CHILLPROOF ESSENTIALS VEST WOMENS
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Australian Made
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CHILLPROOF ESSENTIALS VEST WOMENS
Your wetsuit stops the water. This stops the wind.
WARM AS A 3MM WETSUIT - LESS BULK. STOPS WIND
You get cold. You buy a thicker wetsuit.
You’re warmer in the water. Still cold above water.
The cold isn’t from the water. It’s from the wind.
The Paradox – why the wetsuit fails on the surface
When you leave the water, two things happen simultaneously.
Wind hits wet neoprene and strips heat through convection — moving air continuously replacing the warm air layer your body worked to create. And evaporation accelerates from every wet surface at once — neoprene, skin, hair, gear. Each unit of water that evaporates removes a disproportionate amount of heat energy. It's called evaporative cooling.
And on the boat or sitting on a board in the wind, a wetsuit does almost nothing.
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THICKER WETSUIT |
CHILLPROOF ESSENTIALS VEST |
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✓ Warmer in the water |
✓ Warmer in the water |
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✗ Adds buoyancy — more lead required |
✓ Neutral buoyancy — no lead penalty |
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✗ Adds restriction — harder to paddle |
✓ Flat seams — full movement always |
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✗ Costs $600+ |
✓ $130 |
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✗ Still cold on the surface |
✓ 100% windchill blocked |
MENS AND WOMENS CUT AVAILABLE IN ALL SIZES
This is not a rashie. This is not a wetsuit. It is a three-layer technical garment designed specifically to do what neither can: manage the complete experience of being in, on and around water.
HOW IT WORKS — Three layers. Each one engineered for a specific job.
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1 |
Outer Layer — DWR Nylon/Spandex Robust 4-way stretch fabric with durable water-repellent finish. Sheds water. Resists abrasion from boats, rocks and equipment. Lightweight and flexible. Water beads and runs off. Dries fast. Nothing slows you down. |
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2 |
Middle Layer — 10,000+ Breathable Windblock Membrane The layer no wetsuit contains. Rated at 10,000+ breathability. Blocks 100% of windchill — stops convective heat loss completely. Breathes during exertion so you don’t overheat. Anti-delamination construction for long-term reliability. On the surface in the wind: completely protected. Paddling hard: no overheating. This is the layer that changes everything. |
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3 |
Inner Layer — Hollow-Fibre Fleece Holds a thin layer of water when submerged — your body heats it as a thermal barrier, like a wetsuit does with water. Above the surface, wicks moisture rapidly and dries quickly. Antimicrobial. Soft against skin. Warm in the water. Comfortable on the surface. No clammy residue. |
The result - Warmth equivalent to a 2–3mm wetsuit. 100% windchill blocked. Neutral buoyancy. Full movement.
THE DESIGN ADVANTAGE — FLAT SEAMS AND DEEP ARM SOCKET
Two design decisions every active water athlete notices immediately.
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FLAT OVERLOCKED SEAMS Overlocked flat seams sit flush to skin at every contact point. No ridge. No pressure point. No chafe under a paddle stroke, through a wetsuit, or across a 4-hour patrol shift. Under a wetsuit, under a rashie, worn standalone — the seams disappear. You don’t notice them. That’s the point. |
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DEEP-CUT ARM SOCKETS Maximum shoulder rotation. Full stroke extension. Zero restriction at the armpit — the point where restriction costs you the most. Built for every activity that demands a full range of arm movement. You don’t notice a well-designed arm socket. You notice every other one. |
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FEATURE |
WHAT IT MEANS |
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100% windchill blocked |
The thing no wetsuit can do. The breathable membrane stops convective and evaporative heat loss on the surface — completely. |
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Flat overlocked seams |
Sit flush to skin. No ridge, no pressure point, no chafe. Under a wetsuit or in the water — they disappear. |
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Deep-cut arm sockets |
Maximum shoulder rotation. Full stroke extension. Zero restriction where you need freedom most. |
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Neutral buoyancy |
Adds warmth without adding float. No lead compensation required. Break the neoprene-buoyancy-lead cycle. |
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Layers under anything |
Flat construction sits invisibly under a rashie, Thermal Flex, wetsuit or drysuit. The foundation layer for every system. |
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Hollow-fibre fleece inner |
Holds water when submerged — body heats it as insulation. Wicks rapidly on the surface. Fast drying, no clammy residue. |
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DWR outer |
Water beads and sheds. Abrasion resistant. Holds shape and performance across years of use. |
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UPF 50+ |
Sun protection across every session. Maintains rating through extended salt water exposure. |
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Antimicrobial |
No wetsuit smell. No odour build-up. Dries fast and stays fresh session after session. |
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4-way stretch |
Moves with your body. Easy on and off. No pulling, no binding, no adjustment mid-session. |
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Australian made |
Cut, sewn and quality-checked in our own factory in Beresfield NSW. Over one million garments made here. We stand behind every one. |
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2-year guarantee |
Not a returns policy. A manufacturing guarantee. If it fails to perform as described, we fix it or replace it. |
One vest. Every activity. Here’s exactly how.
