What To Wear Dinghy Sailing In Summer

There are few greater pleasures as a sailor than being out on the water on a warm day. Protecting yourself from the elements is vital when out on the ocean in any season — not just in the freezing cold, but also in the summer months when the sun is out and reflecting off the water. It’s all too tempting to shed all the layers you might wear in cooler weather, but each one has an important purpose in protecting you from the harsh elements. 

With this in mind, here's what to wear while sailing in the summer to ensure a safe, enjoyable sailing experience. 

• Sun Protection Tops 
• Trapeze Harnesses 
• Gloves 
• Microfleece 
• Dinghy Boots 
• Hybrid Skiff Suits 
• Headwear 

Zhik EcoSpandex and XWR tops provide ultimate protection from the sun, while their moisture-wicking technology will keep you cool and dry through even vigorous activity. This range of tops is great for a wide variety of activities, with sun protection tops for men and women available in both short and long sleeves. 

Among the Zhik Team athletes, these protective tops are an absolute favourite and are useful for all sorts of sports, from dinghy sailing to windsurfing and even casual onshore wear. 

For the best protection, choose a top made from fabric with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of at least 30 – this is the minimum to meet the Cancer Council Foundation’s recommendations. Zhik’s Eco Spandex and XWR tops are all crafted from UPF 50+ fabric, blocking out 98% of the sun’s harmful rays and giving you the best possible protection from the sun.

The Zhik Hybrid™ Skiff suit has helped many Olympic sailors across the Australian, New Zealand and Danish Sailing Teams perform at their best in hot weather. It is constructed from super comfortable, stretchy and breathable spandex material. It features abrasion-resistant panels and padding for a softer ride and durability, as well as UPF 50+ protection from the sun.  

The Hybrid™ suit's grid mesh spandex panels increase airflow and reduce bulk for ultimate flexibility and performance, making it perfect for hot summer climates.

Designed to handle almost any conditions out on the water and be suitable for both warm and cool conditions, the Zhik Microfleece Skiff Suit range is ideal for men and women who want versatility, value and extreme performance out on the water. Microfleece™ skiff suits combine stretchy thermal insulating neoprene with a fleece lining that keeps Olympic Medallist Lisa Darmanin performing on the water for longer, in a wide range of conditions. 

Dinghy smocks are ideal for competitive sailing in all conditions, providing you with a buffer against wind and water. However, if you’re facing extremely cold or even freezing conditions, you need a full-length, one-piece dinghy sailing drysuit. A dinghy sailing drysuit offers protection from head to toe, with plenty of space underneath for layering up with insulating baselayers and midlayers.

When you’re going dinghy sailing, choosing the right footwear is essential. The right type of shoes will be largely dependent on two factors: 1) the type of vessel you sail, and 2) the conditions you expect to face when venturing out.

When you’re on the hunt for the best shoes for dinghy sailing, you need to find a pair that balances grip and comfort. Look for a high-quality sole with plenty of traction, good flexibility, and quick-drying materials.

All Zhik dinghy sailing boots are fast-drying and ergonomically crafted to deliver a firm, close fit and reduce chafing. Our Split Toe Boot is the lightest in the range, with the split toe and adjustment strap offering lateral support and stability to the foot and reinforcement at common pressure points. Its ultra-lightweight fabrication makes this the perfect summer dinghy sailing shoe.

Our Low Cut Ankle Boot is another popular pick — designed for use with foot straps. This boot style is shaped on Zhik’s unique ergonomic lasts and features an ankle seal to help keep water and debris out of your shoe.

For high-intensity sailing or foiling, the Lightweight High Cut Boot offers additional support with a quick-lock lacing system and a moulded sole to allow you to better feel the boat’s movements. Our High Cut Boot is a great all-rounder and suitable shoe for year-round sailing, while our shoes designed for hiking feature an advanced interlocking stud pattern to connect boat and sailor for superior grip.

