I just took delivery of a PFD, being a newbie, a bit older than most and spending most of my time falling off. It is a Vaikobi VXP. What I want to share is that it is Made in Fiji, which was a most welcome surprise these days, an excellent product for what I want, and is owned by an Australian living in Fiji and employing local villagers. Cheers.

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I didn't realise Vaikobi is made in Fiji. I already have a V3 but coincidentally just ordered a VXP a few days ago.

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DavidJohn said..
Pic please

just bought a new vaikobi from the the kayak shop at Sandringham DJ.
Too late to dig it out tonight.
but bought the one that zips up the middle, with mesh side pockets.
and has a back pocket for water bladder..
Its a bit less bulky than the Mocke one, and a lot better than my old sailing pfd's
was on sale, 10 bucks cheaper than rrp...somewhat negated by the $165 parking fine for not paying attention to where I was parking...

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Helmy said..

DavidJohn said..
Pic please

just bought a new vaikobi from the the kayak shop at Sandringham DJ.
Too late to dig it out tonight.
but bought the one that zips up the middle, with mesh side pockets.
and has a back pocket for water bladder..
Its a bit less bulky than the Mocke one, and a lot better than my old sailing pfd's
was on sale, 10 bucks cheaper than rrp...somewhat negated by the $165 parking fine for not paying attention to where I was parking...

I found the one with the zipper (Vaikobi Ocean Racing V3) to be more suitable for stand-up paddling. I had the V1 as well and that design allow more clearance for the shoulders when you stack your shoulders to get a vertical shaft in the water without rubbing on your shoulders.

I ordered the VXP and I felt it's superior to the V3 in every way but one. Unfortunately that one thing is shoulder clearance and that was a deal breaker for me. If you just use it casually for noodling about, it's definitely the one to get. Built quality is really good and will hold much better than the ocean racing V3.

Be careful buying a pfd with zippers on the sides. Mine has the zipper covered by a little tear strap that comes loose & then the zipper is exposed to rub against the stitching of my wetsuit near the armpit. I think within a few sessions it would have worn a hole in my new wetsuit. So I glued a patch of neoprene over the worn stitching of my wetsuit. And glued & sewed another bigger flap of neoprene to replace the little tear strap on the pfd.