Whatever extreme sport you participate in, the strength and quality of the equipment you use is clearly of the up most importance. However, never is this more obvious than with regards to parachutes. Parachutes symbolize the return of safety, after the eye watering, visceral thrill of descent and are now used as the basis for more activities than just skydiving. For beginners it can be difficult to judge which type is needed, and which design is the most likely to keep them safe.
Therefore, it is important to consult experts, preferably in person, before deciding to purchase a parachute. They should be able to give you a checklist of some features that are vital, and others that are simply beneficial to your experience of the sport. Talk to as many people who are not trying to sell you anything as possible before looking online or in extreme sports stores.
However, it would be wrong to dismiss websites selling this equipment. Often they have a greater opportunity to specialize than small town stores, giving them a sound knowledge of the ins and outs of parachutes. Some also have strong links with sports such as skydiving, water skiing and BASE jumping and their...