In the test, the Inshore 400 from Zhik showed weaknesses in the fit: the jacket is too wide, but the straps of the Salopette are the biggest problem: they are narrow, have no stretch and an uncomfortable plastic buckle. They are too loose when standing upright and cut in uncomfortably when squatting. The fit is simply not right. Overall, the Zhik does not make a high-quality impression.
Fitting problems
The biggest drawback is the shoulder straps. They are made of simple webbing, about 40 millimetres wide, without any stretch. The plastic buckle for adjustment is hard and cuts in. When you're standing upright, the straps tend to be too loose - you can make them tighter, but as soon as you squat down, they pull massively on your shoulders and cut in. This is really uncomfortable and a clear flaw. Overall, the oilskin is not cut particularly close to the body. It can be adjusted, but the fit remains unsatisfactory.
Reinforcements and cuffs
There are reinforcements on the seat and knees. The cuffs can be adjusted and there is a PU coating on the inside for waterproofing. The hood can be adjusted twice - at the front and back of the neck. It turns great, everything is fine. No problems with visibility. That's a plus point.
Minimum equipment
There are not many pockets: normal side pockets in the jacket, an inside pocket and a patch pocket on the right thigh of the trousers. The zip has a wind flap on the inside, but no storm or rain flap on the outside. However, this is normal for an inshore jacket and not a minus point.
Does not make a high-quality impression
The Zhik Inshore 400 is the first oilskin in the test that is not convincing. It is very light - an advantage - but it does not make a high-quality impression. The fit is not right and the uncomfortable straps are a real flaw.
Technical data:
Price:
- Jacket: 299 Euro
- Salopette: 259 Euro
Weight:
- Jacket: 644g
- Salopette: 805 g
Material:
- 3-ply laminate
- Waterproof, breathable
- Thin and light
Field of application:
- Inshore
- Summer sailing
Colours:
- Black
- Beige
- Green
Shoulder straps - The main problem:
- Only approx. 40 mm wide (very narrow!)
- No stretch in the material
- Uncomfortable plastic buckle for adjustment
- Too loose when standing upright
- They cut in massively when squatting
- Hard and uncomfortable on the shoulders
- Serious lack of fit
Fit - Second main problem:
- Not cut close to the body
- ßFeels like a size too big
- Unsatisfactory despite adjustment options
- Slobbers on the body
Michael Rinck
Redakteur Test & Technik
