Rob B
Well-Known Member
Well I had my big sea trial for my new gear this weekend at a regatta in Charleston, SC.
The Zhik hiking strap and matching “power” hiking booties were nothing short of perfect. I have never felt so connected to the boat and secure in the hiking strap. I totally recommend these items. The only downside of the booties is that they are not intended to be “foot protection” against rocks or shells. However, the soft bottoms allow you to “feel” where your feet are in the boat. It’s the next best thing to sailing barefoot and they allowed me to better feel when the sheet was tangled around them and MUCH easier to free the sheet when it got around my feet.
The SEA 2 mil skiff pants were great as well. The padded bottom and knee pads worked exactly as I had intended. I wanted a light weight full length pant that would not hold water and allow for good knee protection. I highly recommend these.
Zhik “Power Pads” individual hiking pads worked great. They did slip down just a bit during the races, but no more than regular hiking pants, (just to the top of your knees). I was able to re-adjust them between races even though they were under my SEA skiff pants. They provided great hiking support with less weight and the outfit was great for a hot summer day.
Gill long sleeve rash guard over my OLD Musto Type 1 life jacket provided a great low profile and slim fitting, class legal, combination. This is what I’m sticking to from now on. I do miss the pockets from my Soloquest jacket, but I can tuck stuff into the side of me SEA skiff pants and it holds a few things like small sunscreen and chapstick.
The Zhik hiking strap and matching “power” hiking booties were nothing short of perfect. I have never felt so connected to the boat and secure in the hiking strap. I totally recommend these items. The only downside of the booties is that they are not intended to be “foot protection” against rocks or shells. However, the soft bottoms allow you to “feel” where your feet are in the boat. It’s the next best thing to sailing barefoot and they allowed me to better feel when the sheet was tangled around them and MUCH easier to free the sheet when it got around my feet.
The SEA 2 mil skiff pants were great as well. The padded bottom and knee pads worked exactly as I had intended. I wanted a light weight full length pant that would not hold water and allow for good knee protection. I highly recommend these.
Zhik “Power Pads” individual hiking pads worked great. They did slip down just a bit during the races, but no more than regular hiking pants, (just to the top of your knees). I was able to re-adjust them between races even though they were under my SEA skiff pants. They provided great hiking support with less weight and the outfit was great for a hot summer day.
Gill long sleeve rash guard over my OLD Musto Type 1 life jacket provided a great low profile and slim fitting, class legal, combination. This is what I’m sticking to from now on. I do miss the pockets from my Soloquest jacket, but I can tuck stuff into the side of me SEA skiff pants and it holds a few things like small sunscreen and chapstick.