WIP IMPACT VESTS 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Impact Vests 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: wip
Interviewee: Benjamin TILLIER / Marketing Manager

How was the 2024 market for impact vests?
More riders in the water, getting more confidence and pushing the limits but also democratization of foiling, have a big impact on the necessity to wear an Impact Vest. Rules on competitions evolved to inforce wearing the helmet and the vest. So the market grows in both competition and leisure. Depending on the type of activity (wingfoil, windsurfing, IQFoil, kitesurfing, or wakeboarding), the selection of impact vests varies. The market is growing in terms of both the number of participants and the range of products available to meet the specific needs of riders.

Which market segments are you noticing the most growth in and why?
Wing Foil has clearly the biggest growth by getting more speed and jumping higher that create harder impact on the water surface and more risks with the equipment. We also offer impact vests that can be used for multiple disciplines depending on the associated accessories. The Raley vest, for example, is an impact vest designed for wing and wakeboarding. Flotation and impact are distributed across the entire torso, close to the body, with loops for using a wing belt and keeping it at an optimal height.

What are the main trends in the market for impact vests in 2025 and how are you addressing them?
It’s all about trust, people want to feel safe and to keep a maximum mobility. Our Focus is to find the best balance in the conception to answer this. Thanks to our WIP team riders, we developed a range with adapted protections to every needs. The trends are moving towards 2 points in particular: 1- the development of ultra-targeted and optimized products (example of the Wing Impact vest or the Kompact vest) with details developed by riders for greater functionality and ease in the water, 2- adaptability to different sports with a base that can be customized (example of the Raley jacket for wake and wing, or the Light Vest for SUP or downwind with the Downwind back pack accessory)

Tells us about your new vests styles & designs?
The Raley is our new vest specially designed to have a full protection from the top to the bottom with stretch materials. We also worked on the style with a camo finish to give more fun and reach a more “freestyle” public. The Wing Impact Vest incorporates maximum protection elements with a thermoformed structure resistant to the strongest impacts, combining it with numerous pockets for the phone or car keys, and leash attachment systems for the wing or the board.

What (new) technology or materials are using in your crash jackets to give you a unique selling point?
No compromise on the materials we use to offer the best experience. All are vests are certified and pass throw many series of test. All our vests are independently certified for buoyancy and impact testing. They have all been tested and approved by the best riders in each discipline.

How are you helping shops and parks to sell your product?
Our mission is to share our expertise to educate the public about the risks and the answers that we can propose. Pedagogy is a key to understand the value of an adapted equipment to enjoy the sessions at 100% in total security. We organize training sessions for all our shops to maintain optimal product knowledge. These sessions are accompanied by materials provided to shops and riders to help them determine the equipment best suited to their needs.

Key Products:

RALEY IMPACT VEST :
Keep it stylish with an all-round protection from top to bottom Pre-shaped high-density foam to improve comfort during falls Super-stretch neoprene for great flexibility and comfort Super compact and adaptable with a Wing harness designed with straps to hold the harness around the vest at different torso heights. This vest is tested and certified for impact and shock protection. Certification documents available on “compliance”.

1. RALEY IMPACT VEST

WING IMPACT VEST :
10 Years of improvements for the world’s reference, used by the best teams and pro riders and Wing Foil World Champion choice High density thermoformed foam to improve comfort when falling Wing hook serves as a Wing harness, to extend your sessions Rear reinforced back pad with strap and board leash connect ring – for a better fit and perfect ergonomics Slim profile and wide openings designed to provide excellent freedom of movement and fit all harnesses

2. WING IMPACT VEST 50N

KOMPACT VEST :
Optimised for competition and harness fit High density thermoformed foam to improve comfort during falls Super stretch neoprene for great flexibility and comfort Harness zone design no foam panels to allow the harness to fit comfortably around the waist Super compact and non-slip design to hold the vest down and prevent it from riding up Impact tested In compliance with personal protective equipment 5 pockets of different sizes with easy access 1 large zipped pocket, 1 back panel, 2 shoulder pads, 1 knife cover, 1 line cutter area, easily accessible Impact tested: In compliance with personal protective equipment.

3. KOMPACT VEST 50N