You need to jump each parachute in high and no winds, and in turbulent air to see how each parachute responds. You must decide if you want and are skilled in controlling a canopy the way you want to and under conditions you determine. Old injuries to your back, knees, ankles may indicate a need for slower full glide airspeeds and gentle, reliable flares. Shoulder, wrist or elbow injuries may require a parachute with low toggle pressures or minimum toggle travel during a flare. Artificial limbs may limit flare strengths, riser turns or landing ability.
Photographers require soft, reliable openings and predictable flares.
Your present skill and experience level may suggest using docile parachutes, before progressing to more sensitive parachutes. Based on what you need in performance, you can find the right parachute for you by choosing the right size parachute. You can use the trends given above to guide you. You should always jump a parachute several times under different weather conditions to really test it out. Republished with permission.