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Cluster ballooning is an uncommon form of ballooning in which a single balloonist is attached by a harness to a cluster of relatively small helium-inflated rubber balloons.

Unlike traditional hot-air balloons, which possess vents for easy altitude control, cluster balloons rise uncontrollably, expanding as they go. Cluster balloonists must periodically cut balloons loose to maintain altitude and descend. Bottled water is a common ballast, and can be partially emptied to slow descent.

The most famous cluster balloonist is probably Larry Walters, who, in 1982, without any prior ballooning experience, attached 42 weather balloons to a piece of patio furniture and lifted off. Having intended to rise a few hundred feet, he soared nearly three miles into the air. Though cluster ballooning predates Walters, his bizarre feat helped to raise the sport's public profile. Today, the most prominent cluster balloonist is probably John Ninomiya, whose flights have been featured on The Science Channel, The History Channel, TechTV, TLC, and MTV.

The Guinness world record for the highest altitude attained cluster ballooning is held by Ian Ashpole, who on October 28, 2001, over Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, UK using 600 toy balloons reached a height of just over 11,000 feet (3,350 meters). However, Larry Walters reached 16 000 feet (almost 4900 m) in 1982 using patio furniture. His record is not recognized because he did not carry a proper altimeter. [1]

Smaller balloon clusters consisting of several toy balloons are sometimes used for creating flying light effects by using them as carrier for lightsticks or other small light sources. They can be also used for other amateur scientific experiments, such as making aerial photographs or atmospheric measurements. Cluster balloons can be also used for illegal activities such as carrying transmitters for jamming police radio. The advantage of small cluster balloons versus bigger balloons is that toy balloons, with or without helium filling, are more readily available than bigger balloons.

• John Ninomiya's cluster ballooning site
• Video of world record flight by Ian Ashpole (RealVideo format)

• Hopper balloon
• Gas balloon