What are the best shoes to wear skydiving?

If you’re wondering what the best shoes for skydiving are, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you are an experienced skydiver or a newbie about to venture for a first skydive, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the best skydiving footwear! 

First, you need shoes for skydiving. There are very rare moments when skydivers jump barefoot, like licensed skydivers on a beach, but to protect your feet and ankles, shoes are part of the equipment checklist for everyday skydiving. 

What To Look For

Here’s a checklist of what we’re looking for in a good skydiving shoe: 

• They’ll stay put on your feet during freefall at 120 miles per hour
• Stability to support your feet and ankles for a few running steps at the end of your landing
• Quality of shoe — we want to make sure the shoes are in good shape for overall support

What not to wear

• Sandals / Flip Flops
• Strappy shoes
• High heels
• Open-toe or open back shoes 
• Army boots
• Cowboy boots
• Knee-high boots
• Soccer cleats 

This list is a definite no for skydiving shoes because they might either fly off as you accelerate to 120 miles per hour — and things falling off become threats to bystanders on the ground — or they have too much surface area and will almost outfly you! As for soccer cleats and high heels, well, your instructor will thank you for not attacking them in the sky with your spiky shoes. 

Best Shoes For Tandem Or Experienced Skydivers

When it comes to finding the perfect skydiving shoe, we recommend trying a few different types. All five listed below meet our criteria and will help you have a safe and enjoyable skydiving experience.

Vans 

Vans are a classic shoe known in the athletic world for skateboarding, BMX, and yes, you guessed it — skydivers. Vans are a low profile, lightweight shoe that offers support and comfort. Skydivers like their vans as they have a smooth sole to be able to pivot their feet while moving around in the airplane, and for landings. 

Salomon

Salomons are a known footwear in adventure sports, particularly for hiking or trail running. They offer comfort and support for skydiving purposes, and also have the trademarked Quicklace. That way, you don’t have to worry about laces coming undone and beating up your poor legs in freefall. 

Asics

Asics are known in the fitness and running world for their lightweight and breathable shoes. They too have comfort and support using their trademarked FLYTEFOAM technology to help better alignment with your feet and ankles.

SOM Footwear 

SOM Footwear is a new brand in the market and their shoes are made in the good ole US of A! SOM is a barefoot inspired shoe that offers the support of a sneaker. They are low profile, lightweight, and flexible that allow space for your toes supported in a neutral position. 

Your Beloved Sneakers

Yes, even the sneakers you workout, run or wear for work would also be fantastic shoes for skydiving. Shoes for skydiving don’t have to be brand new out-of-the-box, just as long as they meet the above criteria, your own shoes can be great for skydiving!

Ready to bring your shoes up to skydive? Then give us a call, we’ll be happy to do some heel clicks with you!