Durable water repellent outer layer to provide a protective shell that ‘sheds’ water.
High quality next-to-skin fleece to wick moisture and keep you warm and dry.
Sharkskin garments range between SPF30+ / 50+ for protection from UV rays.
‘Technical’ membrane layer which is 100% windproof to stop windchill.
Compression material for maximum manoeuvrability, endurance and recovery
Concealment technology to allow you to get closer to marine life.
On land or in the water, Compression R-Series garments use form fitting design and Liquid Titanium far-infrared technology to provide an extra boost in performance and muscle recovery.
I'm lucky enough in life to spend nearly 200 days a year out on the water in a kayak. Whether it’s throwing myself over a 10m waterfall, paddling a 60 kilometre stretch of coastline, or terrorising the local fish population, it would be fair to say that I spend a lot of time wet. When out on the water, I need clothing that will keep me warm, comfortable, and protected from our harsh NZ sun. Sharkskin ticks all of these boxes and I have found their product range to be an amazing asset to my kayaking. Long gone are the days of layering up with skunky old thermals, as I would now consider my Sharkskin’s my ‘go to’ items. My choice literally comes down to what the weather is like on the day: a Rapid Dry top for hot days out on the ocean, a Chesty Vest for a high-intensity training session, or a Long Sleeve Shirt for winter whitewater. It’s all awesome stuff and as I say to my mates “if I can’t break it, then no-one can.”
I have just come back from a regatta in St Barths in the Caribbean and I took my Sharkskin over. I wore the Shortsleeve Chillproof under my team T shirt and it was amazing. Getting fully wet on the bow of a 147 foot boat and being totally warm. I love not being restricted by a jacket! Some of the guys on the boat really like Sharkskin for kite boarding as well as sailing.
Sharkskin is by far the best paddling gear I've ever worn on the water! The fleece lined paddling pants are awesome over winter, and the foot straps mean that if I come off my board during racing or downwinders, the pants remain in place. The Rapid Dry top with high vis sleeves is a year-round paddling top for me as it is warm, quick dry and provides better insulation than lycra or cotton tops. When it gets cold in winter I just wear my Sharkskin chest vest underneath. It keeps my core warm but allows freedom of movement due to the vest design. The entire Sharkskin range feels great on, is breathable and flexible which is important to me when paddling, and a big bonus is it's flattering to wear!
I am in the New Zealand Team for White Water Canoe Slalom and I have been using this gear for the past year. I have found it to be a very good product to wear as it is comfortable, warm and you still have full movement in it, unlike a wetsuit. Sharkskin suits all weather conditions and temperatures, especially on Lake Wakatipu in the South Island of New Zealand. I would defiantly recommend these garments to any person who works in water environments, and needs a top that is versatile in all conditions.
“Chill Factor Zero” the ad claims. Our readers confirm this! All over the Country the Sharkskin brand of thermal wear is flowing off the shelves. Its fleecy lining makes it the most comfortable paddling wear available. Tony Barrett of Hamilton C&K told me “I was on the Mohaka River in May, wearing just a Sharkskin and dry top. Although I was wet all day, I never felt the cold. When I took it off, it felt as if there had been no water in it. The water vanished very quickly.” There’s no need for anyone to put up with the cold any more.
We need a garment that gives us some insulation and dries quickly when wet. The Sharkskin Rapid Dry product is perfect - not as cold as lycra or spandex garments and dries super fast keeping us warm when training or competing.
I have been using Sharkskin for over 5 years. Sharkskin is my garment of choice for warm water diving plus they make a big difference under a wetsuit in cooler waters. If I keep suited up between dives my Sharkskin is far more comfortable than my wetsuit with neither the chill or overheating of a wetsuit. My crew have been using Sharkskin for longer than me; you can't get better recommendation than that!
