Your Questions, Answered

    1. Charge the module in clean, dry conditions. Treat it like your phone. Or better.

    2. Switch it on.

    3. Pop it into the pouch. Click. Click. Magnetically sealed.

    4. Pull your wetsuit up to the waist.

    5. Put on the Hot Potato vest — the module nestles into your lower back.

    6. Add any rash vest or hood you normally wear.

    7. Finish suiting up.

    8. Get in the ocean.

    Once you’re in, the system regulates warmth automatically.

    No adjustments needed.

  • Not mid-session — and that’s intentional.

    Hot Potato runs on a thermostatic cycle beneath your wetsuit.
    It maintains steady core warmth while you surf.

    You focus on the waves.

  • Sometimes you’ll notice a gentle warmth at your lower back.

    But real warmth isn’t about a hot spot on the skin — it’s about sustained core comfort.

    Hot Potato is designed for stability, not spikes.

    If you forget about it and just feel good in cold water — that’s the goal.

  • No.

    The heat source sits behind insulating and reflective layers and then your wetsuit. You’re feeling redistributed warmth, not direct element contact.

    Warm. Not hot.

  • Yes.

    The module sits inside a waterproof pouch and is protected by surrounding layers once installed.

    It’s built for cold-water use.

  • The heating stops.

    You’re still in your wetsuit as normal.

    It depends on conditions and activity, but you can expect multiple hours of consistent warmth from a full charge — enough for a proper session.

  • USB-C.

    Your normal phone charger works fine.

    • Rinse in cold fresh water

    • No washing machines

    • No soap

    • Hang folded over a coat hanger

    • Check the magnetic seal for sand and wipe clean if neededt?

    Simple.

  • Many users comfortably reduce by 1–2mm, depending on conditions and tolerance.

    The aim isn’t extreme minimalism — it’s less bulk with sustained comfort.

  • No.

    The heating is positioned low on the back to preserve shoulder and upper body mobility.

  • Separate hood, hooded wetsuit, or hooded vest — all fine. We’ve found that HOT POTATO makes that hood-free part of our surfing year last a little bit longer. See ‘boots and gloves’

  • Hot Potato doesn’t directly heat hands or feet.

    However, maintaining core warmth can delay when boots and gloves feel essential.

    Cold tolerance varies — we won’t overclaim — but core warmth makes a difference.

  • Hot Potato is engineered for cold water surfing — and trusted anywhere performance warmth matters.

    It’s designed around the demands of winter surf sessions: paddle intensity, mobility, long exposure and repeated immersion.

    That said, it’s equally suited to any sport where you’re wearing a wetsuit in cold water.

    Hot Potato is used for:

    • Open water swimming

    • Paddleboarding (SUP)

    • Kayaking

    • Canoeing

    • Sailing and dinghy racing

    • Wakeboarding

    • Kitesurfing

    • Windsurfing

    • Wingfoiling

    • Cold water training

    • Lifeguard and instructor work

    • Search and rescue support roles

    • Outdoor swim coaching

    • Winter triathlon training

    If you’re in cold water and relying on neoprene for insulation, maintaining core warmth makes a difference.

    Hot Potato doesn’t replace your wetsuit.
    It works with it.