Guide · Clothing

What to wear for paragliding in Switzerland

The take-off is cold, the landing can be warm, and the run in between needs good shoes. Here is what to wear for paragliding in Switzerland, what your pilot lends you and what has to stay in your bag.

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Editorial team, murrentandemparagliding.comUpdated October 20, 2026Reading time 6 min8 sources

Pack this

01Shoes
Closed-toe shoes; sandals, flip-flops and bare feet are not allowed.
02Layers
Airtime asks you to dress as for a hike: layers and a light jacket.1
03Provided
A helmet, and boots or a jacket when needed, on the Airtime flight.
04Winter
A coat and gloves, as the panorama listing asks.
05Leave behind
Cellphones, selfie sticks and large bags stay on the ground.

Dress for a mountain walk, not a beach

The simplest rule comes from Airtime itself: wear what you would wear to hike, with layered clothing, a light jacket and good closed-toe shoes, and no flip-flops; your pilot has a windbreaker for you if you need it.1 The Airtime listing asks you to bring warm clothing, weather-appropriate clothing, sunglasses and closed-toe shoes.

That advice reflects the shape of the day. You start in a mountain village, walk uphill to a meadow, stand around while the wings are laid out, then fly through cooler air before landing on the valley floor. Each stage feels different on the body, and the outfit that works is one you can open or close quickly. Mornings at the take-off can feel wintry even in July, while the landing field on a sunny afternoon can feel like summer in town.

Think in layers rather than one heavy coat. A breathable base, a warm mid-layer and a windproof shell let you adapt on the walk and in the air. Long trousers are kinder than shorts in the harness, and a cap or headband that fits under a helmet saves cold ears.

Your clothes through the day

From the hotel to the landing field

  1. Leaving

    Layers on, shoes laced

    Closed-toe shoes are required.

  2. The walk up

    Open the jacket

    15 minutes on foot to the take-off field.

  3. On the field

    Helmet on, layers closed

    The helmet is part of the booking.

  4. In the air

    Up to 20 minutes

    Cooler air: keep the windproof layer on.

  5. Landing

    Stechelberg

    Warmer on the valley floor; peel off a layer.

Shoes matter more than anything else

Your feet do real work at take-off and landing. The Airtime listing does not allow sandals, flip-flops or bare feet, and asks for closed-toe shoes. The Mürren panorama listing suggests sports shoes, ideally boots that support the ankles.

If you do not have suitable shoes, the operators can often help. The Airtime flight includes boots when they are needed, Skywings in Interlaken includes hiking boots, and Paragliding Interlaken lists mountain shoes among its inclusions.

Wear shoes you can run in on grass, with a firm sole and laces that stay tied. Wet meadows are slippery in the morning, and the take-off run is short but committed. Swiss Paragliding & Adventure's listing recommends good footwear and a windbreaker. Break in new boots before the trip; a blister on the walk up spoils the morning.

Light and weather

Daylight and wet days in Interlaken, month by month

Hours without sunDays with precipitationSeason
Jan: 15 h without sun, 9 days with precipitation 15 JanFeb: 13.7 h without sun, 8 days with precipitation 14 FebMar: 12.2 h without sun, 10 days with precipitation 12 MarApr: 10.5 h without sun, 10 days with precipitation 11 AprMay: 9 h without sun, 13 days with precipitation 9 MayJun: 8.2 h without sun, 13 days with precipitation 8 JunJul: 8.5 h without sun, 13 days with precipitation 9 JulAug: 9.7 h without sun, 13 days with precipitation 10 AugSep: 11.4 h without sun, 10 days with precipitation 11 SepOct: 13 h without sun, 9 days with precipitation 13 OctNov: 14.5 h without sun, 10 days with precipitation 15 NovDec: 15.4 h without sun, 10 days with precipitation 15 Dec
Columns show how long the sun stays below the horizon at mid-month; dots count the days with 1 mm or more of rain or snow. MeteoSwiss, Interlaken, 1991 to 2020.4

