Zhik takes command of the coast with its new look performance coastal range
Arriving soon in 2022, Zhik’s new CST500™ performance coastal range integrates a variety of weight-saving, ergonomic and comfort improving features. Comprising of a highly breathable jacket, smock and salopettes that offer excellent versatility, CST500 is designed to enhance movement and provide low bulk protection for a range of conditions and activities such as high performance round-the-cans racing, coastal cruising and night crossings.
Made from Zhik’s highly breathable, lightweight 3-layer Aroshell® fabric technology throughout, CST500 introduces new Zithane® fused reinforcement technology. This highly durable material is an evolution of traditional heavier denier reinforcement panels for knee and rear abrasion protection.
Zithane® was extensively tested during the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race on board Team AkzoNobel on the extreme race legs. It is both considerably lighter than its predecessors and reduces the amount of stitching and seam taping to create a significantly lighter and more watertight garment.
CST500 Jacket™
A key requirement for the design brief was to introduce a superior hood system for outstanding coastal performance. CST500 incorporates Zhik’s recently launched head-lock hood design, also featured on the new OFS800 offshore range.
Inside the hood is Zhik’s unique inner gusset to protect from wind and water. Adjusted with a 3-point fit system the hood fits snugly to your face and moves with you when turning your head. When not in use, there’s a neat quick stow storage pocket that completely encases the high-vis hood so that the jacket can easily transition to the street and outdoor use.
The medium height collar offers full neck protection and is lined with a soft, quick drying Hydrobase® lining. Strategically positioned and refined reflective elements across the shoulders, hood, front and back improves crew visibility in low light conditions.
The sleeves are designed with articulated shaping for ease of movement and to minimise bulk with a quick access arm pocket designed to hold a personal emergency beacon or MOB device. An ergonomic profiled elastic wrist closure creates an effective tight seal, reduces clutter around the sleeve end and allows for uninhibited wrist movement.
With YKK Aquaguard® water-resistant main zippers, the jacket includes two discreet streamlined zipped cargo pockets, with an outer and inner chest pocket to maximise storage.
The CST500 Smock™ has a watertight and comfortable neck seal system that is quick to operate and secure. With an oversized inner gusset for fast venting and a streamlined smooth skin neoprene neck closure.
With the same ergonomic arm design and cuff closure system as the CST500 Jacket, the waist band is made from a smooth skin neoprene with quick seal adjustment tabs to provide a secure, personalised fit.
In addition to the arm pocket, the Smock has an adaptive front pocket with an internal Velcro spline which can be used to divide the large
pocket into two sections into or keep it as one large pocket space. The Velcro can also be used to secure smaller items to prevent them shifting inside the pocket.
The CST500 Salopette™ incorporates the new Zithane® lightweight, abrasion resistant fused reinforcement technology on the seat and knees. This has the advantage of reducing weight without sacrificing durability, as well as eliminating extra seams to provide a more watertight garment. Zithane is also used inside the zipped thigh pocket to provide durability against sharp objects and tools.
The shoulder and upper body panelling is made with Zhik’s XWR® performance fabric allowing high levels of breathability, incorporating PFC free (perfluorinated compound) water resistance and high stretch for unrestricted manoeuvrability.
Articulated leg panels are designed to enhance movement and minimise bulk, and a full length chest gusset sits behind the 2-way YKK front zip and drains any water to the outside.
The PU coated ankle adjustments enable a quick and effective waterproof seal around your leg or over boots.
Zhik have advised the Recommended Retail Price as:
CST500 Jacket
Mens size S – XXXL, Anthracite, Flame Red or Platinum
Womens size XS-XL, Anthracite
AUS $649.95 NZ $729.95,
CST500 Smock
Unisex size S – XXL, Anthracite
AUS $ 499.95, NZ$579.95,
CST500 Salopette
Unisex size XS – XXXL, Anthracite
AUS $599.95, NZ$699.95