Dinghy sailing can be hard on your hands as they grip and slide on equipment and ropes, so a quality pair of dinghy sailing gloves is a must for any dinghy sailing enthusiast. Gloves protect your hands from blisters and rope burns, help keep your fingers warm and dry as you sail, and can provide you with extra grip to pull those sheets with precision.

For winter sailing, full-fingered neoprene dinghy sailing gloves are the best option, though when the weather’s warmer, short-fingered gloves allow for more dexterity. Zhik’s G1 series is ideal for lightweight grip in warmer conditions. Both the half-finger gloves and full-finger sailing gloves are ergonomically designed for comfort, with reinforcement at the palm and padding in key areas for additional comfort and a strong breathable upper.

Our high-performance G2 series of dinghy sailing gloves feature Kevlar stitching and palm and finger reinforcement for enhanced durability, an abrasion-resistant outer face, and an extended finger grip.

For extreme conditions in cold climates, we also offer the Superwarm Glove, a thermal insulated 3mm neoprene glove engineered to keep frostbite away during long days in freezing conditions. For those looking for an ultimate lightweight glove with flexibility, high sensitivity and grip, try the Tactical Gloves that feature a soft and seamless Nylon liner with a high grip sandy latex coated palm.

Hiking can get uncomfortable quickly without the help of some cleverly designed accessories and aids, such as hiking pants or pads, hiking boots and straps. Hikers and hiking pants feature padded coverings positioned on the backs of the thighs to help support your legs and spread your weight over a larger area, taking the pressure off your legs.

Zhik’s revolutionary Microfleece Hikers features fibreglass-embedded hiking pads and a panelled seat for a comfortable, highly durable ride. Already have a dinghy sailing wetsuit at home? For a more versatile option, try our lightweight Zhik Powerpads, which are designed to be worn under any of our wetsuits. Made from innovative carbon fibre, they feature a compression sleeve to aid muscle performance and increase breathability.

Hiking straps are another essential for the sport, holding your feet down, so you’re able to hike harder while staying attached to your boat. We have a variety of hiking straps on offer, all of which have been crafted from durable nylon and rubber, and designed to connect and lock with our dinghy sailing footwear via our innovative interlocking stud pattern for a safe, firm connection.

While popular all year round, trapeze sailing is the ultimate summer sailing sport that requires agility, strength and maneuverability. The Zhik range of trapeze harnesses is at the forefront of innovation and is some of the best gear for trapeze sailing on the market. 

Reliable impact protection is crucial when you’re engaging in high-intensity water sports such as foiling and skiff sailing. High-intensity sailing is a force to be reckoned with, and even the most experienced sailor needs to ensure they’re well protected in the event of a sudden impact with their vessel, equipment attached to it or the water around them.

Zhik helmets are constructed from impact-resistant ABS, thin, lightweight EVA, and lined with Hydrobase to wick away moisture, with all these features working together to offer superior safety and strength with airflow, temperature regulation and drainage.

Our P2 PFDs and T3 Trapeze Harness also feature our Kollition™ Impact pad system, engineered to keep you safe from hard hits whilst staying streamlined and flexible to not get in the way.

Personal floatation devices (PFDs) are another item to put at the top of your list of non-negotiable sailing dinghy accessories. Wearing a PFD might just save your life when you’re out on the water, and Zhik’s PFDs provide the ultimate in safety, comfort and style. When choosing the best PFD for dinghy sailing, our P3 and USCG Approved versions offer sleek lines, minimal straps and buckles, side seam entry and are easily adjustable, while our P2 dinghy sailing PFD also offers important impact protection thanks to our Kollition™ Impact pad system.

In summer, it’s important to stay protected and comfortable in the sun. Our lightweight and stretchy Zhik Visors and Sports Caps are popular with sailers to keep the sun and water out of their eyes so they can focus on performing at their best. The visor is designed to fit your head size with ease, featuring a durable and fast-drying outer fabric. The cap has 5-panel construction with laser cut holes for added ventilation and is also easily adjustable to fit your head size.