For 20 years now, Zhik has maintained its reputation as the go-to supplier of hiking boots and hiking straps for multiple one-designs, but especially the ILCA dinghy. Study photos and footage of any recent Olympic Games, and chances are you’ll see ILCA competitors using Zhik’s boots and hiking straps. In fact, they were used by gold medal ILCA winners in London, Rio and Tokyo. Not a bad track record.
Zhik Double-Wide X Hiking Strap
This year, in celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary, Zhik has introduced a double-width ILCA X Hiking Strap. It’s identical to the strap a lot of us have been using just, well, wider. The strap itself is a bit less than double the width of the original (4.25” compared to 3”), but the part that really counts, the ZhikGrip II layer, is indeed twice the width, measuring just over 4” compared to the original 2”. Not a big deal, you suggest? Give it a shot.
As you’ll likely conclude, not only does the wider strap spread the load over a larger area of your foot by virtue of its overall width, but it also provides maximum contact area, and with a wider ZhikGrip II surface, you’ll feel locked in even more, especially if using a Zhik boot with ZhikGrip II on the top. No doubt, some will always prefer the narrower strap, and it’s still available. But what if the wider version truly means you can hike longer and get more connected with the boat? For those folks, it’s likely a no-brainer.
Unfamiliar with ZhikGrip II? It’s a proprietary pattern of tapered, rubber studs that work to provide a mechanical connection between strap and a similarly equipped Zhik hiking boot. Think Lego bricks. Well, maybe not quite that extreme, you get the idea.
Like the original strap, the X model is padded and has an internally stitched, laminated “PE” board that keeps it stiff, pre-drilled mounting holes at the forward end and an attachment loop at the other. The aft end is tapered to centralize the hiking force around the rear webbing loop and so there are no sharp edges. Basically plug and play, although we did find it helped to drill out the front holes a bit to enable the bolts to fit through more easily. $79.00
Zhik 360 Hiking Boot
I’ve been using the Zhik 470 model boot for years, and along with occasionally dabbling with competing brands, all those boots all had a relatively smooth surface where the top of the boot contacts the hiking strap. When used with the ubiquitous Zhik strap they’ve all worked well–at least that’s what I thought. Then I checked out the Zhik 360, which has a layer of ZhikGrip II–the same material used on the bottom of Zhik hiking straps–on the top of the boot. Combine the ILCA X strap with the 360, and it’s tough to imagine being any more locked into the boat. No more excuses on that front.
Made of molded neoprene, the boot has the standard supportive ankle strap and side lacing. There’s a small hidden pocket for excess lace–unobtrusive enough that Zhik has included a small tab labeled “lace pocket” to point you in the right direction. In case you’re wondering, it’s under the rectangular plastic strap loop. That makes it easier to access than having the pocket in the ankle strap, as found on some models. The ankle strap’s velcro closure features a locking tab which we found made it nearly impossible to accidentally open the strap. It also means you’ll probably have to take off your gloves to peel it open, but by the time you’re ready to do that you’re ashore and the gloves are already off. The rubber sole provides great grip when pushing off the cockpit floor or sides, and the height of the sole cradles your foot, providing more stability in the boat when not hiking. $229.96.
