Basejumper.com - archive

I'm looking to buy base gear. What is my best option if I live in Europe? What manufacturers/resellers ship from within the EU? Are there any good online stores?

I want to avoid extra taxes, customs fees and other nasty surprises. What do other European jumpers do? Buy from Europe? Buy from the US and have someone bring the gear back when traveling? Something else?

I'm sorry if this is a question that has been asked here a lot. I couldn't find any posts on this subject by searching.

I suggest you check out Atair (canopies), Adrenalin (rigs) Phoenix (wingsuit/tracking). They are all awesome, absolute top of the line. I'm American, so I don't know what to tell you about avoiding taxes.

Ginny

buy it in the states and let someone bring it.. or get it yourself and make it a nice basetrip! whiiihaaa! what do you need? canopy, container.. other?

Thanks, I will check it out. I was hoping to find an online store that sells most makers' gear, but maybe there isn't one.

With a bit of luck I'll find some used gear that will fit me instead.

Do you jump? Do you go to events?

If you go to popular spots it's very hard NOT to meet a gear manufacturer. You'll likely have a chance to share a beer and be on a first name basis immediately.

If this is new to you, then it sounds like you are new to BASE and never have been to a FJC. I wonder what else you do not know, especially the stuff that leads to very bad outcomes.

It also sounds like you are attempting to enter the sport in a less-than-recommended fashion. Or put differently, placing yourself on the more-likely-to-fuck-up list.

Well, good luck with that.

This is BASE. Make your call. Live with the consequences. (The harsh realities of BASE include: death, permanent bodily damage, tremendous hospital bills, arrest record, etc.)

Don't worry, I won't just go jumping off some cliff. I have done a couple of hundred skydives, I have friends who base jump and have promised to help me get started plus I'm planning to take the FJC at Kjerag.

Starting out by reading articles on basejumper.com and reading up on what gear is available doesn't seem like such a bad way to enter the sport to me. Especially while waiting for a warmer time of the year. One good place to read up on base gear and getting an idea of the prices would be a re-seller's website.

as I stated in another thread...
BASE is a proactive sport!

please read the Articles, and then read them again. so what if you don't understand everything yet? no big deal, just do your best.

you really don't want to have your leg in a cast, reading the Articles thinking, "Damn! I wish I read that before I jumped." be a sponge of information. put the adrenalin aside and avoid continually watching videos of successful jumps.

also remember the Kjerag FJC was more of a how-not-to-die-here course. (maybe that's changed.)

Thanks for your concern.

I think that you will not be permitted to do legal jumps in Germany without the Gutesiegel (inspectionstamp) which one cannot get without showing that you paid the extra taxes and customs fees.
Also, do not expect good deals on gear maintenance if you buy it black (meaning to avoid the taxes).
Buy it from a good dealer/rigger in Europe and they will support you if something is not right without You having to deal with shipping overseas maybe multiple times.
Be careful about trying to save money on extreme sports equipment. It can bite you big time.
Take care,
space