best yachting wet weather gear

The Best Foul Weather Gear For Sailing

The best foul-weather gear overall is the Gill OS2 Offshore Series . The OS2 will serve the needs of most recreational sailors.

But, the topic is more nuanced when considering what type of sailing you will do.

For example, coastal foul weather gear won’t perform well under open ocean conditions. And ocean-going gear is overkill for day sailing.

The team at Sailing Savvy has nearly 50 years of experience in the yachting industry, having sailed the likes of Alaska, Canada, and Norway while also experiencing torrential downpours in the Caribbean and Central America. Here are the products we recommend:

🏆 Best Overall: Gill OS2 Series 🌊 Best for Open Ocean Sailing: Gill OS1 Series ⛵ Best for Dinghies and Racing: Gill Verso Drysuit 🥶 Best for Cold Weather: Helly Hansen Aegir Smock 🛟 Best for Buoyancy: Mustang Survival Catalyst

Before I begin, it’s essential to note that my discussion on foul weather gear will focus on the jacket and trousers (or bib, depending on your region). To complete the ensemble, you can read my recommendations on the best sailing boots to complement your gear.

Top Picks for Foul Weather Gear

Below, you’ll find thoroughly vetted options that stand out for their durability, design, and functionality, ensuring you can focus on navigating the seas with confidence.

Gill OS2 Offshore

🏆 Best Overall

✅ Exceptional water and stain repellency ✅ Made from recycled materials, a sustainable choice ✅ Ample pocket space and thermal lining for added warmth

During my 10-year career in yachting, this is the foul-weather jacket I enjoyed wearing the most, even over more expensive brands like Henri Lloyd and Helly Hansen. You cannot go wrong with the OS2!

• Exceptional water and stain repellency
• Made from recycled materials, a sustainable choice
• Ample pocket space and thermal lining for added warmth
• On the pricier side
• Limited color options available

The first thing you’ll notice is the exceptional water resistance. During a downpour or when facing rough seas, you are shielded against the elements.

Not only do you stay dry, but the added stain repellency also keeps the gear looking sharp trip after trip.

Equally noteworthy is the sustainable construction. Crafted from recycled nylon and polyester, it gives a nod to environmental responsibility without sacrificing performance.

Comfort undoubtedly plays a crucial role in selecting foul-weather gear. On a recent journey, the thermal lining proved invaluable for warmth without adding bulk. The fleece-lined pockets are a sanctuary for cold hands, and the high collar shields your neck from biting winds.

However, quality comes with a price, and the Gill OS2 is an investment. It may stretch your budget, but consider it a long-term purchase. Additionally, if you’re the type to desire a variety of colors, choices here are limited, which might disappoint some.

If you’re serious about staying dry, the OS2 series is indispensable. On the other hand, for more casual endeavors, there are less intense options that may suffice.

Gill OS1 Ocean

🌊 Best for Open Ocean Sailing

✅ Top-tier waterproof and breathable fabric ✅ Safety features including photoluminescent reflectors ✅ Durable with water repellency, stain resistance, and odor control

If you’re tackling the open sea and battling the elements, the Gill OS1 should certainly be on your radar for its professional-grade protection.

• Top-tier waterproof and breathable fabric
• Safety features including photoluminescent reflectors
• Durable with water repellency, stain resistance, and odor control
• Higher price point might not suit every budget
• Limited total reviews for wide-scale quality consensus
• May be bulkier than lighter jackets designed for less extreme conditions

Slipping into the OS1 Jacket, I felt an immediate sense of security. Its robust 3-layer XPLORE+ fabric didn’t just keep the biting ocean spray at bay, but its breathability was a godsend during strenuous maneuvers on deck.

The adjustable cuffs fitted snugly against my skin, preventing any unwanted water from creeping up my sleeves.

Visibility is paramount when the fog rolls in, and the jacket’s photoluminescent safety reflectors are like a beacon in the gloom.

They didn’t impede movement and provide peace of mind that crewmates would see you no matter the time of day.

Despite the jacket’s impressive features, I would be remiss not to mention the premium you’ll pay.

Quality doesn’t come cheap, and while I found the Gill OS1 to be exceptional in performance, the investment might be steep for casual sailors.

Is the price justified? That’s a decision you’ll weigh against your sailing needs.

Gill Verso Drysuit

⛵ Best for Dinghies and Racing

✅ Exceptional waterproofness and breathability thanks to XPLORE+ 3-layer fabric ✅ Easy access with rear-entry design and convenient relief zip ✅ Enhanced protection with an adjustable stowaway hood

These are designed for the hardcore racers who seek the pinnacle of performance in foul-weather gear.

Using a suit of this caliber, especially in challenging conditions, signifies that you’re engaging in high-level racing. Indeed, this is the apex of sailing performance gear for those where cost is not a concern.

• Exceptional waterproofness and breathability thanks to XPLORE+ 3-layer fabric
• Easy access with rear-entry design and convenient relief zip
• Enhanced protection with an adjustable stowaway hood
• May require machine washing for maintenance
• Priced at a premium, potentially out of reach for budget-conscious sailors
• The rear-entry design might take getting used to for some

When I slipped into this drysuit, I immediately noticed the snug yet comfortable fit provided by the neoprene Dryseal gaskets at the neck and cuffs, and the overskirt that fine-tunes the fit to your body’s shape.

Taking on the wind and spray, the three-layer XPLORE+ fabric and the XPEL plant-based treatment repelled water effortlessly while allowing my skin to breathe.

It’s evident that Gill understands that staying dry is one thing, but remaining comfortable is another. The laser-cut face ventilation speaks volumes about their attention to detail, providing ample airflow without compromising the suit’s waterproof integrity.

Sailing often comes with a need for accessibility and storage. Gill’s Verso Drysuit comes with a sleeve pocket, secured with a YKK AquaGuard zip that’s easy to reach even with a buoyancy aid or life jacket on.

This feature was particularly useful for stashing key accessories needed close at hand.

Although it’s a premium product with a price to match, the versatility and robust construction of the Verso Drysuit appear to justify the investment for serious sailors who are out on the water in all conditions.

Helly-Hansen Aegir Smock

🥶 Best for Cold Weather

✅ Impressive adaptability to changing conditions with ventilation zippers ✅ Professional-grade durability inspired by sailor insights ✅ Strategic design featuring a detachable hood for versatility in wear

Your sailing exploits demand gear that adapts to the most rigorous conditions, which the Helly-Hansen Aegir Smock is engineered to handle.

• Impressive adaptability to changing conditions with ventilation zippers
• Professional-grade durability inspired by sailor insights
• Strategic design featuring a detachable hood for versatility in wear
• Limited total reviews for comprehensive consumer consensus
• May be considered a premium investment
• Some sailors may prefer traditional integrated hood designs

When you zip up the Helly-Hansen Aegir Smock, you immediately appreciate the thoughtful design.

The YKK AQUA SEAL zippers not only keep the water out but also offer a level of ventilation that is a rare find in foul-weather gear.

Whether the sun peeks through stormy skies or the gales demand full fortification, adjusting your protection is swift and practical.

Sailing in full swing, the Aegir Smock displays its stellar build quality. Developed with input from professionals like Thomas Coville , you sense the robustness. The touch of the fabric, 100% polyamide, assures you of its ability to endure.

The detachable hood might not be for everyone, but HH markets Aegir as modular, so you have full control.

Mustang Survival Catalyst Jacket

🛟 Best for Buoyancy

✅ Exceptional mobility and range of motion ✅ Highly waterproof and breathable ✅ Convenient features like underarm vents and a D-ring for safety

Trust in this Mustang Survival jacket to offer comfort and durability as you tackle the unpredictable sea.

• Exceptional mobility and range of motion
• Highly waterproof and breathable
• Convenient features like underarm vents and a D-ring for safety
• May be heavy for some wearers
• Premium pricing
• Size and fit preference may vary

The Mustang Survival Catalyst Jacket ticks these boxes with its harmonized approval for buoyancy and robust waterproofing.

Maneuvering around your vessel is unrestricted, thanks to the M-Tech Comfort System. Regular gear just can’t compete with this freedom of movement, offering a big plus for active sailors.

Breathability is often overlooked, yet it’s vital for comfort. This jacket over-delivers with a high vapor transmission rate and zippered vents under the arms.

These features work together to regulate your temperature, ensuring the inside of the jacket remains as dry as the outside.

You’ll appreciate not feeling like you’re wrapped in a plastic bag, as can happen with lesser jackets.

Your safety on the water hasn’t been overlooked either. The included D-ring is a thoughtful addition, providing a secure point to attach your engine kill switch – a must for solo adventurers or in case of an emergency.

While the jacket may carry a bit more weight and cost than other options, it’s a fair trade for the security and features it offers. The Catalyst Jacket by Mustang Survival will quickly become a go-to in your sea-wardrobe.

Our recommendation process

Between the editorial team at Sailing Savvy, we have nearly 50 years’ worth of experience within the yachting industry. We have used numerous brands like Gill, Helly Hansen, and Henri Lloyd.

The recommendations we share are 100% impartial and bias-free. We only offer genuine advice on what we have come to know as the best and most reliable sailing gear.

We also strongly advocate that the best boating foul-weather gear on the market today is the OS2 series from Gill.

Buying Guide

1. buy a reputable brand.

I can’t stress enough because it’s so essential. The adage that you get what you pay for applies. Don’t be tempted to buy sub-par gear from an unknown name in the sailing/boating apparel industry.

Gill, Helly Hansen, Musto, Henri Lloyd, and Mustang Survival are some to consider. These are brands that make gear with sailors in mind. However, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy from them if you are looking for powerboating gear or saltwater fishing apparel.

A quality set of foulies will last years, and more importantly, it’ll do what it is supposed to do: keep you dry.

