The INS300 Active Jacket and INS400 Performance Range are the result of listening to sailors across club racing, performance sailing, and everything in between.
What Drove the Design
Zhik builds for sailors who push gear hard. The 2026 inshore range was developed from direct observation on the water: how sailors layer, how they move, where coverage matters, where zips fail, and when a hood makes the difference between a comfortable race and a miserable one.
The INS400 and INS300 are the answer.
The INS400 Performance Range
The INS400 sits in the Performance Range.
It is built with an advanced stretch 3-layer construction with an improved 15K waterproof and 10K breathability rating thanks to its upgraded membrane. This delivers meaningful resistance to sustained spray and rain, while maintaining moisture management under exertion.
The fit has been engineered for technical layering with more space through the chest and shoulders. It has extended coverage at the back to cover the interface between jacket and bottoms when bent over a winch or driving through manoeuvres.
A 3-point adjustment stowable hood integrates cleanly without adding bulk. Deploy it when conditions build. Stow it when they ease.
Zip systems have been upgraded to premium SAB components for improved corrosion resistance and long-term durability.
The INS400 bottoms are available as salopette, pant and short, and share the same 15K/10K 3-layer construction.
The salopette introduces a redesigned support system: webbing shoulder straps replace elastic to eliminate bounce and prevent slip during movement. An anti-twist buckle system and structured back panel provide stable support across a full race day. And a micro-fleece lined wasit cinch allows for customised fit for both men and women.
The INS300 Active Jacket
The INS300 is the Active Range entry point.
The design brief for this jacket was simple: perform above its category. It does.
Built with a 2-layer construction. Lightweight, strong waterproof and breathability ratings, at a more accessible price than the INS400.
Hood included. Quality zippers. Fleece lining. A generous fit with extended length coverage.
For 2026, youth sizing has been introduced across the INS300 jacket range, making it the natural starting point for younger sailors and family sailing.
Membrane Architecture
Both the INS300 and INS400 now feature an upgraded PU microporous hydrophobic membrane.
This membrane construction provides improved waterproof durability and moisture management compared to the previous generation and many inshore jackets on the market.
The primary difference between the two lies in construction and rating:
- INS400: 3-layer, 15K/10K
- INS300: 2-layer, 10K/10K
The INS400 offers greater waterproof headroom under sustained exposure. The INS300 delivers dependable protection within inshore environments.
Both jackets are finished with a C0 DWR treatment to promote water beading while maintaining breathability.
Choosing Your System
The simplest framework is exposure and frequency.
INS400
Choose this if you sail regularly in demanding inshore or coastal conditions, race competitively, or require maximum layering flexibility. The 3-layer construction provides greater performance margin when weather builds.
INS300
Choose this if you sail primarily in moderate conditions, are newer to the sport, or want reliable inshore protection at a more accessible price point. For most club environments, it is more than capable.
Both jackets are designed to integrate across the range. Pair an INS400 jacket with INS400 salopette for maximum protection. Combine an INS300 jacket with INS400 bottoms when lower-body protection is the priority.
Continuous refinement is core to Zhik's approach. The 2026 inshore range is the proof, and it's available now.
