Are Reserves as robust as mains?

**No_Mind** · November 16th, 2009, 05:28 PM

Hey guys,

A little follow on from my "skydiving a flik" thread. After thinking things through I remembered manufacturers at a recent boogie offering demo reserves.

I have shot an email off to the manufacturer with regards to using the reserve as an everyday main... I know they are put through strict testing but wondered if they would last as long as a standard main canopy... they are designed to open quicker and in less height so I imagine there would be more stresses involved on the canopy.

I was just wondering really, if so it will mean I can get used to the same size and type (F111) canopy.

Thanks

No_Mind

**No_Mind** · November 16th, 2009, 05:29 PM

Oh this is all for skydiving not BASE by the way

**Greenmachine** · November 17th, 2009, 07:50 AM

Zero-Porosity fabric stands up better than F-111.

Reserves are made to open faster because they
are often deployed sub-terminal and/or very low.

Using a reserve canopy is good practice for BASE
because it is 7 cell, F-111 material, and square.

Of course jumping your BASE canopy is better.

**space** · November 26th, 2009, 11:34 AM

Think of a reserve as being the same as that subsized spare wheel in the trunk. It will help you get to point B but it will not be up to the standard model wheel.
Take care
space

**Uberchris** · November 26th, 2009, 08:54 PM

the donut! i hate that thing its so sketchy

**hamsandwich** · November 28th, 2009, 10:08 PM

Zero-Porosity fabric stands up better than F-111.

F-111 holds up better to overstress. ZP blows up while F111 will stop tearing sooner.

F-111 stays together as a packjob while zp slips on itself; beneficial when not using a deployment bag like in base.

"Better" can only be in valid when the environment is defined.

Reserves are more robust than mains mostly because of additional or bigger load tapes.

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