2. Assessing Your Needs

Bear in mind what type of boating you will be doing. A fully watertight suit is overkill if you are cruising through the inlets and close to shore.

Conversely, don’t expect a coastal jacket to hold up to torrential downpours and big seas on an ocean crossing. Manufacturers tailor their gear to match the situation. If you are looking for a good all-rounder, get offshore foul-weather gear because it provides the best of both worlds.

3. Material and Construction

Look for durable materials that offer waterproof and windproof protection, as well as breathability. Seams should be fully sealed to prevent water ingress.

4. Fit and Comfort

Prioritize a fit that allows for ease of movement without being too loose. Comfort enhances performance, especially during prolonged wear.

• Layering: Ensure the gear accommodates layering without restricting movement.
• Adjustments: Look for adjustable cuffs and hems for a snug fit.

5. Safety Features

Visibility is crucial in adverse conditions. Gear should have reflective elements and bright colors for easy identification at sea.

• Visibility: Reflective strips and bright colors for safety.
• Accessibility: Accessible pockets for essential items.

6. Technology and Innovation

Consider gear with technological advancements such as fabric treatments and innovative closure systems that enhance protection and durability.

Remember : Investing in quality gear can enhance your safety and comfort while sailing in foul weather. Choose wisely based on the specifications that meet your needs.

Frequently Asked

How do i maintain and care for my foul-weather gear.

Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your foul-weather gear. Regularly wash your foul weather gear , follow the manufacturer’s instructions, avoid storing it in direct sunlight, and check for any damages or wear before each use.

Can I re-waterproof my foul-weather gear for sailing?

Over time, even the best foul-weather gear can lose its waterproofing capabilities. To ensure your gear remains effective, it’s essential to re-waterproof it periodically . There are three primary methods for re-waterproofing: spray, wash-in, and waxes.

What features are important in selecting sailing jackets for cold and wet conditions?

Important features in sailing jackets include thermal insulation, a high collar, a hood that can fit over a helmet, and pockets that are easily accessible whilst wearing a harness or life jacket. Waterproof, windproof, and breathable materials are also essential for comfort and protection.

How does the fit of sailing foul weather gear affect performance and safety?

Foul weather gear should offer a snug fit that allows for a full range of motion without excess fabric that can snag. However, it should not be so tight as to restrict movement or layering. Good fit supports endurance and helps prevent accidents on deck.

Can you explain the differences between various brands’ foul weather gear technologies?

Different brands utilize unique materials and design techniques; some may use proprietary waterproof membranes or durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings. Technologies vary in their balance of breathability versus waterproofing, with some prioritizing one over the other based on the intended use.

What considerations should women have in mind when choosing sailing foul-weather apparel?

Women should ensure the gear accommodates their body shape comfortably and allows for layering. Look for adjustable features like waist cinches or articulated seam placement that enhance fit. Some brands offer women-specific designs that better match female ergonomics.

Written by:

I’m the founder and chief editor here at Sailing Savvy. I spent a decade working as a professional mariner and currently, I mix those experiences with digital publishing. Welcome, and I hope that we can be the hub you need for safe passage.

Sail Nelson

The natural choice.

Gear Review – Foul Weather Gear

REBLOG from Summer 2018:

As I prep for my upcoming trip this summer, I am realizing that my old foul weather gear is just not up to the challenge. I donated my Offshore Mustang Survival suit many years ago as it had become stiff and was never really made for the female physique (it was from the early 90s).

As I research new foul weather gear, there have been some major advancements. Not only in functionality, but the materials themselves have improved tremendously. The first thing that I need to look at is what am I expecting of my gear? So, here’s my wish list:

• pockets/storage
• hood/rain cover
• visibility – colour, reflectors, etc.
• compatibility with my PFDs, safety harness , MOB light, etc.
• ease of movement
• overall comfort & fit (thinking of bathroom breaks and long hours spent sitting or standing staring at the compass and radar… glamorous. I know. Shhh don’t tell the rest of the crew. They think we’ll be sipping Mi Tais and playing with dolphins the whole time!)

Notice anything important that is missing? Warmth. Yup. No mention of that. That is because my base layers will be responsible for that. Check out my Base Layer Gear Review for more info…

I wrote this post from a women’s perspective as we have a slightly longer wish-list for our foul weather gear (in my opinion) than men, but my reviews and comments are also valid for any men looking for new gear. You just have a few more choices 😉

Check out more gear reviews, tips and tricks on my podcast: Your Pocket Sailing Instructor

#68 Chartering in Croatia: Interview with Graham Toews – Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast

• #68 Chartering in Croatia: Interview with Graham Toews 36:38
• Top 10 Experiences for your Sailor! 23:21
• #67 Your Personal Playlist! 32:14
• #66 My Winterizing FAIL!! 19:03
• #65 Crew You! How to solve crew issues on your boat… 27:59

The main players

From my research so far, there are only a few players in the field of sailing foul weather gear. The main ones are Mustang , Gill , Musto and Helly Hansen .

To start off, there are no female specific offshore suits that I can find. So that’s a big negative for me.

The other glaring issue for me, is that all of their gear is black! Yes that looks very sexy, but I’m more concerned with being seen and making it home to my family if I fall off the boat, than looking “hot” in all black.

Finally, I have leveraged my sailing community for input on Mustang foul weather gear and it was not overly favourable. It seems that Mustang is moving to capture the commercial market and not overly interested in all purpose sailors. Mustang is, however, still a leader in the Canadian market for life jackets and PFDs – yet again another post to follow .

Alright, so Gill has two female jackets to offer: OS1 Womens Jacket (Offshore) and OS2 Womens Jacket (Coastal). They are bright red, have reflectors, lots of pockets, good hoods, waterproof, hand-warmer pockets (bonus!), among a few other perks. So far so good.

That’s about where it ends. There are no female specific pants for offshore cruising so no drop seat for my head time, which is a negative. The less time you spend below fighting with your gear the better. Trust me.

The lack of selection is also a bit concerning as the price of foul weather gear is very high so you have to make sure that what works for you will work for the life of your investment. That being said, it is important to try many options before you buy. You may end up with a Gill Jacket and Mustang pants. Who knows. If it works for you, get it.

Overall I don’t think Gill is my best foul weather gear option, but it’s not out of the running yet.

Download my FREE Foul Weather Gear Checklist to make sure you get the right gear for you!

This particular brand was recently brought to my attention as I’m not overly familiar with Musto, but I do know a few people who use their gear. They have a great women’s offshore set – the MPX GORE-TEX® Offshore Jacket and MPX GORE-TEX® Offshore Trousers.

The jacket boasts a lot of great features including: 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro laminate for high performance breathability, waterproof and windproof protection, articulated elbows and underarms for freedom of movement, fleece-lined collar for comfort and warmth, fluorescent GORE-TEX® hood with peak (fully waterproof), 2 handwarmer pockets, 2 cargo pockets to store essentials, life jacket attachment points allow you to take off your jacket and life jacket together (awesome) , and photoluminescent reflectors glow in the dark to keep you visible at night, to name a few.

The ability to have your life jacket attached to the jacket is a great feature as this enables you to set your life jacket straps and then leave them as is when you take off your jacket. This decreases the chance of having your life jacket straps too tight or too lose and decreases the number of adjustments you need to make every time you take your jacket on and off.

The pants are made for prolonged offshore sailing. These trousers have adjustable straps and back waist adjustment for a comfort fit. It has CORDURA® reinforcement patches on the seat, knees, back hems to prevent abrasion, and a detachable tool pouch adds storage space. The downside is that the pants do not appear to have an easy head access zipper. Boo.

Overall, the Musto women’s gear is a strong contender for me.

Helly Hansen

HH has definitely asserted itself as a leader in the world of sailing foul weather gear. Imagine my excitement when I checked off female offshore sailing gear and found 6 jacket options! Now 3 of the jackets are considered unisex, but at least they list them as options for me on their website. There are also 3 different pant options.

The Ægir series is built for professional ocean sailors and is Norse mythology for god of the “sea”. Most items in the collection come in red, white or black (red being my choice). The Ægir Ocean Jacket would be the full-on foul weather jacket to go with, but I think the extra long length would drive me a bit crazy (I don’t like long jackets around my thighs). The next logical step up from there is the Ægir Race Jacket and Ægir Race Salopette (French word for an overall type of pant).

Ægir Race Jacket

Here are some of the features of the jacket: waterproof, 4 ply fabric construction, fully seam sealed, waterproof, high collar, fleece collar, adjustable hood, double storm flap, adjustable double cuffs, adjustable waist, Solas (safety of life at sea) reflective, hand warmer pockets, chest pockets and articulated sleeves.

That’s a lot of goodies! Overall it checks all of the boxes for me, but what do the reviews have to say? Well, there is an overwhelmingly positive response for this product on the HH website and within the sailing community.

Ægir Race Salopette

Here are some of the features of the pants: waterproof, 3 ply fabric construction, fully seam sealed, waterproof, seat and knee reinforcements, breathable softshell top, two way front zip, adjustable waist, thigh cargo pockets and adjustable leg openings.

Once again, a great list of attributes, but it is this key phrase in the description that seals the deal for me: Especially developed for women’s convenience is the drop seat construction with a fully waterproof YKK® Aquaseal® zipper. Head visits made easy! Brilliant. Again, the reviews on the HH site were very positive for these pants.

Overall, choosing the right foul weather gear takes time, research and some trial and error. Try not to let the price affect your choice as this is an investment and you want to make sure you have the right gear to keep you safe and warm.

Once you get over the sticker shock, you’ll have a great time seeing what works for you!

Don’t forget your FREE Foul Weather Gear Checklist !

Is this not what I should be wearing for the trip!? 😉

Page Photo Credit : Nicole Speckmaier, Geminis Dream, VanIsle 360 International Yacht Race

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18 comments.

