SA Vape Juice Showdown: Comparing Lost World, Isolation, Looters and Explosion Series
South Africa's vaping industry has exploded with local e-liquid brands that rival international offerings in quality while being significantly more affordable. At Downtown Vapoury, four brands consistently dominate our sales charts: Lost World, Isolation, Looters, and Explosion Series. Each offers distinct flavor profiles, pricing strategies, and optimal use cases.
This comprehensive comparison helps you choose the right South African e-liquid for your device, budget, and taste preferences while supporting local manufacturers who understand what Mzansi vapers want.
Why Buy South African E-Liquids?
Before diving into brand comparisons, understand the advantages of choosing local:
Price advantage: SA brands cost 30-50% less than imported liquids (R220-R280 vs R350-R450 for 120ml).
Fresher product: Locally manufactured means shorter supply chains and fresher bottles on shelves.
Quality standards: Top SA brands adhere to international manufacturing standards while being price-competitive.
Flavor localization: SA brands understand local taste preferences and climate considerations (more ice variants for hot summers).
Economic impact: Supporting local manufacturers creates jobs and keeps money in the SA economy.
Availability: No import delays or stock shortages—consistent supply through Downtown Vapoury.
Brand Overview: The Big Four
Lost World E-Liquids
Company background: Established premium SA brand known for complex flavor layering and consistent quality.
Available formats:
- 120ml Longfills (30ml concentrate)
- 30ml MTL ready-to-vape
- 30ml Nic Salts
Signature characteristic: Sophisticated, multi-layered flavors that evolve through the vape.
Target market: Flavor enthusiasts willing to pay slightly more for complexity.
Price range: R280-R350 for 120ml longfills, R180-R220 for 30ml salts.
Isolation E-Liquid
Company background: Newer brand (launched 2022) focusing on bold, single-note flavors with high clarity.
Available formats:
- 120ml Longfills
- 30ml MTL
- 30ml Nic Salts
Signature characteristic: Clean, intense flavor delivery without muddiness—what you expect is exactly what you get.
Target market: Vapers who prefer straightforward, intense flavors over complexity.
Price range: R250-R300 for 120ml longfills, R160-R200 for 30ml salts.
Looters E-Liquid
Company background: Budget-friendly brand offering solid quality at aggressive pricing.
Available formats:
- 120ml Longfills
- 30ml MTL
- 30ml Nic Salts
Signature characteristic: Value-focused with surprising quality for the price point.
Target market: Budget-conscious vapers and heavy consumers who need affordability.
Price range: R220-R280 for 120ml longfills, R140-R180 for 30ml salts.
Explosion Series
Company background: Established SA favorite known for fruit-forward profiles and massive flavor impact.
Available formats:
- 120ml Longfills (Explosion Series)
- 30ml MTL (Explosion MTL)
- 30ml Nic Salts (Explosion Salts)
Signature characteristic: Explosive fruit flavor intensity—lives up to the name.
Target market: Fruit lovers and all-day vapers wanting bold, reliable flavors.
Price range: R260-R320 for 120ml longfills, R170-R210 for 30ml salts.
Flavor Profile Deep Dive
Lost World: The Complexity Champion
Flavor philosophy: Multi-dimensional blends that change throughout the vape experience.
Top sellers at Downtown Vapoury:
Lost World - Mystic Forest (Freebase)
- Profile: Mixed berries, light cream, subtle menthol
- Tasting notes: Opens with tart berry, transitions to creamy sweetness, finishes cool
- Best for: DTL sub-ohm at 60-80W
- VG/PG: 70/30
- Steep time: 7-10 days recommended
- Complexity rating: 9/10
Lost World - Tropical Paradise (MTL)
- Profile: Guava, passionfruit, pineapple with ice
- Tasting notes: Bright tropical punch with refreshing exhale
- Best for: MTL devices, 0.8-1.2Ω coils
- VG/PG: 50/50
- Customer feedback: "Most authentic tropical blend I've tried"
Lost World - Caramel Custard (Salts)
- Profile: Rich caramel, vanilla custard, light graham cracker
- Tasting notes: Dessert-forward without being cloying
- Best for: Pod systems with nic salt 25-35mg
- Steep time: 10-14 days for full depth
- Warning: Sweetener content reduces coil life
Flavor consistency: 8.5/10 - Batch-to-batch variation minimal, steeping crucial for optimal experience.