I can honestly say that I absolutely love my Sharkskin Rapid Dry top as it feels so comfortable no matter what I am doing – paddling, running or swimming. When running it is comfortable and feels light without rubbing, even after 18km in Summer with all of the sweat and heat. Paddling in it is second to none as it is stretchy and doesn't bunch up like as rashie and feels light the whole time. I also use it with the Sharkskin R-Series compression vest. I actually do a lot of run/swim/paddle cross-training sessions and the top feels light, comfortable, and doesn't bunch up or become uncomfortable doing all disciplines. I have had the same feedback from a lot of fellow paddlers.
I've travelled around the world with my Sharkskin garments and find it's the perfect addition for me to be able to adapt to my surroundings and stay focused on my work in shark research and conservation. My favourite item is the Sharkskin socks, they are perfect! I've never found a pair of socks more comfortable or versatile and they actually stay in place when I'm swimming against a 6 knot current or suddenly re-routing my direction to greet a shark during my daily workout in the deep water shark aggregates off Hawaii, or on my international travels working with Great White sharks, or free diving with Orca in the freezing Arctic water off Norway.
There are three branches of white water kayaking - extreme creek boating, which involves paddling creeks and waterfalls; freestyle, surfing river waves and tricks; and slalom which is a timed race while negotiating a series of gates. I am heavily involved in Slalom training but do spread my time over all three branches. I am proud to wear the silver fern on my chest, New Zealand on my back. NZL on my boat and Sharkskin on my body.
If you have not already discovered this wonderful product then you need to. Sharkskin comes in many different forms and if you are searching for something that will allow paddling on colder days they have you covered (from head to toe), gloves, vests, long sleeved tops, pants - short and full length and even socks. I have tested this product to its fullest while paddling Bass Strait, and also survived because of it in one nasty swim offshore in Sumner on a cold winters day. I have one long sleeve Sharkskin top that has logged over 60 Waimak river trips in 8 years, if it's too hot to wear it I always carry it as a back up.
After receiving my new Covert suit by Sharkskin I was excited to trial it in the water and to see whether it could enhance my ability to obtain close, prolonged encounters with sharks and rays to analyse fine-scale behaviour. I was pleasantly surprised in particular instances when the visibility was low and yet I still achieved good encounters. Several species typically remain distant in these kind of conditions, naturally cautious of your presence, and I believe these technologies benefited me by somewhat masking my presence. Naturalists have long known the benefits of concealment for observing undisturbed animal behaviour and this what Sharkskin's Covert products achieve. I look forward to further trialling this product with different species and different technologies.
Early morining winter training on Lake Karapiro by the NZ Canoe Sprint Team, when they were in preparation for the 2010 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships which were held in Poznan, Europe.
I was introduced to Sharkskin while training through one of Europe’s harshest winters contending with snow, blizzards and freezing temperatures training on the Thames in London and competing throughout Europe. One of the challenges of SUP training is that you get really hot when you are out on the water training, but wearing a wetsuit and/or multiple layers of clothing is impractical, uncomfortable & causes excessive bulk and prohibits freedom of movement in the upper body. Good training kit that performs and is functional in cold weather is hard to find. Sharkskin Performance Wear tops go a long way to making it a lot easier to make it out the door and onto the water on those colder days. The Chillproof Long Sleeve top is a big step in the right direction of developing true cold weather training apparel and I’ve had it out in as low at minus 20 degrees Celsius on high alpine mountain lakes in Bavaria.
Stand Up Paddling has you above the water, exposed to the elements and wind chill is always major factor. With Sharkskin's products being 100% windproof I find the range boasts extremely comfortable garments that have the same warmth as a full wetsuit, but are more lightweight and offer increased flexibility, a must when competing in national and international Stand Up Paddle events.I choose Sharkskin for this reason and it never gets left behind when packing for my next surf.
This is the quickest drying paddle garment imaginable. Perfect for 2 hour downwind training runs to Waiheke Island and catching the ferry back. Even in cold southerlies and rain nothing is lighter, warmer or drier.
