The Complete Guide to MTB Jump Ramps & Airbag Landings
Every rider who has learned to jump remembers the gap between wanting to try something and actually committing to it. Dirt jumps punish hesitation. You get one attempt, and if the takeoff is soft or the landing is short, you pay for it.
Portable ramps and airbag landings change that math. A consistent takeoff means the launch is the same every time, so you can focus on what your body is doing rather than guessing at the lip. A forgiving landing means you can attempt a trick twenty times in an afternoon instead of twice. That's the whole idea behind progression equipment, and it's why bike parks, camps, and serious riders build their training around it.
Our collection includes ten products from Ninja and Gravity Stunt Systems, all in stock, from $799 to $4,750. This guide covers how the equipment works, how to size it, and how to build a setup that grows with you. If you'd rather talk it through, contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234.
Why Progression Equipment Works
Consistency. A manufactured ramp gives the same lip angle and height every run. Dirt jumps change with weather, traffic, and time; a ramp doesn't. That consistency lets you isolate what you're working on.
Forgiveness. Table top shapes and airbag landings remove most of the penalty for coming up short or rotating too far, which is exactly the fear that stops riders from committing.
Repetition. Skills are built through volume. Equipment that lets you take twenty attempts instead of two accelerates learning dramatically.
Adjustability. Ramps that change height let you start small and build up, and let riders of different abilities share the same setup.
Portability. You can set up a jump line, ride it, and pack it away — useful for anyone without permanent space, and essential for camps, events, and coaches.
Ninja Jump Ramps
Ninja builds portable MTB ramps designed around the shape riders actually learn on.
The table top systems combine approach ramps with raised "boost" sections to create a complete table top jump. A table top has a takeoff, a flat middle, and a downslope landing, so coming up short means landing on the flat rather than in a gap. It's the standard shape for learning to jump, and reproducing it in portable form is what makes these systems valuable.
- Mono Table Top ($1,169) — two approach ramps plus one boost, for a single table top jump. The natural first setup.
- Double Table Top ($1,349) — two approach ramps plus two boosts, for a longer or taller table.
- Triple Table Bundle ($1,469) — two approach ramps plus three boosts, the largest configuration.
The single ramps are standalone takeoffs for riders who want a launch without building a full table.
- Altitude Jump Ramp ($799) — adjustable from 28" to 36", the most accessible entry point in the collection and the easiest ramp to grow into.
- Lobo Launcher ($2,499) — built with The Loam Wolf, adjustable from 65" to 72". This is the serious one, for riders sending real size and for facilities that need a substantial takeoff.
Adjustable height matters more than it sounds. Starting low lets a rider learn takeoff timing and body position without consequence, then add height as confidence builds. It also means one ramp serves a whole group of mixed abilities.
Gravity Stunt Systems Airbags
An airbag landing absorbs the impact of coming down, which removes the biggest barrier to trying something new. Airbags are standard equipment in freestyle training for exactly this reason: they turn a scary, one-shot attempt into something you can repeat until it's automatic.
Landing airbags are shaped with a raised profile to catch a rider descending from a jump:
- Pluto Lander (4m × 3.6m, $2,375) — the most compact, for backyards and smaller jumps.
- Lunar Lander ($2,685) — a progression-focused system for skill building.
- Mercury Lander (26ft × 15ft, $3,675) — a big step up in landing area for larger jumps.
- Mars Lander (29.5ft × 16.4ft × 8.2ft, $4,750) — the largest, standing 8.2 feet tall for the biggest jumps and longest trajectories.
Flat freestyle airbags present a flat surface rather than a shaped landing, which suits drops, flips, and freestyle progression from multiple directions:
- Moon Base (6m × 6m, $4,300) — versatile for training areas, events, and mixed-discipline use.
Airbags inflate with a blower and generally run continuously to maintain pressure while in use, so plan for power at the site. Check each product page for blower specifications and setup requirements.
Sizing a Setup
This is where most buyers need help, and where a wrong guess is expensive.
