Wear comfortable, close-fitting athletic clothes you can move in, closed-toe lace-up sneakers, and an extra layer to add at the drop zone. That’s the short version of what to wear for skydiving in Las Vegas. The twist that catches most first-timers off guard is the desert climate: it can be 100°F on the ground and near freezing at altitude on the very same morning. Dress for both.
Why the Las Vegas Desert Changes the Usual Advice
Standard skydiving clothing advice assumes a fairly mild dropzone. The Mojave Desert isn’t mild. Summer ground temperatures in the Las Vegas area regularly push past 100°F, while the air at jump altitude (typically around 12,000–13,000 feet) is roughly 30–40°F colder.
That means a tank top that feels perfect in the parking lot can leave you genuinely cold in freefall. The reverse is true in winter mornings, which can start near freezing before warming up fast.
So the desert rule is simple: dress for the ground, but pack for altitude.
In short, in Las Vegas, plan for a big temperature swing between the ground and the sky. Layers solve it.
What to Wear Skydiving: The Core Outfit
Skydiving is a sport, so think gym clothes, not a night out. You want a full range of motion for the arched body position your instructor will coach you into.
A reliable skydiving outfit looks like this:
- Close-fitting, stretchy clothing, such as leggings, joggers, or athletic pants, and a fitted shirt. Stretch fabric lets you squat, arch, and move freely.
- Long sleeves and long pants shield your skin from 120+ mph wind, strong desert sun, and the harness straps. They also help with a sliding landing.
- One light, non-bulky layer, a thin pullover or windbreaker, you can add before boarding. Avoid anything that flaps.
You almost certainly already own everything you need. There’s no special gear to buy for a tandem jump.
In short, Comfortable, snug, athletic, and covering your arms and legs is the sweet spot.
What Shoes Should I wear for skydiving?
Closed-toe sneakers with a flat sole and laces. That’s it.
Lace-up tennis shoes, running shoes, or skate shoes all work well because they stay on your feet at high speed. The single biggest footwear mistake is wearing anything that can come off, and, in free-fall, if a shoe can come off, it will.
Avoid these:
- Flip-flops, sandals, and slip-ons
- Heels or any raised sole
- Boots with hooks or cleats
- Bulky shoes that make it hard to move on the plane
In short: Flat, closed-toe, lace-up sneakers tied snugly. Nothing loose.
What You Should Not Wear for Skydiving
What you leave at home matters as much as what you put on. Wind and a tight harness don’t mix with loose ends, hardware, or anything dangling.
Skip:
- Jewelry necklaces, bracelets, rings, and dangly earrings can snag, get lost, or get hurt. Small stud earrings are usually fine; eyeglasses are completely fine.
- Dresses and skirts have no coverage, and they billow in the wind.
- Hoods, drawstrings, grommets, rhinestones, pom-poms, anything that flaps, stings at 120 mph, and can block your instructor’s view.
- Heavy, bulky jackets interfere with the harness. Choose a thin layer instead.
Can I Wear Jeans Skydiving?
Jeans are okay only if they stretch and you can move easily. Traditional stiff denim restricts the arch and gets uncomfortable under a harness. If jeans are your only option, pick a flexible pair, but leggings or joggers are a better bet.
In short: Anything loose, sharp, sparkly, or restrictive stays home.
Dressing by Season: A Las Vegas Month-by-Month Guide
This is where a desert dropzone really differs from the generic advice. Here’s a practical starting point for skydiving in Las Vegas by time of year.
Season | On the Ground | What to Add for Altitude |
Summer (Jun–Aug) | Very hot, 95–110°F+ | Lightweight long sleeves + a thin layer; you’ll want it up high |
Spring/Fall (Mar–May, Sep–Nov) | Mild, 60–85°F | A light pullover or windbreaker |
Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cold mornings, 35–55°F | Snug base layer + fleece; borrow a jumpsuit and gloves |
A few desert-specific notes:
- Summer: Don’t be fooled by the heat. Breathable long sleeves protect against both sun and the chill at altitude. Hydrate well before you arrive.
