, and vouches from jumpers who know you, and every member agrees to a community pledge of honesty and personal accountability.
Related guides
Rig inspectionUsed rigsBuying safelyScam warning signs
Blue skies.
This page is general information, not professional advice. Always have used gear inspected by a certified parachute rigger before you use it. Skydive Buy & Sell is an independent site and is not affiliated with any manufacturer or skydiving organization.