I’ve noticed a marked difference in how close I can approach certain marine life underwater while wearing the Sharkskin Covert suit - a worthwhile advantage for any underwater cameraman.
I've found the Sharkskin range to be perfect for staying comfortable in even the worst conditions - whether out training for Coast to Coast, an AR race or simply a big mission it is brilliant both as an outer layer and as the insulating layer under a dry top. The most impressive thing is how warm it remains when wet and it's become a stable part of my kayaking equipment.
Even on the coldest mornings all I need is a long sleeve thermal and my Sharkskin. It have found it allows me to keep warm in a variety of conditions and the rain is no issue. I've also been using it on the surf ski and it’s brilliant. I've hopped off into the water just to test it out and found that it really keeps me warm even when wet. I also use a very thin neoprene type top and when this gets wet when combined with the breeze it can be really cool…the Sharkskin is significantly warmer than the new titanium neoprene type garments out these days.
Global Dive has always prided itself on only stocking the best dive equipment available. High performance exposure wear is no exception. We have been amazed at how well the Sharkskin garments have performed, in a huge range of environments and uses. Sharkskin were keen to test other cheaper brands against their own, so sent both their own garment and the 'knockoffs' to several kayakers and multisport participants. The response was pretty unanimous. The Sharkskin out performed the other garments in every test. The most important feedback was simply that Sharkskin keeps you warmer and lasts longer with superior wear. The wear was evidenced from comparing Sharkskin and the other garment after going through the washing machine multiple times.
As an underwater photographer, I need to have as much mobility as possible, and have found that the combination of the vests and pants serve as freeing alternatives to the stiffness of conventional wetsuits. I like that I can mix and match different pieces together, depending on the water temperature, and that I can also layer with thicker wetsuits in much colder conditions. Having so much gear to lug around, the lightness of Sharkskin frees up a lot of space and weight, which is always a bonus for a photographer. Other underwater photographers and scuba divers are constantly asking me for wetsuit recommendations, and I always tell them to give Sharkskin a go, especially because it is like wearing pajamas underwater!
After trying a sample, our entire team has now purchased Sharkskin. We find the product of exceptional quality and perfect for protection from the elements during both patrols and competitions. Whether constantly in the water or in the boat exposed to the surf and wind, Sharkskin has become an essential addition to our team uniform. Not just to win races, but to save lives.
Sharkskin are pleased to report that Team Vestas Wind’s rebuild and plan to re-join the Volvo Ocean Race in Lisbon is on target. Skipper Chris Nicholson (Nico) and crew are ready and had been using Sharkskin to help in the very cold legs of the race until a navigational error put them high and dry on a coral reef in the Indian Ocean.
HECS Technology, it’s the little difference that makes the big difference in my ability to get the perfect shot. With the Sharkskin Covert Stinger Suit it all comes together; look, function, and material.
I’ve paddled in the Sharkskin Chest Vest in some really cold and windy Christchurch winter conditions. I really like how it stays dry on the inside and the fleece type material is really comfortable against the body. It doesn’t feel like other ’wetsuit’ vests as it moulds and moves with the paddling action and doesn’t restrict me at all. You can tell it provides 100% protection against the wind and cold as I could not feel any draught through the material, and it holds my body heat in well too. To top it off - it also looks cool! All in all a great product that will keep me paddling through winter chill free.
Chris Nicholson (Nico) and the Team Vestas Wind crew use Sharkskin to keep their extremities warm when the temperature and wind become extreme during the 1st leg of the 2014 Volvo Ocean Race.
Sharkskin keeps me warm in the most competitive and extreme sailing conditions on earth – the America’s Cup campaign and the Volvo Ocean Race. Even when wet it keeps me warm allowing me to concentrate on the sailing!
