How To Choose The Right Vest, The New range Highlights

Choosing the right wake vest comes down to more than colour or style. Fit, construction and materials all change how a vest feels on the water. From Relaxed and Tapered fits through to Project One sustainable construction and women’s tailored shaping, this guide breaks down the key differences across the Follow range to help riders find the right vest for their style of riding.

A good impact vest should disappear when you ride.

Fit, flexibility and construction all play a role in how a vest performs on the water. Whether you ride cable, boat, surf or foil, the right vest should move naturally with your body while staying secure in every situation.

At Follow, every impact vest is designed around movement, fit and durability. From our TrueFit™ liner and Featherweight Foam through to rider specific fits and segmented panel construction, every detail is refined to create vests that feel better on the water and last longer over time.

Ashley Herbert wearing the Follow Fortune Women's Impact Vest in Purple, perfect for long days on the boat

Why Impact Vest Fit Matters

The way a vest fits changes how it rides on the water.

A vest that is too loose will move and lift while riding. A vest that is too tight can restrict movement and become uncomfortable during longer sessions. Follow fits are designed individually for each size rather than simply scaling from a single pattern, helping each vest maintain its intended shape and feel across the entire size range.

Every rider has a different preference, which is why Follow offers multiple fit profiles across the range.

Brian Grubb showing why fit matters and why your vest should move with you. Grubb is wearing the Follow Gratis Mens Impact Vest in Black

Relaxed Fit vs Tapered Fit

Choosing the right fit is one of the biggest factors in how a wake vest feels on the water.

Relaxed Fit

Relaxed Fit vests are designed with a more universal shape through the chest and waist, creating freedom of movement and an easy wearing feel. This fit works across a wide range of body types and riding styles, making it one of the most versatile options in the Follow range.

The Follow Love Nor Money Mens Impact Vest In Khaki is Gavin Stuckey's pro vest with his preferred Relaxed Fit

Our Relaxed Fit styles include the Affix, Pedro Caldas' Gratis, Gavin Stuckey's Love Nor Money, Asset, Total, Section, and Corp impact vests.

Tapered Fit

Tapered Fit vests feature a more refined chest fit with a slightly wider waist shape. This creates a secure feeling through the upper body while reducing restriction around the hips during movement.

Riders wanting a more fitted feel often gravitate toward Tapered Fit styles for cable and more progressive riding. Our popular Tapered Fit impact vests include Alex Aulbach's
Global, Sam Brown's Affiliate, and Principal Impact Vests

Sam Brown's choice is a tapered fit vest, seen here in the Follow Associate Mens Impact Vest in Black

What Makes A Premium Impact Vest

Every Follow vest is built around a series of core construction features designed to improve comfort, fit and durability on the water.

TrueFit™ Liner

The Follow TrueFit™ liner creates a natural bond between the neoprene outer and internal foam, helping the vest maintain the organic curve of the body without bunching or crumpling over time.

The result is a vest that feels more natural when riding and remains comfortable through long sessions.

The Follow True fit liner for improved fit, comfort all with maximum mobility

Dual Layer Construction

Wet neoprene naturally expands in the water. Follow’s Dual Layer Construction helps reduce this expansion while maintaining the intended fit and reducing movement throughout the vest.

This creates a more secure feel on the water while helping the vest hold its shape over time.

Close up detail of the Follow Ruby Women's Impact Vest worn by Emma Galusha

Featherweight Foam

Reducing water absorption is one of the biggest factors in creating a lighter vest. Follow Featherweight Foam is designed to stay light while maintaining impact protection and flexibility.

Engineered Segmentation

Foam segmentation affects how naturally a vest moves with the rider. Follow works closely with its factories to reduce foam movement through refined segmentation layouts and stitch through construction.

The result is better mobility and improved long term durability.

The Follow Principal Mens Impact Vest comes in our tapered fit with engineered foam segmentation

Follow Impact Vest Materials Explained

Different materials create different feels on the water. From ultra soft neoprene through to durable recycled polyester constructions, each material in the Follow range is selected for a specific purpose.

