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Home >> General Discussion >> Hikers with an RS Aero
Hi Clive,
 
I just wanted to echo what Retrenched said about the wear protection shorts. I found that the lycra sticks to the non-slip and not only do they get pulled down but I found I couldn't slide my weight out quickly enough after tacking. The durable seat panel on my Gul CZ long john slid more easily.
 
This was in a nearly new charter boat, so I don't know if the non-slip would get less aggressive over time.



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30/07/2019 17:36:00
Ian Fitzgerald
Posts: 1
I’m 71 and I find the pro hike pads, however you can wear them, a great help!


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22/07/2019 09:44:00
Posts: 0
I use Rooster RaceArmour shorts with the ProHike pads. I keep the pads in the shorts all the time, they are very comfortable. Have been using this set up for the past two seasons. Also can use the shorts with the pads with either my winter or summer wetsuits.


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15/07/2019 14:01:00
Mike0rea
Posts: 58
I’m 57 and sail in Australia. I ran a Rooster online shop so was not short of kit. My preference is to use the Pro Hike pads inside the old Pro Hike 3/4 shorts (no longer made) in summer, or inside a ThermaFlex long john in winter. (I suspect it’s easier to put the pads into the ThermaFlex than SuperTherm because of the additional stretch). I’ve also got a pair of the new full length hikers with fixed battens which I don’t find as good. I find the solid shell of the Pro Hike pads more comfortable and it keeps my bum higher above the water. The lateral flexibility in the fixed battens just drops me down a bit so that I get a bit more arse drag. The protection on the back of both hikers is really good and doesn’t wear much. I’ve tried Wear Protection shorts over the top but found they tended to get pulled around by the grip of the deck and work their way down. Neither comfortable nor a good look. Hope this helps.


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14/07/2019 08:58:00
Posts: 10
I think that hiking pads like the ones you have been using help grand master and older age sailors keep up with some of the younger sailors in their fifties and sixties. I use the curved pro pads in my supertherm long john and appreciate that they are a pain to put in. If you can put them in then you are fit enough to sail an Aero! Much easier in the warmer weather is to put them into shorts. My shorts don’t have a protective outer so I wear an old pair of rubbish hikers over them. I suspect that you’d be able to do the same with your fixed batten ones - or you could sandpaper your decks to a fair degree. They aren’t necessary in medium to light winds, in my opinion.


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13/07/2019 20:31:00
Posts: 0
Thanks Iain. I wondered what the quite rough non slip might do. I will be the wearing protective shorts Rooster do. Interesting you found it more comfortable without the battens. When there did they help you hiking position?
 
Does anyone else have any thoughts about hikers with an Aero. 
  



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13/07/2019 17:42:00
Posts: 8
I'm a similar age. I wore a pair of Gul hikers for years when I sailed a laser. When I moved to an aero nearly 5 years ago the deck surface ripped the battens out of them. However I found sailing without the battens much more comfortable so i'm still sailing with the same hikers but with no battens in!


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10/07/2019 22:43:00
Posts: 0
Hi everyone
 
Just wondering what people's experience of wearing hikers are with an Aero. About to order a pair of Rooster's latest long leg Pro hikers with the inbuilt battens (I found the U shaped pads a bit too much and awkward to use). I have been sailing with a Rooster supertherm long john and all very comfortable but a bit hot.... hence the hikers.
 
So, how much difference do people think they make for comfort and hiking effectiveness (I'm 60 and not an athletic hiker.... yet!). Do the inbuilt battens dig in? Should I just get a thinner wetsuit for the summer?
 
Thanks
Clive 
 
 



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10/07/2019 21:40:00
Posts: 8


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