Hikers - Rip off or good value???

I just got some new Neil Pryde hikers (thanks purple marine). They look fantastic, fit perfectly and are really comfortable on first use today in the 300. They are not the cheapest but so far are much better (IMO) than the rooster pro's i had before.

Iv had a set of rooster pro hikers and dont rate them. I paid £85 for the when they were just out. Since then the pad covering has split showing the batten. The velcro has gone from the legs meaning i have to hold a pad in place while putting one leg in then sit on that leg while doing the same for the second leg. Then after all this is done my pads still need wigglinng around both during and pre sailing to keep them in place. Its really put me off buying another set of hikers with detachable pads. Mine now have large holes (taking 8cm plus) in each knee and the hikers are borderline indecent. I just dont want to buy a new pair for nearly £100 just to be dissapointed again

To be fair, those hikers on that site are SEA hikers (sea equipment
australia) and are the don daddio's! you'll see a lot of the olympic boys
wearing them. I believe mr ainslie himself favours SEA hikers. Though
anyone's welcome to correct me if I'm wrong.

I've used Roosters, Queensports and MagicMarine (airprene ones) and all
1/2 lengths.
Rooster - Only used the original old skool ones and they were comfy
enough, did the job and lasted well.
Queensports - The batten support and effectiveness seemed far superior
to anything else but there wasn't any excess material in the ole boys area
so it all felt a bit squashed down there.
Magic Marine - Moveable pads if you like that. Their hikers seem to be
half a size small compared to other models. So they're a bit tight to get
on, not that I notice that on the race course. I'm quite happy with them.
I've got the grey "airprene" ones (basically neoprene with lots of holes.....
don't expect these to be warm.).

When the MMs wear out and I come to get some more, if I have a
reasonable amount of money, I'll probably go for some SEA hikers if I can
get hold of some in 1/2 lengths. If not I'll go MM again.
Call me a nonse but Roosters are OUT of fashion and OUT of my sailing
wardrobe. However, I have absolute faith in them to make a sorted set of
hikers.
Don't bother with the musto's, you can trust them to fall apart on you. As
for gill and gull, I'm just not convinced they're up to scratch yet like the
other makes.

Oh and to answer the question - YES THEY ARE WORTH THE MONEY!
If you can race without them, good on you but there's no way I'm jumping
in any hiking boat without a set.

Edited by Doug.H

Jeseus that all looks a bit pricey!

I'd avoid the whole Gul "grey" range- had a bad experience last year with the 3/4 lengths falling to pieces.