Every piece of Vaikobi gear is engineered for performance, comfort and durability in demanding ocean conditions. With the right care, it'll continue performing at its best for years to come. While our products are built tough, they're not indestructible. Technical on-water garments benefit from a bit more care and attention to keep performing at their best. 

This is your complete guide to caring for your Vaikobi gear, with links to detailed care instructions for some specialty products.

How to Care for Your PFD / Life Jacket

Vaikobi PFDs last a very long time when cared for properly. The most important component is the buoyancy foam, so looking after it is the priority.

• Always rinse your PFD in fresh water after use to remove salt, which degrades materials over time even when dry
• Dry it out between wears, preferably in the shade. Extended full sun exposure can reduce the strength of the materials and trims, and fades the colours
• Store or hang it in a ventilated area out of direct sun and excessive heat. Never store it damp, as this invites mould
• Don't squash, fold, or use your PFD as a cushion or boat fender. Maintaining the foam shape is essential to its buoyancy
• Inspect it regularly for wear and tear. A torn or damaged PFD should not be used
• The care label reads: do not iron, do not tumble dry, do not bleach

Checking if your PFD is still safe

Vaikobi foam life jackets don't have an official expiry date, so it's worth testing yours periodically:

1. Check for visible signs of damage: tears in the outer material, mould, significant discolouration, or weak stitching. If any are present, replace it
2. Find a low-risk testing area, such as waist-deep water at a pool or calm beach
3. Secure the PFD firmly, then slowly submerge and lift your feet off the bottom
4. If you have to actively tread water to stay afloat, the foam has degraded and the PFD is no longer safe

Inflatable or self-inflating PFDs are different: these should be serviced annually by a professional, who will check the bladder, CO2 cylinder, reflective tape, buckles, and straps.

For more, read our guides on how to care for your PFD and life jacket expiry dates.

Shop PFD's + Lifejackets

How to Care for Your Bump Hats and Impact Protection

Bump hats and impact vests use foam, Cordura, and neoprene that all last longer with a little care.

• Rinse in fresh water after every use to remove salt and sand
• Dry in the shade, never in direct sun, which weakens the materials and trims and fades the colours over time
• Spot clean dirtier areas like a bump hat's headband or ear covers with cold, soapy water, and avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the fabric and foam
• Never store damp, and don't crush or fold impact foam, keeping the foam's shape is what keeps it protecting you
• Check the foam and shell periodically for cracks, compression, or damage, and replace if the protective structure is compromised

If your bump hat arrives slightly out of shape, gently bend and flex the inner shell by hand, then try it back on, and repeat until it feels comfortable and uniform on your head. Adjust the straps and cord for the perfect fit. All hats are made the same with inkjet moulding so some shaping will get you the perfect fit.

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How to Care for Your Neoprene Wetsuit

Getting the salt water out of your wetsuit after every session is the single most important thing you can do to maintain its warmth and flexibility.

• Rinse with fresh cold water after every session. If it dries before you rinse it, salt can build up in the seams, zips, and closures and erodes the neoprene
• Hand wash only, never in a machine, even on cold. If you use soap, make it gentle or pH-neutral. Specialised wetsuit shampoos and cleaning solutions are also available
• Flush sand and salt out of the zips to prevent jamming
• Always remove your wetsuit while it's still wet. Cold neoprene doesn't stretch as well, so taking a wetsuit off cold forces it against the seams. This matters most with hooded suits and steamers, where the neck has to stretch over your head. A lukewarm shower helps it slip off easily, but avoid very hot water, which can damage the neoprene
• Dry in the shade, never in direct sun or a dryer. Both degrade neoprene and cause fading. Dry both sides, turning it inside out once the outer is done
• Store on a hanger by the waist in a cool, dry place to avoid stretching

For more detail, read our full guides on How to care for your neoprene wetsuit and our top 5 wetsuit care tips.

