Pack Monkey

Summary: Totally worth it if you have a new(er) and or larger canopy and do several jumps in a day.I've used pack monkey through the 2020 season for about 100+ pack jobs. I purchased it because when I bought my canopy, a 210, it was still somewhat crispy. Having learned packing on older student canopies and occasionally packing one of the new student canopies I knew how frustrating the fold and bag step can be with new(er) fabric.Build quality: Still Looks brand new after 100+ uses and getting kicked around the packing floor a bit.Packing method: the packing method for folds is essentially a flat pack fold where you do the big fold first. In addition to making the folds easy Pack monkey helps you manage the slider so it stays in place until the 2nd fold. Never once have I lost control or had to redo the pack job.Pack Monkey makes the fold and bag step *stupid easy*. You still have to pack with care, manage the slider, and pay attention as packing errors are the #1 cause of cutaways, and this won't fix errors.The mechanical advantage translates into less hand/arm fatigue by the end of the day which is safer for sunset loads. It can also make the difference between making it onto the next load or not.I also packed (under rigger supervision) canopies as large as a 300 with it. When you are assisting a rigger pack and have a row of large student canopies to pack every little bit helps.Can you learn to pack a new canopy without it? Yes. If you only jump a load or two a day and/or already have mastered fabric management it's probably not going to add as much value.Update October 2021: 150 some pack jobs later it's still my go to. I can wrestle the canopy into the bag without it, but its so much easier and faster with Pack Monkey.I will say the stitching on the edge tape has come out in the middle where it gets pulled out of the bag every time. It's a wear location, so I don't fault the build quality. I think I have somewhere around 250 total uses. I have a sewing machine, but if you dont you may have a friendly rigger who can run a line of stitching on it for you should this happen to you. I’ve sent an email to the inventor to suggest a double stitch in the middle panel.

This tool is a a necessity if you have a new canopy or one that’s a “full” fit in your container. This made putting my new canopy in the bag a breeze. I’m a rigger and I highly recommend Pack Monkey.

Works for any canopy size for what I've seen, I've done Hundreds of tandems with it and sport rigs down to the 90 sqft just as well. Saves me a lot a ware and tare on my body, getting the main in the bag is effortless, cleaner openings and pack jobs, more repeatable and reliable pack jobs from slippery new nylon even. I can also get air out of the tail mostly and then finish getting air out as I wrap the pack monkey around the main. Extra points if everyone at the dz randomly yells pack monkey randomly.

I was struggling, trying to pack my brand new crispy, slippy Safire3 189 sqft (the thing - to be polite - seemed gifted with life, and took pleasure in getting out of the d-bag, or becoming a big mess of bulky fabric at that stage... sure you know what I mean). It took me only 3 attempts, with Pack Monkey, to get my parachute neatly folded into my d-bag (see pictures attached of the 4th attempt), and I have a very limited experience in packing parachutes - at most 10 attempts. I am impressed by the effectiveness of Pack Monkey. My rigger and one of the packers of my DZ did not believe their eyes! James, your invention is a real plus for rookies like me. Thanks from Belgium!----------Edit August 2019: I am still very satisfied with my purchase. Since April, I packed my parachute dozens of times using Pack Monkey. The openings are ALL reliable and on heading. It allows me to focus on the other steps of the packing process, and so, at the end of the day, safety is enhanced. The only time I had twists was because I had the pack job done by a packer...

Solo lo he probado en una oportunidad. A pesar de lo básico que es, facilita mucho meter el paracaídas en el contenedor.

I have been having problems controlling the material in the past. Having to redo over and over because of material escaping out the sides. I used the Pack Monkey 🐒 for the first time and had a successful pack the first time. What a tool to have especially for new canopies. Thanks to the inventor this has made packing a canopy a breeze.

Great for beginner packer and time saving for pro packer. Had to YouTube Directions as no directions were included but after watching the video found it saves a lot of time getting canopy in the bag and didn't take up any space in my gear bag. Need to get on that next load? Get a Pack Monkey to help you do those back to backs!

I generally wouldn't need a packing aid, but with a crispy new 135 being put into a bag/rig sized as recommended for a 120... this helps control the slip during s folds and getting the bag around. Slider control method makes it a comfortable kneel and this helps fill the bag corners evenly. Trash pack no more.