Gear: Zhik Takes it Offshore
Nothing puts miles on gear, a boat, or a sailor like a distance race. Sailing around the clock, you might get in as many miles in a week as your slip neighbor does all season, and that wear and tear just compounds when you’re in harsh conditions. That’s why brands do not take outfitting a sailor for an around the world race lightly.
Zhik has been proud to support Yoann Richomme in his 2024/25 Vendée Globe campaign, which is predicted to draw to a close in roughly a week. At the moment, it looks like he and current fleet leader Charlie Dalin will be battling it out for the top of the podium right down to the end.
Outfitted with Zhik’s OFS800 and OFS900 ranges, Richomme has complimented his gear partners and acknowledged them as part of a successful campaign.
“Zhik’s offshore gear has been instrumental in maintaining my focus and performance during this Vendée Globe,” said Richomme. “The technology and comfort they provide are unmatched, giving me confidence in every leg of this journey.”
Launched first, OFS900 is the more heavy-duty line, while the OFS800 combines takeaways from the 900 series with new fabric technology in a lower profile package (their partners, eVent, manufacture military grade breathable membranes).
Zhik has included three true, heavy duty offshore smocks in their offshore ranges. This innovative apparel makes particular sense when you consider Zhik’s place in the dinghy gear market. Their expertise in designing for sporty, smaller boats has translated cleverly into designing for sporty, bigger boats. And while other brands do make offshore smocks, Zhik seems to have invested a lot of thought and attention into refining the idea and making it their own.
Two of these pullover outer layers combine gaskets around the neck with the more standard offshore high collar and hood configuration to prevent water ingress in the most extreme environments. Anyone who’s worn a drysuit knows that you wouldn’t want to live in one of those choke collars for months on end; so, between Zhik’s three offshore smock options, there are three different collar designs and materials (standard latex, neoprene, and ReziSeals composite latex) and the wearer can choose the right balance between comfort and waterproofing for the task at hand.
The OFS900 smock in particular is quite long and has a hood and collar combination that protects the entire face, all but guaranteeing the wearer stays dry. Both lines include a jacket, smock, and salopettes, and the SFS800 has the second lower profile smock more suited for high mobility and dousing spray. The 800 salopettes are cut to be less bulky than other designs, and feature much lower profile ankle closures than similar alternatives. In addition to reducing chafing wear and tear, this will also improve the fit when combining them with tall offshore sailing boots.
The 800 range comes in black and red, while the 900s are only available in red (which will be the much easier of the two to spot in the event of an MOB). Both are only available in unisex sizing.
It’s a long slog around the world, and in particular through the Southern Ocean where sun can be rare, storms frequent, and temperatures low. Water needs to be kept out because once it’s in, it doesn’t dry. Zhik seems to have considered every aspect of performance offshore and made gear from the ground up to keep their sailors safe.
As the official gear partner of the Kiwi SailGP team, Comanche’s latest efforts, and Richomme’s campaign, they’re clearly doing something right.
To follow the Vendée Globe race tracker, click here.
For more on the OSF800 line, click here.
And for more on the OSF900 line, click here.
January 2025