Match the airbag to the takeoff. A bigger bag isn't automatically better. The landing needs to sit where a rider actually comes down, given the ramp height, speed, and trajectory. Too small and riders overshoot; badly positioned and they land on the edge.
Plan the whole run. You need a run-in long enough to reach takeoff speed, the ramp itself, the gap or table, the landing, and a run-out to slow down safely. The equipment is only part of the footprint.
Check the ground. Reasonably flat and firm, free of rocks and holes, with enough room around the landing for a rider to bail sideways.
Look up. Trees, wires, and structures overhead matter once riders are airborne.
Think about who's riding. One advanced rider needs a different setup than a camp with twenty kids of mixed ability. Adjustable ramps and appropriately sized landings serve groups far better than a single big jump.
Send us your space dimensions and intended jump size and we'll help you work it out — contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234.
Building a Progression Path
The most effective setups grow with the rider.
Stage one: the takeoff. Start with a single adjustable ramp like the Altitude at its lowest setting. Learn to pop cleanly, stay centered, and land smoothly before adding height.
Stage two: the table top. Move to a Mono Table Top so you're jumping a real shape with a downslope landing, still with the safety of a filled-in gap.
Stage three: the airbag. Add a landing airbag when you start working on tricks rather than just jumping. This is where whips, spins, and flips become learnable, because the cost of getting it wrong drops to almost nothing.
Stage four: scale up. Bigger boosts, taller ramps, and larger landings as skills and confidence build. The Double and Triple systems and the Lobo Launcher cover this end.
Who This Gear Is For
Riders with space at home. A ramp and a compact airbag turn a backyard into a training area you can use any evening.
Bike parks and trail centers. Portable equipment lets you add progression features without regrading dirt, and move them as demand shifts.
Camps and youth programs. Airbags make teaching jumping vastly safer and let instructors run high-volume sessions.
Coaches and training facilities. Consistent takeoffs mean you can isolate technique instead of troubleshooting the jump.
Event organizers and film production. Portable ramps and airbags set up for a weekend and pack away afterward.
Freestyle athletes. Airbags are how new tricks get learned before they're taken to dirt.
Buying for an organization? Contact our team for sizing help, logistics, and quotes.
Safety
Progression equipment reduces risk. It doesn't remove it.
Full-face helmet for jumping, always, plus goggles and gloves.
Body protection — knee and elbow pads, and a back or chest protector as jump size grows. Browse protection in our off-road accessories.
Build up gradually. Height and speed should increase in small steps, with plenty of reps at each stage.
Don't session big alone. Have someone present who can help if something goes wrong.
Inspect before you ride. Ramp bolts and surfaces, airbag inflation and seams, landing area clear of debris.
Control the area. Keep spectators and other riders clear of takeoffs, landings, and run-outs.
Check compatibility before riding motorized bikes. Ninja ramps are designed for bicycles. Motorized bikes are heavier and faster, and weight ratings vary by product, so confirm on the product page or with us before using a ramp with a gas or electric dirt bike.
Setup, Transport, and Maintenance
Ramps. Check bolts and connections after every transport, keep riding surfaces clean and free of grit, and store dry to protect the finish.
Airbags. Clear the ground of sharp debris before inflating. Keep the surface clean, and repair punctures promptly with the manufacturer's kit. Dry the bag completely before packing it away — putting a damp airbag into storage is how they develop mildew and seam problems. Inspect seams, valves, and anchor points regularly, and follow the manufacturer's inspection schedule.
Transport. Ramps break down and move. Airbags deflate and pack down, though the larger ones are substantial and need time and several people to set up and stow. Check each product page for pack size and weight.
Weather. Wind is the main consideration for inflatable equipment. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on wind limits and anchoring, and deflate and store the bag when it isn't in use for extended periods.
Explore More
Planning a setup for a backyard, park, camp, or event? Contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234 with your space, rider level, and budget, and we'll help you build it.
