Want to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to sailing equipment? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell which gear really is worth the price tag, and what technology is worth investing in. Well fear not, as we’ve compiled the best in class, most innovative, advanced products for life on board. This is the future of sailing…
Zhik Kiama / Kiama X Jacket & Trousers
This jacket and trouser combo are designed to work together to keep you warm on board, while still remaining unbelievably lightweight. They’re both packed full of clever technical features to see you perform at your very best out on the waves.
Take the jacket – it’s fully seam taped and has a waterproof Nylon shell with water repellent outer, so no matter how much it pours, you’re perfectly protected. It’ll keep you incredibly snug thanks to the fleece-lined pockets, long race cut and high quality lining.
The trousers are equally as impressive, thanks to their abrasion resistant seat and smooth nylon lining in the lower legs which make them easy to get on and off. They have plenty of pockets (including one for your knife), have a custom fit to allow personal comfort and are equally suitable for dinghy or yacht sailing.
A racer jacket is just the thing for withstanding tough conditions, while remaining lightweight and breathable. This one is possibly the lightest and most breathable EVER, yet fails to compromise on durability.
A particular triumph is the Optivision windowed hood, which provides excellent peripheral vision in racing and cruising situations. Slide Glide Technology helps reduce inter-layer binding when used in conjunction with mid-layers, which makes your outfit all the more comfortable.
These shoes might look like your average blue sneakers, but in actual fact they have a super power.
The high grip rubber sole and perforated neoprene upper makes them suitable to wear in water, as the tread pattern allows them exceptional levels of grip when wet. Your foot can breathe thanks to the anti-bacterial lining, while the shoes expertly drain water.
You can even wring them out. A sailor’s dream, right?
Available in both mens and womens options, the OS23JW has been specially designed using a female silhouette for a more comfortable fit. This matching jacket and trouser set from Gill has a drop seat for ease of use and moisture management fabric technology with a water repellent outer finish.
The hood on the jacket is something to be admired, with a three-way volume adjustment to ensure the perfect fit.
Throw in anti-corrosion zippers, heat formed prismatic reflective panels and fully taped seams and you’ve got a pretty perfect sailing combo.
An ideal device for SUP sessions, this waist belt conceals a 100 N floatation bladder that can be instantly inflatable with a quick pull of the cord. Not a bad thing to keep in the grab bag…
This is Helly Hansen’s warmest base layer, with the unique combination of Lifa and Merino wool. The wool contains lanolin and keratain that have powerful antibacterial properties, which help protect the garment from water and keep bad odours at bay.
It’s non–itch and looks super smart on its own, or under a jacket on chillier days.
Sailing in the UK is no joke come winter. Make sure you’re fully prepared for the cold with Zhik’s superwarm skiff suit.
The long John style suit uses all the latest 3D modelling technology to ensure this most durable, flexible and warm purchase. The fast-drying hydrobase inner lining provides extreme thermal insulation and incorporates multiple thickness across the body for maximum movement.
Wear with layers for these colder months, or on it’s own in warmer climes.
We all need a lifejacket we can rely on to hand, and this one doesn’t disappoint, with innovative 3D shaping to get that optimum fit and unique bladder distribution which provides turning solutions in less than three seconds. Impressive.
An ideal all-rounder, these lace-up boots create the perfect fit for your foot shape, even including removable and adjustable ankle straps. The high grip sole keeps you firmly planted, even in wet conditions, and the reinforced upper gives them enough durability to last for years to come. It’s a ‘one shoe suits all’ situation.
Good gloves never go amiss on board, and these are better than good. Their double later of reinforced Amara won’t absorb water and dries in no time, plus the inside-facing wrist closure prevents accidental starting of your racing watch. They’ve thought of everything, haven’t they? Even the pre-shaped construction which fits your natural hand shape. A clear winner here.
Check out the ergonomic profile on this buoyancy aid! It moves with your body like a second skin and has a low profile with easy access pocket openings. If you require extra protection, you can use this in conjunction with Kollition Impact padding as well, which transforms the PFD into an impact vest. Two products in one? Yes please…
A mesh panel in the back of this drysuit allows you extra freedom of movement – always handy when darting about onboard. It’s intelligent design comprises three layers to get that ultimate breathable feel, while also incorporating advanced waterproof properties to keep you dry as a bone. Comfort and style combine in this most technical bit of kit, which has now been updated to benefit from comfortable neoprene seals.
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