#inwaterwelive

Hiko was born on the river — literally. In the late 1980s, Ivan Hilgert and Marcela Kostalova, both national team kayakers, started making gear for their fellow paddlers in their small flat in Prague. Materials were scarce, but the passion for paddling and a deep understanding of what water athletes truly need was always in abundance. What began with sewing vests at night and smuggling fabrics during communism grew into a brand that outfitted Czech paddlers — and soon, paddlers all over the world.

But this isn’t just a story of the past.

Today, a new generation has stepped in, bringing fresh energy, bold ideas, and the same unshakable commitment to quality. Matyáš, the son of Hiko’s founders, is helping lead the transformation — not away from Hiko’s roots, but deeper into them. “The torch is being passed,” he says, “and some things are catching fire in the best way possible.”

We are blending decades of experience with a fearless drive for innovation. Every person who touches a product on its way to you — from design to production to testing — is part of a process of constant improvement. Together, we’re building smarter, more durable, and more repairable gear.

At Hiko, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the result of thoughtful design. If a product lasts, if it can be repaired, if it does the job better than anything else — then it earns its place in your gear bag and on the river.

For over 30 years, Hiko has been fueled by a passion for paddling. And now, that passion is evolving — combining craftsmanship and curiosity, engineering and experimentation, tradition and transformation.

We’re proud of where we come from. But we’re even more excited about where we’re going.