In the ILCA, races are won by how hard you can hike. When the breeze is up, the sailor who can hold a hard, flat hiking position for the whole beat is the one who comes out in front. That takes fitness, but it also takes a setup that puts every bit of leg power into the boat without your feet giving up first.
This is the best hiking line-up we stock, and the whole thing is built around one idea: grip. From the strap under your feet, to the sole of your boot, to the pads on your thighs, every piece is chosen to keep you locked in and comfortable when it matters.
It starts at the hiking strap
Your hiking strap is the anchor for everything else. It is the single point where your legs meet the boat, so the grip and support it gives you sets the ceiling for how hard and how long you can hike.
We stock two routes here, and both are honest choices.
If you want comfort, grip and value in one strap, the Ripper Sailing ILCA Hiking Strap Pro (€54.95) is the one. It is built for competitive sailors who want to push harder and stay comfortable, and it is trusted by performance sailors across Europe. It is the straightforward, do-the-job upgrade over a tired standard strap.
If you want to go further on grip, you go Zhik.
The Zhik grip system: two straps that lock in
Zhik's straps use the patented ZhikGrip II system. The underside carries an interlocking stud pattern that locks into the matching grip on Zhik boots, giving you a direct boot-to-strap connection at any hiking angle. That connection sends power straight from your legs into the hull and cuts the foot fatigue that creeps in over a long race.
We carry two ZhikGrip II straps for the ILCA:
- ILCA ZhikGrip II Hiking Strap (€57.95). The global favourite and a long-standing best seller. Patented interlocking studs, soft padding for the long upwind legs, and durable nylon and rubber that survives a full season. Fits ILCA and Laser.
- ILCA X Hiking Strap (€72.95). This takes the same proven system and doubles the width. The wider, tapered platform spreads load across a larger contact area, so you stay locked in and comfortable deep into the beat. Fully padded over a rigid internal layer that holds its shape season after season. Fits ILCA and Laser.
One honest note: the ZhikGrip II grip is at its best when paired with Zhik boots. You still get a well-padded, high-quality strap on any footwear, but the interlocking effect needs the matching sole. That is where the boot comes in.
The boot that completes the lock: Hiking X Boot
The Zhik Hiking X Boot (€169.95) is the other half of the system, and the lightest, most responsive hiking boot Zhik has made. Its ZhikGrip II sole interlocks directly with the straps above for maximum power transfer, stability and ankle support, a setup proven at Olympic level.
What makes it worth it on the water:
- Michelin Fibrelite outsole with textile fibres laminated into the rubber, for twice the durability and a thinner profile that gives you real board feel and control.
- Ribbed 3D knitted stretch sock construction for a seamless, flexible fit that drains water fast.
- Full-length side lacing plus a low-profile Velcro ankle strap, so the fit stays firm under load.
- Just 470 g per boot in size US 9, so you get barefoot-inspired feel with structured support.
Pair it with a ZhikGrip II strap and the boot and strap become one connected platform. That is the difference you feel on a long, windy beat.
Carbon under your feet: Hiking X Carbon Insole
The Hiking X Carbon Insole (€34.95) is the upgrade most sailors do not think about until they try it. At its core is Carbitex M3 Monoflex carbon, engineered to bend in only one direction.
When you hike, it resists the extreme flexed position of your foot and creates a stiff base. That supports a straighter leg, gives you more leverage, and takes strain off your ankle ligaments and calf muscles. In the other direction it stays flexible, so you can still walk and move around the boat naturally.
It weighs just 60 grams, drops straight into the Hiking X Boot, and turns a long hard hiking session into something your legs can actually sustain.
Support while you hike: Zhik Powerpads
The last piece is on your thighs. The Zhik Powerpads (€129.95) are the original performance hiking pads and still the benchmark, refined over nearly two decades and updated most recently in 2024.
They wear under any wetsuit or drysuit and stay put thanks to internal silicone grippers and a breathable perforated neoprene sleeve. The clever part is the tuning: each set comes with removable battens and separate EVA foam inserts, so you can dial in stiffness and hiking height to suit the boat, the conditions, and how you like to sit when you hike. Reinforced pockets and strengthened seams keep them going through hard, repeated use.
Trusted by championship sailors, they are what let you keep a hard hiking position comfortable for a full race.
Our best hiking line-up, and how to choose
Put together, this is the most complete, best-gripping hiking setup we stock:
- Strap: Ripper ILCA Hiking Strap Pro for comfort and value, or a Zhik ZhikGrip II strap if you want maximum grip.
- Boot: Zhik Hiking X Boot to complete the interlocking system.
- Insole: Hiking X Carbon Insole for a stiffer, straighter, less tiring leg.
- Pads: Zhik Powerpads to keep hiking comfortable.
The simple rule: if you prefer Ripper, the ILCA Hiking Strap Pro gives you proven comfort and grip at a friendly price. If you want to go further on grip, go Zhik and build the full boot-and-strap system. Both keep you locked in. One just takes it to the top.
"The ZhikGrip II strap and boot gave us the ability to hike harder for longer."
Matt Wearn, 2x Olympic Gold and 2x World Champion
The part no gear can replace: the training
Here is the honest truth behind all of it. The best strap, boot, insole and pads in the world will only take you as far as your body can. The most important part of hiking is the training. Strong legs, a strong core, and the endurance to hold a hard position when everyone else is folding are what actually win the beat.
Good gear removes the excuses. Sore feet, a sliding strap, dead legs from a soft setup: this line-up takes those off the table, so your training is the thing that shows up on the water.
Want to put in the work with us? Join the LiveWatersports Strava group, log your sessions, and hold each other to it.
Frequently asked questions
Which hiking strap should I choose for my ILCA, Ripper or Zhik?
Pick the Ripper ILCA Hiking Strap Pro for comfort, grip and value. Choose a Zhik ZhikGrip II strap if you want maximum grip through the interlocking boot-and-strap system.
Do I need Zhik boots to use a ZhikGrip II strap?
No. A ZhikGrip II strap works as a well-padded strap with any footwear. The interlocking grip only reaches its full effect when paired with Zhik boots that carry the matching sole.
What is the difference between the ZhikGrip II strap and the ILCA X strap?
Both use the same ZhikGrip II system. The ILCA X strap doubles the width for a larger contact area and more support on long beats, at €72.95 against €57.95.
Does the Hiking X Carbon Insole fit the Hiking X Boot?
Yes. The 60 gram Carbitex insole is designed for the Zhik Hiking X Boot and is also compatible with Zhik X and Performance dinghy boots.
Can I wear the Powerpads under my wetsuit?
Yes. The Powerpads are made to wear under any wetsuit or drysuit, with removable battens and EVA inserts so you can tune stiffness and height.
Are these straps allowed for ILCA class racing?
Both straps are designed to fit the ILCA and Laser and are used widely by class sailors.
Explore the full Zhik range and the Ripper Sailing range at LiveWatersports, or find everything for your class in the ILCA collection. Free delivery on European orders from €99, shipped fast from Rotterdam.
