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Vaikobi has updated their original lightweight ocean racing PFD with a batch of new features which make what was already a solid product even better. The original PFD contained two open front mesh pockets. The pockets were appropriately located, but their open design meant you could not secure small items. This issue has since been remedied by redesigning the pockets to be slightly larger and fully closable. Each pocket is now able to be fully closed with a robust, non-corrosive zipper. As with the original model, the redesigned PFD still has a lanyard and clip in one of the pockets for attaching a small item.
The second new feature is the inclusion of four elastic loops on the shoulders to secure the drinking tube for a hydration bladder. The loops allow users to position a hydration tube on either shoulder and firmly secure it to the PFD.
A third new feature is the incorporation of a small elastic loop at the top of the main front zipper. The loop works great if you want to secure your drinking tube close to your mouth. I also found it to be a great place to clip a small light which comes in handy during early morning OC-1 practices. The only downside of hanging a small light from the loop is it attracts fish. I learned this on a few occasions, and even carried one little guy along for the ride in my foot well for part of practice one morning!
The Vaikobi Ocean Racing PFD is supremely comfortable. The main reason for this is it was designed to be worn while paddling. If you are a paddler who regularly wears a backpack hydration pack, I’m confident you’ll discover the Vaikobi PFD is even more comfortable to wear than even the best designed backpack. And you no longer need that backpack hydration pack because the Vaikobi PFD has a great big pocket on the back panel designed to hold your hydration bladder.
I’ve used a few different hydration bladders with the PFD and have settled on a 1.5L Widepac from Source Outdoor. I choose to use products from Source Outdoor because of their Glass-Like™ technology which delivers a superior taste compared to any other product I’ve tested. The 1.5L Widepac is a perfect size and the low profile design fits securely in the pocket of the Vaikobi PFD.
At the finish of the Malibu Downwinder. Using a Source Outdoor Widepac with the PFD. Photo: OnIt Pro
Additional features of the PFD include the following:
ISO 12402-5 (Equivalent to AS 4758 Type 2)
Two fully closable mesh pockets with lanyard to store key safety items
Super lightweight and breathable
Hi Vis colors for maximum visibility
Hydration compartment on the back to store your hydration bladder
No side panels for maximum breathability
Easy access mesh pockets for storage
Padded shoulders
Front center zipper for ease of putting on
I use the Vaikobi PFD for OC-1 and SUP paddling. I’ve found it to be a fantastic piece of technical gear perfectly suited for both disciplines. So much so in fact that anyone who claims it restricts their paddling motion probably needs to spend some more time dialing in their stroke. The PFD does trap a small amount of body heat, but when paddling in the winter or on a cold day, this is not an issue. I wore it during an OC-1 race in San Diego last January on an approximately 75F/24C day. I did not overheat and had a good outcome in the race.
Similarly, the PFD is great to wear during high intensity SUP races such as open ocean downwinding. I wore the Vaikobi PFD along with a Source hydration bladder at the 15th annual Malibu Downwinder in late April. It was a cold day with a 20+ mph wind from the NW. As with OC-1 paddling, wearing the PFD while standup paddling is so comfortable you don’t even realize you are wearing it.
Learn more at Vaikobi.com
#MalibuDownwinder #OC1paddling #Vaikobi #Gear #Reviews #Safety
There are a number of ways to keep yourself warm when paddling in cold weather, but if you are looking for a performance driven product specifically designed for paddling I highly recommend trying Vaikobi’s V Cold Storm and Base long sleeve paddling tops. Feeling cold can be relative in greater or lesser degrees, but with two great tops to choose from the Australian company has delivered the ultimate paddling gear in a lightweight, flexible performance driven design.
The V Cold Base padding top
With Vaikobi’s V Cold paddle tops you do not have to sacrifice comfort or performance for warmth. As its name suggests, the Storm is the warmer of the two and is my go to top for early morning OC-1 workouts with my outrigger club during the winter. The V Cold Storm retains all the performance attributes of Vaikobi’s V Cold range with its lightweight and flexible design. When you don’t need the full protection of the Storm, but still want to cover up for some added warmth, I recommend wearing the V Cold Base top.
V Cold Technology which controls your body temperature for maximum performance
Flexi-Fit for ease of movement with scooped back to protect your lower back and kidneys
Seamless Hydro Fleece under arm and side panel for maximum paddling comfort and breathability
V Cold Technology which controls your body temperature for maximum performance
Fitted design using Vaikobi’s lightweight and fast drying Hydrofleece fabric in the body and arms
Hydromesh ventilation under the arms and down the side of the body to control body temperature and eliminate over heating
Articulated cut designed for ease of movement
Draft free! One of the nice features on both tops is the extra length in the back. This provides complete coverage of your lower back, even when paddling in a seated position, and prevents exposing your bare skin to cold air and water.
