Mens Zhik Polypropylene Hydrophobic Fleece Sailing Top

Mens Zhik Hydrophobic Fleece Top for Cold Weather Dinghy Sailing

A capsize in April is when you find out what your top is made of. Most layers soak up the water and cling to you, heavy and cold, for the rest of the race. The Zhik Hydrophobic Fleece Top is made from polypropylene, a fibre that pushes water away instead of holding it, so when you climb back over the side it drains and dries rather than dragging you down.

That repellency is part of the yarn itself, so it keeps working wash after wash, and a PFAS-free surface treatment adds an extra layer of protection against spray. Inside, a brushed fleece backing traps warmth against your skin. The fabric stretches every way, so hiking, ducking under the boom and scrambling across the boat in a tack all feel unrestricted, and the rolled neck sits flat under a buoyancy aid without rubbing.

It is at its best in the shoulder seasons and on breezy summer days, worn over a long john wetsuit or under a spray top. It is a warm layer, not a waterproof one, so for sailing through the depths of winter pair it with a spray top to keep the wind off.

Water Repellent Fleece Top Features for Dinghy Sailors

• Polypropylene fibre that repels water rather than absorbing it, so the top stays light after a capsize
• Water repellency built into the fibre, so it does not wash out over time
• PFAS-free water repellent surface treatment for extra protection against spray
• Brushed fleece inner for warmth and a soft feel against the skin
• Four-way stretch for hiking, tacking and moving freely around the boat
• Rolled neckline that sits smoothly under a buoyancy aid with no chafing
• Flat seams sewn with water-resistant thread to cut down on water retention
• Breathable and quick drying for hard-working sessions in cooler weather

Materials and Fit

• 92% polypropylene, 8% elastane
• Brushed fleece backing
• Close fit to wear as a baselayer or under outer layers

Wear It With

Wear it over a long john wetsuit for warmth and freedom on the trapeze or the side deck, and add a spray top over the top when the wind picks up. Sailing gloves finish off a cold weather setup.