Innovation factor: Lost World regularly introduces limited editions and seasonal flavors, keeping the lineup fresh.
Isolation: The Purist's Choice
Flavor philosophy: Single-note accuracy with minimal additives—what you see is what you vape.
Top sellers at Downtown Vapoury:
Isolation - Strawberry Ice (Freebase)
- Profile: Pure strawberry with cooling finish
- Tasting notes: Natural strawberry sweetness, no artificial candy notes
- Best for: DTL 50-70W
- VG/PG: 70/30
- Steep time: 3-5 days
- Complexity rating: 6/10 (intentionally simple)
- Customer feedback: "Finally, strawberry that tastes like actual strawberries"
Isolation - Mango (MTL)
- Profile: Alphonso mango, no ice
- Tasting notes: Ripe, sweet mango with slight tang
- Best for: MTL 12-18W
- VG/PG: 50/50
- Shake and vape friendly
- All-day vape potential: Excellent
Isolation - Grape Ice (Salts)
- Profile: Concord grape with menthol
- Tasting notes: Bold grape upfront, clean ice finish
- Best for: Pod systems, 20-50mg salts
- Coil life: Excellent (minimal sweetener)
- Value rating: Outstanding for quality
Flavor consistency: 9/10 - Isolation's simple formulas ensure remarkable batch-to-batch consistency.
Best use case: Vapers tired of overly complex blends who want clean, identifiable flavors that don't fatigue the palate.
Looters: The Budget King
Flavor philosophy: Maximum value without sacrificing too much quality—"good enough" done right.
Top sellers at Downtown Vapoury:
Looters - Berry Blast (Freebase)
- Profile: Mixed berries with light sweetness
- Tasting notes: Generic berry blend, pleasant but not complex
- Best for: DTL 55-75W
- VG/PG: 70/30
- Steep time: 5-7 days
- Complexity rating: 5/10
- Honest assessment: Not as refined as premium brands, but solid daily driver at the price
Looters - Lemon Lime (MTL)
- Profile: Citrus blend with cooling
- Tasting notes: Tart lemon-lime, refreshing
- Best for: MTL 10-16W
- VG/PG: 50/50
- Customer feedback: "Great summer vape, doesn't break the bank"
- Coil life: Good
Looters - Tobacco (Salts)
- Profile: Classic tobacco blend
- Tasting notes: Mild tobacco with slight sweetness
- Best for: Ex-smokers transitioning to vaping
- Pod compatibility: Universal
- Real talk: Won't fool anyone into thinking it's actual tobacco, but scratches the itch for R160
Flavor consistency: 7/10 - Occasional batch variation, but acceptable for the price point.
Value proposition: For vapers going through 120ml+ weekly, Looters makes premium vaping affordable. Expect 70-80% of premium flavor at 60% of the cost.
Explosion Series: The Fruit Specialists
Flavor philosophy: Fruit-forward boldness with uncompromising intensity—subtle is not in their vocabulary.