I am also looking for a foul weather gear and your article came across. I thought you had look into all brands but like you said it takes a lot of research I think you left a good amount of brands out of the option. West marine gear falls apart after a couple of years I would not spend a cent in it again. I find HH is good but not sure if I would buy the ocean foul weather gear. Most of the gear I have tried working on different boats such as Musto, Henry Lloyds or Zhik are very good, Zhik boots are very comfortable and warm. I have ended mixing up different gear to obtain all I wanted.

Hey Alexandra, thanks for your comments. Zhik is a brand I am definitely looking to try out as well for myself. Which boots do you have?

Thanks again for this note Alexandra. I have since started a podcast and I recently did a series of gear discussions on foul weather gear, base layers and boots. For boots I am interested in the Zhik Seaboot. Are those the ones you use? Would be interested in your feedback on how they are doing for you!

The Gill OS2 is great, but the armholes are too tight. Sent it back,. Hate paying for shipping, I agree, my layering is my mid-layer. I like a lighter coat, Gotta keep looking….

Hey Monica, yes it really is a hunt for good gear. It really needs to work for you, and what works for you may not work for another sailor with similar physique and a similar wish list. Hope you find what you need soon! I find online shopping really tricky too…

Could you check out West Marine foulies as one of the “new brands”?

P.S. What about West Marine foulies? Thanks.

Hi Islenya, unfortunately I do not have much info or experience with them… They do make good boat parts, but can’t really comment on their clothing. Sorry!

I have a Helly Hansen jacket and pants that I bought 22 years ago. I was lightweight, and kept me dry in hurricanes in the FL Keys (on land). The seams were all sealed, of course. Now, after all these years, the seam sealant has dried out, pulverized, and filled the webbing and pockets inside the jacket; I gave it a good shake and it finally all (?) came out. I am assuming that this is normal, given the age of the articles. Is there any way to tell how long seam sealant will hold up in a given brand?

Hi Islenya, It is normal for seams to break down over time especially if you are out in salt water. Also, gear that was made 22 years ago is quite different from todays textiles. There have been many advancements. I would suggest checking the HH or brand website to find out what their life expectancy and guarantees are. There is really no way to know how long a specific brand will last for as it really does depend on the use and environment you are wearing it in. Arcteryx is one brand that seems to replace their gear if it does not stand up, but they do not make sailing specific gear, so it could be a toss up. Best bet is to talk with other sailors and see how they like their gear and how it is standing up to their use. Happy shopping! Penny

I really like your reviews. its a genuine one.i think there should be some new sailing gears brands add in your reviews the gill and westcoast are old sailing brands give the chance some new brands as well.

Thanks for the note! Send me some of your new gear recommendations and I’ll try to do a new gear review this season!

I am totally impressed!

Glad you found it useful!

Wow! My brother built a catamaran that we sailed on this summer on Vancouver Island with my cat! It was awesome.

Thank you this is very useful information to have … we don’t get extreme weather in my country but we may sail in colder places as my kids love to sail

Glad you found it useful! You never know where you will end up and when you will need some new foul weather gear.

Totally agree 😊

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best sailing jackets and pants for boaters

• Theo Stocker
• May 10, 2022

The best sailing jackets and pants needn’t break the bank. YM put seven sets of inshore and coastal oilskins under £350 to the test

When on the lookout for the best sailing jackets and pants, a mistake often made is to get kit that far outsrips your needs and therefore is more expensive than you need it to be. Let’s be honest: while we might think we need sailing waterproofs that can fend off the fiercest ocean storm , in reality, most of us choose to sail in the warmer months.

If a nasty forecast is coming our way, we’re more likely to be found holed up in the nearest harbour or pub than plugging to windward into the teeth of gale.

Of course, if you are planning on heading off on an ocean-crossing voyage you may well want something more robust, in which case head over to our full group test of the best offshore waterproofs too.

If you are a coastal cruising sailor, you may decide that inshore waterproofs will do what you need for most of the time, keeping the worst of the weather out without being too bulky or too hard on the wallet.

We’ve included minimum waterproof ratings (the water pressure the fabric can withstand in millimetres) though most claim to exceed this.

As soon as the jackets arrived in our office, it was clear the suits fitted roughly into one of two categories. Some were fairly substantial garments including many of the features you’d expect to see on offshore waterproofs, while others had taken a more minimalist approach, giving some protection while keeping things lightweight and simple.

Personal taste will dictate which you prefer.

*Yachting Monthly is not paid by manufacturers for our recommendations. If you click through and buy an item, we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer, at no cost to you.*

Best sailing jackets and pants.

© Graham Snook Photography

Helly Hansen Pier

**Bests sailing jackets and pants on test**

Specifications

Technology: Helly Tech Performance 2-layer fabric Waterproof: >10,000mm External pockets:2, plus 4 handwarmers Internal pockets: 1 Lining: Mesh Women’s version: Yes Website: www.hellyhansen.com

A set of oilskins that aims for full protection despite being lighter weight, the Helly Hansen Pier outfit has the greatest range of features of the jackets tested.

As well as Scandinavian styling, HH have created a good all-round jacket.

Men’s and women’s come in different styles and fits but do not include a drop seat.

With a fairly high microfleece-lined collar, long body and waist, and hem adjustment, the Pier jacket gave protection without restricting movement.

The hood is hi-vis yellow, rolls away into the collar, has a mesh liner and has adjustment at the sides and back.

The double cuff kept water out, as did the storm flap over the zip, and there are reflective patches on the sleeves but not the shoulders or hood.

This is the best jacket for pockets, with two main cargo pockets and fleece-lined handwarmer pockets behind, and another pair of handwarmer pockets on the chest.

The single internal zipped pocket is accessed at the top rather than the side – more secure but harder to access.

The soft mesh liner felt cosy but did snag on the Velcro when taking it off.

Reinforcement was good on the seat and elbows.

The Pier 2 salopettes are a little more basic than the jacket, offering a single cargo pocket on the thigh and an elasticated waist but with no adjustment.

The body of the salopettes is high and the shoulder straps elastic, securing back on to themselves with Velcro.

Reinforcement on knees and seat felt tough, the ankles closed with Velcro but aren’t reinforced.

The two-way zip (also on the jacket) is covered by a storm flap.

Test verdict

The Pier jacket and Pier 2 salopettes performed well in the water test.

No water got in past the inner cuffs and only the smallest amount got in through the neck.

They gave a good range of movement and fitted nicely without acres of spare fabric.

With a good range of features, some decent safety points and solid protection, this was our favourite.

It would have been nice to see handwarmer pockets and an adjustable waist on the salopettes for the perfect outfit.

A rugged all-round, all-weather jacket at a fair price.

Buy the Helly Hansen Pier jacket from Helly Hansen Buy the Helly Hansen Pier pants from Helly Hansen

Musto BR1 Inshore

Specifications:.

Technology: Musto BR1 Waterproof: 5,000mm External pockets: 2 handwarmers Internal pockets: 2 zipped Lining: Nylon & mesh Women’s version: Yes Website: www.musto.com

Musto’s BR1 inshore jacket and salopettes were the most lightweight design on test, reflecting the fact that this is very much an inshore rather than coastal jacket, selected in order to come in under the price point.

Despite this, it is an extremely comfortable and well-made jacket that should be plenty for day sailing in anything but awful conditions.

Other than fit, the men’s and women’s jacket and salopettes both offer the same features.

With no external storm flap, the jacket has a waterproof zip and internal storm flap, which kept water out.

A fleece-lined mid-height collar contains a roll-away hood with a small peak, volume adjustment and side adjusters. We liked the hi-vis yellow detail on the collar.

There are just two external pockets with zip closures and fleece handwarmer linings.

The single cuffs are adjustable but lack inner cuffs. Inside, it was good to see two zipped chest pockets for keeping phone and keys, and the jacket and hood has a simple mesh liner.

There is drawstring adjustment at the hem but not around the waist.

These felt solid.

A chunky two-way YKK zip closure at the front has a large inner gusset to keep water out and there is good reinforcement on the knees, seat and around the heel of the trousers.

The ankles have Velcro strap closures, the waist is adjustable and the shoulder straps are fabric covered, elasticated with Velcro adjustment.

The salopettes have one generously sized cargo pocket on the thigh and there’s a strap to secure a knife pouch.

Our water test showed that the jacket let in some water around the neck and cuffs, but this is perhaps to be expected on such a lightweight jacket.

The suit afforded a good degree of movement and flex and was shorter in the body than others, giving it a modern appearance but perhaps slightly less protection.

With fewer features than some of the others, this set offered little bulk.

These would make very good summer sailing waterproofs.

Buy the Musto BR1 Jacket from Musto Buy the Musto BR1 Pants from Musto

Gul ViGo Coastal

Specifications: 

Technology: GCX2 Waterproof: 5,000mm External pockets: 3, plus handwarmers Internal pockets: 2 Lining: Brushed mesh Women’s version: Dropseat Website: www.gul.com

It might not be the first name that springs to mind for yachting waterproofs but Gul have been making wetsuits, dinghy gear and waterproofs for years.

Their Vigo Coastal jacket and salopettes represent the top of the line for their yachting kit and are well worth a look.

Without breaking the bank, this suit punches above its weight with the number of features it includes, representing a serious set of sailing waterproofs.

The roll-away hi-vis peaked hood has zipped stowage © Graham Snook Photography

Gul’s GCX2 waterproof and breathable fabric has a soft feel to it.

With more traditional styling that other suits, the red and navy colour is nicely understated.

The jacket has an easy fit that left room for an extra layer or two underneath. It closes with a two-way zip and an outer storm flap, as well as a chin guard over the top of the zip and wider storm flap at the top to seal the collar.