Quad-S™ Neoprene

Quad-S™ Neoprene is Follow’s softest and stretchiest neoprene construction. Designed to maximise comfort and flexibility, it creates a premium feel while maintaining long term durability. This is used in our Affix, Affiliate, Ruby, Cleo and Memphis Impact Vests

Ashley Herbert in the Follow Memphis Women's Impact Vest in Pink

Secureprene™

Secureprene™ features a more textured neoprene outer designed to increase durability while maintaining softness internally primarily used in our Gratis vest

Chevron Polyester

Chevron Polyester combines durability with a unique textured finish while maintaining flexibility and comfort on the water. We use this all ourTotal, Section, Corp, Harmony, Fortune, Finesse vests.

Best Impact Vests For Cable Riding

Cable riding places constant stress on a vest through repeated falls, rail riding and high movement riding styles. Riders often prefer lighter, more flexible fits with refined segmentation and stronger upper body hold. All our impact vest are built for cable park use, thats where they thrive. The styles people gravitate towards for cable are the Gratis, Global, Love Nor Money, Principal vests.

Rivers Hedrick prefers to use her vest for long days at the cable. The Follow Harmony Womens Impact Vest in Grey River holds up to a full day at the park.

Best Impact Vests For Boat Riding

Boat riders often lean toward versatile fits with comfort through longer sets and all day riding. While you should always Follow local legislation on CGA vs an impact vests our picks are the P1 Traction, Affix, Total and Section Impact vests. 

The Follow Total Women's Impact Vest in Azalea worn by Emma Galusha

Women’s Impact Vest Fits Explained

Women’s wake vests require unique shaping, flex and segmentation layouts designed specifically around the female body.

Follow women’s fits are developed separately from the men’s range, with tailored shaping throughout the chest, waist and hip areas to improve comfort and movement on the water.

Duo Tailored Fit

The Duo Fit wraps around the body using dual side segmentation, creating a more secure body contour while increasing rib protection and overall fit consistency. We use the Duo Tailored fit in our womens Ruby, Cleo, Harmony, Total, Corp vests.

Corset Tailored Fit

The Corset Fit uses more traditional side segmentation from underarm to hip while maintaining a refined shape through the body. these vest fit slimmer and are more of a snug fit, thi is used in our Memphis, Fortune, and Finesse vests.

The Follow Total Womens Impact vest in Blue

Project One Sustainable Vests

The Follow Project One range was developed with a focus on recycled materials and reduced environmental impact without sacrificing performance.

The P1 Traction vest uses GRS Certified Recycled Chevron Polyester and utilises an average of more than 80 recycled plastic bottles in every vest.

Unlike many recycled materials, the P1 construction maintains a soft feel, four way stretch and unrestricted movement on the water. This allows you to be guilt free and eco conscious when out on the water. The P1 is available in both Men’s and Women’s fits.

Follows P1 project uses sustainable materials where we can do our part. Every P1 vest uses an average of 80 recycled bottles, found in our Follow P1 Traction Mens and Womens vests

How A Wake Vest Should Fit

A wake vest should fit firmly when dry as materials naturally loosen slightly once wet. The vest should feel secure through the chest without restricting breathing or movement. Minimal lifting through the shoulders and waist when riding usually indicates the correct fit.

If you are between sizes, fit preference often comes down to riding style:
A tighter fit generally feels more secure for cable riding.
A slightly more relaxed fit can feel more comfortable for all day boat riding.

WHat a true vest fit should look like. Brian Grubb wears the Follow Affix Mens Impact Vest in Silver

Choosing The Right Follow Vest

Every rider looks for something different in a vest.

Some riders prioritise flexibility and minimal weight. Others want durability, warmth or a more relaxed fit. The Follow range is designed to offer different fits, constructions and materials while maintaining the same focus on comfort, movement and long term durability across every category.

The Womens P1 Traction Impact Vest in Emerald

Tested in Australia. Developed for the world.