NEW Zhik Sailing Boots for 2026

Choosing the right pair of Zhik Sailing Boots is one of those small decisions that makes a massive difference to your day on the water. We've all been there - halfway through a long upwind beat with aching shins, or slipping on a wet deck just as you're trying to nail a perfect tack.

At Sailing Chandlery, we live and breathe this stuff. We don't just stock gear, we test it, race in it, and sometimes obsess over the technical details so you don't have to. For 2026, Zhik has genuinely raised the bar for their new Zhik Sailing Boots. They've moved away from the 'one-size-fits-all" footwear and moved into precision engineering, and we couldn't be more excited to share their new boots with you.

Here is our expert breakdown of the four NEW Zhik Sailing Boots you'll see here at Sailing Chandlery this season - and exactly why your feet will thank you for picking up a pair.

If you spend your time in a boat with foot straps, you know that bulk is the enemy. You need to be able to slide your feet in and out without thinking about it. 

The NEW Performance Ankle Boot is lean, mean, and incredibly grippy. Zhik Sailing Boots utilise a new ergonomic "last" (the mould the boots are built on), which means they hug your foot rather than just sitting around it. This eliminates that annoying "slop" inside your boot that causes blisters. 

We love these Zhik Sailing Boots because they feature a clever 'debris seal' at the ankle. No more sand or grit getting inside, ruining your sessions.

This is the evolution of the legendary 270 series, and honestly, if you're looking for one boot to do it all, this is it. Whether you're hiking a Laser, trapezing on a 29er, or just going for a casual sail on the weekend, these provide the support you need.

What really sets these apart for 2026 is the Quick Lock Lacing System. We've all struggled with wet laces and cold fingers. This system allows you to get a secure, custom fit with one hand. It pulls the Zhik Sailing Boots tight across the arch, locking your heel in place so you aren't wasting energy as you move. 

Think of this as the "Formula 1" version of a sailing boot. It's designed for high-intensity classes where "feel" is everything. By using a thinner 2mm material, the newest Zhik Sailing Boots are remarkably light.

When you're foiling at 20+ knots, you need to feel exactly what the boat is doing through your soles. These Zhik Sailing Boots give you that "barefoot" sensitivity but with the protection and grip of a high-performance rubber sole. 

These are perfect for summer racing or high-cardio boats where you want to stay cool and agile. 

If you're a dedicated hiker, pay attention - these specific Zhik Sailing Boots were made for you. It recently won a special mention at the DAME Design Awards, which is basically the Oscars for Sailing Gear. 

The standout feature is the 3D knitted construction. It feels less like a pair of Zhik Sailing Boots and more like a high-tech sock that has been reinforced for battle. Zhik even partnered with Michelin (yes, the tyre experts) to create a sole that sticks to a wet deck like nothing else we've tested. 

The secret?

It integrates perfectly with the ZhikGrip II Hiking Straps. When you lock the studs on the boot into the studs on the strap, you become one with the boat. It's a level of security you have to feel to believe.

This is the piece of kit we are most excited about. You can buy these as a standalone upgrade or find them as an optional extra inside the Hiking X Boots product page.

It's a super-thin carbon fibre laminate that is "asymmetrical". This means it's incredibly stiff when you are hiking, preventing your foot from "folding" under the strap and spreading the load across your whole leg, but it's flexible enough to let you walk normally on the slipway. 

It takes the 'sting' out of hiking and prevents that late-afternoon fatigue that slows you down.