Dinghy development: Zhik Power Pads

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Zhik Power Pads

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10889
Printed Date: 16 Jul 25 at 7:32pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Zhik Power Pads

Posted By: dkr1
Subject: Zhik Power Pads
Date Posted: 29 May 13 at 5:19pm

Anyone tried them?

What is your verdict?

They look like a flexible solution allowing the same gear to the used for hiking and trapeze boats if they actually work.

Replies:

Posted By: Kev M
Date Posted: 29 May 13 at 8:59pm

I've not tried them but I have tried the more reasonably priced Neil Pryde Elite Hiker Padz shorts and they're really good and give you the same flexibility as the Zhik stuff I guess.

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Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.

Posted By: gbr940
Date Posted: 29 May 13 at 10:20pm

alstorer i'm sure can give a verdict for you

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RS400 GBR1321

Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 29 May 13 at 10:41pm

I can. I love them. Best hiking pad purchase I've ever made. Best bought somewhere you can try them on though, so you can get the pad length/pad holder sizes correct

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-_
Al

Posted By: bferry
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 7:44am

Got a pair which i use in the summer. They are a good fit but tend to slip down after a while. I wear them under my swimming trunks which is probably not ideal to keep them in place.

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Bernard
Vareo 249
Miracle 2818
Malta

Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 8:43am

I did not need the very wrong mental image I now have at this time of the morning!

I don't have any problem with mine sliding down. They do need to be rather tight.

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-_
Al

Posted By: bferry
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 9:12am

Sorry about that. I hope you did not have your breakfast yet. I'm sure you'd have seen it differently if I'd been a local lass.

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Bernard
Vareo 249
Miracle 2818
Malta

Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 1:19pm

I had a set, pain in the ass to put on and take off, but seemed to do the job, I used them on the Blaze which can be an uncomfortable hike, sold them when I switched boats, neither the RS100 or the EPS require hiking pads imv.

As I recall they weren't exactly cheap either, sold them to someone on here.

Posted By: dkr1
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 3:04pm

Thanks - Sounds like they do the job but are a bit of a faff to put on. I think I need to visit a chandlers to try some and Neil Pride alternative.

Posted By: charlie1019
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 6:52pm

If looking for hikers I would recommend the Sandeline kit supplied by Suntouch Sailboats - they advertise on the main banner, can be found under 'partners'. I got a pair at the start of the year and they are awesome. I would describe them as similar to the Queensport hikers but better and far far more robust.

Plus if they are good enough for the guys in the Finn squad and that bloke'Ben'...

Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 7:16pm

Not to mention a certain James Brace and Russ Hopkins!!!

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Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 8:00pm

+1 for Sandiline. Without doubt the best fitting, most comfortable hikers I've used... ever.

And I'm not even paid to say I like them. I just do, although I quite liked my NP ones too compared to most others on the market.

As for Zhik- buy in store, I bought some power pads, size XL, way too small, or they really do need to be that tight and uncomfortable. Unfortunately by the time I came to actually put them on it would have been a bit embarrassing to ask for a credit note, so I had to flog them on eBay for half the rrp, minus the eBay fee rogering that followed.

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Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 10:09pm

No experience of the Zhik version but do own the Rooster type hikers and long John with removable pads, excellent IMO, although you do need to take them out if you're sailing a rolled deck type boat, e.g 505, as there isn't too much of you in contact with the deck sometimes which can leave you sliding about in waves....

Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 30 May 13 at 10:28pm

The joy of the Zhik type is just wearing them with ANY other sailing kit.

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Al

Posted By: redman
Date Posted: 31 May 13 at 3:17am

ZHIK ones quite popular in Australia. Most people who have tried them either love them or hate them. For some, they stay in place. For others they slip down towards the knee which, depending on the boat you sail, renders them useless.

I sailed with the zhik ones for a few years. They were very comfy and allow you to move around the boat very well. But regardless of what size I used they slipped out of position. Recently went with SEA ones that secure around the hip. Still not perfect (I don't think any hikers are) but definitely better for me. And much cheaper.

The thing with hikers is that they are very individual. What fits like a glove for one person is a camping accident for another. Body shape/size, boat sailed, hiking style are different for all of us and determine what kind of hikers are best.

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REDMAN

Posted By: gbr940
Date Posted: 31 May 13 at 11:05am

I'm currently using the Magic Marine "Ultimate Hiking Pant" with the "Pro Pads" - initially they were a massive faff to get the pads in the right place (note - measure yourself correctly before buying) but once sorted are the best i've used and for long hard heavy airs B14 hiking at the nationals were pretty much perfect.

Just saying

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RS400 GBR1321

Posted By: andy h
Date Posted: 31 May 13 at 4:52pm

I switched to power pads a couple of years ago after a long succession of Magic Marine hikers. They are super comfortable, can be worn with anything, mine don't slip ... but they did cost me a small fortune.

Posted By: Aching Knees
Date Posted: 03 Jun 13 at 11:37am

Im trying to put a pair of size 5 on the face book page at the moment. hopefully they will appear soon.