It has two large cargo pockets with fleece-lined handwarmer pockets behind, and additional waterproof-zipped pockets above these.

There is an elasticated hem adjuster and reflective patches on the shoulders and chest.

It is one of the few jackets to feature lifejacket loops either side of the zip.

Inside, we liked the warm brushed mesh liner.

For a coastal jacket, the fleece collar is high and warm, with a roll-away hi-vis peaked hood inside zipped stowage.

The sleeves has double cuffs with an inner rubberised cuff to seal.

The women’s salopettes have a drop-seat design to make calls of nature easier, while the men’s have a two-way zip protected by a Velcro storm flap.

Both sets of trousers have a nylon lining and a zipped inner pocket, as well as two large thigh cargo pockets.

The ankles close with a narrow Velcro fastening, shoulder straps elastic with Velcro fastening.

We liked the amount of space the jacket has and the articulated sleeves for easier movement.

In the water test, only a small amount got in through the neck and none through the cuffs.

It has a great level of detailing and felt like a serious sailing jacket that would stand up to most weather.

Some of the stitching appeared slightly weak though.

Buy the Gul Vigo Coastal jacket from Amazon Buy the Gul Vigo Coastal pants from Amazon

Henri Lloyd Wave

Technology: TP1 Waterproof: 10,000mm External pockets: 2 zipped Internal pockets: 1 Velcro Lining: Nylon Women’s version: Yes Website: www.henrilloyd.com

Henri Lloyd have produced a simple but solid set of oilskins that don’t have extraneous features but will keep the worst of the weather out.

Using a heavier fabric than some of the others but with only two external handwarmer pockets, it’s great if you want to be waterproof without the fuss of a big jacket.

A conservatively styled jacket, the Wave includes a photo-luminescent reflective chest patch, lifejacket loops either side of the zip and a hi-vis hood.

The hood has a stiffened peak but is sadly only adjustable at the sides.

The collar was one of the highest on test with lovely thick fleece that kept the cool spring breeze at bay.

The zip is covered with a decent storm flap and the hem has an adjustable draw cord.

The cuffs sealed well with an internal rubberised cuff and an adjustable outer cuff.

The handwarmer pockets are closed with waterproof zips but do not have drainage.

Inside, there is a single chest pocket with Velcro closure, so we felt it was lacking in the number of pockets.

It has a nylon taffeta lining and allows a good range of movement.

The Wave Hi Fit salopettes were heavier and felt tougher than other salopettes on test, but were some of the most basic in terms of features.

The zip doesn’t have a storm flap but has a good gusset inside.

They are well reinforced on the knees, seat and around ankles; the latter have good wide Velcro closure.

The waist is elasticated but not adjustable.

These were the only trousers to have elastic shoulder straps with the old-fashioned sliding buckles, which now seem rather fiddly to adjust.

There’s no cargo pocket on the leg.

If you’re not fussed about the details, these trousers have very little to go wrong and will probably last very well.

These sailing waterproofs provided the good balance of a well-fitting suit that still has enough space to move and add layers underneath.

It would have been nice to see a few more pockets.

In the water test, there was minimal ingress at the neck and no leaks at the wrist.

This set was comparable to the Musto suit for features but tailored to a higher level of protection with heavier construction.

Buy the Henri Lloyd Wave jacket now from Amazon Buy the Henri Lloyd Wave pants now from Amazon

Decathlion Tribord 500

Technology: Dual-layer hydrophilic fabric Waterproof: 10,000mm ext pocket 2, plus zipped handwarmers Internal pockets: 2 zipped Lining: Nylon & mesh Women’s version: Yes Website: www.decathlon.co.uk

French brand Decathlon have been steadily increasing their presence in the UK with their ubiquitous blue and white stores springing up around the country.

They offer equipment for virtually every sport under the sun, all developed in house.

They don’t sell through normal chandlers though, so aren’t the first name to come to mind for sailing gear.

Despite this, they have developed an impressive range of sailing kit under the Tribord brand.

These waterproofs look and feel the part and have clearly been very well thought through.

The jacket comes with in distinctly different men’s and women’s versions.

The styling is different, but the key features are all the same.

There is also an insulated ‘parka’ version of the jacket on offer.

The jacket is made of solid-feeling fabric and has a large reinforcement patch over the seat.

A plastic zip is covered by a good storm flap and there are two large cargo pockets, with two zipped handwarmer pockets above them on the chest; sadly these weren’t very accessible when wearing a lifejacket.

The collar comes level with the ears and has a cosy fleece lining as well as providing stowage for a same-colour peaked hood (contrast colour for women’s).

The hood is three-way adjustable for the peak, volume and sides.

Double cuffs did a good job of keeping water out, though the rubberised inner ones felt slightly cheap.

Inside, the jacket was lined with mesh and had two zipped pockets.

The trousers were made of the same fabric, with fabric-covered Velcro straps.

This was the only set to have chest handwarmer pockets on men’s and women’s – a great feature.

The women’s were drop seat but didn’t have an adjustable waist.

The men’s had Velcro adjustment straps on the back.

Ankle cuff closures gave a good adjustment.

These oilskins stood up well to the water test, only letting in a small amount of water through the neck and cuffs.

For a set of sailing waterproofs that cost half as much as anything else on test, these felt remarkably good quality with all the features you’d want, with only a few details giving the game away, like lining and wrist seal fabrics.

Buy it the Decathlon Tribord 500 jacket from Decathlon Buy the Decthlon Tribord 500 pants from Decathlon

Gill OS3 Coastal

Technology: OS3 2-layer fabric Waterproof: >10,000mm External pockets: 2, plus 2 handwarmers Internal pockets: 1 zipped Lining: Nylon & mesh Women’s version: Yes Website: www.gillmarine.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

Buy the Gill OS3 Coastal jacket from Amazon Buy the Gill OS3 coastal pants from Amazon

**Best sailing jackets and pants on test: Runner up**

Technology: 2-layer fabric Waterproof: >5,000mm External pockets: 2 handwarmers Internal pockets: 1 zipped Lining: Warm mesh Women’s version: Jacket yes, salopettes no Website: www.zhik.com

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.

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.

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.

These were popular sailing waterproofs 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.

Buy the Zhik Kiama jacket from Zhik Buy the Zhik Kiama pants from Zhik

Even with a budget of £350, there are some remarkably good sets of oilskins on the market.

Different brands have focused on different kinds of waterproofs at this price point: Musto and Zhik have gone more lightweight; Henri Lloyd sit in the middle with heavier construction but minimalist design; Gill, Tribord, Helly Hansen and Gull have gone for pared-down versions of their offshore kit.

It’s up to you to pick what’s important to you, although for inshore and coastal sailing, we liked the suits that had at least some cargo pockets and some handwarmer pockets.

On this score, the Helly Hansen, Gill, Gul and Tribord did very well.

What to look for

All the suits used own-brand fabric, all made to be waterproof and breathable, and all use fully taped seams.

Have a look at the fabrics waterproof rating – this will have an impact on how prolonged a soaking you can endure before you feel damp.

The big surprise from our test was how well Decathlon did with its Tribord 500 jacket.

If the brands were not marked on the clothes, it would be very difficult to tell that this one is half the price of the others.

We think this brand will be making waves in the sector if it’s longevity is up to scratch.

We liked the Musto a lot and it would be a great set of waterproofs for the summer, but for our money, Helly Hansen ticked the most boxes: lightweight and stylish, robust waterproofing, excellent protection, plenty of pockets and performed well in the water test.

Its only weak spot was the rather basic salopettes.

Close contention

Finally, it was a close call for the runner-up position.

The Gill, Gul, Henri Lloyd and Zhik suits were all in strong contention.

In the end, the super comfy Zhik Kiama narrowly pipped the Gill OS3 Coastals to the post.

Surprisingly effective seals and a few nice details made them a pleasure to wear.

Gill’s sailing waterproofs were solid and had a good level of features that put it just ahead of Henri Lloyd.

With thanks to Inspiration Marine for providing their Hanse 388 as Yachting Monthly’s test base for this article.

How we tested the best sailing jackets and pants

We picked a range of the latest coastal waterproofs on the market, lined them up and compared the details and features we did and didn’t like.

Then we looked at the fabric used and the overall feel and quality of the garment; the hood and collar; internal and external pockets and handwarmers; zips and closures; lining and fit adjustment, cuffs and seals.

We also tested both men’s and women’s versions of each suit where available.

It was then time to go sailing and we spent time wearing each of the suits to get a feel for the fit and articulation offered, as being able to move freely without feeling encumbered is an important factor.

We wore lifejackets over the top so we could see if the pockets were still accessible and played around with the hoods, collars and cuffs to find out how easy and effective all of the features were to use.

Finally, we donned grey t-shirts under the waterproofs to show any damp spots effectively and then poured a large bucket of water from a metre above the wearers’ heads while hosing down from the front, behind, in the face and around the cuffs.

We’ve been using them out on the water over the start of the season to give us more of an idea of how they hold up in the real world.

Longevity over a few seasons’ use was the only factor we couldn’t test.

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Home » Blog » Gear » How to choose sailing foul weather gear

How to choose sailing foul weather gear

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: November 17, 2022

Foul weather gear is designed to do one thing: keep you dry on a sailboat. Simple, right? Until you go shopping for a suit and are immediately overwhelmed by the vast number of options, technical features, and specs – not to mention the price tags!

We’ve had the opportunity to sea trial various types of foul weather gear while sailing over 13,000 miles on our 35-foot sailboat. Read on for our guide to choosing the perfect set of foulies .

Note: This post contains affiliate links

5 types of foul weather gear

Whether you’re weekend cruising in Washington or offshore racing in the Southern Ocean, foul weather gear is an important piece of kit. However, the suit you choose  largely depends on the type of sailing you’re doing.