Top sellers at Downtown Vapoury:
Explosion - Watermelon Explosion (Freebase)
- Profile: Fresh watermelon with ice
- Tasting notes: Candy-sweet watermelon, aggressive cooling
- Best for: DTL 60-80W
- VG/PG: 70/30
- Steep time: 3-7 days
- Intensity rating: 10/10
- Warning: Extremely sweet, expect 7-10 day coil life
Explosion - Blackcurrant Explosion (MTL)
- Profile: Blackcurrant with light menthol
- Tasting notes: Dark fruit sweetness, berry tartness, cool finish
- Best for: MTL 12-18W
- VG/PG: 50/50
- Customer favorite: Top 3 seller at all Downtown Vapoury locations
- All-day vape: Yes, despite intensity
Explosion - Litchi Explosion (Salts)
- Profile: Lychee fruit with ice
- Tasting notes: Floral-sweet lychee, refreshing exhale
- Best for: Nic salt devices 25-35mg
- Uniqueness factor: Not many brands do lychee well—Explosion nails it
- Summer rating: Perfect for hot KZN days
Flavor consistency: 8/10 - Consistently bold, though sweetness levels can vary slightly.
Best use case: Vapers who want fruit flavors that punch you in the face (in a good way). Not for those seeking subtlety.
Price-to-Quality Ratio Analysis
120ml Longfill Comparison
| Brand | Price | Quality Score | Value Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost World | R320 | 9/10 | 8/10 | Flavor enthusiasts |
| Isolation | R280 | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | Clean flavor lovers |
| Looters | R250 | 7/10 | 10/10 | Budget vapers |
| Explosion | R300 | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | Fruit fanatics |
Analysis: Looters offers best pure value, but Isolation provides the sweet spot of quality and affordability. Lost World justifies premium pricing for complexity seekers.
30ml Nic Salt Comparison
| Brand | Price | Nicotine Options | Coil Life Impact | Flavor Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost World | R200 | 25mg, 35mg, 50mg | Moderate (sweetener) | Excellent |
| Isolation | R180 | 20mg, 35mg, 50mg | Excellent (clean) | Outstanding |
| Looters | R160 | 35mg, 50mg | Good | Good |
| Explosion | R190 | 25mg, 35mg, 50mg | Moderate | Very good |
Analysis: Isolation wins on coil longevity due to minimal sweeteners. Lost World offers most sophisticated salt flavors. Looters unbeatable for daily nic salt consumption on a budget.
MTL Ready-to-Vape (30ml)
Average pricing: R170-R220
Best value: Isolation (R170-R190) - excellent quality at entry-level pricing.
Premium pick: Lost World (R200-R220) - worth the extra R30 for complex flavors.
Budget choice: Looters (R160-R180) - does the job without complaints.
Fruit specialists: Explosion (R180-R200) - intense fruit delivery unmatched.
Best Use Cases by Device Type
Sub-Ohm Tanks (0.15-0.4Ω, 50-120W)
First choice: Lost World Freebase (70/30)
- Reason: Complexity shines through at higher temperatures
- Recommended wattage: 65-85W
- Top pick: Mystic Forest, Dragon Fruit blend
- Expected consumption: 15-25ml daily
Budget alternative: Looters Freebase (70/30)
- Reason: Affordable for high-volume DTL vaping
- Heavy vapers (30ml+ daily) save R100-R150 monthly
- Top pick: Berry Blast, Grape
Fruit lover's choice: Explosion Series (70/30)
- Reason: Bold fruit intensity perfect for cloud chasing
- Best in class for: Watermelon, Litchi, Tropical blends
- Warning: Sweet formulas—budget for frequent coil changes
MTL Tanks and Pods (0.8-1.4Ω, 10-25W)
First choice: Isolation MTL (50/50)
- Reason: Clean flavors don't mute in restricted airflow
- Extended coil life due to minimal sweetener
- Top picks: Strawberry Ice, Mango, Grape Ice
- Cost efficiency: Outstanding
Premium choice: Lost World MTL (50/50)
- Reason: Sophisticated flavors for discerning MTL vapers
- Best for: Flavor chasers who want complexity in MTL format
- Top picks: Tropical Paradise, Berry Medley
All-day option: Explosion MTL (50/50)
