ILCA Hiking Straps FAQs
Which hiking strap do I need for my ILCA?
The grippy one, for most sailors. A plain padded strap is fine if you sail with your feet tucked well under and rarely slide. A strap with a textured grip surface holds your foot where you put it through a tack and a wave, which is what most club racers are missing. The thickest, most padded strap is for sailors who hike hard off the top of the foot for a full race and find the standard strap digs in. Pick by how hard you hike.
Will these straps fit a Laser as well as an ILCA?
Yes. The ILCA and the Laser are the same boat with the same hiking strap fittings, so any strap sold for one fits the other. They attach at the front under the mast step and at the back by the mainsheet block, with the adjustment at the aft end. If you sail a different hiking singlehander, check the length and the end fittings against your boat before buying. Most other classes use a different layout.
How tight should a hiking strap be?
Tight enough that your feet are held firmly when you are fully hiked with your legs straight, loose enough that you can get your feet in and out through a tack without looking. A strap that is too loose lets you slide and tires your legs. Too tight and you cannot get your feet under it when you need to. Most sailors set it a little looser in light winds and tighten it when it gets windy and they are hiking harder.
How often should I replace a hiking strap?
Every two or three seasons of regular racing, or as soon as it has stretched, gone hard or the stitching at the ends has started to fray. Webbing loses its grip and its stretch resistance long before it looks worn out. If you buy a secondhand boat, replace the strap straight away as a matter of course. It costs less than a set of batten tie downs and makes more difference.
Do I need special boots to use a hiking strap?
Not special, but a boot with a stiff sole across the instep makes a real difference. A soft boot lets the strap crush the top of your foot, which is what makes long beats painful and is why some sailors give up hiking early. A hiking boot has a stiffened plate in the sole so the strap loads the boot, not your foot. If your feet hurt on the strap, look at the boot before you look at the strap. See our dinghy sailing boots.