I’ve found the V Cold base works well for me when it is 15 C or below (59 F). Then once you want to add a little more warmth or perhaps the conditions are a bit sloppy and you know you’re going to get wet, transition into the Storm. The base layer is very fitted and could also be worn under the Storm, but the conditions here in Southern California have not necessitated such a configuration during the time I have been using the gear. I’ve used both tops for SUP and outrigger and found they makes a great tops for SUP surfing when you need a little something to keep your upper body warm.
Since I paddle in the ocean, I always rinse my Vaikobi V Cold gear in a bucket of fresh water after use. In order to have it fully dry and ready to go for the next day, I put the V Cold Paddle Pants and tops in the washing machine on a drain/spin cycle for 11 minutes after rinsing them in a bucket. The spin cycle forces all the water out and leaves the gear virtually dry. I then hang it up to air dry for the remainder of the day and by nightfall it is fully dry and good to go.
The V Cold tops look sharp and perform exceedingly well. Based on my experience with the two tops, the sizing mirrors my shirt size. In my opinion, they are the perfect paddling top for high intensity paddling where you want to stay warm, but do not want to bog yourself down by wearing gear that will cause you to quickly overheat. There are a lot of options out there when it comes to cold weather gear, but this is what I use and is what I recommend.
V Cold Storm: $179 AUD V Cold Base: $119 AUD
Learn more at vaikobi.com.
#ColdWeatherPaddling #Vaikobi #paddleapparel #VCold #paddlinggear
The Vaikobi board shorts are designed to meet the needs of paddlers seeking eye-catching style and performance driven functionality. The best of both worlds, the boardies combine Vaikobi’s popular warm weather paddle shorts with a fitted board short. The board short exterior construction is super stretchy and quick drying; notable features include a drawstring waist, velcro fly, and a small pocket on the left thigh with a velcro flap to keep items secure.
The shorts are available with your choice of orange, blue or gray stripes.
Vaikobi’s UV tee is a relaxed fit, quick drying tee with UV protection. Perfect for warm weather paddling, the UV tee is lightweight and available in three colors options: fluro orange, light gray, and gunmetal gray.
In a summer filled with chaos and uncertainty the Vaikobi board shorts and UV tee were one of the few bright spots to appear in these challenging times. I’d been wearing Vaikobi’s traditional paddle shorts for a few years and was stoked to pick up a pair of their new boardies and a UV tee. The board shorts are supremely comfortable and look fantastic. Vaikobi nailed it with the well thought out duo overlaying a performance board short on top of their proven paddle shorts. The result is a stylish and versatile board short which I’ve enjoyed wearing paddling surkski, outrigger, and SUP. I’ve even worn them into the lineup on a few SUP surf sessions. The small thigh pocket is great for holding a small item while paddling, but I really appreciate the pocket most as a place to hold my keys when loading & unloading my craft.
Vaikobi’s UV tee is a must have item for every paddler. The relaxed fit looks great and is perfectly sized. I went with the hi-vis fluro orange version because I’m hooked on bright colors and benefit from being super visible on the water catching afternoon runs and dodging sailboats north of the Marina del Rey breakwater. This is a combo I envision getting a lot of use out of for years to come.
Vaikobi’s UV paddling pants and long sleeved top are lightweight, warm to hot weather paddling gear designed to aid paddlers regulate their body temperature and remain cool. Made from Vaikobi’s unique featherlight and breathable spandex/polyester fabric, the paddling pants and top improve your body’s circulation while protecting you from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
The pants are outfitted with a 1mm padded seat for comfort while seated in your boat and are secured at the waist with a comfortable and non-obtrusive drawstring.
The long sleeved top is ergonomically designed with an aggressive athletic fit.
Vaikobi’s UV paddling pants and long sleeved top are my go to gear when I’m paddling a hot and flat surfski session. With the summer heatwave across the western United States delivering record breaking temperatures, these two items have kept me on the water and allowed me to get the most out of my workouts. To say that these items are featherlight is almost an understatement, prepare to be impressed.
The pants allow surfski paddlers to attain full rotation and the long sleeved UV top keeps me cool, even when wearing my life jacket on a hot summer day. The top has the added benefit of coming in three colors: 1) Orange (hi-vis and my personal favorite), 2) Cyan, and 3) Silver.
Prior to taking up surfski this past year, I wore the Vaikobi UV paddling pants and long sleeved top during numerous long distance OC-6 races, including multiple Catalina channel crossings. Both items have held up without a blemish or degradation to their performance for several years of repeated use.
