Product FAQs

When your Vaikobi QR harness arrives, the hook will be attached by a cord — untie this to get started. Place the hook onto the spreader bar, lining up the holes with the two prongs, then insert the pin through the top of the hook into the spreader bar. The first fit will be tight — this is by design.

We recommend leaving the hook on the spreader bar permanently. Within 7 days it will settle into the foam pad, making the pin easier to release. Read more about how the QR harness works.

All tops in the Vaikobi UV range are made with UPF50+ fabric, blocking over 98% of harmful UV rays — essential for paddlers, sailors, surfers, and foilers who spend long hours training and racing in direct sunlight. Here's how to choose:

• UV Ocean Tech Range — Vaikobi's premium sun protection top, combining UPF50+ coverage with a performance fit and advanced technical fabric. Ideal for all-day sessions on the water where comfort and UV protection are equally important.
• Hooded Rashies — built for long days in and around the water, with a foam-reinforced mini peak to reduce glare and keep the sun off your face. The integrated hood delivers maximum coverage for surfers, paddlers, and foilers in harsh sun conditions. Features a rear zip pocket for stashing essentials on longer sessions.
• Long Sleeve Rashies — the classic choice for full arm and torso sun protection across all watersports. Constructed with V-Light fabrication for a breathable, fast-drying feel, with a snug yet flexible fit that minimises skin irritation from saltwater, sand, and equipment friction.

For complete sun protection on the water, pair your UV top with VIZE+ polarised sunglasses and a Vaikobi hat or cap — reflected UV off the water significantly increases your exposure compared to being on land. Read more about the importance of UV protective gear for watersports.

Vaikobi paddling clothing and sailing clothing should always be washed in a cold gentle machine cycle with a small amount of gentle detergent, then dried in the shade. All garments include a care label sewn into the seam. For any concerns about caring for your watersports gear, please contact our sales team.

Read more in this blog: How to care for my Vaikobi product?

Proper neoprene wetsuit care will significantly extend the life of your suit. The key rules: always remove your wetsuit while it's still wet, rinse with fresh water after every session to prevent salt corrosion, and dry flat in the shade - never in direct sun or a dryer, both of which degrade neoprene over time. Take extra care with zips, flushing out sand and salt to prevent seizing, and store your suit fully dry to avoid mould and odour.

For the full guide, read our neoprene wetsuit care tips and top 5 wetsuit care tips.

Vaikobi FlexForce wetsuits, long johns, wetsuit pants and hikers can be trimmed at home to get the perfect leg length for your height. Read our step-by-step guide on how to trim your Vaikobi wetsuit.

Vaikobi has three VCOLD pants for cold water watersports — here's how to choose:

• VCOLD GBS 3mm Paddle Pant — for freezing to cold conditions. The thickest and warmest option, with GBS liquid seams to stop water creeping in, a high back design to protect the lower back in a seated paddling position, and a plush inner fleece lining. Best for conditions where you can see your breath in the air.
• VCOLD Flex Paddle Pant — for cold to cool conditions (5°C and above). Vaikobi's most versatile pant, using Airprene fabrication that breathes as your body heats up — so you won't overheat if the sun comes out or the wind drops mid-session. A best seller for good reason.
• VCOLD Hydroflex Pant — for cool to mild conditions (up to ~17°C). A lightweight quick-dry microfleece pant that feels more like a thermal legging than a wetsuit pant — ideal for those who don't like neoprene but still need cold water protection.

For warm water paddling and watersports, see our UV range of pants instead. Read the full guide to choosing the right VCOLD pant.

Vaikobi has three specially designed cold water tops — here's how to choose:

• VCOLD Base Layer Top (Warm) — a lightweight, quick-dry thermal top ideal for cool conditions and high-output sports. Versatile enough to wear alone or layer under a wetsuit or VDRY vest. Best for active paddlers and sailors who heat up quickly.
• VCOLD Hydroflex Top (Warmer) — uses hollow yarn fabric with a hydrophobic outer coating that sheds water and dries rapidly, keeping spray off your skin and core. Features a super soft fleece neck and scooped lower back hem to prevent water flushing up. Ideal for choppier water, seated paddlers, rowers, and dinghy sailors.
• VCOLD Flex Top (Warmest) — for the days you can see your breath in the air. Uses VCOLD Flex Airprene technology with a plush pile inner liner and perforated panels for thermal regulation and breathability. Form-fitting by design to maximise core warmth. Best for cold water immersion sports including kayaking, surfski, and downwind paddling.

Read our complete guide to choosing the right VCOLD thermal top.

Rashies (also known as rash guards, rash vests, or UV sun tops) are not designed for warmth - they're built to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and abrasion during watersports, covering your arms, neck, and back. With 2 in 3 Australians diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70, a UPF50+ rashie is one of the simplest ways to reduce your risk on the water. Read more about the importance of wearing a rash shirt during watersports.

If you need warmth on the water, check out our thermal tops for watersports instead.

A rashie (also known as a rash guard, rash vest, or UV sun top) is a close-fitting, quick-dry lycra top worn during watersports like kayaking, sailing, surfski paddling, surfing, foiling, and SUP. Designed to fit like a second skin, a quality rashie won't restrict your movement or weigh you down if you get wet. Most rashies offer UPF50+ sun protection, shielding your arms, shoulders, and back from harmful UV rays - particularly important for watersport athletes who spend extended time on the water with reflected sunlight increasing UV exposure. Read more about the importance of wearing a rash shirt during watersports.

