The new ZK Seaboot 900 is a marine clothing product created as a direct result of Zhik’s partnership with team AkzoNobel and the Dongfeng Race Team, overall winners of the recent Volvo Ocean Race.

Designed for serious, long-distance offshore racers and professional sailors who wear their boots day in day out, the ZK Seaboot 900 offers more support, comfort and performance, whilst retaining its agile and responsive feel.

Following extensive hours of testing, on constantly moving and steeply heeling Volvo 65 decks, the arch, heel and ankle areas are reinforced internally and externally to keep the foot secure. The boots give excellent lateral support to reduce the risk of ankle injury from twists, turns or knocks whilst working the deck, yet without hindering your up and downward movements, ankle flexion and extension, as you move quickly.

Liz Wardley, boat captain on board Turn the Tide on Plastic commented during the Volvo Ocean Race, “We are heading South with a lot more confidence now thanks to you guys….I was stoked with Seaboots, and have been wearing them ever since so I don’t really want to change.”

The high grip, moulded deep rubber sole provides exceptional confidence across slippery decks and adds insulation and comfort underfoot. ZK Seaboot 900 is made with a combination of highly durable rubber and a cosy neoprene upper for warmth and longevity. All individually tested during production, the boots are 100% waterproof and sealed, with an integrated external gaiter to prevent water ingress in extreme conditions.

ZK Seaboot 900 will be available to retailers in March 2019 The RRP of the: ZK Seaboot 900 is £249.95, €279.95, US$299.99 and AUS$429.95

Zhik’s bright new Z-Cru™ jackets breathe new life into the myriad of crew sailing jackets on the market and feature some neat technical detailing, in line with Zhik’s ethos of disrupting the status quo in order to move technical clothing design forwards.

Designed for milder sailing conditions and casual boating, the Z-Cru is for stylish wear both on and off the water and is a versatile, warm, fully waterproof team jacket. Z-Cru is breathable and made from a light two-layer laminate fabric with fully taped seams.

Inside the sleeves the lining is made with Taffetta panels for easy dressing when pulling on and off over other layers, preventing layer-snagging which can be annoying when in mid-gybe! Zhik’s soft, water-repellent Avlare® fabric is used to create a comfortable and effective inner cuff. Throughout, the jacket is lined with strategically placed mesh and fleece panels for warmth and breathability, and a mesh tailpiece for better air circulation.

Styled to create an overall sleek and minimalist look, with bio-motion seaming to aid movement, the panel layouts have been positioned to create large customisable areas to carry team branding too. An internal and external chest pocket and fleece lined, zipped hand-warmers are discreetly placed to continue the sleek lines.

Available in Men’s sizes XS-XXXL and Women’s sizes XS-XL the wide choice of contemporary colours include Lime, Flame Red, Dew, Navy, Black and White. RRP: €139.95

The Zhik range is available from leading Irish chandleries such as CH Marine and Viking Marine

While stocks last CH Marine Chanldery is continuing its Zhik marine clothing sale.

The Cork store has value across the Australian brand range including a Superwarm skiff suit €195 and a Superwarm Top €155.

Other examples include Microfleece skiff suits €169, Aroshell jackets €199, Avlare tops €115 and Zhik shoes at €65. 

More from CH Marine directly here

Right now, on Sunday mornings, do you feel your fingers are about to drop off at Cork Harbour's Winter Leagues? Or Dublin Bay's Turkey Shoot or DMYC Dinghy Frostbites? Innovative Australian sailing gear manufacturer Zhik think they have the answer to the age–old sailor's problem of freezing hands.

The new Zhik Overglove draws inspiration from mountain sports to offer the perfect combination of warmth and dexterity for offshore sailing on colder climates. The three finger “lobster” split design allows more traction, yet the added benefit of having a second appendage closeby. The extremely durable and 4x more waterproof Isotak® fabric is the outermost layer of protection with softer fleece inserts on forearms, and additional grip on finger length of the fingers. Overgloves have fully sealed seams and a drawstring cord closes the glove around your arm.

Zhik Superwarm Glove

New for the winter season is the Zhik Superwarm Glove, a 4-layer super stretch neoprene with a water repellent outer layer, with glued and blind stitched seams to aid protection. The gloves are ergonomically shaped and the seams positioned to aid your hand’s natural grip and movement. Featuring a quick dry fleece inner lining and a reinforced grippy silicone palm, these gloves will be ideal for Frostbite sailing and cruising.

G2 Half Finger Glove

The Zhik Full Finger and Short Finger Gloves are for the active deckhand and offer all round protection in dinghies, sports boats and yacht sailing. An ergonomic pre-shaped pattern designed with your hands go-to actions in mind. Kevlar stitching and properly placed seams for maximum durability, as well as, keeping in mind placement to eliminate pressure points over long passages of time by the addition of paneling. Heavily durable outer face with hi-vis reflective pieces for added crew visibility and safety in low light and night sailing.

RRP:
Zhik Isotak Overgloves, Unisex sizes, M/L and XL/XXL, £82.00; €95.00
Zhik Superwarm Gloves, Unisex sizes, XS - XXL, £48.00; €59.00
Zhik Full Finger and Half Finger Gloves, Unisex sizes, XS - XXL, £43.00; €49.95

The Zhik range is available from leading Irish chandleries such as CH Marine and Viking Marine

Zhik's New Isotak X Ocean Sailing Range Has Won the international DAME Award for marine clothing.