I have worn Sharkskin's Performance Wear Long Sleeve top in all kinds of conditions – sun, rain, wind, in lakes, rivers, in the sea, calm waters and in wild waters. Sharkskin garments are tight yet the movement of the body is great because of the quality of the material. I can move perfectly in it. Sharkskin is warm where it needs to be, it's 100% windproof and waterproof. What I like most is that the material breathes (something I miss when wearing usual kayak anoraks) – this way my skin and the inner side of the garment stay dry at all times. For this reason I feel great all the time during practice and the are no cold chills at the end of practice which is very useful in winter when the temperatures get lower.
Multisport for me is a year-round obsession. Living in Wanaka I am faced with climatic extremes on an almost daily basis. My competitive advantage often comes from my willingness to train in all conditions. My Sharkskin gear matches my attitude perfectly. Whether it is snowing on Lake Wanaka, blowing a gale on the Clutha River or the sun is roasting me in summer, I know my Sharkskin gear has an answer to every situation. It is simply the most effective paddle gear I have used, and it goes pretty well on the bike too.
I love the Sharkskin kit. It performed brilliantly over the two regattas we’ve used it for this summer. If you look at photos of the 12 Foot Skiff Interdominions you’ll notice that we were the only guys warm enough to sail in shorts! We layered Performance Wear tops and shorts over the Chillproof garments; the combination was really warm and much more flexible than a traditional wetsuit. The Performance ‘compression’ gear allowed us to keep our PFD and harness enveloped and also provided protection from chafing during some hard sailing.
Sharkskin did it again and with the Rapid Dry ready to go I used it for my Underwater Portrait Photo-shoots in the pool with operating temperatures between 28-32 degrees. It's not only fantastic for sun protection and good looks, it also provides me with the comfort of fitting perfectly so I can focus on creating great underwater imagery. It never feels wet on me and when leaving the water it provides me with great protection against wind and sun. I use it also for my days on the beach and as an extra layer for my diving adventures. An all around product and a perfect addition to my equipment.
For spring white water creeking and scouting missions the Sharkskin long sleeve top has become my absolute go to. It's comfort and warmth has made the need for multiple smelly poly pros redundant. In an early spring descent of the snow-fed Central Otago Nevis river I was more than comfortable wearing only my Sharkskin under my dry top. Normally this type of descent would demand at least 3 poly pros which restricts your range of motion in this class V kayaking environment. I would recommend the Sharkskin long sleeve top to any kayaker who is keen to have one do it all garment under their dry top. It is warm on even the coldest days and reduces the need for multiple layers.
My Sharkskin Rapid Dry top is ideal for big paddles. It's comfortable, lightweight, aerated and provides UV protection. Doesn't hang off me when wet or annoyingly stick to me. Check their gear out - they really put work into each product.
My journey circumnavigating NZ had me wearing the Sharkskin clothing range, on and off the water every day. It is the most mind-blowing gear. Every single item of Sharkskin I wore is still in fantastic condition. I paddled 114 days out of the 432 days of my 5800km journey. The gear kept me warm with no wind chill even when I was in the middle of the South Island winter - and even when wet! My support crew wore the pink rapid dry tops and the long performance wear paddle pants....... they also loved them!
I wore the rapid dry tops, fantastic for summer and winter, along with the climate control range and Chillproof tops... no chaffing even after back to back days of wearing, coupled with ingrained salt, sand and sweat - the gear totally rocks! It withstood everything and more - it lasted the distance and still it has a lifetime of wear left. "Wear it once and you will not want to take it off".
My favourite item of clothing - my Chillproof Hooded Jacket. Worn every single day and still looks like new!
At my age and being of Polynesian descent, I hate being cold! Optimal temperature while training and racing is vital for enjoyment and successful performance. I use the Long Pants and Sleeveless Vest for the bulk of my paddle training, which is a combination of ocean surf ski, down river and white water. The major advantage I discovered with Sharkskin was that I am comfortable in cold conditions but I don't overheat if there is a temperature change. I have used it in many different ways, under my wetsuit canyoning, winter mountain biking and kite boarding. Sharkskin is wonder wear!
