Almost nobody dresses wrong for a paragliding flight on purpose. They just dress for the beach they walked from, and forget that the takeoff is higher, cooler, and starts with a short run. None of it is complicated. Two things matter most, your shoes and your layers, and the rest is a short list you probably already have in your bag.
Shoes: closed, and easy to run in
This is the one that catches people out. You do not step off a platform, you take off by jogging a few steps down a slope beside your pilot until the wing lifts you. That is much easier in closed shoes: trainers, sneakers, walking shoes, anything you can move in. Leave the sandals and flip-flops at the hotel. They slip on the takeoff and are the single most common reason a passenger struggles at launch.
Layers: it is cooler up there than on the beach
The coast can be 25C while the takeoff at 800 to 1,100 metres is 10 to 15 degrees cooler, and the moving air in flight cools you further. You do not need a ski jacket, but a long-sleeve top and a light jacket make the difference between a relaxed flight and a cold one. Long trousers are more comfortable than shorts in the harness. Dress as if the morning is fresh, because up there it is.
Sun protection
The sun is stronger at altitude and there is no shade in the air. Sunglasses are worth having, ideally with a strap or a snug fit so they stay put. Sun cream on your face and the backs of your hands is a good idea. A helmet is provided and worn during the flight, so a hat is optional, keep it for before and after.
Your phone, camera and glasses
Prescription glasses are no problem, a strap keeps them secure. Your phone and any camera are a different matter: holding something loose over the mountains means one fumble can lose it for good. If you want photos, use a wrist strap, or let your pilot capture the flight with our photo and video package, which is what most passengers choose. Glasses on, hands free, is the happiest way to fly.
What we provide, and what you bring
Your flight already includes transport to the takeoff, the safety briefing, and all the paragliding equipment: harness, helmet, and the wing itself. You do not need to bring or rent any gear. Your job is simple: closed shoes, a warm layer, sunglasses, and a bit of sun cream. That is genuinely the whole list.
What if it is cold, windy, or raining?
We only fly in calm, safe conditions, and we do not fly in rain. So you are never dressing for a storm, you are dressing for a cool, clear morning. If the weather is not right on your day, we do not take the risk: you get a free reschedule or a full refund. Come dressed for a fresh morning in the mountains and you will be comfortable from the first step to the landing.
Get two things right, closed shoes and a warm layer, and you are dressed for paragliding in Tenerife. The rest is already in your bag.