Vaping is no longer just about quitting smoking—it’s become a hobby, a community, and even a form of self-expression. Among vaping enthusiasts, two popular styles dominate: flavour chasing and cloud chasing. While both involve vaping, the goals, techniques, and gear preferences are quite different.
Whether you’re new to vaping or curious about which style suits you, this guide will help you understand the differences so you can decide where you fit in.
Understanding the Basics of Flavour Chasing
Flavour chasing is all about maximizing the taste of your e-liquid. The focus is on drawing out the subtle notes in vape juice, much like how wine enthusiasts savour aromas and textures.
If you’re a flavour chaser, you care more about how your vape tastes than how big the clouds are. This means selecting the right devices, coils, and e-liquids to get a rich, satisfying flavour experience.
Ideal Gear for Flavour Chasing
To get the best flavour, vapers usually choose mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices, rebuildable tank atomizers (RTAs), or low-wattage pod systems. These setups provide a tighter draw and allow the vapour to stay in your mouth longer, enhancing flavour detection.
Coils with higher resistance and tighter airflow are also preferred, as they produce warmer vapour and preserve e-liquid notes.
E-Liquids Best for Flavour Chasers
Flavour chasers often go for higher PG (propylene glycol) e-liquids, as PG is a better flavour carrier than VG (vegetable glycerin). They might also choose complex blends, from dessert and fruit mixes to gourmet coffee flavours, to fully enjoy the nuances in each puff.
Understanding the Basics of Cloud Chasing
Cloud chasing is the art of producing massive, dense vapour clouds. It’s a competitive, performance-focused style of vaping that often involves advanced gear and custom setups.
If you’re into cloud chasing, you’re looking for visual impact—thick, billowing vapour that fills the room or impresses in competitions.
Ideal Gear for Cloud Chasing
Cloud chasers typically use sub-ohm tanks or rebuildable dripping atomizers (RDAs) with coils that have very low resistance. This allows more power to flow through, creating intense heat and larger vapour production.
High-wattage mods with adjustable airflow and wide drip tips are also common, as they allow more air to pass through and generate massive clouds.
E-Liquids Best for Cloud Chasers
For cloud chasing, high VG e-liquids (often 70% VG or higher) are the go-to choice. VG is thicker and produces denser vapour, making it perfect for show-stopping clouds. These e-liquids also tend to have a smoother throat hit, allowing for deep inhales without discomfort.
Flavour vs. Clouds: The Trade-Off
When it comes to vaping, you often have to choose between flavour intensity and cloud production. High VG juices make bigger clouds but can mute flavours, while high PG juices enhance flavour but produce smaller clouds.
Similarly, devices designed for massive vapour output often sacrifice flavour clarity, while flavour-focused setups limit cloud size.
Which One Is Easier for Beginners?
If you’re just starting out, flavour chasing is generally easier and safer. Cloud chasing often requires advanced knowledge of coil building, battery safety, and Ohm’s law to avoid accidents.
Beginners can still enjoy good vapour production, but mastering safe sub-ohm vaping takes time and experience.
The Social Side of Vaping Styles
Beyond the technical differences, flavour chasing and cloud chasing also have different community vibes.
Flavour chasers tend to focus on sharing e-liquid recommendations, recipes for DIY juice, and tips for enhancing taste. Cloud chasers, on the other hand, often participate in competitions or create Instagram-worthy vapour tricks.
Competitions and Meetups
Cloud chasing competitions—sometimes called “cloud comps”—are popular in vape shops and expos. The goal is simple: blow the biggest and densest cloud possible.
Flavour chasing events may include blind taste tests or e-liquid judging, where participants try to identify flavour profiles or rate blends.
Can You Be Both?
Yes! Many vapers enjoy a balance between flavour and cloud production. This “hybrid” style often involves mid-range VG/PG ratios and versatile vape devices that can switch between restricted and wide-open airflow.
By experimenting with different gear and e-liquids, you might find a sweet spot where you get both satisfying taste and impressive vapour.
Finding Your Style
To discover your style, think about what excites you most about vaping. Do you love rich, complex flavours that linger on your palate? Or do you get a thrill from filling the air with thick clouds?
Trying both approaches for a week or two can help you figure out which one feels more rewarding.
Safety Considerations
Regardless of which style you choose, safety should always come first. For cloud chasers especially, using high-powered devices means understanding battery limits and safe coil building. Always buy quality gear from reputable brands, and never push your equipment beyond its recommended limits.
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Final Thoughts
Flavour chasing and cloud chasing offer two unique experiences in the vaping world. One is about tasting every note of your favourite e-liquid, and the other is about creating visually impressive clouds.
There’s no right or wrong choice—only what suits your preferences and vaping goals. Some vapers switch between the two depending on their mood, while others stick to one style for life.
Whichever you choose, remember that vaping is meant to be enjoyable, social, and safe. Take the time to explore your options, invest in quality gear, and make the most of your vaping journey.