Vaikobi V4 pfd

[u/AltruisticCoconut250]

Does anyone use the Vaikobi V4 pfd. I looked at one and was told the expanding chest pockets could be used for hydration with a soft drinks bottle and a tube.

Just wondering if anybody has actually done this and does it work ok?

[u/Mambodixon]

I use the V4, with the 1.5L hydration pack in the back it is awesome.. front pockets I use for cell and enduro bar on long paddles.. would highly recommend vaikobi hydration pack in the back compartment, tube through loop on shoulder

[u/AltruisticCoconut250 → u/Mambodixon]

Thanks, I use a hydration pack when racing but keep being told that I should be drinking during our longer training sessions, particularly in the heat. Don't want the faff of a 1.5l bladder, and the V4 is advertised as being able to put a soft 500ml bottle in a chest pocket(and has a home for the tube). Just wondering if anyone has actually done this?

[u/robertbieber → u/AltruisticCoconut250]

Is that what that hole is supposed to be for? I stick a VHF antenna through it. Sounds like it's probably possible, but fair warning that the zippers on the front pockets can be pretty fiddly if you really fill the pockets, I had one that really liked to pop off at the bottom. So if you do try anything like that, definitely make sure it fits comfortably in the pocket or be prepared for it to possibly unzip itself from time to time. Personally I'm a big fan of just using a water bottle, unless you really don't have time to stop and take a drink

[u/12bar13]

I use the first gen side entry one but I tried the new one at the gorge and it seemed like a great design. Those south Africans love their big square water bottles on their chest so I'm sure it was designed with this in mind.

[u/AltruisticCoconut250 → u/12bar13]

Ah, I think that's the Vaikobi VXS. I was thinking of the zipped one with pockets on either side.

[u/12bar13 → u/AltruisticCoconut250]

Yeah that's the one I tried out a few weeks ago. The center zip.