Da'Kine Rags

With more than 25 years of experience in the sport of Skydiving, Chuck Priest has contributed enormously to the industry with his designs and innovations.

Chuck signed up for his AFF course the same day of his first  tandem in 1996 at Skydive Hawaii. “Something inside of me changed immediately… Freedom.”  

Chuck made canvas freefly pants for himself sometime that first year, and had 4 orders that first weekend using them. Shortly after, opened his company called Da’ Kine Rags Hawaii.  Specifically producing ‘freefly’ jump pants and then suits to follow.  Da’ Kine Rag’s became the most recognized jump suit and pant in the industry using bright Aloha fabrics… from Hawaii.  Da’ Kine Rags was the first to introduce the carnival-bling in skydive suits. Chuck always did something extra to each order. An extra touch or accent, created a fantastic sense of mystery in which each owner shares.  A bond of sorts. The Rags Family.

In 1998 Chuck worked closely with the wingsuit inventor Patrick de Gayardon, in the test jumping with his first generation’ Sector’ wingsuit.  Chuck’s first wingsuit flights were in Patrick’s ‘Sector Suit’. “This was 1998 in Hawaii, we were experimenting.  Exiting, deployment body positioning, wing size, pitot chute sizes and bridal lengths.”  Chuck quickly built a prototype, then a second suit, featuring the first’ thick wing’ and ‘rigid cell walls’ 1999.  

Between 1998 and 2005, Da’ Kine Rags produced thousands of freefly pants and suits, seen in the X-Games,  Extreme California I-Max. Chuck designed and produced suits for Warner Brothers,  Discovery,  Sports Illustrated, Hollywood videographer Tom Sanders, Joe Jennings and numerous competitive teams and base jumpers. Sponsored world champions, including Oliver Furrer, Marcus Heggli, Vivian Wegrath, Knut Krecker, Eric Fradet.   

Chuck also has designed for rock bands, while turning out numerous runway dresses and haute couture bridal gowns for private clients in the mid to late 1980’s.

Chuck has always said he designs for ‘Adrenaline Theatre’.  He has consistently injected a fresh perspective through style and innovation, gaining international recognition for his theatrical yet sensible skydive apparel. 

Chuck has recently co-developed the BRS, a new safety feature.

Tony Suits is delighted to be working with Chuck Priest as the Creative Director for Da’ Kine Rags signature series line.