- Winter: Mornings are genuinely cold. Layer with moisture-wicking base layers, and ask about borrowing a jumpsuit and gloves.
- Any season: Mornings and evenings can differ by 30°F from midday. Check the forecast for your jump time, not just the daily high.
In short: Summer means sun-and-altitude protection; winter means layered warmth. Both want a light extra layer ready.
Do I Need a Jumpsuit? And Can I Wear a Helmet?
For a tandem jump, a jumpsuit is provided to go over your clothing, so your outfit underneath just needs to be comfortable. You don’t need to buy or bring one.
On the helmet question: tandem passengers don’t wear a hard-shell helmet, because the force when the parachute opens could injure the instructor behind you. Soft headgear is typically provided where appropriate. If you train to jump solo through an Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program, you’ll be fitted with a helmet and a radio to guide your landing.
In short: A jumpsuit is handled for you; tandem passengers don’t wear hard helmets.
How Should I Wear My Hair?
If your hair is long, tie it back securely. At 120 mph, loose hair becomes a tangled mess and can blow into your instructor’s face and block their view.
- Braids (French, fishtail, cornrows) sit snug to the scalp and hold up best.
- Tight buns work well; add a second elastic for insurance.
- Ponytails are okay, but the ends tend to whip around.
Stud earrings can stay; remove anything that dangles.
In short, Braids or a tight bun beat a loose ponytail.
Quick Pre-Jump Outfit Checklist
Run through these before you leave for the dropzone:
- Can I move freely, squat, reach, and arch in this?
- Are my shoes closed-toe and tied tight?
- Could anything fall off in free-fall?
- Do I have a light layer for altitude?
- Did I remove rings, necklaces, and dangly earrings?
- Did I check the forecast for my actual jump time?
If you can answer all six cleanly, your skydiving attire is ready.
When a Different Choice Makes More Sense
Honest guidance: if you’re jumping in peak summer and you run hot, don’t force heavy layers; a single breathable long-sleeve plus the provided jumpsuit is usually enough. And if you only own stiff jeans and flat-soled sneakers, the sneakers matter far more than the pants. Prioritize secure footwear and freedom of movement over a perfect outfit. The staff at the dropzone would rather you arrive comfortable and ask questions than overthink it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lightweight, breathable long sleeves and flexible pants, plus closed-toe lace-up sneakers. Even in 100°F heat, bring a thin layer; it's much colder at altitude.
You can, but long pants are better. They protect against wind, sun, and harness rubbing, and add coverage on a sliding landing. In the desert, pants also shield you from the intense sun.
Flat-soled, closed-toe athletic shoes that lace up tight. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, heels, and boots with hooks.
Yes. Both are fine. Glasses can be secured with a strap if you'd like extra peace of mind.
No. For a tandem skydive, a jumpsuit is provided, and tandem passengers don't wear hard helmets. Just bring comfortable athletic clothes.
Skip jewelry, dresses, skirts, hoods, drawstrings, bulky jackets, and any loose or sparkly items that can flap or snag in the wind.
Yes. Temperatures drop roughly 30–40°F by jump altitude, so a warm ground day can feel chilly in freefall.
Ready to Plan Your Jump?
Knowing what to wear for skydiving in Las Vegas comes down to one idea: dress comfortably for the ground, and be ready for the cold at altitude, a desert detail most guides miss. Wear athletic clothes you can move in, lace-up secure sneakers, leave the jewelry at home, and pack a light layer.
If you’re still unsure what works for your jump date or the day’s forecast, the team at Skydive Las Vegas is happy to talk it through before you arrive. Reserve your tandem skydive online or call to get current pricing and availability, then just show up comfortable and enjoy the view over the Nevada desert.
