Warranty & Repairs
Warranty & Repair
Every Hiko product carries a 2-year warranty from the day of purchase, and every product can be repaired by an authorized facility — even if it's out of warranty. Below is everything you need to know about both.
Warranty
There's a 2-year warranty on all our products from the day of purchase. Treat the product nicely and it'll last you a lot longer than that. The warranty does not apply to a product that shows signs of being mistreated.
Please DO NOT:
- Use it as a cushion for sitting, laying, anything…
- Leave it in a car during a hot day (membranes will delaminate)
- Put it in a washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher (that's not the way to clean it)
- Use detergents or other chemicals
- Use it as a toy for your pet
Please DO:
- Dry in the shade and store dry
- Hang dry suits and PFDs freely, without folding
- Wash all dry gear and wet gear with fresh water. Use soap and a brush if necessary.
- Check all straps and buckles on your PFD before every use
- Make sure the zipper on your dry suit is fully closed — have a friend check it
- Paddle with no ego! Our gear provides safety. It does not make you immortal.
How to file a warranty claim
We review every claim individually. Eligible claims qualify for a full refund or exchange.
Send your claim to warranty@inwaterwelive.com and please include:
- A copy of your receipt
- A photo of the defect
If your gear is out of warranty, or the issue is wear-and-tear rather than a defect, jump to the Repair section below — almost everything can be fixed.
Repair
We're excited to partner with Piece of Mind Fabrications for repair services in the U.S. Whether your gear is under warranty or not, our goal is the same: get it back in the water, fully functional.
Yann Crist-Evans at Piece of Mind is a true craftsman, now equipped with our factory materials and parts to extend your gear's life to the maximum. He's an authorized Hiko, Aire and NRS warranty repair facility based in Phoenix, Oregon.
You won't be charged on this site. Booking a repair through us tells Piece of Mind Fab what you need and where to ship the finished gear. Yann invoices you directly when the work is done.
How it works
- Pick the services you need below and click "Book this repair." You can stack multiple services onto one booking.
- Check out at $0. We capture your details and where to return the repaired gear. No payment today.
- Ship your (clean) gear to Piece of Mind Fab. Address is in your confirmation email.
- Yann emails you a quote if your booking includes a pressure test or custom work. Otherwise the listed price stands.
- You pay Piece of Mind Fab directly once the work is complete. Gear ships back to you.
Where to send your gear
Piece of Mind Fabrications LLC
ATTN: Yann Crist-Evans
111 W 3rd St
Phoenix, OR 97535
Reference your order number on the packing slip. Wash and dry your gear before shipping.
Common dry suit repairs — flat-rate pricing
These are Piece of Mind Fab's set prices. What you click below is what they invoice — nothing more.
Neck gasket replacement
$93
New latex neck gasket, professionally fitted and bonded.
Book this repair →Wrist gaskets — both wrists
$105
New latex wrist gaskets on both arms — the smart move if one is starting to go.
Book this repair →Pressure test & leak diagnosis
$30
You know it leaks but can't find where. Yann pinpoints every leak and quotes the fix before doing any work.
Book this repair →Care tips that prevent the next claim or repair
- Rinse after every use. A 60-second freshwater rinse extends gasket life by months.
- Hang to dry, inside out, out of direct sun. UV is the fastest killer of latex gaskets.
- 303 Protectant on latex gaskets every few months. Cheap insurance against cracking.
- Lube the TIZIP every few sessions. Use the wax stick that came with the suit. A dry zipper fails.
- Store dry, hung up, with the zipper open. Don't fold and stuff a dry suit in a hatch for the winter.
Frequently asked
Is the Hiko warranty still valid if a third party repaired the suit?
Yes — as long as it's done by an authorized facility. Piece of Mind Fab is certified by Hiko to perform warranty repairs, so the warranty stays intact. If a non-authorized shop has already done unauthorized work on the suit, the warranty may be void; reach out to warranty@inwaterwelive.com first if you're unsure.
Will I be charged at checkout?
No. The repair booking is $0. Piece of Mind Fab invoices you directly once the work is complete and you've approved the quote.
Can they repair gear that wasn't bought from In Water We Live?
Absolutely. They work on dry gear, rafts, and kayaks regardless of where you bought them. Book here and tell us where you bought it — we route warranty work to the right brand.
How long does a repair take?
Typically 2–4 weeks from the day they receive your gear. Spring is busiest (gasket-replacement season). Yann gives you an estimate up front.
Who pays for shipping?
You ship your gear to Piece of Mind Fab. Return shipping is added to Yann's invoice when the work is complete.
What if the suit is too damaged to repair economically?
Yann will tell you straight if the cost approaches the cost of replacement. If you decide to replace, we'll give you a returning-customer discount on a new Odin Air4 or any other Hiko suit.
Thank you for being a Hiko customer!
Questions about a warranty claim? Email matyas@inwaterwelive.com.
Anything else? info@inwaterwelive.com or write Yann directly at yann@pieceofmindfab.com.