The VDRY range is designed for surface water sports where wind, spray, and light rain are the main elements to deal with — including dinghy sailing, paddling, kayaking, canoeing, and yacht sailing. It works best as an outer layer over a wetsuit or thermal base layer, blocking spray and wind without adding bulk or restricting movement.

• VDRY ½ Zip Vest — a paddler favourite, ultra-lightweight with a versatile half-zip design for easy on and off on the water
• VDRY Smock — a sailing staple, with waterproof taped seams to prevent water flushing up the sleeves and designed to be worn comfortably under a PFD
• VDRY Jackets — versatile coverage for sailing, paddling, and wet weather onshore; a popular choice for yacht sailors and team gear

For the coldest conditions, pair VDRY gear with our VCOLD thermal range or a FlexForce wetsuit underneath for maximum protection.

FlexForce is designed for apparent air temperatures of 16°C (60°F) and below - covering cool to freezing cold water conditions. Note that apparent air temperature accounts for wind chill and humidity, not just the forecasted temperature. As a rule of thumb, if there's wind on the water, subtract a few degrees from the forecast; if conditions are calm and you're unlikely to get wet, add a few degrees. For a full breakdown of what to wear across all temperature ranges, check out the Vaikobi Gear Guide or shop the FlexForce range.

VCOLD Flex is Vaikobi's intelligent thermal regulation technology designed for cold water watersports including paddling, sailing, foiling, kayaking, and SUP. Unlike traditional insulation that simply traps heat, VCOLD Flex actively regulates your body temperature - keeping you warm when you need it and allowing excess heat and moisture to escape as your intensity increases.

The fabric combines a thermal fleece inner lining for insulation, a wind-resistant outer surface, and a high-stretch construction for unrestricted movement. The result is all-day comfort across a wide range of conditions and activity levels, without the overheating associated with traditional cold-weather gear. Read more about how VCOLD Flex works to keep you warm.

Neoprene socks (also known as wetsuit socks or wetsuit booties) work by trapping a thin layer of water against your skin, which your body then warms to keep your feet insulated - so while they're not waterproof, they're highly effective in cold water conditions.

They're ideal for kayaking, paddling, sailing, surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing. If you need full foot protection against sharp rocks, coral reefs, or sea urchins, water shoes or sailing boots are a better option.

Read more in our complete guide to wetsuit socks.

To get the most life out of your water shoes and wetsuit socks, rinse them thoroughly with fresh water after every use - including the zips, to prevent salt and sand from causing them to seize. Dry them in the shade with zips and straps fully undone to maximise airflow, and never store them damp or leave them in direct sunlight, both of which degrade neoprene over time. Read our top tips for foot protection on the water.

Neoprene is not waterproof — it's actually designed to let a small amount of water in. That water gets trapped between the neoprene and your skin, where your body heat warms it up to create an insulating layer, keeping you warm in cold water conditions. The thicker the neoprene, the more insulation it provides. It's this unique property that makes neoprene the go-to material for wetsuits, tops, pants, and socks across watersports like surfing, kayaking, sailing, and paddling. Explore our range of neoprene wetsuits, tops and pants for watersports.

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber material laminated together with fabric layers, widely used in wetsuits, wetsuit tops, pants, and socks for watersports. It works by trapping a thin layer of water against your skin, which your body warms to create insulation against cold water and wind chill. Not all neoprene is equal though - some contains harmful chemicals, which is why Vaikobi's FlexForce range is manufactured using REACH compliant neoprene, meaning it's free from harmful substances. Find out more about how to choose a REACH certified neoprene wetsuit.

PFD, life jacket, buoyancy vest, buoyancy aid, and life preserver are all terms used interchangeably around the world - they all refer to the same type of safety garment designed to keep you afloat in the water. The key difference worth knowing is that not all PFDs are equal: buoyancy ratings vary from Level 50 (suitable for inshore watersports) through to Level 150+ (designed for offshore and rough water conditions). Choosing the right one depends on your sport and the conditions you paddle or sail in. Read more in our guide to the difference between a PFD and a life jacket.

A PFD (personal flotation device) is a certified safety garment designed to keep you afloat in the water. All Vaikobi PFDs are certified to ISO 12402-5 (Level 50), which means they're built above the minimum buoyancy required for watersports including kayaking, surfski paddling, dinghy sailing, SUP, and foiling. When selecting a PFD, Vaikobi recommends sizing by chest measurement rather than weight — a correct fit ensures maximum comfort, freedom of movement, and performance in an emergency. Read our complete guide to how to choose the right PFD for you.

No — a swim vest and a life jacket are not the same thing. Swim vests are designed primarily for young children learning to swim, helping them maintain a neutral floating position. They provide some buoyancy but carry no official safety certification. A life jacket (also known as a PFD or personal flotation device) has an official buoyancy rating, is certified to international safety standards, and is designed to keep you safely afloat in an emergency - not for stroke swimming. If you're heading out on the water, always choose a certified PFD over a swim vest for genuine protection.

Life jackets don't have an official expiry date, but they do degrade over time with regular use and UV exposure - so it's important to inspect yours regularly. Check for signs of wear including damaged buckles, faded fabric, or compressed foam before every season. Find out exactly what to look for in our guide to life jacket expiry dates.