How to care for your Vaikobi gear How to care for your Vaikobi gear
Water Sports 24 Jun, 2024
How to care for your Vaikobi gear

 

Vaikobi makes high quality watersports gear and ocean lifestyle apparel that’s designed to outlast our competitors. How you care for your Vaikobi products will make a difference to how long you can enjoy certain features of the gear. Our products use high quality materials and construction processes, but they are not indestructible. Unlike casual clothes, our technical and on-water garments will benefit from a bit more care and attention, to ensure they continue to perform. Below, we explain the top tips for caring for your Vaikobi watersports gear and clothing. 

How to care for your Vaikobi life jacket

Vaikobi PFDs will last a very long time when cared for properly. The key component to look after properly is the buoyancy foam. Critically, always dry your PFD out between wears, preferably in the shade (not full sun). Keeping your life jacket dry will ensure the foam does not grow mould or get heavy. Drying the life jacket in the shade will ensure the bright colours stay vibrant. The care instructions are printed inside all Vaikobi PFDs, and read: Do not iron, do not tumble dry, do not bleach your PFD. To learn more about how long you can maintain your life jacket, check out our blog called “Do life jackets have expiry dates?’

 

How to care for your Vaikobi PFD life jacket

Vaikobi PFDs will last a very long time when cared for properly. The key function of the PFD is to provide buoyancy to the user when in the water. To do this the PFD must retain its buoyancy and remain securely attached to your body. The structural integrity of the main materials (nylon, foam, webbing and stitching) is critical. The Vaikobi PFDs are made using certified materials and testing processes so they are very strong - but they are not indestructible. Mis-use of a life jacket can damage it, so do not use the PFD for anything other than its intended purpose. 

  • Inspect your PFD regularly for any visible signs of wear and tear. A torn or damaged PFD should not be used. 
  • Vaikobi PFDs use a soft proprietary foam for comfort and performance. Maintaining the foam shape is important to the buoyancy it provides. Do not squash or fold the PFD as this will damage the foam. Don’t use your PFD as a cushion, do not use it as a boat fender.
  • UV, salt water and chemicals (fuel, oil, chlorine, harsh cleaners) will cause the materials to degrade sooner. 
  • Always rinse your PFD in fresh water after use. Dry your PFD out between wears, preferably in the shade (exposure to full sun over extended periods of time may reduce the strength of materials and trims). Drying the life jacket in the shade will ensure the bright colours stay vibrant and the materials retain their full strength.. 
  • Store or hang your PFD in a ventilated area out of direct sun, excessive heat. Storing your PFD wet or damp will increase the chance of damage from mould. 
  • The care instructions are printed inside all Vaikobi PFDs, and read: Do not iron, do not tumble dry, do not bleach your PFD. To learn more about how long you can maintain your life jacket, check out our blog called “Do life jackets have expiry dates?’

 

How to care for Vaikobi Rashies and other UPF50+ spandex products

Vaikobi rashies are made from a UV50+ (also known as UPF50+) high quality synthetic spandex yarn, designed to protect the wearer from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. The care label inside Vaikobi rashies instructs the wearer to 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. One thing to keep in mind when wearing your rashie to the pool, is that chlorine will accelerate wear and tear of UV rashies, by degrading the elastane yarns within the spandex. Always dry Vaikobi rashies inside out, and preferably in the shade, to retain colour. 

 

  • The care label inside Vaikobi rashies instructs the wearer to 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. 
  • UV, salt water and chemicals (fuel, oil, harsh cleaners) will cause the materials to degrade sooner. 
  • Dry your rashie out between wears, preferably in the shade (exposure to full sun over extended periods of time may reduce the strength of materials and trims). Drying the rashie in the shade will ensure the bright colours stay vibrant and the materials retain their full strength.. 
  • One thing to keep in mind when wearing your rashie to the pool, is that chlorine will accelerate wear and tear of UV rashies, by degrading the elastane yarns within the spandex. 

 

How to care for your Vaikobi VDRY vest

The Vaikobi VDRY vest and VDRY jackets are made with 100% polyester VDRY fabrication that is coated with a waterproof membrane. To maintain the water resistant properties of Vaikobi VDRY products, do not use fabric softener, do not bleach, do not iron and do not dry clean. If you notice the water resistant properties are not as good as when you first bought the product, it’s time to restore the water resistant membrane coating, by washing it in a technical wash, available from good outdoor clothing stores. Never pack away the product damp, as this will cause the membrane to fail.

 

How to care for your Vaikobi VDRY vest

The Vaikobi VDry Jacket and vest are made with 100% polyester outer that is resilient and strong and has a PU waterproof coating on the inner side of the fabric. To maintain the water proof and water repellent properties of Vaikobi VDRY products, do not use fabric softener, do not bleach, do not iron and do not dry clean. 

