Whether you’re an experienced dinghy sailor looking to upgrade your kit, or you’re new to dinghy sailing and need to pick up some essentials, Zhik makes some of the very best dinghy sailing gear on the market. High-quality, performance-focussed dinghy sailing gear is crucial to keep you comfortable, safe and at the top of your game on the water. But, it can be confusing to know where to get started. Let’s go over the essentials you need and find your next piece of dinghy sailing equipment.
- Climate-appropriate Dinghy Sailing Clothing
- Spray protection
- Dinghy sailing boots
- Dinghy sailing gloves
- Hiking aidsImpact protection gear (optional)
- Personal flotation device
Dinghy Sailing Clothing
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to choosing dinghy sailing gear — which is honestly half the problem sometimes. Ultimately, weather and climate will play a huge role in shaping the kind of clothing you need to go dinghy sailing. Whatever you choose, it’s essential that you choose the right dinghy sailing gear for the conditions you expect to face.
UV Protective Sailing Clothes for Warm-Moderate Climates
Keeping your skin safe against harsh UV rays is vital when you’re out on the water. If you’re dinghy sailing in warm, sunny climates, one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your arms, back and chest is with a sun protective sailing top. 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 Eco Spandex range of tops is created from 100% recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste. The result is a performance fiber that contains unique properties including moisture wicking, water repellency, and adaptive warming and cooling. Along with this, the range boasts a high gauge knit that provides a stretch of over 200% to provide ultimate flexibility and comfort. You can view the entire Eco Spadex range here.
The XWR men's and women's tops are designed with a high stretch and super lightweight woven fabric that simply bounces water off it, helping shield you against wind and water chill, while keeping you dry. Breathable so you don’t over sweat and with UPF 50+ sun protection these comfortable and soft tech tops are great for high-performance activities.
Wetsuits and Technical clothing for Hot Climates
High temperatures require a unique set of gear to stay competitive. Constructed from super comfortable, super stretchy and breathable spandex, Hybrid Gear™ will keep you cool and light for maximum performance in warm and hot conditions. The hybrid range is perfect to use when the sea and air temperatures are warm enough that a wetsuit is not required for warmth but sun and abrasion protection are still needed. The range comprises both a skiff suit and pants which are created from lightweight, stretchy, and breathable spandex material but still include abrasion-resistant panels in key locations to give protection and longevity. View the full Hybrid range here.
Alternatively, our Eco Spandex series is our ultimate lightweight range of protective tops and bottoms. The range consists of super soft and breathable tops, pants and shorts created from 100% Repreve recycled Nylon fabric that provides unrestricted movement and comfort. View the full range of Eco Spandex here.
Wetsuits and Technical clothing for Warm-Moderate Climates
Dinghy sailing wetsuits are skin-level layers designed to protect you from the elements, so you can enjoy your time on the water in comfort and safety. Made from neoprene or natural foam, dinghy sailing wetsuits trap a layer of water between the material and your skin. This forms a warm layer that stops you from getting cold. Zhik's dinghy sailing wetsuits are crafted from many of our own engineered materials, developed to keep you comfortable in specific conditions.
Zhik's range of Microfleece™ Performance and X wetsuits are perfect for warm and moderate conditions and come in many different styles including tops, pants, shorts and skiff suits. Tops and bottoms (shorts or pants) give you more flexibility in deciding how much or how little insulation you want. The only thing to watch is to make sure your combination stays tucked in. The skiff suit option offers a combination that won’t come untucked and provides effective insulation for your core, whilst the uninsulated arms help prevent you from overheating when you’re highly active.
Our Microfleece™ range of men’s and women’s dinghy wetsuits is created using 1mm super-stretch thermal insulating neoprene in the Performance Range and YULEX foam in the X Range. The innovative technology behind our Microfleece™ X and Microfleece™ Performance wetsuit items makes them versatile enough to be suitable for many conditions and are the number one choice of world-class athletes around the world. The X range of wetsuits includes a multitude of additional features including Natural Yulex® foam construction, heat-retaining graphene-infused lining for optimal insulation, a slimline thigh pocket and much more. View the full range of Microfleece™ X and Microfleece™ Performance items here.
