Skydiving with glasses or contact lenses: can you do it?
Published on September 19, 2026 · 4 min read
Yes: you can go skydiving with prescription glasses and with contact lenses. The protective goggles provided by the school are worn over your frames, and in free fall your eyes stay shielded from the wind. You do not have to give up seeing clearly in order to jump.
It is one of the questions we are asked most often: people who wear glasses fear they will be left on the ground, people who wear lenses fear they will lose them. Here are the practical answers, from the briefing to the landing.
Key points
Ready to jump? Book your tandem with no advance payment.
Book now- You can jump with prescription glasses: the protective goggles go over your frames.
- With contact lenses you jump as normal: no special precautions are needed.
- Goggles, helmet and suit are provided by the school, so you do not need to bring anything.
- Stable frames mean no problems at all: if your glasses slip, tell the instructor before boarding.
- Sunglasses stay on the ground: in the air you need the goggles, not sunglasses.
- After recent eye surgery you need clearance from your doctor.
Can you jump wearing prescription glasses?
Yes. Before the flight you are given the protective jump goggles, designed to be worn over your frames: your glasses stay in place and your vision stays corrected.
The practical rule: stable frames and goggles on top, and nothing changes compared with someone who does not wear glasses.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| I wear prescription glasses | Protective goggles over your frames, provided by the school |
| I wear contact lenses | You jump as normal, with no special precautions |
| I wear sunglasses | Leave them on the ground in their case: in the air you need the goggles |
| Recent eye surgery | Get your doctor's clearance before booking |
Contact lenses during the jump: what to know
With contact lenses there is no problem at all: you jump without any special care and the goggles protect your eyes. Every type works: choose the ones you feel most comfortable with.
Jump day is not the moment to try something new: no lenses you have just changed or never worn before. Case and solution stay on the ground with your personal belongings, so everything is ready when you come back.
The protective goggles: how they fit over your glasses
The protective jump goggles are not sunglasses: they are a soft mask with an adjustable strap, designed to stay put in the wind of free fall.
We provide them along with the rest of the equipment: suit, harness and helmet. Every stage, from kitting up to the landing, is described in the tandem skydiving guide. If you later want a pair of your own, specialist shops sell models made to fit over frames.
The rule is simple: the protective goggles go over your own glasses, and nobody has to give up their eyesight during the jump.
What to leave on the ground before boarding
Before the jump you empty your pockets and put your personal belongings away. For the eyesight side of things: keep your glasses case handy, put sunglasses in your bag, and wear nothing dangling that could flap around.
The full checklist of what to wear and what to avoid is in the guide on how to dress for a skydive, worth reading before you pick your day.
When an extra check is needed
For a tandem jump there is no specific requirement related to eyesight. There are, however, cases to mention when booking: recent eye surgery (your doctor's clearance is needed), particular conditions and any doubts about your correction. The same applies to anyone considering the AFF course.
Better one extra question before the jump than a doubt during the climb. That is part of what the instructor is there for.
Do you have a doubt about your eyesight? Write it down when you make your booking: the instructors answer before the jump and handle every specific case.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you lose your glasses during the jump?
- With the goggles over your frames and a stable pair of glasses, the risk is practically zero. If your glasses tend to slip, mention it to the instructor before boarding.
- Are contact lenses or glasses better for jumping?
- Both work. People who already wear lenses usually jump with them, while those who prefer glasses keep them under the protective goggles. Choose whichever you are most used to.
- Do I have to bring the protective goggles myself?
- No, the school provides them along with the rest of the equipment. A personal pair is a possible purchase in the future, but it is not needed for a tandem jump.
- Can you jump wearing sunglasses?
- In the air you need the protective jump goggles, not sunglasses. Leaving them on the ground saves you from having to deal with them during free fall.
Ready for your tandem jump?
Free, flexible booking with no advance payment. Over 400 five-star reviews.
Useful resources
Keep reading
Guides
Group Skydiving and Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties: 2026 Guide
How to organize a group parachute jump: bachelor and bachelorette skydiving parties, corporate team building, and jumps for 4+ people. A complete guide from the Accademia di Paracadutismo in Casale Monferrato.
Read the article
Guides
Skydiving with a Disability: Who Can Jump (2026 Guide)
Skydiving with a disability: find out who can do a tandem jump, how it works for wheelchair users, and what the real medical contraindications to skydiving are. A complete guide from the Accademia di Paracadutismo in Casale Monferrato.
Read the article
Guides
Tandem Skydiving in Italy: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about tandem skydiving in Italy: what it is, where to jump near Milan, how much it costs, what to wear and how to book your first jump from 4,200 metres.
Read the article