What does it mean to chase clouds? In the world of vaping, chasing clouds mean building a vape setup that is designed specifically to create massive plumes of vapor. Some people call it “stunt vaping” or “extreme vaping,” while other simply call it sub-ohm vaping.
Cloud Chasing as Sport
A few years ago, cloud chasers did it for fun. Today, while some still do it for recreation, many do it as a sport. All around the world, competitions are regularly held to see who can produce the thickest vapor. Prizes from these competitions range from free gear to thousands of dollars in cash. The world of cloud chasing is a subculture within a subculture, one that is slowly gaining traction and becoming famous the world over.
Cloud chasing is akin to hot rodding one’s beat-up jalopy. Perhaps, in the future, there will be professional leagues as well?
Getting Started
Before anything else, there are nine factors to be aware of when chasing clouds. These include:
- Battery Safety – Always use the safest batteries you can find. These include AW, Sony VTC4/VTC5, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic, among others. When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask.
- Airflow – A right mix of resistance and airflow is key. The lower the resistance, the more airflow is needed. However, too much can thin out or disperse vapor, while too little won’t produce as much.
- E-Liquid – VG produces more vapor than PG, so be sure to use e-liquid with a VG-dominant blend.
- Atomizer – While users prefer RDAs for cloud chasing, sub-ohm tanks are slowly catching up in terms of performance. However, for maximum vapor production, RDAs with airflow control is recommended
- Mod – Using the right mod is also crucial. Mech mods offer raw power though the newer regulated mods come close.
- Wicking – Proper wicking, using the right material and appropriate thickness, is crucial to let air and e-juice flow to the coils efficiently.
- Coil Build – There are several builds a user can make, and each affects vapor production. However, the general rule is; the lower the resistance, the more vapor produced.
- Technique – Just as it is with cigarette smoke tricks, proper technique in cloud chasing can take months of practice. These include the right body posture, proper inhaling, and exhaling technique.
- Genetics – There are people born with greater lung capacity than others, and this can affect how one inhales and exhales.
Other Tricks
When it comes to airflow, it takes some trial and error to find the right one. Too much can disperse the clouds and weaken the overall vapor density. However, some atomizers do not allow precision airflow control. This is where the proper inhale/exhale technique together with the right body posture will play a huge role.
Another trick cloud chasers use, is not to use a drip tip at all. This allows more vapor to be inhaled, but again, some atomizer designs might make this impossible. Fortunately, there are “wide bore” drip tips available designed specifically for cloud chasers. These are drip tips with a larger hole for inhaling.
Finally, most cloud chasers use 24g wire for their builds. If you use 26g and above, either you upgrade to 24g or try twisting your current wire to double its diameter.
Pro Vs Amateur
Every professional in any sport started out as an amateur. If a user is new to cloud chasing, it is best to start out with the sub-ohm tanks first. These usually have builds of 0.5 ohms and above and used with a regulated mod.
If the time comes that one wants to produce competition-level clouds, builds of 0.3 ohms and below can be made and used in unregulated mech mods. However, at this level, one must have a working knowledge of batteries, watts, and ohms to avoid any accidents.
Sub-ohm tanks produce enough vapor to satisfy casual vapers, and many users will have no need to go lower. Unless you go hardcore, are aware of the risks involved, and know enough to limit those risks, it is best just to stick with sub-ohm tanks.
Cloud Haters
As with any new sport, cloud chasing has its share of detractors. Many people think the practice itself is ridiculous, and even some Cloud Chasers think the new “sport” is absurd. Its supporters, on the other hand, believe that cloud chasing helps to raise awareness about vaping, especially to smokers. By showing how vapor can beat out smoke, it is their hope that smokers appreciate that and quit cigarettes for good.
Some vapers, particularly the traditional ones, think that cloud chasing gives vaping a bad name. They point out the ones who blow out huge clouds in public, looking obnoxious and acting high and mighty. The thing is, even if vapor does not smell bad – or at least as bad as cigarette smoke – non-smokers will still view it as a nuisance. If you plan to chase clouds, be sure to vape responsibly and limit your plumes to vape shops or in the comforts of your home.
Love it or hate it, cloud chasing is here to stay. The market for RDAs (rebuildable dripping atomizers) and sub-ohm tanks has seen a massive spike the past few months, and it looks like it is not stopping anytime soon. Manufacturers will keep on producing them as long as someone is buying. Whether this is a good thing or bad depends on the user and their level of responsibility.
In Closing
Cloud chasing is different from sub-ohm vaping. Anyone can vape with sub-ohm tanks, but cloud chasing is reserved for the hardcore. Extreme sports always have a high-risk factor and the same can be said with cloud chasing. It is vaping to the extreme. It can be fun if everything is done correctly, but the danger is always there. After all, what is extreme without any risks?
If one wants to try cloud chasing, make sure the proper equipment is used. Clones are a definite no-no since these can fail, upping the chances of accidents. One must also do thorough research first before attempting to chase clouds. Throwing a hastily done build on a clone is a sure recipe for disaster.
When one is cloud chasing, once the battery feels too hot, it is best to stop. Put the mod down, let it cool off, and walk away. If you have friends who chase clouds, ask for their advice. Learn from them, and follow their instructions and warnings carefully. If in doubt, stick to sub-ohm tanks and leave the clouds chasing to the professionals.
As with everything in life, safety comes first. The fun happens later.