SCUBA DIVING · FREEDIVING · SNORKELLING
The problem: cold between dives. Not because the water is cold — because the wind destroys your warmth the moment you surface.
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Under your wetsuit |
Flat seams disappear under neoprene. Adds warmth equivalent to an extra 2.5–3mm. Neutral buoyancy — reduce your lead by 1–3kg immediately. |
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On the surface |
Pull it on over your wetsuit the moment you surface. 100% windchill block. No changing required. The Thermoregulation Failure Cycle ends. |
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Standalone in warm water |
In 22–26°C water, wear it directly over bathers. Core windchill protection for the whole session. |
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“I was a little wary diving in Tasmania after Queensland as I only have a 3mm suit. The T2 sleeveless vest underneath was fantastic and completely kept the cold at bay while I enjoyed 25-metre visibility.” — Bruce B. — Scuba Diver, Byron Bay NSW |
SURFING · BODYBOARDING · FOILING
The problem: cold between sets. You didn’t get cold surfing. You got cold waiting. The offshore strips heat from wet neoprene between sets faster than the water ever does.
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Under your 3/2 or 4/3 |
Flat seams allow full paddle stroke. Deep arm socket gives complete shoulder rotation. Core stays warm between sets in offshore conditions. |
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Instead of a 4/3 |
A 3/2 plus this vest adds equivalent warmth at a fraction of the cost, zero restriction, and actual windchill protection the 4/3 never provided. |
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Pre-surf and post-surf |
Worn over bathers before entering. Pulled on the moment you exit. The walk back to the car sorted. |
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WINTER SURFER’S SHORTCUT Don’t buy a 4/3. Buy your 3/2 plus this vest. Same warmth. Full paddle range. No buoyancy penalty. Saves you $470. Surfs better. |
KAYAK · SUP · SURF SKI · OUTRIGGER · DRAGON BOAT
The problem: the Remove-and-Regret Cycle. Too hot paddling hard. Strip down. Stop for a minute. Immediately cold. Back on. Repeat.
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Under a Rapid Dry rashie |
The complete paddling system. Vest handles windchill and core insulation. Rashie manages moisture and solar load. Flat seams mean the rashie sits flush over it. |
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Standalone in moderate cold |
Deep arm socket allows full stroke extension. 100% windchill block when you stop. Breathable enough for the effort phases. One layer for both states. |
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Cold water paddling |
Add T2 Chillproof gloves for hand protection without losing paddle feel. The system that makes dawn patrol sustainable year-round. |
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“Perfect for this woman! Easy to get on and off, a bit more flexible, and the perfect level of warmth for paddling on a cold California morning.” — Jennifer S. — verified purchaser |
SURF LIFESAVING · SLSA PATROL · IRB · NIPPERS
The problem: cold compromises judgement. A surf lifesaver who is cold is a less effective surf lifesaver. It’s not about comfort. It’s about capability.
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Patrol — under rashie or wetsuit |
Core warmth across a full 4-hour patrol. In and out of the water repeatedly. Flat seams don’t restrict IRB handling or board rescue movement. |
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IRB crews |
Under wetsuit for in-water performance. On over gear for the run back. Full arm movement for boat handling at any speed. |
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Nippers |
Warm junior athletes train longer and perform better. Available in junior sizes. Flat seams comfortable through every drill. Stays put. |
NSW and World IRB Champions trust Sharkskin. Not just to win races — to do the job every Saturday regardless of conditions.
OCEAN SWIMMING · TRIATHLON · OPEN WATER RACING
The problem: cold before the gun fires. Standing on the beach for 20 minutes before the start, you lose core temperature before the race begins.
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To the water’s edge |
Worn over bathers until the moment of entry. Maintains core temperature to the gun. Pull off in one second. Start warm. |
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Under a wetsuit |
Flat seams don’t alter your profile or stroke. Neutral buoyancy — no effect on swim position. The thermal edge before a cold-water race. |
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Post-swim |
On immediately after exiting. Windchill stopped before the chill of transition arrives. Walk to transition warm. |
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“Having this warm vest has allowed me to start ocean swimming while the water temperature is still only about 17 degrees.” — Verified purchaser |
SAILING · JET SKI · POWERBOAT · FISHING
The problem: sustained wind exposure over hours. The further an activity moves from immersion toward wind exposure, the more important the windchill solution becomes.
