Yacht Racing Life is a reader-supported publication. If you enjoy our free content please consider signing up to receive our free email newsletter, or help the development of the website by becoming a paid subscriber.
Ever since Zhik helped power Charles Caudrelier’s Dongfeng Race Team to overall victory in the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, offshore sailors have increasingly turned to the Australian technical apparel brand for gaining that winning edge in the toughest of conditions.
Lessons and feedback from sailors of all levels continue to be fed back into the R&D process at Zhik, whose designers work closely with some of the best and most demanding competitors on the offshore scene.
During the summer Yoann Richomme and his team on Paprec Arkea wore Zhik as they competed in The Ocean Race Europe, in which the French team finished third overall. Then the grand prix focus shifted down under as a number of grand prix teams geared up for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.
The crew of two mighty Maxi yachts, LawConnect and Comanche, were decked out from head to toe in Zhik as they vied for another line honours victory in this often brutal 628-mile race.
Whatever separated the performance of these two leviathans for the 2025 edition of the race, it wasn't be the crew’s technical clothing as they were well matched in the latest edition of Zhik’s well-proven offshore range.
The tried and tested OFS800 offshore range and Seaboot 700, alongside the new OFS700 offshore range, Day Breaker jacket and salopette, and Waist Pack safety system, set the standard for performance, safety, and comfort in the harshest of conditions. Here’s a snapshot of what’s in the new line-up.
OFS800: elite offshore protection
The OFS800 is Zhik’s flagship ocean racing system. It blends next-generation three-layer laminate technology with ultra-lightweight construction and ergonomic shaping.
Built to withstand relentless offshore punishment while maintaining freedom of movement, the OFS800 employs advanced, often proprietary technologies such as the military-grade eVent bi-component membrane. This delivers a 24,000mm waterproof rating alongside a breathability rating (RET <5) that is critical for sustained periods of high activity.
This means sailors stay dry from the outside elements whilst avoiding the chilling, performance-sapping wetness caused by sweat on the inside.
OFS700: offshore endurance
with comfort Designed with the same high-performance DNA as the OFS800 but tuned for all-round offshore reliability, the new OFS700 offers sailors a balance of durability, warmth, and waterproofing with reduced bulk.
It’s ideal for tough offshore challenges like the Rolex Sydney Hobart where conditions can turn from glamour sailing weather to sheer survival in a matter of hours.
At the core of OFS700 is an advanced three-layer laminated fabric construction with a formidable 20,000mm waterproof rating and an equally high 20,000g/m² breathability rating.
Durability for offshore use is covered with 500D and 450D reinforced panels on high-wear areas like the seat and knees. The salopettes also have soft, breathable mesh suspenders and an abrasion-resistant multi-tool pouch.
For women, the convenience of a drop-seat entry in the salopettes is one example of how the OFS700 is focused on maximising long-term comfort at sea.
Seaboot 700: serious grip, serious protection
Engineered for maximum safety on wet, fast-moving decks, the Seaboot 700 is built in parentship with Soles by Michelin using a multi-compound rubber with high grip tread for superior traction.
Fully waterproof, lightweight and with targeted insulation, it gives sailors confidence underfoot, no matter how tough the conditions. Developed in collaboration with Soles by Michelin and eVent Fabrics, the Seaboot 700 feels closer to a lightweight, supportive performance shoe than a traditional, clunky sailing boot, offering reassuring levels of grip and agility on wet decks.
Day Breaker: crossover versatility
Designed for layering in offshore, inshore and lifestyle use, the Day Breaker jacket and salopette combine technical REPREVE recycled insulating materials with an easy-wear fit. It’s the perfect insulating midlayer set for sailors who need warmth that works on and off the boat.
Waist Pack: safety at your side
Zhik’s new Waist Pack safety system gives offshore crews fast, easy access to essentials like personal AIS, PLBs, or flares. Streamlined, lightweight, and body-fitting, it ensures critical safety kit is always within reach without restricting movement.
Zhik’s head of design, Drue Kerr, enjoyed seeing the new range in action on the fastest boats in the Sydney Hobart. ‘
With the OFS800 and OFS700 we aim to redefine what offshore protection feels like,’ he says. ‘It’s about keeping sailors dry and safe in the worst conditions but also agile, comfortable, and race-ready.
'We’ve tested this range extensively with some of the fastest offshore campaigns in the world. So we already know this gear won’t just do a great job of withstanding the elements, it’ll help the sailors push harder and go further.’
