The Best Skydiving Shoes for a Comfortable Jump

Table of Contents

• Why It’s Important to Wear the Right Shoes for Skydiving
• What Kind of Shoes Do You Wear for Skydiving?
• Skydiving Footwear: What to Avoid
• Why Skydiving Boots Are NOT Recommended
• Why Do Skydivers Wear Vans?
• Is Barefoot Skydiving Safe?
• Choose the Right Shoes for the Ultimate Skydiving Experience

Key Takeaways

Wearing the right shoes is crucial for a safe and comfortable skydiving experience. Lace-up athletic sneakers with flat soles — like running shoes or Vans — are ideal, while boots, sandals, slip-ons, or barefoot jumping can pose serious risks during takeoff, freefall, and landing.

When planning your skydiving adventure, what you wear matters more than you might think. While most people focus on the jumpsuits and layering for comfort, one crucial element is often overlooked: your shoes! The best shoes for skydiving are comfortable, supportive, lace-up athletic shoes with flat soles. Wearing the right footwear can make a big difference in your comfort, safety, and overall experience. 

This guide will cover everything you need to know about skydiving footwear – from the best shoes to wear to the risks of making the wrong choice.

Why It’s Important to Wear the Right Shoes for Skydiving

When skydiving, it’s important that your shoes fit well and are tied tightly. While we have one of the nicest skydiving planes in the industry – the crowd favorite King Air – skydiving airplanes are nothing like commercial airplanes. They tend to be much smaller and usually only have a bench for you to sit on (and sometimes there are no seats at all). 

So, you’ll be climbing into a small metal aircraft – like our Cessna 182 – with other skydivers and objects to maneuver over, exiting at 14,000 feet and landing under a parachute – none of which are ideal times to lose a shoe. Because once it’s gone, it’s gone!

What Kind of Shoes Do You Wear for Skydiving?

The ideal skydiving shoes are lace-up athletic sneakers with flat soles. This includes:

• Running Shoes
• Tennis Shoes
• Cross-trainers
• Skate Shoes

These types of footwear are secure, supportive, and flexible – offering protection and stability throughout your skydive, from the plane ride up to landing back on the ground.

Skydiving Footwear: What to Avoid

Some of us may not think twice before slipping on whatever shoes are at the front door, but before you head out for your skydive, you’ll want to make sure you’re grabbing the right pair. Not all shoes are created equal when it comes to skydiving. Some might seem okay at first glance, but can pose real issues once you’re in the air or approaching the ground on landing. Here are some common shoe types to avoid:

Flip-flops, Sandals, or Slides

Not only do these types of shoes offer no protection when boarding, exiting, or landing the aircraft, but they are also very likely to come off mid-air. *Sad face* So save your flippy floppies for the beach!

Open-Toe Shoes and Slip-ons

Any type of shoe that exposes any part of your foot or can easily slip on and off is a huge no-go!

High Heels or Wedges

Any kind of shoe with a heel or wedge will make your skydiving experience more difficult as you’re trying to focus on balance, stability, and mobility when boarding/exiting the airplane and landing on the ground. An injured ankle or two is a sure way to ruin your experience.

New Shoes

New shoes don’t just cause discomfort or blisters when breaking them in, but you’ll be severely disappointed if you scuff up your fresh kicks. Stick with a pair you know and trust (and don’t mind getting a little dirty).

Boots

While boots have a reputation of being sturdy, they pose their unique challenges.. Let’s discuss in detail!

Why Skydiving Boots Are NOT Recommended

Skydiving boots might seem like a logical or even stylish choice – especially those familiar with military skydiving – but for sport skydiving, they are far from ideal.

Boots are often heavy, rigid, and bulky. They can interfere with your leg straps and limit your ankle mobility – both of which are critical during freefall and especially landing. Their hard soles also reduce your ability to absorb impact on landing, increasing the risk of injury.

Despite skydiving boots being a popular subject, most licensed jumpers and instructors will tell you: stick with a flexible sneaker that allows natural movement.

Why Do Skydivers Wear Vans?

At dropzones around the world, Vans or other skate shoes are popular as skydiving shoes – and for good reasons.

Vans offer a flat, grippy sole that makes them ideal for aircraft movement, exit, and landings. Their low profile prevents interference with gear, and the sturdy yet flexible design holds up well over repeated jumps. Add in the comfort and style factor, and it’s easy to see why they’re a favorite among seasoned skydivers.

While Vans aren’t a requirement, their popularity speaks to their practicality. If you’re looking for the best shoes for skydiving, Vans (or similar skate-style sneakers) are a solid option.

Is Barefoot Skydiving Safe?

Every now and then, you’ll come across videos of skydivers going barefoot. These stunts might look freeing or exhilarating, but barefoot skydiving is NOT safe for most people – and it is definitely NOT permitted for tandem jumps at Skydive Monroe.

People sometimes skydive barefoot for stunts or specific scenarios, like landing in soft sand or water. However, these jumps are usually done by highly-trained professionals under controlled conditions.

For everyday sport skydiving or tandem experiences, going barefoot poses significant risks. You lose the protection of a shoe’s sole, which is crucial during landing. Sharp objects, uneven terrain, and even cold temperatures can quickly turn a barefoot landing into a painful or dangerous situation.

For your safety and comfort, always wear closed-toe, secure shoes when skydiving.

Choose the Right Shoes for the Ultimate Skydiving Experience

Your skydiving shoes don’t need to be expensive or the best shoes out there, but they do need to be appropriate. By wearing the right footwear, you’ll protect your precious pups and be better prepared for all of the dynamic movements that come with skydiving. 

At Skydive Monroe, we’re all about helping you have a safe and thrilling experience, so if you’re unsure about your footwear, please feel free to ask one of our instructors. Shoot, bring multiple pairs if you have to! Safety is our number one priority, so we will always take the time to make sure you are feeling comfortable and secure for your jump.

Ready to Jump?

Now that you know what kind of shoes to sport, you’re one step closer to making the jump of a lifetime! Book your tandem skydive with Skydive Monroe today! Blue skies, sneaker heads.