Shop FlexForce Neoprene Wetsuit Range

How to Care for Lycra Spandex Rashies and UPF50+ Products

Vaikobi rashies are made from high-quality UPF50+ spandex yarn designed to protect you from UV. To keep that protection and colour intact:

• Rinse with fresh cold water after use, or hand wash in warm water, or gentle machine wash with mild detergent
• Do not bleach, tumble dry, or iron
• Dry inside out and in the shade to retain colour and material strength
• Remember that chlorine accelerates wear by degrading the elastane yarns, so avoid chlorine pool use, or at least rinse thoroughly after pool use
  

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How to Care for VDRY Vests, Smocks, and Wet Weather Gear

VDRY products have a durable polyester outer with a PU waterproof coating on the inner. To maintain the waterproof and water-repellent properties:

• Do not use fabric softener, bleach, iron, or dry clean
• Rinse in fresh water after extended wet or heavy use
• Dry in the shade between wears, and never pack away damp, as this damages the inner PU membrane and causes mould and odour

Reactivating the water repellency

Over time, with regular wash and wear, the water-repellent coating loses its effectiveness. Vaikobi recommends a simple two-step refresh:

1. Wash the garment with a technical waterproofing wash, available from any good outdoor, hiking, or camping store
2. Follow with a low tumble dry, which reactivates the fine water-repellent fibres on the surface of the textile

This restores the beading and shedding properties far more effectively than heat alone. Always read the care label first.

The same process applies to the Hamilton Jacket and coastal sailing dry gear, which uses a polyamide outer with a taped-seam PU membrane.

Shop Wet Weather Gear

How to Care for VCOLD Hydroflex Tops and Pants

VCOLD Hydroflex fabric has a water-repellent surface treatment and a fleece inner that traps warm air.

• Keep the outer fleece away from velcro and abrasive surfaces to prevent pilling
• Wash and dry as per the care label: cold machine wash or warm hand wash in mild detergent
• If it becomes less water-repellent over time, refresh it using the same two-step method as VDRY: a technical waterproofing wash followed by a low tumble dry to reactivate the water-repellent fibres
  

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How to Care for Puffer Jackets and Vests (VDOWN or Hydra-Puff)

Vaikobi puffers use either responsibly sourced duck down (700 fill) with a lightweight polyester shell, OR a synthetic hydrophobic fill and polyester shell, depending on which product you’ve purchased. They insulate by trapping air in the fill.

• These jackets and vests are not waterproof. If they get wet, the insulation drops, so always dry them afterwards
• Wash with mild detergent only, never fabric softener. The down will clump when wet
• Re-fluff after washing by shaking and plumping to push air back through the feathers
• To restore the loft, tumble dry on a delicate cycle for 10 minutes with a tennis ball, which separates the clumps. Repeat if needed.
  

Shop VDOWN Puffer Jackets and Vests

How to Care for Your Vaikobi Beach Coat

The Vaikobi beach coat has a water-repellent outer that can fade with wash and wear.

• If it becomes less water-repellent, refresh it with a technical waterproofing wash followed by a low tumble dry, the same method used for VDRY gear
• Always pack it away dry, never damp
• Dry both sides, turning it inside out to let the plush fleece lining dry fully
  

Shop Vaikobi Beach Coats

How to Care for Water Shoes and Sailing Boots

Sailing boots can get stinky over time if used frequently and not dried out between sessions. Keep them fresh with a simple routine:

1. Rinse with fresh water after each use to remove salt, sand, and dirt, paying attention to the zippers
2. Use mild soap for particularly dirty boots, and avoid harsh cleaners or bleach, which can damage the material
3. Air dry completely before storing. Don't use a dryer or direct heat, and keep them out of direct sun once dry to prevent fading

For more, see our full water shoes guide.

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How to Clean Your Vaikobi Hydration Bladder

Keeping your bladder clean prevents bacteria and mold building up in the reservoir and hose.

1. Use the brushes with a small amount of dish soap and warm water to scrub the inside of the bladder
2. Clean the mouthpiece separately with the small brush
3. Run warm soapy water through the hose after each use
4. Rinse everything thoroughly with fresh water
5. Insert the dry rack to hold the bladder open and allow it to air dry fully before storing

The Vaikobi 1.5L Hydro System Bladder includes a four-piece cleaning kit. For more, read our hydration bladder guide.

Shop Vaikobi Hydration Bladders

General Vaikobi Technical Gear Care

Four principles apply across almost everything Vaikobi makes:

1. Rinse in fresh water after every session to stop salt corrosion
2. Dry in the shade, never in direct sun or a dryer (except when reactivating waterproofing)
3. Never store anything damp, as mould and odour set in fast
4. Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, and fabric softeners
   
   

Follow these rules, and your Vaikobi gear will perform season after season.

Now your gear is sorted, make sure you're set up for your next session. 

Shop by condition: Stay Warm for thermal and wetsuit gear, Stay Dry for wet weather protection, Stay UV Protected for UPF50+ apparel, and Stay Safe for PFDs and impact protection.