Lent or brought

What the operators provide and ask for

FlightProvidedYou bring
Airtime, MürrenHelmet; boots or jacket when neededWarm clothing, sunglasses, closed-toe shoes
Panorama, MürrenTandem gearSports shoes or ankle boots; coat and gloves in winter
Skywings, InterlakenHiking boots and equipmentJacket and closed-toe shoes
AlpinAir, InterlakenHiking boots and windbreakerSunglasses; warm clothes in winter
Matterhorn ParaglidingFlysuit, helmet, hat and glovesNot stated on the listing

As each GetYourGuide listing states; operators can change their kit, so check the booking details.

Outfits

Summer, shoulder season and winter

Summer outfit, Warm valley, cool air June to August

Summer outfit

Warm valley, cool air

Top
Fleece and windbreaker
Legs
Long trousers
Extra
Sunglasses
Book your flight
Spring and autumn, Cold mornings Shoulder months

Spring and autumn

Cold mornings

Top
Warm layer and shell
Hands
Light gloves
Extra
Hat under the helmet
Book your flight
Winter outfit, Snow on the take-off December to March

Winter outfit

Snow on the take-off

Top
Coat over layers
Hands
Warm gloves
Feet
Boots with grip
Book your flight

Decision helper

What should you wear today?

Match the day to the outfit

Layers anyway

Airtime still asks for layered clothing and a light jacket.1

Ask for boots

The Airtime flight includes boots when needed.

Coat and gloves

The panorama listing asks for both in winter.

Leave the phone, buy the footage

Phones are not allowed; Airtime sells photos and video after landing.2

Wear clothing that you would wear to hike, layered clothing, a light jacket and good, closed-toe shoes. No flip flops! Your pilot will have a windbreaker for you, if you need it.

Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)Source 1

Layers for the take-off and the air

The take-off is higher and cooler than the town you slept in. Mürren Tourism gives the village altitude as 1,638 m, and the summer take-off of the panorama flight at Birg is listed at 2,600 m.3 Interlaken, the nearest MeteoSwiss valley station, averages a daily high of 24.5 °C in July and 14.3 °C in October.4

In the air the wind of your own movement adds to the chill. A thin fleece and a windproof jacket are usually enough in summer; AlpinAir's listing says a windbreaker should be enough in summertime, with warm clothes in winter. Airtime's own site lists jacket rental among what its classic flight includes.5

Zermatt shows how cold a high take-off can be. The Matterhorn Paragliding listing includes a flysuit to keep you warm, along with a helmet, hat and gloves. Around Mürren you will not need that much, but gloves are a good idea outside high summer.

Packing list

Wear, bring and leave behind

01

Wear

  • Closed-toe shoes or ankle boots
  • Layers and a light windproof jacket
  • Long trousers
02

Bring

  • Sunglasses with a firm fit
  • Sun cream and lip balm
  • Gloves and a hat outside summer
03

Leave on the ground

  • Sandals and flip-flops
  • Phone, selfie stick, large bag
  • Alcohol before the flight

Video

Watch BEFORE Skydiving or Paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland 🇨🇭

Until you tap play, the video stays unloaded.

Winter clothing for a snowy take-off

Winter flights run in Mürren, and Jungfrau Region Tourism says you can fly there all year round.6 The panorama listing asks for a coat and gloves in winter. At the Interlaken station the average daily low in January is -3 °C, and the take-off above Mürren is far higher.4

Dress as for a day of winter walking: thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer, a windproof and waterproof jacket, gloves, a hat that fits under the helmet, and warm socks in boots with grip. Snow on the take-off can be packed and slippery, and your run still needs solid footing.

Skip bulky ski suits unless the operator says otherwise. They make the harness tight and the run awkward. Several thinner layers are warmer, easier to adjust, and far more comfortable when you land and walk back across the field.

