Yachting Monthly - July 2018

GILL OS3 COASTAL

ZHIK KIAMA

JACKET £175 SALOPETTES £130

Designed as the entry point

to Gill’s technical offshore

waterproofs, the OS3 range

uses many of the features

developed for the more high-

end oilskins, but in a package

that is less bulky and more

affordable. The styling has

been updated for 2018 but

you won’t look ostentatious in

these understated waterproofs.

They are made with Gill’s OS3

two-layer fabric.

JACKET

Men’s and women’s jackets

were virtually the same, just

with slight differences in fit and

in the colours on offer. A double

storm flap protects the zip with

a wider patch to cover the chin

and seal the collar. The high-

cut collar is fleece lined, into

which the hood rolls. This is

hi-vis and lined with nylon and

is adjustable at the sides and

on the top for volume. Outer

cuffs protect adjustable inner

rubberised cuffs. Inside,

the jacket is nylon lined but

with some patches of mesh

for ventilation, and there is

one zipped internal pocket.

While the jacket has no external

chest pockets, it does have

large cargo pockets and fleecy

handwarmer pockets behind.

These don’t have zips or Velcro,

which means you can’t store

anything in them, but we liked

the fact that there’s nothing

to chafe cold and wet hands

when using them. There is

no waist adjustment but there

is an adjustable elastic hem.

JACKET £175 SALOPETTES £159

A relatively new Australian

brand that set about creating

high-performance clothing, Zhik

comes from a sports background.

The jacket and salopettes are

its entry-level waterproofs and

follow Musto’s minimalist

approach, albeit with a slightly

heavier fabric and a few features

for comfort. It’s a well-fitted suit

of oilskins that looks modern

and feel great to wear. Zhik

claims its fabric has been

developed to remain waterproof

and breathable for much longer

than other similar fabrics.

JACKET

The jacket is well fitted and has

good long sleeves so the cuffs

don’t ride up. It lacks reflective

patches and the hood is the same

colour as the jacket – the plus

side is that you could wear this

ashore without looking like a

washed-up mariner. The hood

has a stiff peak and is adjustable

on top and at the sides. It rolls

neatly up and rather than sitting

inside a pocket, the collar has

a narrow flap that Velcros over

the hood to keep it secure. The

hood also has a warm microfibre

lining. The mid-height collar has

microfibre lining too, as do the

zipped handwarmer pockets,

which are the only external

pockets. Inside, the jacket has a

soft mesh lining for some warmth

and one small zipped pocket for

a phone. The single outer storm

flap closes with Velcro patches,

making it easier to undo than

one continuous strip. The hem

has an elastic draw cord. The

jacket has a single cuff but the

inside face has rubberised

material for a good seal.

SALOPETTES

The salopettes are the same for

men and women, with no drop-

seat option – you’ll need the next

model up – but have different

fits. The trousers are reinforced

on the knees and seat but not at

the heel, and the ankle closures

have a buckle to give some

purchase for the Velcro strap.

It’s a shame these didn’t have

pockets. The waist is elasticated

at the back but not adjustable.

TEST VERDICT

These felt very well made and

the jacket offered all of the

features we would expect. The

salopettes were disappointing in

their simplicity but it does make

them less bulky. We found the fit

to be slightly short in the women’s

sizes which limited movement

a little, so perhaps take a size up.

In the water test, a little water got

in through the collar and cuffs

but performed relatively well.

SALOPETTES

A modern fit makes these more

stylish. The neoprene shoulder

straps thread straight into the

front of the salopettes where

they’re held on both sides by

internal Velcro. The nylon lining

in the legs helps the trousers

slide on and there are two good

cargo thigh pockets. These

unisex salopettes have good

reinforcement on the heel,

knees and seat.

TEST VERDICT

These were popular on the test

for the fit, styling and movement.

The wrist was only moderately

sealed and the neck let in a

small amount of water. The fabric

was perfectly waterproof but the

outer material seemed more

absorbent then others, rather

than making the water bead up

and run off. These are excellent

waterproofs that will cope well

with moderate conditions.

SPECIFICATIONS

TECHNOLOGY

OS3 2-layer fabric

WATERPROOF >10,000MM

EXTERNAL POCKETS

2, plus 2 handwarmers

INT POCKETS 1 zipped

LINING Nylon & mesh

WOMEN’S VERSION Yes

WEBSITE http://www.gillmarine.com

SPECIFICATIONS

TECHNOLOGY 2-layer fabric

WATERPROOF >5,000mm

EXTERNAL POCKETS

2 handwarmers

INT POCKETS 1 zipped

LINING Warm mesh

WOMEN’S VERSION

Jacket yes, salopettes no

WEBSITE http://www.zhik.com

The Gill jacket is

neat and well made

though the salopettes

a little basic

Zhik had lots of

innovative ideas

for these foulies

GROUP TEST

Safety features like a hi-vis

hood and reflective strips

are a good addition

While a hi-vis hood

would have been good, this

one snugged down well

BEST
ON TEST
RUNNER

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