Emirates Team NZ during the 2013 America’s Cup campaign in San Francisco Bay. ETMNZ crew members wear Sharkskin to keep them warm during extreme sailing conditions.
I first discovered Sharkskin when I was working as a Dive Master on the Great Barrier Reef and instantly fell in love with it. It was perfect to wear under my wetsuit and also provided protection when the water temperatures were not quite cold enough to wear a wetsuit. I always pack mine when travelling as you never know when you may end up in the water! I introduced Sharkskin to the Sea Shepherd boat M/Y Bob Barker where my role was Primary Diver and Rescue Swimmer for Operation Divine Wind in 2011/12. Sharkskin was also perfect for the Small Boat Crew to wear when they were out on boat mission's to save whales. We love Sharkskin!
I have been using the Sharkskin Rapid Dry top a lot both on and off the water and I'm loving it. It’s perfect for the slightly colder conditions too as it’s like a splash guard when it is drizzling but you don’t overheat.
I wear the Sharkskin Rapid Dry top because it keeps me warm but I don’t over heat. It’s great for paddling as it doesn't restrict my stroke and is very comfy. It keeps me protected from the windchills - I wear it in all conditions and it's perfect!
My philosophy for adventure is simple, "No boundaries, No limits". From high altitudes to extreme depths, whenever I prepare for action I find my Rapid Dry is one of the first things I pack!
Near freezing conditions and up to 40 knot winds on race day mean the only way I'm going anywhere near the water is in my Sharkskins. The fleece lining is super cosy, and the warmth also means I don't have stiff achy knees and joints anymore! With dusk approaching and fast ferries speeding by the hi-vis orange is also reassuring.
I get cold really fast and Sharkskin keeps me warm and comfortable for my Winter SUP and Outrigger paddling making it possible to paddle long downwinds or distance paddling without worrying about getting cold. The nice thing is that I do not overheat when I’m pushing myself hard!
My twin brother Shaun and I train on either our skis or kayaks everyday and have experienced extreme weather conditions. Sharkskin offers something perfect to wear in all areas, from freezing winter mornings with icy winds to the hottest summer days. The gear provides great mobility, especially around the armpit region, which is perfect for paddling and it always keeps us warm without making us hot. We used to have problems with rashes and chaffing but have never experienced this while using Sharkskin gear. The Sharkskin garments are not only good for paddling; they are perfect to throw under a wetsuit while surfing or to keep you warm from the wind while kite surfing. We highly recommend Sharkskin gear to any athlete; they definitely supply the best paddling gear we have ever used.
Love the product and look forward to picking up more. In my 600 dives, I have worn a wetsuit less than 10 times, and I look forward to using Sharkskin for protection moving forward. I really do not get cold in the tropics, so unless I go to cold water, the Sharkskin it is! Thanks for making such a great product.
Sharkskin Chillproof gear is Awesome! Super warm paddle clothing that can withstand the elements. Great when kayaking as the water runs off the outer layer of the material. The socks are good inside river shoes and keep your feet warm for long periods of time, even when wet. On long walks into a river up to 2 hours the Chillproof socks were fantastic. The Chillproof top and shorts are great for warm days on the river as it keeps a comfortable body temperature.
On cold mornings I grab my Sharkskin bag and get my Chillproof pogies, socks, paddling pants, beanie and longsleeve top and that keeps me warm for a great training session. The colder it is the more comfortable I become.
As an obstacle racer I require protection from all the elements. During training and events I am required to be in and out of water obstacles, ice baths and braving cold winds, all whilst not overheating. Sharkskin garments provide me with the all round support for all the condition I may encounter. Sharkskin's garments allow for a full range of motion whilst retaining durability. As I prepare to take on the world for the 24 hour World's Toughest Mudder I know I can compete with the confidence that my Sharkskin gear will hold up to all the rigors that obstacle racing has to throw at it.