For warm to moderate conditions, our water-repellent, breathable, high-stretch, lightweight, woven XWR Pro technical tops for men and women are a high-performer. XWR Pro features UPF 50+ sun protection combined with water repellent fabric that simply bounces water off it, making this fabric ideal for summertime high-performance activities. View the XWR range here.
Wetsuits and Technical clothing for Cold-Freezing Climates
For cold and freezing water, the durable and flexible Superwarm® Range has been engineered with an insulating and fast-drying fleece lining for peak performance in chilly waters.
With our dinghy sailing wetsuits, technological innovation is at the core of our performance items. With a focus on comfort, flexibility and sustainability, our specially engineered materials support peak dinghy sailing performance. Our Superwarm® X and Superwarm® Performance wetsuits are durable, flexible and – most importantly – warm enough to keep you comfortable in the coldest conditions. Combining 3mm super stretch thermal insulating neoprene, in the Performance Range and natural YULEX Foam in the X Range, with our fast-drying Hydrobase® fleece lining, the wetsuits provide essential warmth and allow maximum body heat retention. Designed to keep you super warm in the coldest conditions this Superwarm Range is an essential choice for performing at your peak when temperatures are at their lowest.
The X range of wetsuits includes a multitude of additional features including Natural Yulex® foam construction, heat-retaining graphene-infused lining for optimal insulation, a slimline thigh pocket and much more. View the full range of Superwarm™ X and Superwarm™ Performance items here.
Spray Protection: Drysuits and Dinghy Smocks
Drysuits and dinghy smocks are essential for performance dinghy sailing and training in colder or more extreme conditions but aren’t necessary in all climates and conditions. Fully waterproof and breathable, dinghy sailing smocks are lightweight outer shells that offer protection from the elements in moderate conditions on the water. Our Performance Smock features 3-layer Vecta fabric for superior waterproofing and breathability, while the adjustable neck, wrist and waist protect against water entry. Zhik smocks are even designed with room to wear a PFD underneath.
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.
Dinghy Sailing Boots
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 dinghy 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 Superthin Bootie is the lightest in the range, this dinghy boot is designed to provide an enhanced barefoot sensation while keeping you agile and in touch with your boat. Its ultra-lightweight fabrication makes this the perfect summer dinghy sailing shoe where you need a high grip with less bulk and lower reliance on impact protection.
Our Low Cut Ankle Boot is another popular pick — designed as a versatile and multipurpose boot. 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. It is a perfect boot for dinghies and sailors who are learning to sail. It provides protection from the boat without bulk, while also being durable enough to prevent grazes and injury when launching and walking on rocky and abrasive dinghy launch ramps.
The High Cut Boot and Lightweight High Cut Boot are a great versatile boot for watersports. With a combination of features including our quick-lock lacing system and a molded sole, the boot has been created to fit ergonomically to provide support and comfort during high-intensity activity. The Lightweight HighCut boot has a thinner sole that provides more feeling under the foot, which is great for skiffs or situations where there are many ropes and deck fittings to move around. The High Cut Boot has a thicker sole and provides better protection for your feet
For sailors using hiking straps, the ZhikGrip II boots are the perfect option. The range includes a lightweight and standard boot, the lightweight version has a thinner sole which provides more feeling and awareness of what is under your feet while the standard has a slightly thicker and more robust sole to provide enhanced protection. Both boots are specifically designed to be used with a ZhikGripII Hiking Strap. The stud pattern on the forefront of the boots interlocks with studs on the hiking strap. This unbeatable combination gives a far superior grip allowing you to hike out further and ensure your feet do not slip on the hiking strap.
Dinghy Sailing Gloves
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 Tactical Gloves are ideal for lightweight grip in warmer conditions as they are lightweight, stretchy and made from high grip material.
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 Aids
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 and Superwarm 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.
Impact Protection Gear
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.
PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices)
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.