Foul weather gear generally falls into one of five classes:

• Nonsailing waterproof outdoor gear

Inshore gear is great for sailing in warmer climates , where you need something to block the wind, spray, and occasional rain showers . Its construction makes it comfortable and easy to move in.

Key features:

• Lightweight water-resistant or waterproof fabrics
• Highly versatile and can be used for onshore activities like hiking and biking
• Emphasis on comfort over more rigid/durable coastal and offshore suits

Coastal gear is medium weight and versatile , good for anything from multiday cruises to carrying groceries down the dock in the rain. While not as tough sounding as its offshore cousin, coastal gear provides good value and mileage . I used a coastal Henri Lloyd set on an eight-day offshore passage down the US Pacific Coast and it kept me comfortable.

• Medium-weight waterproof fabrics
• Reflective tape and high-vis colors
• Reinforced seats, knees
• Fleece lined pockets

3. Offshore

Offshore foul weather gear is designed to withstand serious abuse at sea . It’s the go-to option for offshore racers and cruisers, sailors planning to spend weeks at a time in their two-piece . After two years of offshore cruising, I finally invested in a Musto offshore suit and I absolutely love the functionality and extra features . It’s definitely a luxury but when you’re spending weeks of every year at sea, it’s well worth it.

• Heavy-duty and high-performance fabrics
• Integrated safety harness
• Reflective tape and high vis colors
• Tall collars

Wrist seals

4. Float suit

Float suits are made from closed-cell foam, providing flotation and insulation in the event that you fall in. They’re commonly used in commercial settings but many recreational sailors swear by them. They’re bulky and don’t breathe very well, making them a poor choice for highly active sailing (i.e. racing).

Still, you can’t beat a float suit for cold weather. I bought an older Mustang Float suit at a thrift shop and lived in the thing when we circumnavigated Vancouver Island in the fall. It’s like wearing a sleeping bag all day, which suits me just fine!

• Closed-cell foam provides buoyancy and warmth
• One-piece suit or jacket/pant combo
• Reinforced seats and knees

5. Nonsailing waterproof jacket

Do I really need foul weather gear? Can’t I just use my waterproof hiking jacket?

In many cases, yes. Some sailors wear waterproof jackets and pants designed for hiking, skiing, and mountaineering. While you won’t get sailing-specific features like wrist seals and high collars, a waterproof hiking jacket and pants should work just fine for a low-key weekend cruise or even for longer trips in hot climates.

For example, when I cruised in Mexico for a year, I used a lightweight GORE-TEX shell and pants designed for skiing. If you’re just getting into sailing and aren’t ready to invest in foulies, use the waterproof gear you have. After all, people used to go to sea in oilskins, which were basically sail cloth painted with linseed oil and wax!

Features to consider when shopping for foul weather gear

Foul weather gear is designed to have a roomier fit than other types of activewear and should leave you with plenty of freedom of movement and space for layers underneath.

While traffic cone orange may not be your go-to hue, avoid more neutral tones like blue, gray and black . These colors will make you tricky to spot if you fall overboard. If you really can’t bear going with a high-vis suit, choose a jacket with a high-vis hood or alternatively keep a bright yellow swim cap tucked into your life jacket.

High-tech fabrics

Foul weather suits come in various levels of waterproofness, breathability, and durability. Your choice will depend on your local climate, the type of sailing your doing, and your activity level on the boat.

Reinforced knees and seats

From wrestling down a spinnaker on an anti-skid deck to endlessly snagging your clothes on hardware, the sailing environment is brutal on clothing . Offshore and coastal foul-weather gear have reinforced high abrasion areas for extra durability.

Heavy duty, noncorroding zippers

Sailing brands almost exclusively use noncorroding zippers. If you’re thinking of buying wet weather gear from a nonsailing specific brand, look for noncorroding zippers or expect frozen zips and a rusty mess.

Coastal and offshore suits usually include bib pants. This is to avoid water rushing up your midsection . If you’re not planning on seeing green water over the deck you can find lightweight waist pant options.

Elasticated waists

Far from being about form or fashion, an elasticated waist helps prevent water from rushing up your suit.

Pockets, pockets, pockets

Foul-weather gear offers capacious pockets. Easily fit your rigging knife, phone, snacks, gloves and more.

High-vis hoods with stiff brims are great for seeing and being seen!

Wrist seals are rubber cuffs that prevent water from running up your sleeves.

Any offshore lady knows the annoyance of wrestling in and out of foul weather gear when nature calls in the middle of the night watch . Drop seats, which work much like a fly, are the solution!

We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to choosing foul weather gear. Questions or thoughts? Let us know in the comment field below.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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Choosing Foul-Weather Gear to Keep You

• By Elaine Lembo
• Updated: May 31, 2011

Foul Weather Gear Review

The latest trend in foul-weather gear is straightforward: Sailors want the best that technology can offer in jackets and pants, which means lighter fabrics that are more breathable and guaranteed waterproof.

What’s not so straightforward is deciphering the array of products , the brand-specific terminology, and the engineering and marketing logic behind it all. Still, whether you’re a die-hard advocate of watertight P.V.C. or the ultimate in breathability, knowing what’s innovative and most appropriate for the way you sail is invaluable.

“People will go into a West Marine store and ask ‘What’s the best you’ve got?’” says Chuck Hawley, the company’s vice president of product information. “People have to be realistic about what they’re doing. If they’re not crossing oceans, there’s no reason for them to have ocean gear. They may imagine circumnavigating, but barely a third of them do. They buy the gear and think it’s overly restrictive, when they’ve just bought the wrong level of gear. The point is, you can overbuy foul-weather gear and sometimes it’s overkill for normal conditions.”

Making the rounds at boat shows, visiting with retailers, and interviewing manufacturers helped me understand important basics like application, material, and fit. These are the useful details you’ll need as you peruse catalogs, head to stores, and stroll through the boat shows on your search for your kit. How Gear Works Jerry Richards, national sales manager for Gill North America, elaborated on the main role of good foul-weather gear at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, last fall.

“The jacket isn’t designed to keep you warm. It’s designed to keep you dry,” he told me when I caught up with him at the Gill booth. “Staying warm is a byproduct. Ask yourself this question: Do you sail at night? The body struggles at 2 a.m. Remember, it’s the base layer and the fleece midlayer that will keep you warm, not the jacket.”

Essentially, once you determine an application—how you’ll use the gear—you’re ready to move on to matters like fit and durability and ultimately, warmth and comfort. When making choices, you’ll probably want garments that leave enough room for a base layer and a midlayer (see “Tips on Fit and Care” on page 84) while allowing you to move in typical on-deck positions such as grinding winches and handling sails.

“Sailing is an active sport,” said Jeff Earl, northeast business development manager for Henri Lloyd North America, in a phone interview. “You want a good range of motion.”

As well, technological advances have made it possible for manufacturers to create jackets and bibs from materials that move moisture away from the body. If fabric is breathable, you might wonder how it can be waterproof, too.

For a simple version of the answer, I consulted retailer Martha Parker, a lifelong racer and offshore sailor. “This is how foul-weather gear breathes,” she explained during an on-site visit to Team One Newport, which sells lines of yachting apparel, uniforms, and gear from its Rhode Island retail operation as well as through its website.

“Imagine a chain-link fence,” she said. “That’s the outer layer. Body moisture moving away from you and out that fence is like ping pong balls. Rain and waves are the basketballs. All they can do is bounce off the fence. They don’t get through.”

Once you understand the concept behind the newer fabrics, the next step is to decide what you want to buy based on the way the fabrics are constructed for a set of jacket and pants. Each manufacturer employs some level of proprietary construction process and material, in offerings ranging from basic to premium gear. It’s good to browse them all and spend some time learning about the differences. Basically, “fabrics can have two to three layers,” said Filippo Bovio, the U.S. distributor for SLAM. “The outer shell is typically made of nylon. And some of the newer materials can stretch, allowing a more snug and more comfortable fit.” (See “Choice of Fabrics”, right). Women sailors, take note: Nearly all the makers carry female sizes and take female form and contours into account in design. “In our women’s lines, you’ll find the arm lengths a touch shorter, and the hips a touch wider, more flared,” noted Henri Lloyd’s Earl. And drop seats make it possible for women to keep jackets on while visiting the head.

Time to Go Shopping Parker, who sells most of the brands listed in this roundup as well as others, including gear from outdoor outfitter Patagonia, sums up the dilemma facing today’s sailors on the hunt for the right gear.

“Fabrics have come a long way,” she said. “Everyone has expanded their lines and it gets confusing. A lot of it crosses over to fashion. Twenty-five years ago, you’d never wear your foul-weather gear to go out to dinner. Now, it’s so good, people wear it all the time.”

Cost is important to consider, yet all makers emphasize that the reliability, durability, and comfort that comes with premium gear make it worth the price. “In the world of technical apparel,” said Bill Lynn, chief marketing officer for Atlantis Weather Gear, “you get what you pay for. Cost is certainly a factor, but more expensive pieces will typically deliver better performance, better construction, and better durability.”

The ability to withstand the test of time and use is critical, according to Brandon Flack of Musto. “Boat shows are a unique opportunity to educate people,” he said. “I tell them all the time, ‘Try all the gear from all the lines. If you buy something right, you’ll be living in it for a while.’”

Durability, alongside fit, is what Flack believes sailors should seek. “Sailing is such a wet environment,” he said in a phone interview. “You don’t generally have the option to disappear halfway through the delivery. This is where you are and you can’t check out and into the lodge. It’s not an option.”

Parker agreed that when it comes to the final choice on gear, personal preferences about fit can’t be overlooked and that’s why “it’s important to try it on.” “We prefer to offer a generous cut on all our foul-weather gear,” noted Bovio of SLAM gear.

