Zhik’s PowerPads have been re-engineered, to create a light, carbon fibre hiking pad, providing improved leg support as well as integral flexion for movement around the boat.
In a collaboration with flexible carbon fibre experts Carbitex, the internal carbon pads use AFX technology, which enables what they call ‘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 seamless, 3D knitted Zhik PowerPads compression sleeves, designed to aid blood flow, muscle performance and recovery when hiking.
The sleeves hold each carbon hiking pad securely in place and are made with a high stretch, air-permeable knit which
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 and enabling the ability to hike harder across all conditions. Meanwhile, the compression sleeves work to preserve vital leg muscle power while the carbon pads minimise the load on legs.
Zhik has taken advantage of it’s local partners and there will be athletes using PowerPads at the Tokyo Olympics. The dynamic stiffness of the carbon in the PowerPads gives the ultimate connectivity with rigid support, yet the asymmetric
flexing remain contoured throughout the full range of kinetic hiking movement.
Available from Zhik dealers from next month, one colour: grey. Unisex and sizes from medium to extra large.
RRP: $179.95
