The PD Pulse is low pack-volume main canopy aimed at skydivers seeking a balance between performance and ease of use. It was developed to provide a soft, predictable opening with a flat glide, succeeding older Performance Designs models in the low to mid-performance category. The Pulse became notable for its appeal to novice and intermediate jumpers, as well as for wingsuit flyers needing reliable performance when exiting from long spots.

The Pulse is a 9-cell canopy built with a Zero Porosity (ZP) top skin and a proprietary low-bulk bottom fabric. This combination allows the canopy to achieve a smaller packed volume without sacrificing durability. Its planform emphasizes a flat glide profile, with design features intended to reduce snivel and improve flare effectiveness.

The Pulse is intended for skydivers who prioritize forgiving openings and consistent, easy landings. It suits novice to experienced jumpers, wingsuit flyers who prefer a 9 cell canopy over a 7 cell, and those performing long exit spots. Its handling makes it appropriate for general sport skydiving and intermediate-level accuracy landing practice.

Openings on the Pulse are soft and on-heading, with short snivel tendencies. The canopy offers a very flat glide (it has been called the closest you can get to paragliding with a sports skydiving canopy) and a short recovery arc, which simplifies landing approach and flare timing. Handling is predictable, and the flare is forgiving, reducing the likelihood of hard landings even for less experienced pilots.

Compared to other Performance Designs canopies like the Spectre or Sabre3, the Pulse provides a flatter glide and more forgiving flare. Overall, it occupies the low to mid-performance, low-pack-volume niche within PD’s lineup.