- Reason: Intense enough to satisfy without palate fatigue
- Refreshing ice variants perfect for all-day MTL
- Top picks: Blackcurrant, Watermelon, Litchi
Nic Salt Devices (Pod Systems)
First choice: Isolation Salts
- Reason: Clean formulation = 3-4 week pod life
- Sharp, clear flavors in small vapor volume
- Best nicotine strengths: 35mg for moderate, 50mg for heavy smokers
- Monthly cost: R360-R540 (2-3 bottles)
Dessert lovers: Lost World Salts
- Reason: Only SA brand doing dessert salts exceptionally well
- Caramel Custard is legendary
- Trade-off: Shorter pod life (2 weeks average)
- Worth it for: Special occasion vaping, evening treat
Budget daily driver: Looters Salts
- Reason: R160 for 30ml is unbeatable value
- Simple tobacco and fruit profiles work well in pods
- Best for: Heavy nic salt users (2+ pods weekly)
- Annual savings vs premium: R1,200-R1,800
Summer refresher: Explosion Salts
- Reason: Ice variants are perfectly calibrated for hot weather
- Litchi, Watermelon stand out as all-day options
- KZN customer favorite for coastal humidity
Customer Favorites: What's Flying Off Shelves
Downtown Vapoury Top Sellers (All Locations)
Freebase (120ml Longfills):
- Lost World - Mystic Forest
- Explosion - Watermelon Explosion
- Isolation - Strawberry Ice
- Looters - Berry Blast
- Explosion - Blackcurrant Explosion
Nic Salts (30ml):
- Isolation - Grape Ice (35mg)
- Explosion - Litchi (35mg)
- Lost World - Caramel Custard (25mg)
- Isolation - Strawberry Ice (50mg)
- Looters - Tobacco (50mg)
MTL (30ml Ready-to-Vape):
- Explosion - Blackcurrant MTL
- Isolation - Mango MTL
- Lost World - Tropical Paradise MTL
- Isolation - Strawberry Ice MTL
- Explosion - Watermelon MTL
Customer Testimonials
On Lost World: "I was skeptical about SA liquids matching international quality. Lost World's Mystic Forest changed my mind completely. The layering is sophisticated—you can taste the complexity evolve from inhale to exhale." - Mark D., Umhlanga regular
On Isolation: "Finally, a brand that doesn't overdo sweeteners. My pods last 3-4 weeks on Isolation salts versus 10 days on other brands. The grape ice is my all-day vape." - Sarah K., Salt Rock customer
On Looters: "I go through 200ml monthly. Looters makes that affordable. Sure, it's not as refined as premium brands, but for daily vaping it's more than good enough." - Thabo M., Overport customer
On Explosion: "When I want fruit flavors, nothing comes close to Explosion. The watermelon tastes like biting into fresh watermelon on a hot day. Intense in the best way." - Lisa R., Hillcrest regular
Supporting Local: The Bigger Picture
Choosing South African e-liquids isn't just about saving money—it's about supporting a growing industry:
Job creation: Local manufacturers employ mixologists, bottlers, quality control staff, sales teams, and distribution networks.
Quality innovation: SA brands compete on quality, driving continuous improvement across the industry.
Price pressure: Local options force international brands to price competitively in SA market.
Flavor localization: SA brands understand local preferences (more ice variants, specific fruit profiles popular in Mzansi).
Supply security: Local manufacturing means fewer import delays and stock shortages.
Economic circulation: Money spent on SA brands stays in SA economy, supporting other local businesses.
Regulatory compliance: Established SA brands comply with local regulations, ensuring product safety.
Manufacturing Standards
All four brands featured here manufacture to high standards:
ISO-certified facilities: Lost World and Explosion operate ISO 9001 certified production.
Ingredient quality: Pharmaceutical-grade VG/PG, food-grade flavorings, lab-tested nicotine.
Batch testing: Each batch undergoes quality control before distribution.
Safety compliance: Child-resistant caps, proper labeling, MSDS documentation.
