Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot
5 Star Rated by Sailors
Trusted For 12 Years
Over 50,000+ Orders Shipped
90 Day Risk Free Returns
Price Match Promise
Looking for Sailing Gifts? Shop our Gift Ideas for your sailor.
November 01, 2018 3 min read
Sailing Chandlery sponsored sailor Sam Whaley reviews the Zhik Robert Scheidt Hiking wetsuits which are available in Microfleece and Superwarm designs.
These World class hikers are the latest in the Zhik hiking range and were designed by 9 x Laser World Champion Robert Scheidt. They are very comfortable, sit well on you whilst sailing and with the pads already built in you don’t have to worry about them slipping down whilst sailing. Here I am going to review both the Microfleece and Superwarm variants and hopefully give you a good idea on which pair you should buy.
The Microfleece Sheidt Hikers are ideal in warm, summer conditions. They are very comfy and extremely light weight which makes them ideal for the lighter winds. However, they are also quite thin and being the type of guy who likes to slightly overdress and protect myself from the spray I found myself only wearing these from May-September this year as they can get a bit chilly in the classic UK wet and wild conditions!
The built-in fibreglass pads on these are the perfect size, large compared with others on the market but small enough to make you forget you have pads in. This gives you more support whilst hiking, making it less painful and allowing you to have better posture and focus on driving the boat through the water. They are also quite grippy, so I never have to worry about slipping around the deck.
There is also a reasonable amount of padding on the knee to keep you protected and adjustable shoulder straps to ensure you can find the perfect fit.
My top tip for these is if in doubt order the size below. They are incredibly stretchy and slightly bigger than you might imagine. They also stretch ever so slightly as you wear them in so its worth bearing this in mind when you order.
The Superwarm Scheidt Hikers are the same as the Microfleece hikers above, but made of thicker material and engineered for cooler conditions. Weighing in slightly more than the Microfleece hikers but providing excellent warmth these are ideal for the winter months.
One again we have the same large, built-in pads as the Microfleece hikers which provide a lot of support and comfort whist sailing. There is also thicker padding on the knee meaning more protection and overall a slightly more rigid and warmer build. Once again, we also have the two adjustable shoulder straps to allow you to find your perfect fit.
These do not stretch as much as the Microfleece hikers above so I would recommend you order your normal size.
I actually prefer the extra padding and warmth that these Superwarm hikers offer and think they suit my style more. Definitely at this time of year I would recommend these as your best option and given their versatility I think you could use them on all but the hottest days in the UK.
Sailing Chandlery stock a full range of Zhik sailing kit - explore all Zhik products on our Zhik brand page or just view the sailing wetsuits available from all manufacturers.
As always, if you have questions about these hiking wetsuits, or any other product please do get in touch - we're always happy to provide you with the best advice for your scenario.
The Zihk Sailing kit bag is very well-made and much more practical than my rucksack. The ordering process was slick and the delivery was fast. I’m looking forward to my next sailing trip with this product. Good price too, thank you!
Very high quality
Simple ordering
Good service arrived quickly and exactly as required. Thanks
Just as described and it arrived quickly. Thank you!
Quality product, fast delivery perfect
I recently purchased the Sprint 15 Trampoline Cover from Sailing Chandlery, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. The cover is made from high-quality PVC material that feels durable and built to last, even in harsh weather conditions.
The fit on my Sprint 15 is absolutely perfect—it's snug and secure, ensuring that the trampoline stays protected from rain, sun, and dirt. The attention to detail, like reinforced edges and reliable fastenings, really sets this cover apart.
It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the design, making it both functional and easy to use. The vibrant blue color adds a nice touch and is easy to spot in the boat park.
Shipping was fast, and the customer service from Sailing Chandlery was top-notch. They kept me updated throughout the process and ensured a smooth transaction.
If you're looking for a reliable cover for your Sprint 15, I highly recommend this product. It's a fantastic investment to keep your boat in great shape!
The Topper rope pack arrived shortly after I ordered it. Very good service from Sailing Chandlery. I will fit it when I get home.
The sail numbers were simple to attach
Great value for money and swiftly delivered as always by Sailing Chandlery.
Very good sunglasses, I’ve just had eye surgery and was struggling with peripheral light sensitivity, these are great for that and will be terrific next season sailing.
Great to see these available again, much better quality and sensitivity than the alternatives
We have just purchased the Mersea twin Laser box trailer. Ordering the trailer, and adding the lid afterwards, was easy and straightforward with accurate lead times for its delivery. We paid for delivery to the South Coast and the trailer arrived bang on time along with other items we ordered. Fantastic customer service all round!
The trailer had its first trip this weekend, a 3hr drive on a mixture of town, country and motorway roads and it was a dream to tow - no noise save the odd rattle across potholes, easy to see in the car mirrors and very easy to connect and pull. It's also easy to manoeuvre two by just two people.
Our junior sailor was delighted by capacious box section with two access points and he was able to stow all of his kit to travel and then all covers, bags and kit whilst on the water today.
We're very pleased with the trailer - thank you Sailing Chandlery!
Good quality splicing tool, sensible price and swiftly delivered. Thank you
The mast was delivered the next day what a excellent delivery service I had the mast by 0830 I now know I can count on you, well done.
Save up to 40%on your next order.