Sun, eyes and skin

Sunglasses are on the Airtime listing's list of things to bring. AlpinAir asks for them too. At altitude the light is strong, and snow on the peaks or on the take-off reflects it back at you.

Choose sunglasses that sit firmly, or add a strap. Anything that falls from a paraglider falls a long way, and you cannot stop to pick it up. The same goes for hats: wear one only if it fits under the helmet or tucks away safely.

Put on sun cream before you leave the village. You may wait on the meadow for a while before your turn, and the combination of altitude and reflected light burns quickly even on a cool day. Lip balm with sun protection is worth the space in a pocket. A small tube fits in the space the listing provides for small items, along with a tissue for watering eyes in the wind.

Children and older passengers

Airtime suggests a minimum age of 5 for children and has no upper age limit, and the listing itself marks the flight as not suitable for children under 5.7 In Interlaken, Skywings asks that children under 30 kg fly before 11:00. Small bodies lose heat faster than adults, and a child who is cold at the take-off will not enjoy the view, however good it is.

Dress a child one layer warmer than you would dress yourself, with gloves that actually fit and a thin hat that sits under the helmet. Check that shoes are laced firmly and that nothing dangles from jackets or trousers. Give them a snack and a drink before the walk up, not on the meadow, and keep spare dry socks in the bag that stays behind.

Older passengers need nothing special beyond comfort and grip. Airtime describes the fitness required as an uphill walk of 10 minutes to the take-off field and a few running steps.8 Wear shoes you trust on a slope, choose layers that are easy to remove after the walk, and take the climb at your own pace; a good pilot waits until you are ready.

What stays on the ground

The Airtime listing does not allow cellphones, selfie sticks, luggage or large bags, pets, alcohol or drugs on the flight. It does include space to carry small items, so empty your pockets of anything loose and hand over what you do not need.

Cameras are handled by the operator. Airtime's own site includes a mount for a GoPro or compact camera in its classic flight, and sells photos and video for CHF 40 after landing.52 In Interlaken, AlpinAir only allows your own pocket camera if you can attach a safety leash directly to it.

Leave big backpacks in a locker or at your hotel. If you are traveling on to another village after the landing, plan where your luggage goes before the day, as the walk to the take-off and the flight itself leave no room for it. If you are flying on your arrival day, ask at the station about luggage storage before you ride up to Mürren. Travel light on flight day and your whole morning becomes simpler, from the walk up to the run on the meadow.

Your turn

The meadow above Mürren is waiting.

Pick a time, walk up from the cable car and cancel free up to 24 hours before.

You ask,we answer.

Can I fly in sneakers?

Yes, closed-toe sneakers are fine. The listing asks for closed-toe shoes; the panorama listing suggests sports shoes or ankle boots.

Do I need my own jacket?

Bring one anyway. Airtime's pilot has a windbreaker if you need it, and the listing includes a jacket when necessary.1

Can I bring my phone?

Not on the Airtime flight. Cellphones and selfie sticks are on the listing's not-allowed list.

Shorts or long trousers?

Long trousers. They sit better in the harness and protect your legs on the run and the landing, even on a warm day.

Do I need gloves in summer?

Not usually around Mürren. In winter the panorama listing asks for a coat and gloves.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. The Airtime flight includes a helmet.

Can I bring a backpack?

Only small items. Luggage and large bags are not allowed; the listing includes space for small items.

Sources

What this text is based on

  1. 1
    Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)FAQ - Good to know
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  2. 2
    Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)FAQ - Good to know
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  3. 3
    Mürren TourismHolidays in Mürren
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  4. 4↩
  5. 5
    Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)Tandem Paragliding Flight The Wall
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  6. 6
    Jungfrau Region TourismAirtime Paragliding Lauterbrunnen
    ↩
  7. 7
    Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)FAQ - Good to know
    ↩
  8. 8
    Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)Tandem Paragliding Flight The Wall
    ↩
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