Don’t ignore the details, added Lynn. “Fabric is key to achieving the right level of performance, but it’s only half the equation,” he said. “Each piece also needs to have the right zippers, snaps, cord locks on drawstrings, fleece around the inside of the collar, cuffs, cuff closures, pockets, pit vents, etc., and each of these needs to have been tested in the heat of battle.”

Whatever level of sailing you do, there’s yet another reason to invest in the right gear, according to Gill’s Jerry Richards and other makers. Sailing is a sport and a lifestyle, and gear is supposed to enhance these experiences.

“It can really make a difference, and make sailing more enjoyable for everybody by making it more comfortable and enjoyable in the foulest conditions,” Richards said. “You can be so much more adventurous. It can be life changing.”

Elaine Lembo, Cruising World_’s deputy editor, also writes about chartering._

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Better Sailing

Best Foul Weather Gear

Whether you call them slickers, foul weather gear, or foulies, the idea is the same. You want to be protected by foul weather. These conditions include wind and spray and rain when you are on the water and possibly from inclement weather when you are on the land. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best foul weather gear for each piece of clothing you will need when you go out sailing. Of course, each person has unique needs depending on what they use the equipment for and their activities on the water.

>>Also Read: What To Wear When Sailing

These Are The Main Types Of Foul Weather Gear

Lightweight boating or sailing.

If you are boating or sailing in light weather conditions, you will only need to be protected by medium winds, some spray, and the occasional rain. That is where lightweight inshore foul weather gear ideal. It is flexible and really comfortable, and it still protects you from these light conditions. It also makes for a good windproof jacket when you are onshore.

Dinghy Sailing

If you are dinghy sailing, you need 100% waterproof foul weather gear, but you do not actually need hoods and pockets. The gear has to be waterproof, breathable and reinforced in the corners, so they do not burn through the knees.

Coastal Cruising or Racing

For coastal cruising or racing, you need gear that you can live in for days at a time. That requires a high collar, a nice hood with good protection, good closures around the wrists, and reinforcements that make sure you are comfortable for days. 

Passage Makers and Offshore Sailing

For passage makers and ocean racers that go long distances offshore, you need ocean and offshore sailing gear. This gear is designed to be lived in for weeks at a time. It has the ultimate protection with tall collars, complete hood, lots of pockets, durable fabric, reflectors, and reinforcements all over. Ocean or offshore gear is your best bet for extended ocean passages. 

People who use their foul weather gear for fishing need easy to clean fouiles made from PVC coated fabric to clean because of all the scales, blood, and slime that comes with fishing. 

Let’s Take a Look At The Best Foul Weather Gear For each Category

While there is a lot of foul weather gear to choose from, you can find the right best ones for you, depending on the type of use you want to get out of your equipment. You will find an excellent online at amazon or your local marina shop. However, I can guarantee that the prices at your local marina will be much higher. 

>>Also Read: Best Sailing Clothing Brands

Best Offshore Foul Weather Sailing Jacket – Gill OS2 Offshore Sailing Coat Jacket

There aren’t many sailors who need the durability and protection offered by offshore and ocean foul weather gear – but if you’re going to be sailing on the open ocean, you shouldn’t leave the dock without it. Ideal for extended offshore and ocean use over consecutive days and weeks in the harshest conditions. 

You simply can’t go wrong with the  Gill Offshore Sailing Jacket  (link to Amazon). It comes in many colors, but you should go with orange or red if you are sailing in rough weather conditions. Remember, the goal is to be seen, not to look stylish. You can also get comparable quality from  Helly-Hansen’s Salt Flag Jacket  or  Navis Marine Offshore Sailing Jacket . It all comes down to preference and budget; however, the Gill option provides better quality, but that comes at a cost. 

Best Coastal Sailing Foul Weather Jacket – Helly-Hansen Waterproof Salt Light

For the “not quite offshore” crowd, where turning back is definitely not an option, and the weather might take some nasty turns for a few days, this is the foul weather gear for you. Made to be worn for days on end, this foul weather gear is lightweight but rugged enough for light offshore use. The gear in this category features full-height collars, three-layer waterproof and breathable fabrics, double cuffs, reflective details, high-contrast hoods, and reinforced high-wear areas.

Personally, I think that the  Helly-Hansen Waterproof Salt Light Sailing Jacket  is the best one under this category.

Best Inshore Sailing Foul Weather Jacket – Helly Hansen Men’s Salt Power Jacket

For this type of sailing, you need flexible, multi-role foul weather gear with features including athletic cuts, highly breathable waterproof fabrics, and taller collars borrowed from buoy racing partnered with the reflective details and highly durable fabrics of the coastal foul weather range. Designed for sailors who do a bit of racing and occasionally venture beyond the seawall to more open waters. This foul weather gear is also excellent for on shore wear while working on the boat or walking around town.

This category is also won by  Helly Hansen and their Salt Power Jacket  line. It comes with many color options, and it also looks great when worn in your daily life off the boat.

Best Dinghy Sailing Foul Weather Gear – O’Neill Full Wetsuit

Drysuits, wet suits, and wetwear represent the culmination of technology and experience in protecting yourself against the elements. When dinghy sailing in cooler weather, you’ll be grateful for having this piece of gear. These weather and water-resistant garments give sailors a physically protective boundary like a second skin that can make all the difference between an epic sea voyage and a personal maritime tragedy. 

This  O’Neill Men’s Epic  wet suit is the best in this category. Depending on the level of foul weather you will be sailing under, you might need to include this  Neo Sport Multi-Density Wetsuit Hood  and  Cressi Tall Neoprene Boots  in your gear.

Best Foul Weather Sailing Boots – Grundéns Deck-Boss Fishing Boots

Offshore boots are intended to keep feet dry while maintaining footing in an extremely wet environment. They come high on the calf and optimize warmth. Offshore sea boots are intended to keep the sailor in place despite undesirable conditions, with waterproof liners fitting snugly around the calf area.

The  Grundéns Deck-Boss Boots  are the best. They come with a rubber strap on the side that you can put on top of your sailing pants and prevent water from coming into the boot.

>>Also Read: Best Fishing Boots For Boats

Best Foul Weather Sailing Gloves – Gill Championship Long Finger Gloves

These gloves utilize cutting-edge Dura-Grip fabric on the palm, which is said to provide grip without any compromise in flexibility and durability. The pre-shaped construction fits your natural hand shape, and stretch fabric is used on the backs for comfort. Seamless wraparound Dura-Grip reinforcement on the fingers provides improved abrasion resistance and grip. There is an inside facing wrist closure to prevent the accidental starting of a watch.  Get yours from Amazon here .

>>Also Read: Best Sailing Gloves

Best Neck Gaiter – Lupa Micro Fleece Gaiter

This Lupa microfleece gaiter is constructed from soft, quick-drying fleece that works to warm your neck and face in the cold winter months. This quick-drying gaiter easily converts from full face to neck protection.

Key Features:

• Quick-drying
• Offers full face and neck protection
• Soft fleece fabric
• Moisture-wicking

The LUPA Handmade Double-Layer Micro Fleece is one of the best pieces of gear you can buy on Amazon that checks all the boxes.

Best Foul Weather Sailing Pants – Navis Marine Offshore Sailing Jacket Bib Pants

A sailor’s apparel is necessary for comfort on the water. Foul weather sailing pants are designed to withstand varying degrees of weather and wear. Whether you’re sailing for recreation or professionally, shorts pants designed for the sport are key. A good foul weather pair of pants should come with padding, water-resistance, and quick-drying fabrics. For all-day comfort, technical pants are a necessary part of your apparel.

Check out this  Navis Marine Offshore Sailing Jacket Bib Pants  set on Amazon.

Best Socks For Foul Weather Sailing – Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Sock

Protecting your feet is a top priority in boating. You can have great shoes or boots, but none of that matters if you don’t have the proper socks on when sailing. Whether it’s winter or summer, the right socks can make or break your comfort on the boat.

These  Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Socks  provide the best comfort and waterproofness that you will need when sailing.

>>Also Read: Must-Have Boat Safety Equipment For Sailing

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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The 6 Best Sailing Jackets

The 6 best sailing jackets are listed below.

• Best Overall : Helly Hansen Waterproof Jacket
• Best Lightweight : Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket
• Best Foul Weather Gear : Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit
• Best Heavy Duty : Gill Offshore Jacket
• Best For Women : Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat
• Best For Kids : Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket

When it comes to embarking on a sailing adventure, having the right gear is essential for safety and comfort.

The best sailing jackets are more than just marine outerwear; they are nautical performance jackets designed to withstand the rigors of seafaring conditions. These top-rated yacht coats offer not only protection from the elements but also a blend of style and functionality.

Sailboat foul-weather attire like this is indispensable for offshore sailing, providing windproof and waterproof qualities that keep sailors dry and comfortable. Whether you're coastal cruising or engaged in a high-stakes regatta, these premium marine jackets are your go-to choice. Their breathability ensures that even in demanding conditions, you stay comfortable, and their water-resistant properties make them the ideal choice for any boat deck attire. So, equip yourself with high-performance sailing wear, and set sail confidently with the best in sailing jackets.

A top sailing jacket will keep you warm and dry in harsh marine weather in winter months and warm on cooler summer evenings.

There are a number of top sailing jackets to choose from with each having its own strengths.

A good sailing jacket is one that protects you from the elements, is comfortable to wear and allows for a full range of movement.

In finding the greatest sailing jackets, we looked at different types from the best waterproof sailing jacket, yachting jackets, general boating jackets, professional sailors jackets and coastal jackets.

1. Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket

The best overall sailing jacket is the Men's Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket manufactured by the brand Helly Hansen in Oslo, Norway and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 10/10.

Most retailers price the Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket between $150 to $170. The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket weighs 645 grams. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

This jacket fits regular with space around the waist and chest area. It is neither an oversized fit or a slim fit.

