ZhikGrip II - The patented system that defined dinghy hiking
by Zhik 12 Jun 09:00 PDT
Zhik Hiking X Dinghy Boot - showing ZhikGrip II interlocking stud pattern © Zhik
Zhik's patented boot-to-strap technology helps sailors stay locked in, transfer more
power and hike harder for longer
Zhik, the global high-performance water sports brand trusted by Olympic and World
Champions, continues to drive proven dinghy hiking performance through ZhikGrip II, the
patented boot-to-strap connection technology engineered to help sailors stay locked in
and transfer more power under hiking load.
Trusted across Olympic and World Championship fleets, ZhikGrip II sits at the centre of
Zhik's dinghy hiking system, helping athletes create a stronger connection between sailor
and boat when hiking load is highest.
In high-performance dinghy sailing, that connection directly influences how efficiently
force is applied and sustained. A secure hiking system allows the athlete to push harder
through the strap, reduce movement under load and maintain a more controlled
connection with the boat.
ZhikGrip II was developed around this exact point of contact. The patented technology
uses durable rubber studs on the top of compatible Zhik hiking boots that physically
interlock with matching studs on the underside of ZhikGrip II Hiking Straps. Together, the
boot and strap create a more secure mechanical connection than friction alone, helping
reduce sideways movement and giving sailors a stronger hold when fully loaded.
As demand for performance boot-to-strap connection systems continues to grow across
the dinghy market, Zhik remains focused on strengthening and evolving the patented
technology it pioneered. ZhikGrip II is not a surface detail or generic grip pattern. It is a
protected, purpose-built interlocking system engineered around the specific demands of
high-load dinghy hiking.
"The innovation around ZhikGrip has been a bit of a game changer for the Laser and now
the ILCA," said Matt Wearn, two-time Olympic gold medallist and World Champion. "The
main thing is being locked in and connected to the boat as ILCA sailors. That's what we're
striving for."
The technology has become one of Zhik's most recognisable dinghy innovations. For years,
the long-running ZhikGrip II Hiking Boot set the benchmark for secure boot-to-strap
connection, giving athletes a more connected platform under heavy hiking load.
That proven foundation now continues through Zhik's latest design iteration, the Hiking X
Boot. Launched this year, the Hiking X Boot carries ZhikGrip II technology into a lighter,
more responsive platform built for the demands of modern dinghy racing. Weighing only
470g per boot, it combines the patented interlocking hiking system with a Michelin Fibrelite
outsole, advanced 3D knitted construction and refined support for sailors pushing high
loads through the boat.
"ZhikGrip II changed the way we think about hiking connection," said Drue Kerr, Head of
Design and Production. "Traditional hiking grip relies heavily on friction. With ZhikGrip II,
the boot and strap create a physical interlocking connection at the point where hiking load
is highest. That locked-in feel gives sailors the confidence to drive more force through the
strap and stay connected when the boat is fully powered."
The strength of ZhikGrip II lies in the way the system performs in real sailing conditions.
Sailors are constantly adjusting body position, responding to wind and waves, and
changing hiking load through the boat. ZhikGrip II is designed to maintain the boot-to-
strap connection through those movements, helping sailors stay securely engaged as load
increases.
For the sailor, that means greater control, more efficient power transfer and less energy
lost through small corrections under the strap. By creating a stronger physical connection,
ZhikGrip II helps sailors push more load through the foot-to-strap interface and sustain
stronger hiking efforts for longer.
That increase in connection has also driven the development of supporting technologies
within Zhik's wider hiking system. As sailors become more locked into the boat and
transfer greater load through the foot, the body needs targeted support to manage that
load efficiently.
The Carbon X Insole was developed for this purpose. Engineered with Carbitex Monoflex
technology, the insole provides directional carbon support under the forefoot while still
allowing natural movement around the boat. When paired with the Hiking X Boot, it
provides over 500% more resistance in plantarflexion across the forefoot than the boot
without the insert, helping support the foot under high hiking loads.
"Sailing is a sport with so many variables as it is, and the more trust you can have in each
aspect of your gear, the more confident you feel to go out there on race day and produce
your best performance," said Mara Stransky, Australian Sailing Team athlete. "The less
things you have to worry about out there, the more mental space you have to focus on what
is actually important in getting your boat around the race course as quickly as possible."
ZhikGrip II is central to Zhik's broader dinghy hiking system. Used with compatible Zhik
footwear, ZhikGrip II Hiking Straps create the primary connection between sailor and
boat. The Carbon X Insole helps manage the extra load that a more secure connection
makes possible, while Zhik's Superwarm and Microfleece Hiker Suits with Powerpads
support the body through sustained hiking.
"Every part of the hiking system has a role," added Kerr. "ZhikGrip II secures the
connection. The insole helps manage the extra load that a more secure connection makes
possible. The hiker and Powerpads® support the body. When those parts work together,
sailors have the capability to hike harder, transfer power more efficiently and stay effective
for longer."
From the original ZhikGrip II Hiking Boot to the latest Hiking X Boot, the patented
technology continues to sit at the centre of Zhik's high-performance dinghy hiking range. It
remains a defining example of the brand's commitment to athlete-led innovation and
technical gear built for the demands of racing.
The Zhik Dinghy Hiking System is available now through www.zhik.com
Explore the Zhik Dinghy Hiking System: zhik.com/dinghy-hiking-system