Vest - Southby - FOCAL - Bennington Slate
The Southby FOCAL Bennington Slate vest dresses your torso in a slate blue-gray highlighted with red patches. Under this understated look, it's a true impact vest: super-stretch neoprene, NBR foam, YKK zipper, and magnetic closure. For cable and boat riders who want protection without being over the top, available in sizes S to XL, shipped within 24 hours.
Southby Bennington Slate: the premium discreet version
"Premium x Clean": that's the motto Southby sticks to the FOCAL collection, and the Bennington Slate takes it literally. A solid slate blue-gray, a black zipper and contours, three small red patches branded STHBY at the collar, on the chest, and at the bottom of the vest. Nothing flashy, just the right amount of detail to show that you didn't grab the first vest you found.
The Bennington is the model the brand places at the top of its range in terms of finishes and fit. You put it on for an after-work session at the cable, keep it for a boat ride on the weekend, and it matches everything: black wetsuit, navy shorty, or board in flashy colors. The slate is a mid-tone that logically shows fewer lake marks than a light gray, without the very uniform look of all-black.
Looking for the same vest with more character? The Southby Hell Awaits Bennington Wine vest features exactly the same construction, in burgundy.
What makes the difference
A double closure: magnetic and YKK zipper
Southby combines a magnetic closure with the YKK zipper of the Bennington. The expected result: the vest closes neatly in one motion, even with wet and numb hands when getting back on the dock. This is the point that separates it, on paper, from the Southby FOCAL Preston Cool Grey vest, which the brand does not list as having a magnetic closure.
NEW Tailored Fit cut, designed to stay in place
The brand announces a reworked "Tailored Fit" cut. A vest fitted to the torso doesn't act like a parachute when you hit the water, and it doesn't tickle your chin when you get back on your board. This also gives it a clean silhouette, almost like a jacket, once closed.
NBR foam, your pocket airbag
The padded panels contain NBR foam designed to absorb impacts. When the pop goes too early on the kicker or your nose digs in at the exit of a box, it's the foam that takes the hit instead of your ribs. The panel itself never complains.
Super-stretch neoprene and leather details
The super-stretch neoprene allows your shoulders to move freely, whether you're loading your edge to pop off the wake or twisting your torso for a butter. The leather pulls and patch complete the polished look that the FOCAL line is known for.
Technical specifications
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Southby (Southby Designs) |
| Collection | FOCAL |
| Model | Bennington |
| Color | Slate (blue-gray) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Type | Impact vest |
| Material | Super-stretch neoprene |
| Foam | NBR foam |
| Closure | YKK zipper + magnetic closure |
| Pulls | Leather pulls |
| Finishes | Leather patch |
| Fit | NEW Tailored Fit |
| Certification | CE Approved 89/686/EEC |
| Available sizes on Wakeon | S, M, L, XL |
What size to choose?
| Size | Availability |
|---|---|
| S | Shipped within 24 hours |
| M | Shipped within 24 hours |
| L | Shipped within 24 hours |
| XL | Shipped within 24 hours |
The Bennington is designed to be worn close to the body. When trying it on, keep the layer you actually wear on the water, whether it's a wetsuit or neoprene top: the closed vest should hold without squeezing and stay in place when you make big arm swings. Southby does not provide a size chart in centimeters for this model. If you're unsure between two sizes, contact the Wakeon team with your clothing size, weight, and chest measurement: it's quicker than sending mail back and forth.
Compatibility
- Use: impact vest for wakeboarding, at the cable park, and behind the boat.
- Buoyancy: Southby does not announce any buoyancy certification for the Bennington (neither 50 N nor ISO 12402-5). It protects against impacts, but does not replace a buoyancy vest. If your spot or practice requires one, choose a certified 50 N model like the Sooruz Star Fifty.
- Usage: Southby specifies that its products are not designed for rental or teaching.
- Sizes: S to XL on Wakeon; the brand does not specify a men's or women's cut.
Also available in…
The Bennington is also available at Wakeon in the Hell Awaits Wine version, burgundy with black trims, at the same price and with the same technical specifications. In the FOCAL collection, the brand also offers the Preston, in Southby Preston Black or Cool Grey.
For which rider?
- Rider who likes well-made but discreet gear: yes, the slate and small red patches do the job without overdoing it.
- Cable regular, multiple sessions per week: yes, the stretch neoprene is forgotten session after session.
- Boat rider starting to jump the wake: yes, the NBR foam absorbs the rough landings.
- Rider who puts on and takes off their vest between each run: yes, the magnetic closure combined with the zipper simplifies the maneuver.
- Rider who wants to stand out on the water: the Bennington Wine will be more to your taste.
- Tight budget: the Sooruz Reac black impact vest is offered at €99.95.
- Rider who swims poorly or does water skiing: less for you, a 50 N vest like the Sooruz Fifty CE 50 N is more suitable.
Frequently asked questions about the Southby Bennington Slate
Does the Bennington Slate help me float?
Not in a certified way. The Bennington Slate is an impact vest: Southby highlights its NBR foam for impact protection, but does not announce any buoyancy certification, neither 50 N nor ISO 12402-5. It is therefore suitable for riders who swim without difficulty. If you need real buoyancy assistance, switch to a certified 50 N vest like the Sooruz Star Fifty.
How do I know if the Bennington Slate is my size?
Test it with the outfit you wear on the water: when closed, it should hold your torso without squeezing and not move when you raise your arms above your head. Wakeon offers it in S, M, L, and XL. Due to the lack of a size chart in centimeters from Southby, contact the Wakeon team with your weight and chest measurement if you're between sizes.
Is the Slate color gray or blue?
It's a bit of both: Slate means slate, and in the product photos, the vest shows a deep blue-gray. It is bordered in black at the collar, armholes, and along the zipper, with small red patches branded STHBY. It's a subtle shade that matches both a black wetsuit and a colorful board.
Bennington Slate or Bennington Wine: which one to choose?
Choose based on the look, the technique is the same. Southby assigns the same specifications to both versions: super-stretch neoprene, NBR foam, YKK zipper, magnetic closure, and Tailored Fit cut, at €140 at Wakeon. The Slate from the FOCAL collection plays it safe in slate blue-gray, while the Wine from the Hell Awaits collection embraces a burgundy that stands out from afar.
Is the Bennington Slate suitable for cable and boat?
Yes, it's an impact vest for wakeboarding that can be used for both. At the cable park, its fitted cut and stretch neoprene follow your movements on the features; behind the boat, its NBR foam protects the torso during wake jumps. Just check if your spot or club requires a certified buoyancy vest in addition.
How quickly is the Bennington Slate shipped?
Within 24 hours for all available sizes, from S to XL, then shipped by UPS or Chronopost. At €140, it exceeds the €89 threshold that triggers free shipping. And if the size isn't quite right, Wakeon gives you 14 days to exchange or get a refund.
Complete your setup
- Wakeboard helmets to protect your head at the cable park
- Men's wetsuits and women's wetsuits to slip under the vest
- All wakeboard vests, impact and 50 N
- All wakeboard protections
