Zhik re-engineers its PowerPads

Zhik says its PowerPads have been completely ‘re-engineered to create a first-of-it’s-kind, ultra-light, carbon fibre hiking pads system, providing both outstanding support as well as integral flexion with your movement in the boat’.

In a collaboration with flexible carbon fibre experts Carbitex, the internal carbon pads use AFX technology which enables ‘asymmetric flexibility’, so that the pads will mould around and move with the sailors leg across the range of hiking movement.

These stiff, weight saving pads are enclosed within knitted PowerPads compression sleeves, designed to aid blood flow, muscle performance and recovery when hiking hard. The sleeves hold each carbon hiking pad securely in place and are made with a high stretch, air-permeable knit which, Zhik says, makes them cooler to wear under a wetsuit or waterproofs.

Considerably lighter than traditional hikers, the combined effect is a low profile, clutter-free design, reducing bulk, promoting faster, free movement onboard.

“Zhik has provided its Olympic athletes with bespoke high performance kit, catering to their individual needs and performance requirements for Tokyo,” says Drue Kerr, Zhik’s design and production manager. “This technology is now filtering down into new ranges, like Powerpads, which we are launching to sailors this spring.”