I have been wearing Sharkskin garments for preparation and execution of kayaking the Tasman. In 84 days I gave it a hammering like no other. It was the ultimate test of function and durability. One of the hardest components of the expedition is to stay healthy in such a small and wet environment. Initially the conditions in the Northern Tasman were warm and I wore the Sharkskin Rapid Dry long sleeve top. The sun protection and Rapid Dry function were vital. As I progressed south I wore the Sharkskin Climate Control long sleeve. This thing is unbelievable! I wore it every day while paddling for over 3 weeks without washing and often with a heavy thermal survival suit on top. It’s the only garment that could protect my skin and keep the heat in these conditions.
We were paddling in 5 degree water with a air temp of 26 degrees and the Sharkskin paddling pants and tops kept us warm in the cold water without making us over heat in the warm air. While competing you need a product that can adapt to different weather conditions without compromising your performance and sharkskin have found the perfect balance! Sharkskin paddling pants offer superior comfort without the chaffing which is extremely important while training and racing for long periods of time.
Sharkskin is all about staying warm and avoiding wind chill on and around the water. The Performance Top allows for that without the chance of overheating and keeping the wearer safe from the sun at the same time. New Zealand's weather can often expose us to four seasons in one day which the Performance Top deals with like no other product out there can. The compression material is extremely nice when I am paddling and makes my muscles feel great with firm unhindered support. Better still, the material is great to fish with and is perfect for activities like softbaiting which usually involves plenty of casting and working of the bait.
Our Sharkskin Rapid Dry tops were exactly what we needed for raft racing. Powering through rapids they repelled the water to keep us warm while competing, while off the water they dried so quick they became a great casual top for us to wear on the podium. The 50+ SPF also helped with the harsh NZ sun. Thanks Sharkskin for helping us look and feel good during the Whitewater Rafting world champs.
The Sharkskin comes out when the temperature is below 15 degrees... I wore mine in Munich when training on the Regatta course where the temperature got to 12 degrees, and that’s the middle of summer over here. Yesterday we went into Munich and checked out the standing wave on the river where guys are all surfing in full length wetsuits, hoods and booties. I asked a guy for a couple of rides on his board and jumped in with boardies, a short sleeve thermal and my Sharkskin vest over the top. I was sweet - didn’t even get cold.
Sharkskin has to be the best thermal garment I’ve used for my Kitesurfing. Comfortable, warm and lightweight it’s great when the wind chill gets down. During the winter months can be especially hard while teaching but with my Sharksins under my wetsuit I’m fine even with the harshest southerlies.
The thing I love about all the Sharkskin products is that they take time to make the garment the best it can be for the paddler. On top of Sharkskin’s Chillproof range of paddling products, now comes the Performance Pro compression top. I use the Sharkskin compression top for not only racing but for training as well. The good thing with this top it is that I never get too hot or cold.
I have used various wetsuit brands and after the restrictive nature of the other products and rashes I was receiving, keeping warm and comfortable had been an issue. Since using the Sharkskin range my adventures have been more enjoyable, also sustaining longer periods of fishing, even in extreme conditions, as I am no longer suffering from the cold. I totally recommend any athletes that are subjected to the elements, keep warm and dry, use the Sharkskin range and you too can really enjoy your sport.
For me competing on Jetski with Sharkskin has been a very positive experience. The garments give me the comfort I need during resistance trials. The fabric is light and regulates my body temperature the whole time. Without doubt the binomial sportswear-pilot is very important in my speciality and Sharkskin gives me the protection I need.
CHEST Measure the bust line at the fullest part of your chest. Pull the tape as tight as you can without changing the shape of your breasts. While you are being measured, your arms should be at your sides and relaxed.
WAIST Measure the narrowest part of your waist at your natural waistline (typically 1 inch above the navel).
HIPS Measure with the tape around the fullest part of your hips.
THIGH Measure with the tape around the fullest part of your upper leg while standing.