Key takeaways
- Wear closed, laced athletic shoes with grip so you can run on launch and jog on landing without tripping.
- Dress in layers: air cools about 6.5 degrees C for every 1,000 meters of altitude gained (UCAR).
- Choose fitted clothing over loose fabric so nothing flaps near the lines or risers in flight.
- Bring sunglasses with a strap and sunscreen, since UV rises roughly 10 percent per 1,000 meters (WHO).
- Pack for the launch, not the beach: coastal mornings above Jounieh run cooler than midday at sea level.
Wear closed athletic shoes, fitted clothing and a light jacket you can open, then secure your sunglasses with a strap and leave loose accessories behind. That short answer covers what to wear paragliding on almost any day over Jounieh and Harissa, and the rest of this guide explains the reasoning so you can pack with confidence.
Your clothing affects three things on a tandem flight: how safely you launch and land, how comfortable you stay at altitude, and whether anything gets in the pilot's way. None of it requires special gear. Most people already own everything they need.
What to wear paragliding: start with your shoes
Closed, laced athletic shoes with a grippy sole are the single most important item, because a tandem launch starts with a short run and ends with a few jogging steps on landing. When people ask what to wear paragliding, footwear is the honest first answer. Sandals, flip-flops and slip-ons can come off mid-stride or leave your toes exposed if the ground is rocky.
Trainers, running shoes or light hiking shoes all work well. You want something snug enough to stay on while you run and flexible enough to move naturally. Boots with a high ankle are fine too, especially on uneven launch ground near Harissa.
Skip heels, platform shoes and anything with a slick sole. If your laces are long, double-knot them so they cannot catch on a strap or buckle. For a full picture of how launch and landing work on a tandem, see our complete flight guide to tandem paragliding in Jounieh.
How should you dress for the temperature at altitude?
Dress in layers, because the air cools noticeably as you climb. Temperature drops about 6.5 degrees C for every 1,000 meters of altitude you gain (UCAR Center for Science Education, retrieved 2026-10-03). On a flight that climbs several hundred meters above Jounieh Bay, that difference is small but real, and the open-air wind makes it feel sharper.
A simple three-part system handles it. Start with a breathable base layer such as a cotton or technical t-shirt. Add a fleece or light sweater for warmth. Finish with a thin windproof jacket you can zip up once you are airborne and open again after landing.
Long trousers or jeans beat shorts here. They protect your legs during the launch run, keep you warm in the air, and sit comfortably inside the harness straps. If you run warm, a jacket you can open is better than skipping the layer entirely.
What clothing should you avoid paragliding?
Avoid anything loose that can flap in the wind or snag on the lines, risers or harness buckles. This is the part of paragliding clothing tips that people most often get wrong, because beach-friendly outfits are the opposite of what works in the air.
Leave these at home or in the car:
- Flowing dresses, skirts and kaftans that lift in the wind
- Long scarves and loose shawls near the neck
- Baggy ponchos or unzipped flapping jackets
- Dangling belts, drawstrings and hanging straps
Fitted or semi-fitted clothing is the goal. It stays put, keeps you warmer, and gives the pilot a clear working space around the harness. Tuck in loose shirt tails and zip pockets closed before takeoff.
How do you protect against sun and secure loose accessories?
Wear sunglasses with a retainer strap and apply sunscreen before you fly, because sun exposure climbs with altitude. UV levels increase by roughly 10 percent for every 1,000 meters of elevation (World Health Organization, retrieved 2026-10-03). Over the open bay there is little shade and plenty of reflected light off the water.
Sunglasses do double duty. They cut glare and keep wind and the occasional insect out of your eyes during the climb. A cheap neoprene strap stops them blowing off, and it costs almost nothing.
Hats are trickier. A soft beanie that fits under the flight helmet works, but wide-brimmed sun hats and loose caps will blow away, so keep those for the beach afterward. The same rule applies to everything small: secure your phone with a wrist tether or hand it to your pilot, and zip away keys, wallets and loose jewelry. Paragliding961 pilots fly with a GoPro on an extender, so you do not need to hold anything to capture the flight.
What changes between summer and cooler coastal mornings?
Season and time of day decide how much to layer, since Jounieh runs hot in summer but cool at dawn. Summer highs along this coast sit in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius at sea level, so midday flights call for light clothing, strong sun protection and extra water.
Early mornings and the shoulder seasons are a different story. Launch sites on the slopes above the bay catch the breeze and sit cooler than the beach, so mornings can feel brisk even when the forecast promises a warm afternoon. Spring and autumn flights reward an extra layer you can shed once the sun is up.
A quick rule covers most of the year: dress for the launch, not the beach. If you would be comfortable standing on a breezy hillside in the shade at that hour, you are dressed about right for the flight.
Humidity matters too. The coast can feel sticky in high summer, so breathable fabrics beat heavy cotton that traps sweat on the climb up to launch. In winter the air stays mild by European standards, but a windproof shell earns its place on cooler, cloudier days when the sea breeze picks up.
Your flight day packing checklist
Pack light and functional. Everything below fits in a small day bag, and most of it you already own.
- Closed, laced athletic shoes with a grippy sole
- Long trousers or jeans
- A breathable base-layer t-shirt
- A fleece or light sweater
- A thin windproof jacket
- Sunglasses with a retainer strap
- Sunscreen for face, neck and hands
- A soft beanie for cooler mornings (optional)
- A wrist tether for your phone
- A small bottle of water
Before you leave the launch, do a 10-second check: shoes laced and tight, jacket zipped, sunglasses strapped, pockets closed and nothing dangling. That short habit is the difference between fumbling at takeoff and simply enjoying the view over Harissa.
Still deciding on a date? Pick a clear morning in spring or autumn for the smoothest air and the kindest light, then pack this checklist the night before so flight day is nothing but the ride.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear for a tandem paragliding flight?
Wear closed athletic shoes, fitted trousers or jeans, and a light insulating layer such as a fleece. Add a windproof jacket, strapped sunglasses and sunscreen. Avoid skirts, scarves and loose items that can flap or snag.
Is it colder in the air when paragliding?
Usually yes. Air temperature falls about 6.5 degrees C for every 1,000 meters of altitude, and wind over the open bay adds a chill. A light jacket you can open is the safest choice across the flight.
Can I wear sandals or flip-flops paragliding?
No. Open shoes can slip off during the launch run or landing jog and leave your feet unprotected. Closed, laced shoes with a grippy sole are required for a safe takeoff and touchdown.
What should women wear paragliding?
The same practical kit as anyone: closed shoes, fitted trousers, a secured top layer and strapped sunglasses. Skip dresses, skirts and long loose scarves, which can lift in the wind and interfere with the harness or lines.