It can be used for coastal sailing, offshore sailing, inshore sailing and as a general lifestyle jacket.

The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket performance metrics are:

• Windproof : This jacket is windproof rated 13 - 30 CFM which means it is wind resistant and can protect against medium levels of wind
• Waterproofness : This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 5000mm to <10,000 mm which means it offers medium waterproofness and can withstand moderate rain
• Breathability : This jacket has a breathability range of between 5,000g/m 2 to < 10,000 g/mm 2 which means it is breathable enough for moderate activity

The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket is constructed of HELLY TECH Protection fabric system which is 100% polyester with the insulated polartec 100g fleece lining being of 100% recycled polyester, sealed seams, a high collar, adjustable hem and cuffs, two zipped hand pockets, a main zipper in the center to fasten the jacket up and the polyester material is treated with durable water repellency treatment (DWR).

The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket design includes a "HH" logo on the front of the collar, a "HELLY HANSEN" logo on the back of the collar, a "HH" logo on the back of the left shoulder, a "HH" logo on the right arm and a "HELLY HANSEN" logo on the left arm near the cuff.

The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket comes in 8 colors which are red, navy, black, bright white, racer blue, stone grey, blue and yellow.

The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket comes in 9 sizes which are XS, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, 3x-Large, 4x-Large and 5x-Large. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 35.5 inches for the XS size jacket to 60 inches for the 5x-large. The sleeve length of this jacket ranges from 31 inches for the XS size jacket to 38.5 inches for the 5x-large.

With 9 different sizes, this jacket should fit most adult male body sizes.

The advantages of the Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket are:

• It fits comfortably : With the adjustable cuffs and hem, this jacket fits comfortably
• It is water repellent : This sailing jacket is water repellent with a water repellency treatment on the fabric that is great for preventing the salty sea water from sticking to the jacket when sailing
• It can be used for multiple activities : This jacket can be used for multiple activities including coastal sailing, offshore sailing and inshore sailing and it is not restricted to one activity
• It is durable : A Helly Hansen sailing jacket is high quality and durable and will last for 2 years
• It is wind resistant : This Helly Hansen jacket has a 13-30 CFM rating which means it is wind resistant and it will help prevent moderate wind from getting through the fabric

Two disadvantages of the Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket are there is no hood with this sailing jacket and the color of the jacket can fade over time.

Helly Hansen Sailing Jacket On Amazon →

Helly Hansen Sailing Jacket On Helly Hansen →

2. Columbia Glennaker Lake Packable Rain Jacket

The best lightweight sailing jacket is the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket manufactured by the brand Columbia Sportswear and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.9/10.

Most retailers price the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket between $45 to $95. The price varies based on the size chosen. The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket weighs 290 grams (10.2 oz.). It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

This jacket fits true to size with space around the waist and shoulders area.

It can be used for coastal sailing, inshore sailing and as a general lifestyle jacket. It can not be used for ocean sailing during harsh marine conditions.

The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket is constructed of a hydroplus 100% nylon shell, hood stow in the collar, adjustable hem, drawcord adjustable hood, two zippered hand pockets, adjustable cuffs and a mesh lining.

The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket design includes a "Columbia" brand name and logo on the front left chest area.

The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket comes in 28 color options which include black, black/grill, blue jay/columbia navy, bluestone/ dark mountain, columbia grey/boulder, cordovan, deep marine, delta/shark, elderberry, electric turquoise/nimbus grey, harvester/shark, kelp/spruce, laser lemon/black, mango, metal/shark, mountain red/graphite, spruce, stone green, tusk/grill, night tide, red jasper, mosstone/shark, azul/collegiate navy, canyon sun/city grey, wildfire/shark, blue, columbia grey/mountain and thyme green/spruce.

The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket comes in 22 sizes from small to 6-XL. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 36 inches for the smallest size jacket to 68 inches for the largest size which is 6-XL.

The sleeve length of this jacket ranges from 33 inches for the smallest size jacket to 41 inches for the 6-XL.

The waist size of this jacket ranges from 29 inches for the smallest jacket to 61 inches for the 6-XL jacket.

With 22 different sizes, this jacket should fit most adult male body sizes.

The advantages of the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket are:

• It is climate pledge friendly : The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket is Bluesign product certified which means this jacket is responsibly manufactured using safer chemicals and less energy
• There are many colors to choose from : This jacket comes in 28 different color options so there are plenty of colors for people to choose from to find their favorite
• It is lightweight : This jacket weighs just 290 grams (10.2 oz.) so it is lightweight to wear
• It is durable : This jacket is made of 100% nylon material which is extremely durable

One disadvantage of the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket is it does not protect you against heavier rain.

Columbia Rain Jacket On Amazon →

Columbia Rain Jacket On Walmart →

3.Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit

The best foul-weather sailing jacket is the Unisex Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit manufactured by the brand Navis Marine in China and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.8/10.

Most retailers price the Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit between $150 to $180. The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit weighs 1.9kg. It comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest and neck area.

It can be used for coastal sailing, inshore sailing and ocean sailing during harsh weather conditions.

The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit performance metrics are:

• Waterproofness : This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 12,000mm which means it offers strong waterproofness and can withstand hard rain without rain seeping through the jacket material
• Breathability : This jacket has a breathability range of 6,000g/m 2 which means it is slightly breathable but not much moisture gets through the fabric

The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit is constructed of 90% polyester, 8% polyurethane and 2% other fibers, 2 front YKK zippered pockets, 2 adjustable water seal cuffs, full front zip with a chin guard, a fully mesh-lined hood with elastic adjustment, adjustable elastic hem and 1 inner zip pocket.

The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit design includes a round-shaped "Navis Marine" brand name and logo on the front left chest area.

It has a round-shaped "Navis Marine" brand name and logo on the upper thigh area of the left bib leg too.

The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit comes in 3 colors which are blue, charcoal and yellow.

For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the yellow color.

The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit comes in 4 sizes which are small, medium, large and X-large. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 37 inches for the smallest size jacket to 47 inches for the largest size jacket.

The waist size of this jacket ranges from 31.5 inches for the smallest jacket to 41.5 inches for the X-large jacket.

The advantages of the Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit are:

• It will help to keep you dry : With a waterproofness protection range of 12,000mm, this jacket will keep you dry in the rain and wet weather ‍
• It is comfortable : The adjustable cuff straps, fit to size, warm pockets and chin pad help to keep people comfortable and warm during wet weather
• It is durable : The 90% polyester material is durable and this jacket will last for 3 years

One disadvantage of the Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit is it can't be worn as a lifestyle jacket.

Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit On Amazon →

4. GILL Offshore Jacket

The best heavy-duty sailing jacket is the Men's GILL Offshore Jacket manufactured by the U.K. brand Gill in Vietnam and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.7/10.

Most retailers price the GILL Offshore Jacket between $250 to $350. The Men's OS2 Offshore Jacket weighs 3.26 pounds. It comes with the Gill Guarantee which is a limited lifetime warranty against defects.

This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest, waist and arms area.

It can be used for ocean sailing activities, offshore sailing, coastal sailing and long-term sailing trips.

The GILL Offshore Jacket performance metrics are:

• Waterproofness : This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 20,000mm hydrostatic head which means it offers very strong waterproofness and can withstand extremely heavy rain without rain seeping through the jacket material
• Breathability : This jacket has a breathability range of 5,000g/m 2 which means it is not very breathable but not much moisture gets through the fabric

The GILL Offshore Jacket is constructed of 100% nylon main lining, 100% nylon mesh, 100% polyester fleece and 100% polyester reinforcement (2-layer laminated fabric), fully taped seams for a waterproof seal, a high-cut thermal collar that protects the face, a thermal fleece inner collar and chin guard, fully lined hi-vis hood with a 3-way adjustment system and internal fleece lined cord, 2-way zipper in the front center of the jacket, a zippered internal pocket, 3 prismatic reflectives, velcro adjustable cuffs with PU inner seals and 2 front pockets with 2 anti-corrosive YKK aquaguard water resistant zips.

The GILL Offshore Jacket design includes a "Gill" brand name on the outer front left chest area and a "Gill" brand name on the upper back of the jacket. There are 3 prismatic reflectives on this sailing jacket, one in the front center area, one on the upper left arm and one on the upper right arm.

The GILL Offshore Jacket comes in 4 colors which are bright red, black, dark blue/light blue and tango/dark blue.

For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the bright red-colored jacket.

The GILL Offshore Jacket comes in 9 sizes which are extra small, small, medium, large, extra large, 2x-large, 3x-large, MT and XLT. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 34 inches for the smallest size jacket to 52 inches for the largest size jacket.

The waist size of this jacket ranges from 28 inches for the extra small jacket to 45 inches for the largest jacket.

The advantages of the GILL Offshore Jacket are:

• It protects against wind and rain : This jacket comes with a hood that helps to protect the head from wind and rain. The high collar design helps protect the face area from wind and rain too
• It has plenty of storage pockets : This jacket comes with 3 pockets with plenty of space to store items while sailing
• It is extremely waterproof : This jacket with a waterproofness protection range of 20,000mm is extremely waterproof and it will help keep rainwater or seawater out of the fabric

One disadvantage of the GILL Offshore Jacket is it can restrict mobility around the neck and face area due to its weight and design.

GILL Offshore Jacket On Amazon →

Gill Offshore Jacket On Walmart →

5. Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat

The best sailing jacket for women is the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat manufactured by the brand Helly Hansen in Oslo, Norway and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.6/10.

Most retailers price the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat between $70 to $90. The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat weighs 590 grams. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest, shoulders and arm area.