The Jury was immediately drawn to the Isotak X range thanks to its clever Adaptive Collar System, as Afloat.ie previously reported here, which provides for a series of different collars and hoods tone selected according to the weather conditions, and its Hydrovision Hood which is designed to improve face protection while providing greater visibility than the norm.

The judges said the Australian made kit was an excellent example of how products we all take for granted can still be redesigned to provide a better user experience.

The Zhik range is available from leading Irish chandleries such as CH Marine and Viking Marine

Australian sailing clothing specialist, Zhik’s innovative new ‘modular’ ocean racing gear, Isotak X has been nominated for a DAME Award at METS 2017, the important Marine world trade fair in Holland next month.

The all new Zhik Isotak X ocean range is the result of extensive development work with the Dongfeng Race Team and team AkzoNobel, who are currently wearing it in their quest to win the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18. 

According to Liz Rushall of Zhik, the breakthrough Isotak® X design developments includes:

• the new Hydrovision™ hood with a completely clear ‘see through’ visor to protect the face and give great all round vision
• the ‘Adaptive™’ hood and collar on the Isotak X Ocean Smock and Drysuit, enabling the modular hood-collar unit to be inter-changed with different balaclavas for different weather conditions
• newly enhanced Reziseal™ system for the neck and cuffs - soft, stretchy, durable and comfortable and fantastic at keeping water out. 

In Ireland, Zhik is available from leading chandleries including Viking Marine and CH Marine

Zhik’s Kiama Coat is designed for keeping warm in cold and wet conditions, especially when you are already wet. Whether you are rigging the boat in driving rain, sitting it out between races or in the coach boat in bad weather, this coat is for you.

Practical and versatile, Kiama Coat is a cosy, insulated long-fitting jacket that is waterproof inside and out. The waterproof, breathable lightweight shell on the inside, as well as the outer, means the jacket can go on over damp shore jackets and wet sailing gear, preventing chilling between races or when rigging and de-rigging in a cold boat park. It’s also ideal for coaches, instructors, race committees and safety crews who are often standing static whilst they are working afloat.

The jacket has adjustable PU wrist seals, taped seams in all the key areas, large fleecy side entry zip pockets and inner zipped pockets.

Kiama Coat is available in Black or Ash, unisex sizes XS to XXXL, RRP: €299 from selected Irish chandleries such as Viking Marine and CH Marine

Kiama X is Zhik’s new range of marine clothing is designed for coastal sailing and boating. It is for premium levels of comfort it is tailored specifically for women and men to enable free movement with a sleek fit.

The high cut, fleece lined collar neatly houses the hi-vis offshore hood for all weather protection. Plus, the self-coloured reflective elements are discreetly positioned around the jacket. They only show when they are needed, giving it a sleek look and making it ideal for onshore wear too.

The jacket fabric is a two layer waterproof breathable using a laminated membrane that shares the same core technology as Zhik’s highly durable Isotak® offshore fabric. A super soft, wicking fleece inner lining adds to insulation and comfort levels along with fleece lined hand warmer pockets. 

Generous storage is catered for with roomy, secure cargo pockets and a large zippered chest pocket. A 600 denier, abrasion resistant nylon is extensively used for the jacket seat, and also on the matching Kiama trousers. All seams are fully taped using Zhik’s proprietary Qulock™ system and, along with adjustable cuffs, Kiama X has everything the majority of coastal cruising sailors need to keep the water out.

Kiama X Jacket:

Available in Black and Flame Red

Men’s sizes XS - XXXL; Women’s size XS - XL

RRP €365.00

Kiama Trousers

Available in Black

Unisex Sizes XS - XXXL

RRP €365.00

Innovative specialist sailing apparel manufacturer Zhik has been selected by team AkzoNobel as its official technical clothing partner for the upcoming edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The crew will race across four oceans and encounter some of the most extreme weather conditions known to man during their nine-month circumnavigation. From the freezing waters and winds of the southern latitudes, to the sweltering heat of the equatorial zones, the sailors will rely on Zhik’s technology and design expertise to keep them operating at peak performance.

“Staying warm and dry when it is wet and cold, and keeping cool when the temperatures soar is not just a ‘nice-to-have’ option,” said team AkzoNobel skipper and two-time Volvo Ocean Race competitor Simeon Tienpont. “Having the right technical clothing is critical in the Volvo Ocean Race and my previous experience with Zhik makes them the right company to partner with.”

AkzoNobel is the world’s leading manufacturer of the organic peroxides that are used as essential ingredients to produce the type of hi-tech fabrics that feature in Zhik’s products.

Commented Zhik CEO, David Crow: “We are extremely excited to partner with such an innovative and forward-thinking company as AkzoNobel for the Volvo Ocean Race. Our world class, hi-tech performance yachting gear, combined with AkzoNobel’s drive for innovation and its winning culture, mean this is sure to be a superb partnership.”

Bart Milczarczyk, global head of design at Zhik, said the opportunity to collaborate with the team AkzoNobel sailors made the partnership all the more unique and innovative.

“The elite athletes at team AkzoNobel will push our products to the limit in the extreme conditions of the Volvo Ocean Race,” he said. “Their feedback and development ideas will help us create breakthrough solutions in the ocean racing space and create an innovation pipeline that shapes the future of sailing apparel for everyone.”

Zhik is available in Ireland through CH Marine