You're standing at the open door of a Twin Otter, 13,000 feet above the dirt, and the only thing between you and a very messy situation is a backpack-sized bundle of nylon and cord. Naturally, you start wondering: how much is a parachute, exactly? If you’re looking for a quick number, a brand-new, complete skydiving rig usually lands between $7,000 and $10,000.
That’s a lot of money. It’s "decent used car" money. It’s "down payment on a house in the Midwest" money. But here’s the thing: you aren’t just buying a "parachute." You’re buying a complex life-support system composed of four or five distinct components that all have to work in perfect harmony.
Most people outside the sport think you just buy a bag with a string. Honestly, it’s more like building a high-performance PC or a custom mountain bike. You pick the frame (container), the engine (main canopy), the backup plan (reserve canopy), and the computer (AAD). Each piece has its own price tag and its own expiration date.
The Sticker Shock: Breaking Down the Components
When you ask how much is a parachute, you’re usually asking about a "complete rig." In the skydiving world, we break this down into the "Big Four."
First, there’s the container. This is the backpack part with the harness. Brands like United Parachute Technologies (UPT) or Sun Path Products make these to order. A new Vector 3 or Javelin Odyssey will run you about $3,500 to $4,500. You can customize the colors, but every "pinstrip" or "spacer foam" upgrade adds to the bill.
Then you have the main canopy. This is the wing you actually fly and land. For a modern, reliable wing like a Performance Designs Sabre3, expect to pay around $2,600 to $3,000. If you want a high-performance "cross-braced" wing for swooping—the kind that makes a terrifying whistling sound—you might drop $4,000 just for that piece of fabric.
Don't Forget the Safety Tech
The reserve parachute is your "oh crap" button. It’s built to much stricter standards than the main. You hope you never see it, but you have to buy it. A PD Reserve or an Icarus Nano reserve costs roughly $1,600 to $2,200.
Finally, there is the Automatic Activation Device (AAD). This is a tiny computer that sits in your container and cuts the reserve cord if you’re still falling at terminal velocity at a certain altitude—basically, if you’re unconscious or lose track of time. A CYPRES 2 or a Vigil Cuatro will cost about $1,200 to $1,500.
It’s expensive. No doubt. But it's also worth noting that these pieces of gear hold their value remarkably well.
Why the Price Varies So Much
Why does one guy at the dropzone have a $12,000 setup while another is jumping something he got for $3,000? It comes down to the "used" market and technology.
If you are a beginner, buying brand new is often a mistake. You're going to "downsize" quickly as your skills improve. A beginner might start on a 210-square-foot parachute and want to move to a 170 within a year. If you bought that 210 new, you just ate a lot of depreciation.
The Used Gear Route
You can find a complete, airworthy used rig for $3,500 to $5,500. This is how 90% of people get into the sport. But there are caveats. Parachutes have a lifespan measured in "jumps." A main canopy usually lasts about 1,000 to 1,500 jumps before the fabric becomes too porous to fly safely. If you buy a used main with 600 jumps on it, it should be significantly cheaper than one with 50.
Always, always have a certified Master Rigger inspect used gear before you hand over the cash. They check for UV damage, fraying lines, and "soft" spots in the honeycomb of the fabric. It’s the skydiving equivalent of a mechanic’s pre-purchase inspection.
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Hidden Costs: It’s Not Just the Gear
The price of the parachute is just the entry fee. To actually use it, you need a few more things.
- Altimeter: A digital one like the Dekunu One or L&B Ares II costs $300 to $500.
- Helmet: A high-quality full-face helmet like the Cookie G4 is about $500.
- Jumpsuit: You can jump in jeans, but a custom suit for better flight characteristics costs $400 to $800.
- Rigging Fees: Every 180 days (in the US, per FAA regs), your reserve must be unpacked, inspected, and repacked by a licensed rigger. This costs about $100 to $150 twice a year.
Comparing Parachute Types
Not all parachutes are for jumping out of planes.
BASE Jumping Gear
BASE gear is different. You don't have a reserve. You have one parachute, usually larger and designed to open instantly and accurately. A complete BASE setup (container and canopy) from a company like Apex BASE or Squirrel will set you back about $3,500 to $5,000. It’s "cheaper" because there is no reserve or AAD, but the specialized nature of the gear keeps the price of the single canopy high.
Powered Paragliding (Paramotoring)
If you want to take off from a field, you're looking at a paramotor wing. These are different from skydiving parachutes—they are "gliders." A wing costs about $3,000 to $4,500. But then you need the motor (the "fan" on your back), which adds another $6,000 to $10,000. Total cost? Easily $10,000 to $15,000 for a new setup.
Is It Possible to Find a "Cheap" Parachute?
Technically, yes. You can go on eBay and find old military surplus round parachutes for $200.
Don't jump them. Those are often sold as "decorative" or for "cargo." Using an expired, military surplus round canopy for sport skydiving in 2026 is a recipe for a broken leg or worse. Modern "square" (ram-air) canopies allow you to steer and flare for a soft landing. Round chutes basically just slow your descent enough that you might not die when you hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.
Real-World Examples of Gear Costs
Let's look at three different "entry" points for someone asking how much is a parachute.
The "Budget" Beginner:
- Used Container (5 years old): $1,800
- Used Main Canopy (300 jumps): $1,500
- Used Reserve (Never fired): $1,000
- Used AAD (4 years remaining): $600
- Total: $4,900
The "Standard" New Setup:
- New UPT Vector: $3,800
- New PD Sabre3: $2,800
- New PD Reserve: $1,900
- New CYPRES 2: $1,400
- Total: $9,900
The "Weightless" BASE Setup:
- Squirrel Crux Container: $1,400
- Squirrel Outlaw Canopy: $2,600
- Total: $4,000
Maintenance and Longevity
People often forget that parachutes are "consumables."
Every 100 jumps or so, you need a "relines." The lines on a parachute are made of Vectran, HMA, or Dacron. They stretch or shrink over time due to the heat generated by friction during opening. A reline costs about $300 to $500. If you don't do it, the parachute won't fly "in trim," meaning it might turn unexpectedly or flare poorly.
The AAD also has a lifespan. Most have a 15-year life. If you buy a 10-year-old AAD, it only has 5 years of "value" left. Always factor the "remaining life" into the price when buying used.
Practical Steps for Buying Your First Rig
Buying gear is a rite of passage, but don't rush it. Most students use "rental gear" for their first 25 to 50 jumps. This costs about $30 per jump but saves you from buying a parachute you'll outgrow in two months.
Once you’re ready to buy, start by talking to your local rigger. They know who is selling gear at your specific dropzone. They also know which rigs have been "hard-opened" or dragged through the mud.
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Check the "Skydiving Gear for Sale" groups on Facebook and the classifieds on Dropzone.com. These are the primary hubs for used gear. When you find something, ask for the serial numbers and the "packing data card" info.
Verify the manufacture dates. A "deal" on a 20-year-old container isn't a deal—many riggers won't even work on gear that old because the materials degrade.
Invest in a good altimeter and a high-quality helmet first. Those are "lifetime" purchases that don't change based on your parachute size.
Finally, save an extra $500 beyond the purchase price. You’ll need it for the initial inspection, a potential reserve repack, and maybe a few small parts like a new pilot chute or closing loops. Being a skydiver is about more than just the fall; it's about maintaining the gear that makes the fall survivable.