Ideally suited for surfski, outrigger, dragonboat, SUP, and rowing.
Strictly speaking it has been a year and a half since I first reviewed the Vaikobi Ocean Racing PFD. Since that time I’ve got a lot of use out of the PFD both as a stand up paddler and, more recently, paddling an OC-1. So much so, that I felt there would be value in revisiting the original gear review to reflect on the product’s enduring value.
Living in Los Angeles I paddle almost exclusively on the ocean, the domain for which the Vaikobi PFD was designed. To be clear, I often wear a belt pack PFD when paddling SUP. Belt pack PFDs are unobtrusive and great for warm weather. They are unequivocally the primary PFD used by the majority of stand up paddlers in Southern California and certainly have their place.
Where the Vaikobi Ocean Racing PFD truly comes into its own is out in the ocean, just as the name suggests. As anyone who paddles a couple of miles or more off shore can attest, the ocean gets really big really quickly. In other words, unless you have a support boat providing an escort, you’re going to benefit greatly from having a substantial vest style PFD. Not to be pigeonholed, the PFD is not just for going far offshore. If you are a paddler looking for a high degree of safety without sacrificing comfort this is the perfect PFD for you.
“Doesn’t it get too warm?” is a common question I receive from fellow paddlers. And yes, if it is a warm day with the temperature 75F/24C or up, then yes wearing the PFD may get a bit warm. It does trap some body heat – this is unavoidable. The Pacific Ocean off Southern California, however, is not warm. Most surfers wear wetsuits year round and stand up paddlers dust them off and pull them on in the winter months. When paddling a SUP on a cool winter day I love wearing this PFD as the vest helps keep my core warm just as wearing a vest on land.
The Vaikobi PFD performs equally as well for OC-1 paddling and since paddling a SUP is generally more strenuous than an OC-1 you can comfortably wear the PFD in an even greater range of ambient air temperatures. Throughout frequent use I discovered that the fact you are positioned closer to the water in an OC-1 compared to a SUP plays to the Vaikobi PFD’s strengths as the PFD acts as a wind and wave breaker by shielding your torso.
Regardless of which craft you are paddling, if the PFD causes you to warm up too much, I recommend loosening the straps. The amount of warmth I’ve felt from wearing the PFD is also dependent on wind direction. If the wind is at your back you may warm up sooner than if the wind is coming at you head on or from the side. There have been times when I’ve been wearing the PFD while paddling an OC-1 and I have warmed up during one leg of the workout only to rapidly cool off when turning to head a different direction.
Wearing the Vaikobi Ocean Racing PFD does not restrict your range of motion or hinder your paddling stroke in any way, even during intense training. This is truly a vest style PFD you can wear paddling. Then when you consider the PFD doubles as a hydration pack (hydration bladder not included), you can’t go wrong as it reduces the amount of gear you need to carry. If you are a paddler who typically wears a backpack style hydration pack, then there is a good chance you’ll find wearing the Vaikobi PFD more comfortable than your hydration pack due to the generously padded shoulder straps and even weight distribution throughout the PFD. Equally important, caring for the PFD is easy. Simply rinse after use and hang it up to dry (avoid direct sunlight as it is is harsh on the fabric).
I recommend the Vaikobi PFD for paddlers of all ages and abilities. While the word “ocean” is in the name, this PFD will also be a great option for paddlers on inland waterways such as a lake. It is comfortable to wear, has a great feature with the inclusion of a hydration sleeve, and will keep you protected on the water.
MSRP: AUD $159.00 Learn more at: www.vaikobi.com
That’s me in the Vaikobi VCOLD Hydro Flex Top.
Our good friends at Vaikobi have added a bit of flair to their VCOLD range with the incorporation of Navy and Gray options. Vaikobi’s VCOLD products are designed with a combination of materials that are strategically placed throughout the garment to maximise comfort and performance. Athlete proven and tested, the design and fabrication development has been subtly refined for over a decade.
All the materials are super stretchy and used across the entire unisex size range (XXS -XXL). The VCOLD range of products are designed to keep you warm, comfortable and performing at your best as the seasons change so you can be prepared for the conditions on any given day.
Pants now in Black or Navy
Shorts now in Navy
Hydroflex top now in Black or Navy
Base top now in Gray/ Cyan
VCOLD FLEX is an engineered fabric with a perforated fleece lined neoprene. This thermal regulating material provides insulation and warmth while also being highly breathable.
VCOLD Hydroflex is a heavyweight plush water-repellent fleece for colder temps. The strategically placed Hydro-mesh panels prevent you from overheating.
VCOLD Base layer – fabric is a lightweight fleece with water repellent function perfect for cool conditions.