  • UV, salt water and chemicals (fuel, oil, harsh cleaners) will cause the materials to degrade sooner. 
  • Rinse your VDry vest in fresh water after extended periods of wet / heavy use.
  • Dry your vest out between wears, preferably in the shade (exposure to full sun over extended periods of time may reduce the strength of materials and trims). Drying in the shade will ensure the bright colours stay vibrant and the materials retain their full strength.
  • Never pack away the product damp, as this will cause damage to the inner PU waterproof membrane and make your garment mouldy or smell bad.
  • Using a specialised technical wash designed for waterproof / water repellent garments is ideal (various brands are from available from good outdoor clothing stores) 
  • The water repellent outer coating can become less water repellent over time with constant wash and wear. If you notice the outer shell is less water repellent then consider adding heat to the outer surface. Adding heat will help to restore / recharge the water repellent molecules. This can also be done with a warm iron, light warm cycle of clothes dryer, or hairdryer. Use caution when applying heat to your garment

 

How to care for Vaikobi puffer jackets and puffer vests 

Vaikobi puffers are part of the VDOWN collection and are made from responsibly sourced duck feather down (700 fill rating). The inner and outer fabric is a lightweight durable polyester outer fabrication. 

The VDOWN garments are designed to keep you warm by providing insulation. They do this by trapping air inside the down feathers. 

  • Vaikobi VDOWN garments are not designed as a waterproof or rainproof garment. If you get wet with rain or water the insulation/ warm keeping properties will be reduced. Aim to dry your VDOWN jacket or vest afterwards. 
  • The garments will of course become wet and saturated when you wash them. Customers have asked us: Can I wash my Vaikobi puffer? It’s important not to wash your down jacket with fabric softeners, use only a mild washing detergent. At the time of washing the duck down feathers will become clumped and compressed. 
  • After washing it’s important to re-fluff and separate these clumps of feathers. Customers have also asked us how to restore or re-fluff their Vaikobi puffer? If your Vaikobi puffer is clumping or thinning in any parts, it’s time to plump up (or re-fluff) the puffer product. Shake it around and plump it up with the intention of pushing air back inside and around the feathers. 
  • Another option to plump up your puffer is to place a tennis ball in the clothes dryer on a delicate cycle for 10 mins. The tennis ball will help to separate the down feathers. Check the product then if needed run another 10 minute cycle.

 

How to care for the Vaikobi Beach coat

The Vaikobi beach coat has a water repellent outer coating, which can become less water repellent over time with constant wash and wear. If you notice the outer shell is less water repellent, place the beach coat in the clothes dryer and run until warm, which will make the waterproof molecules stand back up and become water repellent again. This can also be done with a warm iron or warm hairdryer. Use caution when applying heat to your garment, and spot test first. Always pack the Vaikobi beach coat up dry, never damp. Dry the beach coat on both sides, including inside out, to give the plush fleece lining a chance to dry out.

How to care for the Vaikobi Hamilton Jacket

Vaikobi Hamilton jackets are made with 100% polyamide outer that is resilient and strong and have a PU waterproof membrane with taped seams on the inner side of the fabric. 

  • To maintain the water proof and water repellent properties of Vaikobi VDRY products, do not use fabric softener, do not bleach, do not iron and do not dry clean. 
  • UV, salt water and chemicals (fuel, oil, harsh cleaners) will cause the materials to degrade sooner. 
  • Rinse your jacket in fresh water after extended periods of wet / heavy use. Dry your jacket/ vest out between wears, preferably in the shade (exposure to full sun over extended periods of time may reduce the strength of materials and trims) Drying the jacket in the shade will ensure the bright colours stay vibrant and the materials retain their full strength.
  • Never pack away the product damp, as this will cause damage to the inner Pu waterproof membrane and make your garment mouldy / smell bad.
  • Using a specialised technical wash designed for waterproof / water repellent garments is ideal (various brands are available from good outdoor clothing stores).
  • The water repellent outer coating can become less water repellent over time with constant wash and wear. If you notice the outer shell is less water repellent then consider adding heat to the outer surface. Adding heat will help to restore / recharge the water repellent molecules. This can also be done with a warm iron, light warm cycle of clothes dryer, or hairdryer. Use caution when applying heat to your garment.



How to care for Vaikobi VCOLD Hydroflex Tops and Hydroflex Pants

Vaikobi Hydroflex fabrication has a water-repellent function, which is a series of fine water-repellent molecules on the surface of the garment. The water shedding properties keep you warmer and drier. The fleece inner traps warm air close to your skin. 

  • The fleece fabric can be damaged /pulled causing some pilling on the surface, so ensure to keep the garment away from velcro and abrasive surfaces. 
  • Wash and dry the garment as per the care label (cold machine wash or warm hand wash in mild detergent)
  • The water repellent outer coating can become less water repellent over time with constant wash and wear. If you notice the VCOLD product has become less water repellent, simply apply heat to the outer surface, which helps to restore / recharge the water repellent molecules. This can be done with a warm iron, light warm cycle of a clothes dryer, or hairdryer. Use caution when applying heat to your garment.

 

How to care for Vaikobi Neoprene wetsuits

After chasing the thrills of a downwind ride, it’s important to get the salt water out of your Vaikobi wetsuit, to help it last longer and maintain its warmth and flexibility. Wash your wetsuit with fresh cold water, then dry in the shade. Drying wetsuits in the sun risks corrosion and fading. For more information about Vaikobi wetsuit care, check out our article 5 tips to care for your wetsuit.

 

 

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