Consistency protocols: Standardized mixing procedures ensure batch-to-batch uniformity.
Making Your Choice: Decision Framework
Choose Lost World if:
- Flavor complexity is your priority
- You appreciate layered, evolving taste profiles
- Budget allows for premium pricing
- You enjoy steeping liquids to unlock full potential
- Dessert and complex blends appeal to you
Choose Isolation if:
- You want clean, identifiable single flavors
- Coil longevity matters (tight budget for consumables)
- You prefer straightforward taste over complexity
- Consistency across batches is important
- You vape MTL or nic salts primarily
Choose Looters if:
- Budget is primary concern
- You consume high volumes (30ml+ daily)
- "Good enough" quality satisfies you
- You're new to vaping and testing preferences
- You want affordable entry into premium-ish vaping
Choose Explosion if:
- Fruit flavors are your preference
- You want bold, intense flavor impact
- Ice/cooling variants appeal to you
- You don't mind shorter coil life from sweeteners
- You live in hot climate (KZN summers)
Mix and Match Strategy
Many experienced vapers don't stick to one brand:
The Rotation Approach:
- Weekly heavy vape: Looters (budget-friendly)
- Special occasions: Lost World (premium experience)
- All-day work vape: Isolation (clean, consistent)
- Summer months: Explosion (refreshing ice variants)
Cost example:
- 3× Looters (360ml): R750
- 1× Lost World (120ml): R320
- 1× Isolation (120ml): R280
- 1× Explosion (120ml): R300
- Total: 720ml for R1,650 (R2.29/ml average)
vs. All premium international:
- 720ml premium imported: R2,700-R3,000
- Savings: R1,050-R1,350 monthly
Seasonal Considerations
Summer Recommendations (October-March)
Best performers: Explosion ice variants, Isolation fruit-ice combos
KZN's heat and humidity make cooling flavors essential. Explosion's aggressive ice and Isolation's balanced cooling dominate summer sales.
Winter Recommendations (April-September)
Best performers: Lost World desserts, warm fruit blends without ice
Cooler months see increased demand for custards, caramelized flavors, and non-ice fruit blends. Lost World's dessert line peaks in winter.
Where to Buy: Downtown Vapoury Advantage
Why buy from Downtown Vapoury:
- Stock freshness: High turnover ensures fresh batches
- Full range: All four brands, all formats, all flavors
- Expert staff: Personalized recommendations based on your preferences
- Sampling: Try before you buy at in-store tasting bars
- Loyalty pricing: Members get 5-10% off on bulk purchases
- Bundle deals: Mix-and-match discounts on 3+ bottles
Online convenience:
- Full catalog at www.downtownvapoury.co.za
- Detailed flavor descriptions and customer reviews
- Fast delivery across South Africa
- Same-day dispatch on orders before 2pm
Conclusion: Quality Without Compromise
South African e-liquid manufacturing has matured dramatically. Lost World, Isolation, Looters, and Explosion represent four different approaches to quality, pricing, and flavor philosophy—all successfully competing with international brands.
Lost World delivers premium complexity for flavor enthusiasts. Isolation provides clean, consistent quality at mid-range pricing. Looters makes vaping affordable for budget-conscious consumers. Explosion specializes in bold fruit intensity.
The winner? Whichever best matches your priorities, device, and budget. The real victory is having exceptional local options that save money while supporting SA industry.
Try all four. Find your favorites. Rotate based on mood and season. And take pride in knowing your vaping habit supports local manufacturers creating world-class products.
Explore All Four Brands at Downtown Vapoury
Ready to discover your new favorite SA e-liquid? Visit any Downtown Vapoury location to sample Lost World, Isolation, Looters, and Explosion Series. Our staff will help you find the perfect match for your device and taste preferences.
Shop online: www.downtownvapoury.co.za
Call: (031) 207 4219
Locations: Overport, Umhlanga, Salt Rock, Hillcrest
Supporting local has never tasted this good.