We’ve been wearing Vaikobi VCOLD apparel for over four years and the thought of paddling without it is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute. Why would you do that?! The comfort and performance is unrivaled and highly recommended for paddlers of any ability or paddlecraft. You’ll look great and paddle with the confidence in knowing that you’re wearing the very best.
Sustaining participation in watersports with extended exposure to the elements can be a huge challenge for kids, parents, and coaches.
Vaikobi Founder and Father-of-two Patrick Langley, knows all about the necessary gear to guarantee the best day out on the water for young watersports lovers. “We’ve been through the sailing journey with our kids, and we know what they need. We’re passionate about covering all the comfortable essentials while providing good value for parents and teams” he said.
The debut of the junior sizes within the Vaikobi range satisfies this apparel gap in an affordable, one-stop package. It offers warm, highly mobile, and durable designs that work with all younger body frames during physical activity – without compromising breathability.
The Vaikobi youth Hydroflex top is made from a thick fleece to retain warmth and regulate body temperature for best performance. Complete with a hydrophobic coating and breathable mesh panels underneath the arms, this base layer will keep kids and teens warm for hours on end. The top has a super lightweight construction made from hollow-yarn fabric and is easy to put on and take off. The collection also includes the 1.5mm youth neoprene pants from the highly successful, best-selling Flexforce range. Unlike traditional wetsuits, our Flexforce technology dictates the right amount of stretch in critical areas for movability and easy exit and entry. They are reinforced with abrasion-resistant knees and seat panels that will endure significant friction without wear and tear.
Sun protection is also a huge factor to consider when purchasing watersports clothing for kids. The high necked UV certified rashie for youths provides maximum coverage. Its long sleeves and super soft, lightweight qualities make it hardly noticeable, even on the hottest summer day. Vaikobi’s new youth flat-brim snap back caps are also red hot out of the design lab, and are available in smaller head sizes (
Vaikobi refers to their V Ocean UV Paddle Pants as one of the most underrated items in their range. After wearing a pair during four 9-man outrigger races last summer the reasons behind that claim were clear. The V Ocean Paddle Pants, what I tend to refer to simply as the summertime pants, are every bit as good as their better known V Cold siblings. The pants keep you cool and provide excellent UV protection from the sun, something I truly appreciated after paddling previous 9-man outrigger races in board shorts.
After developing a wicked tan line from sitting in a canoe for an extended period of time, not to mention a minor case of sunburn, I turned to Vaikobi’s V Ocean UV Paddle Pants as the solution. I was already familiar with the quality and performance of their V Cold paddle pants and the opportunity to transition to a warm weather equivalent was a no brainer. Vaikobi provides a list of the key features online, which include: light and breathable hybrid fabric, 1mm seamless airprene seat pad, UV 50+, reverse waistband and unisex design.
The features work as advertised and exceeded my expectations over the course of the outrigger paddling season late last summer here in Southern California. In particular, I found the Vaikobi UV Paddle Pants offered a range of benefits which really improved the quality of my paddling experience. Benefits I discovered include:
Reduced chafing. I say reduced as chafing is often times the result of seat design not apparel. For me, wearing the Vaikobi pants eliminated the chafing I previously experience paddling outrigger in board shorts. I’m converted and will never go back to wearing board shorts in an outrigger canoe again. Never.
Incredibly comfortable. The Vaikobi UV Paddle Pants are ridiculously comfortable. The construction is so light and breathable you’ll feel like you’re walking around naked. The 1mm airprene seat pad is just the right thickness and design to make paddling in a seated position comfortable without looking or feeling like you have a seat cushion strapped to your butt.
Keeps you cool. When the temperature rises, you need gear that can take the heat. The Vaikobi paddle pants, combined with their long sleeve paddle top, kept me significantly cooler duringing extended workouts and long distance races enabling me to perform better and ward off heat fatigue.
Eliminated sunburned legs. Sure you can rub sunscreen on your legs, but when you are spending 4-6 hours in a canoe on a channel crossing do you really want to be messing around reapplying sunscreen? I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t.
They look good. Each of Vaikobi’s products is performance driven and they have not made compromises purely for the sake of fashion. These pants are proof you can have both.
Avalon Harbor, Catalina prior to the start of the 2017 Catalina Channel Crossing.
The Vaikobi UV Paddle Pants pair well with your favorite top. When racing, you are likely to be wearing your club/team jersey. For those longer 9-man outrigger races I liked to wear my Vaikobi V Ocean Long Sleeve UV Top under my race jersey. The V Ocean top is very fitted, basically skin-tight, and perfectly comfortable underneath my short sleeve club jersey.