Vest - Southby - HELL AWAITS - Bennington Wine

The Southby Hell Awaits Bennington Wine impact vest brings your protection out of the gray-black range with a deep burgundy, trimmed in black. Super-stretch neoprene, NBR foam, YKK zip with a magnetic closure: it protects your torso whether you're cable riding or behind the boat, available in sizes S to XL, shipped within 24 hours.

Southby Bennington Wine: an impact vest that stands out.

Hell Awaits, literally "hell awaits you." Don't worry, the only hell on the agenda is the line at the cable park on a July Sunday. The rest of the time, this vest from Southby Designs, a British brand dedicated to wake, takes care of cushioning your falls while you work on your box line or your first wake jumps.

The Bennington is the model that Southby presents as one of the most premium in its range, both in cut and finishes. In the 2026 Hell Awaits collection, it comes in a Wine shade, a matte burgundy that you can spot from afar on the water. The black stripes follow the quilted panels, the central zip, and the armholes, with lettering adorning the back. In a session photo or a video of your first frontside 180, it's you that stands out first, without needing a glaring neon color.

The burgundy has another practical advantage: it pairs well with both a black wetsuit and a more colorful shorty, and it generally shows dirt less quickly than a very light shade. If you prefer a more neutral version of the same model, the Southby FOCAL Bennington Slate vest shares exactly the same technical specifications.

What makes the difference?

Magnetic closure in addition to the YKK zip.

This is the detail that sets the Bennington apart in the Southby lineup: the brand pairs a magnetic closure with the YKK zip. In practice, you can close your vest without a struggle, even with cold fingers from an autumn session. The Preston, the other Southby vest sold at Wakeon, does not mention this feature in its specifications: compare it with the Southby FOCAL Preston Black vest if you're unsure between the two.

Super-stretch neoprene: total freedom at the shoulders.

The body of the Bennington is made from super-stretch neoprene, described by Southby as lightweight and highly mobile. You really feel it when you’re setting up for a rotation or reaching for the handle after a fall: the vest moves with you, nothing pulls. Ideal when you spend your session chaining kickers, boxes, and returning to the start.

NBR foam to soften landings.

Protection is provided by NBR foam distributed in the quilted panels. It absorbs the impact when a landing ends on your backside or when an edge catches at the end of a rail. It won't teach you how to land your raley, but it makes the tenth attempt much more bearable than the first.

NEW Tailored Fit cut and leather finishes.

Southby announces a new "Tailored Fit" cut, which means fitted at the bust. A well-fitted vest stays in place when you hit the water instead of riding up to your ears. The leather pulls and patch finish it off, giving it a look closer to a skate jacket than rental gear.

Technical specifications.

What size to choose?

With its Tailored Fit cut, the Bennington fits snugly. The best test: put it on with your riding outfit, zip it up, and then raise your arms above your head. It should stay in place without restricting your breathing. Southby does not publish a centimeter correspondence for this model: if you are between sizes, send your usual size, weight, and chest measurement to the Wakeon team. A two-minute message is better than a two-week exchange.

Compatibility.

• Use: impact vest for wakeboarding, at the cable park, and behind the boat.
• Buoyancy: the Bennington does not claim any buoyancy certification (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 at Wakeon; the brand does not specify a men's or women's cut.

Also available in…

At Wakeon, the Bennington is also available in the FOCAL collection with the Southby FOCAL Bennington Slate vest: same construction, same price, in a more understated slate shade. For a different cut from the same brand, check out the Southby FOCAL Preston Cool Grey vest.

For which rider?

• Rider looking to break away from all-black: yes, the burgundy stands out on the water while remaining easy to match.
• Cable park regular chaining modules: yes, stretch neoprene and fitted cut for riding without hindrance from turn to turn.
• Boat rider working on wake jumps: yes, the NBR foam cushions missed landings.
• Rider filming their sessions: yes, the color shows well on camera without saturating.
• Tight budget: the Sooruz Reac black impact vest does the job at €99.95.
• Female rider looking for a fitted cut: a women's cut like the Sooruz Ground Katinka will stay in place better.
• Rider uncomfortable in the water or water skiing: less for you, choose a 50 N vest like the Sooruz Fifty CE 50 N.

Frequently asked questions about the Southby Bennington Wine.

Complete your setup.

• Wakeboard helmets, the other half of your cable protection.
• Men's wakeboard suits and women's suits to wear under the vest.
• All wakeboard vests, impact and 50 N.
• All wakeboard protections
• Wakeon return policy, in case the size isn't right.