O’NEILL IMPACT VESTS 2025 PREVIEW
Retail Buyers Guide: Impact Vests 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: O'Neill
Interviewee: Marketing Team
How was the 2024 market for impact vests?
Still a fairly flat market across Europe where retailers are still working their way through high inventory levels and slower demand as disposable income continues to be squeezed.
Which market segments are you noticing the most growth in and why?
We have seen significant demand from the foiling market that continues to evolve and new trends drive the development of different style tweaks to accommodate.
What are the main trends in the market for impact vests in 2025 and how are you addressing them?
We have redesigned O’Neill’s original neoprene vest, the outlaw, to create a low profile multi discipline vest that can be used for foiling, wake and ski. This still uses the traditional durable neoprene shell but has NytroLite, O’Neill’s exclusive – PVC free – super lightweight PE foam core.
Tells us about your new vests styles & designs?
Our vest line up starts with our Slasher wake and kite vests for all ages, then moves up to the redesigned Outlaw for men The premium vest for women is the Bahia and then the line is rounded off with Guenther Oka’s signature model, the Nomad vest.
What (new) technology or materials are using in your crash jackets to give you a unique selling point?
O’Neill’s NytroLite PE foam core in all our comp vests is 20% lighter and absorbs less water than traditional foams. Keeping the vest from absorbing as much water as possible has always been at the core of all our vest designs, keeping you on the water longer.
How are you helping shops and parks to sell your product?
O’Neill runs demo days at lakes and in store product clinics to ensure both staff and customers understand the product lines and the technical benefits of each style.
Key Products:
Slasher Comp Vest:
Lightweight, comfortable and breathable. The Slasher Comp Vest boasts anatomical flex points plus a segmented NytroLite Foam core that allows for excellent mobility and a high degree of impact protection when you’re on (or above) the water. For added performance, O’Neill have windproofed the exterior of the vest. This means that you won’t have to call it quits early on those cooler days.
Slasher Vest
Outlaw Comp Vest:
The Outlaw competition vest has a front zip design for easy on-off. It also features a slimmer profile without extraneous bulk that includes a concealed belt system. It’s the NytroLite Foam structure that absorbs less water and retains buoyancy when wet that makes this vest incredibly light yet strong though – for when you want unrestricted performance, a high level of comfort and a vest that can stand up to your active lifestyle. Thanks to its innovative construction, the Outlaw competition vest also dries remarkably fast.
Outlaw
Nomad Comp Vest:
Gunther Oka’s signature model features our minimal bulk design for maximum freedom of movement. Our exclusive NytroLite Foam Technology paired with a recycled TB3 Jersey make the give the vest enhanced quick drying properties whilst being super light and strong.
Nomad
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