This young Aussie brand is positively fizzing with innovative ideas and hell-bent on shaking things up. Its attitude appealed to Johnny Rodgers too, who joined as Zhik’s head of marketing after more than 10 years as an Olympic class coach with the Australian sailing team.
‘Zhik has always appealed to me as the leader in high-end garments helping athletes win medals,’ says Rodgers. ‘With my commercial background in brand marketing, I liked that Zhik was a disruptor in the industry. It's my mission to carry that on and have some fun along the way.’
Testament to the scale of its ambition is the gilded roster of sailors joining Zhik for this wild ride. Most recently Yoann Richomme wore Zhik’s OFS900 and OFS800 ranges and the Seaboot 900 while racing into second place in the Vendée Globe on board his new Imoca Paprec Arkéa.
Just days before that the crew of the 100ft Juan K-designed supermaxi LawConnect secured back-to-back line honours wins in the Rolex Sydney Hobart fully clad in Zhik kit. It turned out to be a brutal edition in which two sailors lost their lives. With LawConnect averaging 17kts across the course and top speeds above 30kts, staying dry, comfortable and able to perform at your best was no mean feat. Chris Nicholson, tactician, watch leader and second-in-command, explains the challenge his crew faced.
‘We had heavy downwind with 20-40kts and then a front with reaching in 30-35kts,’ Nicholson says.’ In those conditions you are looking for something – anything – to make you more comfortable and the Zhik gear is able to do this. I was using the new-style boots, thermals and the OFS900.’
On the choice of the OFS900 smock or jacket, he makes the decision most grand-prix tacticians would: ‘I run the smock regardless due to the dry seals. I don’t usually have the time to swap between.
‘The smock has very little in the way of features, that’s one of its main strengths – a top that fits well, is waterproof and comfortable.
‘The jacket has more features so if I sat on the rail for long periods of time I would use the jacket, but I am in and out of the nav station, driving the boat and communicating a lot so the smock is my preferred choice.
‘The pockets on the salopettes are good, along with the ankle Velcro arrangement. What I like about Zhik is its innovation, continued improvement on materials and a great bunch of employees.’
The crew of LawConnect gave very positive feedback about the latest Zhik gear after winning the Sydney Hobart for the second year in a row.
The focus on innovation in its rigorous R&D programme for OFS900, OFS800 and the Seaboot 700 and 900 is quite deliberate: this is not a company that takes the easy route. The OFS900 range was designed on a blank slate, as head of design Drue Kerr explains: ‘The OFS900 was developed first and shaped by our involvement in the Volvo Ocean Race.
‘Zhik was foul weather gear supplier to the Dongfeng Race Team in the 2014-15 and 2017-18 editions, winning the second with Charles Caudrelier leading a starstudded crew). It had to be a tough, highly durable and rugged offshore solution designed to withstand extreme conditions.
‘Balancing waterproofness, breathability and durability is always a challenge as these three elements typically counteract one another,’ Kerr explains. ‘We wanted to ensure long-term waterproofness and breathability, and that led us to develop the five-layer Isotak fabric and a unique seam-sealing system we called Qulock – those were the real eureka moments. We had the fabric independently tested and it was confirmed to have four times more waterproof durability than the best ePTFE fabric.’
‘The OFS900 underwent a significant development phase, working closely with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to devise a new testing methodology,’ Kerr continues. ‘A key breakthrough was the machine we created with RMIT, it’s essentially a tumbler that simulates real-world wear over extended periods.’
The blue-sky thinking didn’t stop at fabrics, seam sealing and testing methodologies. ‘For the OFS900, adaptability is key,’ Kerr adds. ‘It features a zip-off hood and interchangeable storm covers, allowing sailors to customise their gear based on conditions.
‘Just on the hood, we have also developed and patented the Hydrovision anti-fogging hood system. It’s more like a transparent visor than a standard hood peak, which doubles the vertical field of vision compared with a conventional hood while giving great spray protection. The jacket’s main zip is the drysuit-spec YKK Aquaseal, then we developed another new patent, Reziseal, which gives the smock wearer drysuit-standard soft wrist and neck seals that are tear- and UVresistant. Durability and ruggedness define the OFS900 range.
‘The OFS800, by contrast, was created to take those learnings and apply them to a more versatile, highperformance offshore jacket, striking a balance between breathability, waterproofing and weight without compromising durability. The OFS800 uses market-leading materials and laminates to create a dynamic, lightweight offshore garment. The moment of realisation came when we identified eVent, an advanced membrane technology that outperforms even Gore-Tex. This allowed us to create a more agile and breathable offshore solution while maintaining durability.’
‘OFS800 prioritises performance with features like a dynamically integrated hood that moves with the sailor’s head, ensuring clear vision in extreme conditions. It also incorporates innovative sun-blocking windows that reduce glare without compromising visibility. Its lightweight construction makes it ideal for fast-paced offshore racing while maintaining the robustness needed for prolonged exposure to the elements.’
Anyone who has ever worked on a wave-washed foredeck will understand the fundamental importance of a boot that doesn’t leak and gives you the grip you need to keep your feet where you want them to be. The Seaboot 700 again showcases a no-holds barred approach to innovative thinking and uncompromising standards. ‘We worked with Michelin to develop a high-performance sole for superior grip,’ adds Kerr, ‘while our collaboration with a leading membrane supplier allowed us to create a boot that genuinely breathes without compromising water resistance. The removable zip-up gaiter adds another layer of adaptability, offering a streamlined, adjustable fit that hasn’t been seen before in offshore footwear. It’s a sneaker feel, with Seaboot performance.’
Zhik’s Seaboot 700 is winning fans all the time. Chief cheerleader following his Sydney Hobart experience is LawConnect’s Chris Nicholson, who said: ‘They stayed dry but the best, I think, was the comfort level and grip. It sounds fussy but it's really nice using a lightweight boot that’s comfortable when spending a lot of time on your feet.’
With so much investment in research and development, Zhik is clearly determined to become an even bigger player in this market than it already is, as head of marketing Johnny Rodgers outlines: ‘Zhik is embarking on a journey to become a leading watersports brand – and not just in sailing. With the tagline “Made for Water”, we have recently formed multi-year partnerships in the paddle and rowing space globally. Ultimately we are looking for major growth and to be known as a leader in the water activity world.’
Zhik’s ambition and commitment to excellence has attracted a slew of top-class talent. ‘Our current stable of teams and ambassadors all represent something different,’ Rodgers says.
‘Most are performance driven: Marit Bouwmeester in the ILCA, 49er sailors Diego Botín and Florián Trittel (all three are Olympic champions and world sailors of the year 2024), Pete Burling and Blair Tuke (three-time America’s Cup winners), Hattie Rogers (female 2025 Moth world champion), Jacob Pye (2023 UK world Moth open winner) to name just a few. It’s also super-cool to be in partnership with SailGP and Paprec, teams who are equally driven by sustainability.
‘Zhik inherently fits into the high-performance end of the market. For those who love to win, from Olympic champions to local club champions, we have something for you.’
