Zhik releases revolutionary Isotak® Ocean range

Zhik Isotak® Ocean - Front View © Zhik

Zhik Isotak® Ocean - Wrist Seal © Zhik

Zhik is pleased to announce Isotak® Ocean, a new wet weather range designed for the world's most demanding ocean sailing. Isotak® Ocean adds to the already celebrated Isotak ® offshore family of products.

Over the last three years, Zhik's design team worked extensively with top ocean sailors to help refine the technology for Ocean apparel, following the passion to help achieve the highest specification level.

"Performance sailors have learned to expect innovation from any new product Zhik develops. It is also in our culture to look towards new solutions and strive for the best possible levels of quality", said Brian Conolly, founder and CEO of Zhik. "...however, what the design team have done in Isotak® Ocean has surprised me. The durability tests are four times the current state of the art, it is truly remarkable."

Ocean wet weather gear is typically considered the flagship product for any apparel company manufacturing for the sailing market. Everything is thrown into the design to optimize performance and handle the extreme environment. For Zhik, they have stripped the problem back to its core and redesigned the standard from the ground up.

"I suspect this gear will turn some heads, and redefine the benchmark for the Ocean category of wet weather gear", said Tom Hussey, senior designer and material expert at Zhik.

Isotak ® Ocean has undergone some extensive testing, and has been used and abused in the most extreme ocean conditions, featuring in the world's most famous ocean races including the Sydney to Hobart, Vendee Globe, Mini Transat, Fastnet and Transpac.

The range features three core components, the Isotak® Ocean Jacket, Reziseal Smock and Ocean Trouser.

Core to the innovation in Isotak® Ocean is the main fabric, combining a puncture resistant microfiber shell with an ultra tough and highly breathable multi-layer membrane composite. Use of the Zhik multilayer membrane builds durable waterproofness far in excess of the industry leading ePTFE ocean fabric with less bulk, weight and enhanced flexibility.

Watch this video that demonstrates Zhik's proprietary testing equipment, engineered to replicate real world ocean use, unlike other more passive standard testing procedures commonly used in the industry. In the Zhik tests, there is accelerated simulation of extreme use, with high levels of abrasion, impact and puncture resistance testing the entire fabric laminate in a wet environment.

Direct comparison tests showed the well-respected ePTFE Ocean fabric exhibited leaks after 1000 cycles. Isotak® Ocean fabric, with it's multilayer membrane, can withstand at least 4000 cycles before only the slightest leak can be detected.

Also new in the Isotak® Ocean design, is the first use of Zhik's proprietary QuLock ™ seam sealing process, engineered specifically to create an optimal bond between the technical tape and the Isotak® Ocean's fabric, creating an extremely rugged and durable waterproof seal. To ensure optimal comfort and warmth, Isotak® Ocean features Hydrobase® fleece lined pockets and collar. Hydrobase® utilizes hydrophilic polypropylene yarn with hydrophilic polyester yarn to drain water fast and wick moisture away from the fabric surface.

Zhik has ensured that every material, construction process and feature in this range was selected to provide the durability, comfort and performance required for ocean racing. Zhik's vision of the best possible Ocean sailing range has now become a reality with Isotak® Ocean.

www.zhik.com