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Under foul weather gear |
Adds windblock and FIR warmth beneath foulies. Maintains thermal baseline across a long passage or day on the water. |
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Standalone in moderate conditions |
Windchill blocked. Full movement for line handling, sail trim and boat operations. No bulk. |
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Jet ski and powercraft |
At speed, wind is the primary enemy. This is the windchill solution at any speed. |
THE COMPLETE LAYERING SYSTEM GUIDE
Build your system around it.
The Chillproof Essentials Vest works standalone. It also layers perfectly under or over everything else in the Sharkskin range. Here’s exactly how to configure it for every condition.
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CONDITION |
WEAR THE VEST WITH |
WHAT HAPPENS |
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Standalone |
With swimmers, jammers or boardshorts |
Core windchill protection. Full mobility. Works in and out of the water. |
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+ Rapid Dry rashie |
Rashie over the vest |
Moisture management + UV above. Windblock below. The paddler’s system. |
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+ Thermal Flex |
Thermal Flex over the vest |
FIR warmth from the Flex. 100% windblock from the vest. High-performance thermal system. |
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+ 3mm–5mm wetsuit |
Vest under any wetsuit |
Adds warmth equivalent to an extra 2.5–3mm. Reduce lead by 1–3kg. No bulk or buoyancy penalty. |
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+ Chillproof Jacket |
Jacket over vest post-activity |
Immediate windblock the second you exit the water. No changing required. |
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+ Drysuit |
Vest as thermal undergarment |
Extra insulation beneath the drysuit. Wind protection during surface intervals. Breathable throughout. |
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Cold water diving |
Under wetsuit + T2 Hood |
Complete thermal system. Maintain warmth across every dive. Reduce lead. Reduce fatigue. |
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Winter surfing |
Under 2 or 3/2 wetsuit |
Keep core warm between sets in offshore conditions. Full paddle rotation. |
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Dawn paddle patrol |
Under Rapid Dry + T2 Gloves |
System for every condition. Warm when working. Warm when you stop. |
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SLSA patrol |
Under patrol rashie or wetsuit |
In and out of the water all day. Core warmth. Full movement for every rescue scenario. |
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Nippers |
Standalone or under rashie |
Junior athletes stay warm. Train longer. Perform better. Retain through winter. |
At SHARKSKIN we are passionate about watersports activities and we care about minimising our impact on the environment. We use biodegradable and compostable packaging bags, minimise waste in our manufacturing and design long lasting products.
SHIPPING
FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $170.00+
Otherwise shipping costs is a flat fee of $10 for standard postage or $15 for express postage. Selection options available at checkout.
Express postage, if selected, is sent with either Australia Post Express Post or StarTrack Courier (depending on the size of the order) and is considered the fastest domestic delivery service available.
RETURNS
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
30-DAY RETURN POLICY
If you receive a product that you believe is not what was expected we will replace the item or refund your purchase at our discretion.
For more information please visit our RETURNS, EXCHANGES & WARRANTIES Page.
At SHARKSKIN, we deeply care about the environment, as many of us are avid scuba divers and natural world enthusiasts. Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through five key company initiatives.
- Solar Powered
We are pleased to announce Sharkskin’s new building is 100% solar powered. - Environmental Manufacturing
Sharkskin manufactures in its own factory, allowing us to strictly control waste and efficiency. We pack our orders effectively to reduce freight and waste, and we use cutting-edge technology to minimize material waste throughout the manufacturing process. - Biodegradable Packaging
We have transitioned to biodegradable packaging. Currently, 95% of our range uses this packaging, with a goal to reach 100% soon. All newly manufactured items will be packed in the new biodegradable bags, while items in stock will remain in existing packaging. - Australian Made
We are proud to announce that we have been accredited to use the official Australian made Logo. The official website states, “The famous ‘Australian Made, Australian Grown’ (AMAG) logo is the true mark of Aussie authenticity. It’s Australia’s most trusted, most recognised and widely used country of origin symbol, and it’s underpinned by a third-party accreditation system, which ensures, products that carry the logo are genuinely Australian”.
95% of our range is proudly Australian-made. Products that do not feature the "Australian Made" logo below the "buy now" button are not manufactured in Australia. - Built to Last
We believe in creating quality gear that stands the test of time and the harsh Australian conditions. This not only results in a better product but also keeps items out of landfills, reducing waste and environmental impact for the future.