The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat performance metrics are:

• Windproof : This jacket is windproof rated 0 CFM which means it is completely windproof and no wind will get through
• Waterproofness : This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 20,000mmH20 which means it is completely waterproof against heavy rain
• Breathability : This jacket has a breathability range of <5,000g/m 2 which means it is only slightly breathable and not not much perspiration can get through this material

The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat is constructed of a 100% polyurethane shell, Helox fabric construction, welded seams, a high collar and a hood, an adjustable shock cord at the hood, adjustable cuffs and bottom hem, two pockets with flap and rivets and a front placket with hidden snap button closure and YKK zipper in the center at the front of the jacket.

The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat design includes a "HH" printed brand name on the front left chest area of the jacket.

The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat comes in 3 colors which are yellow, catalina blue and black.

For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the yellow-colored jacket.

The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat comes in 5 sizes which are x-small, small, medium, large and x-large.

The bust size of this jacket ranges from 34 inches for the x-small size jacket to 42.5 inches for the x-large. The waist size of this jacket ranges from 27 inches for the x-small size jacket to 35.5 inches for the x-large.

The advantages of the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat are:

• It will keep the rain off your body : This jacket is extremely waterproof and windproof which helps keep the rain and wind off your body
• It is comfortable to wear : This jacket is comfortable to wear with the jacket fitting true to size with plenty of space for mobility
• It offers added safety : The yellow colored jacket helps to stay visible on the water and makes it easier for other boaters to see you

One disadvantage of the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat is it is not very fashionable so if you are concerned about appearance, you may prefer to wear a different type of jacket when sailing.

Helly Hansen Women's Raincoat On Amazon →

Helly Hansen Women's Raincoat On Helly Hansen →

6. Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket

The best sailing jacket for kids is the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket manufactured by the brand Hiheart in America and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 8.9/10.

Most retailers price the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket between $30 to $40. The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket weighs 12 ounces. It is a lightweight jacket.

This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest, shoulders and waist area and a tighter fit around the wrist area.

It can be used for coastal sailing, offshore sailing, inshore sailing and as a general lifestyle jacket for children aged between 3 to 12 years old.

The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket performance metrics are:

• Windproof : This jacket is windproof rated 20 CFM which means it is moderately windproof
• Waterproofness : This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 3,000mmH20 which means it is slightly water resistant and will protect against light rain
• Breathability : This jacket has a breathability range of 10,000g/m 2 which means it is breathable enough for moderate levels of activity ‍

The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket is constructed of 100% polyester shell material, cotton liner material with polyester sleeves, a zipper closure with velcro tabs in the front center area of the jacket, 2 front pockets, a hood, and 2 rib knit cuffs.

The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket comes in 10 colors which are blue, dark navy, grey, green, orange, pink, purple, red, rose and yellow.

The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket comes in 7 sizes which are 3T, 4T, 4 - 5T, 6-7 years, 7-8 years, 8-9 years and 10-12 years.

The advantages of the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket are:

• It offers great mobility : This jacket is comfortable and offers great mobility so kids can perform moderate activities unimpeded by the jacket
• It has multiple color options to choose from : With 10 color options, there are plenty of options for kids to choose from. Some of the colors are bright which helps with visibility when sailing too
• It is comfortable : With a soft cotton liner, this jacket is comfortable for kids to wear

One disadvantage of the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket is it is only slightly waterproof and will only protect against light rain.

Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket On Amazon →

Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket On Walmart →

Top Sailing Jackets Comparison Table

What to consider when buying a sailing jacket.

A good sailing jacket has 5 key attributes that make it well-suited for use on the water.

The 5 most important attributes to consider when buying a sailing jacket are:

• Waterproof and breathable material : A good sailing jacket should be made of material that is both waterproof and breathable. This will help keep you dry and comfortable in wet conditions while also allowing moisture to escape from the jacket, preventing you from getting too hot and sweaty
• Hood : A hood is essential for protecting your head from the wind and rain when sailing. Look for a sailing jacket with a hood that can be adjusted for a snug fit and that has a peak to help keep the rain out of your face
• Pockets : Sailing jackets should have plenty of pockets for storing items. Look for jackets with pockets that are easily accessible and that have secure closures to prevent items from falling out or from seawater or rainwater getting in
• Comfort and mobility : A sailing jacket should be comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time and should allow for a full range of movement so you can move freely while sailing
• Visibility : A good sailing jacket should help you stay visible on the water. Look for jackets with reflective details or bright colors that will make you more visible to other boats

Frequently Asked Questions About Top Sailing Jackets

Below are the most commonly asked questions about top sailing jackets.

What Are The Top Sailing Jacket Brands?

The top sailing jacket brands are:

• Helly Hansen
• Navis Marine
• Columbia Sportwear

How Much Do Top Sailing Jackets Cost?

The best sailing jackets cost $30 to $350.

What Is The Cheapest Top Sailing Jacket?

The cheapest best sailing jacket is the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket which costs between $30 and $40.

What Is The Most Expensive Top Sailing Jacket?

The most expensive top sailing jacket is the GILL Offshore Jacket which costs between $250 to $350.

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7 Best Sailing Drysuits

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Drysuits are an essential part of sailing foul weather gear that keeps you warm and dry in wet conditions.

Sailing drysuits are specifically designed to keep your clothes and skin dry when rain, spray, and waves crash over the boat. They make it possible to stay on the deck or in the cockpit and control the vessel during bad weather or high seas.

Table of contents

What is a Sailing Drysuit?

A drysuit looks similar to a diving wetsuit, but the operational principle is different. A wetsuit soaks up water but keeps you warm by insulating you, whereas a drysuit keeps the water out completely.

Drysuits are coveralls made of waterproof synthetic material. They are lightweight and durable and designed to keep water out by staying tight around your extremities.

You can wear warm clothes underneath the drysuit. In this way, it acts a lot like a sealed raincoat. Except unlike a raincoat, a drysuit stands up well to huge volumes of water in the form of horizontal spray and waves.

Wetsuit vs. Drysuit

Staying dry is particularly important on a sailboat, as you're above water and exposed to the wind. In foul weather, the wind is often much higher than normal, which can cause hypothermia in relatively warm conditions.

A drysuit is better for sailing than a wetsuit, as the wind can turn a wetsuit into a wearable evaporative cooler and make you even colder than when you started. Drysuits keep water out, which keeps you warm.

Can you Swim in a Drysuit?

Many people wonder if you can swim in a drysuit. Generally speaking, it's easier to swim in a wetsuit. Drysuits don't fit as tightly as wetsuits, and the same material that keeps water out also holds water in.

That said, there are some drysuits designed specifically for swimming, and they serve the purpose well. Most drysuits are suited for wading through deep water, and they function a lot like fly fishing suits.

Qualities of the Best Drysuits

The best drysuits are durable, lightweight, and cleanable. Cleaning is often overlooked when choosing a drysuit, but it's an essential part of keeping the suit pleasant and hygenic.

Flexibility is an important aspect of comfort, and the best drysuits are either flexible or roomy enough to allow a good range of motion. This is especially important on sailboats, where you need to perform complex tasks.

Qualities like an elasticated waist and articulated arms and legs are important and a mark of a high-quality drysuit. Sailing drysuits vary in terms of features, but these basic qualities are usually found in the best examples.

How to Stay Warm in a Dry Suit

One of the main reasons we use drysuits is to stay warm, as getting wet is one of the quickest ways to lose body heat. Staying warm in a dry suit isn't always as simple as putting it on, which is why it's essential to choose the right underclothes for insulation.

Traditionally, sailors wore unsealed rubber or waxed canvas ponchos to stay warm in wet and windy conditions. Underneath, they typically wore heavy woolen clothing. Wool makes a lot of sense, as it's one of the only fabric materials that stay warm when it's wet.

However, wool has some notable drawbacks. For one, it's quite heavy, and it's especially heavy when it's wet. This can be dangerous, especially if you fall overboard. Today, dry suits form to your body and seal completely, eliminating the need for wool.

You can still wear wool to stay warm in a dry suit, and many people choose wool socks to keep their feet warm. Many sailors agree that fleece is a superior material, as it's lighter and more comfortable than traditional heavy wool. Synthetic materials are also an option, and thermal clothes are increasingly popular.

Choosing a high-quality drysuit is essential if you're an offshore sailor and still a great idea if you mostly sail in coastal waters. Here are seven of the best sailing drysuits on the market today.

1. Crewsaver Atacama Sport Drysuit

The  Crewsaver Atacama Sport drysuit  is a high-quality drysuit designed for use in all weather conditions. It features all of the basics and includes an additional fitted undersuit for insulation.

The Atacama Sport drysuit is based on the popular Cirrus drysuit, which has been a mainstay of sailing drysuits for quite some time. This drysuit isn't just for sailing, as it was designed for water sports like kayaking and jet skiing.

This drysuit is particularly useful for rough weather sailing , as it provides a superior range of motion compared to others on the market. It's also rather slim and tight-fitting, which is useful for moving around in cramped or complex spaces such as the cabin of a sailboat.

The design of this drysuit is subdued, and there isn't much excess material hanging around the elbows and other areas. This is advantageous on a sailboat, as excess material can snag and get caught in rigging and mechanical devices.

Overall, the Crewsaver Atacama Sport sailing drysuit is an excellent option for offshore sailing. It doubles as a water sport drysuit, so you can use it during a wide range of unrelated activities.

2. BR1 Core Sailing Trousers

Here's a different kind of drysuit that's just as popular as a full drysuit. For warmer climates, the  BR1 waterproof Core Trouser  is an excellent choice. Trousers look like overalls and keep your core dry while exposing your arms for the best possible range of motion.

Trousers are particularly popular in tropical regions where harsh weather often accompanies extremely hot weather. Trousers are breathable and still waterproof, meaning they're comfortable and functional.

Another benefit of the BR1 Core Trouser is that it's lightweight and relatively loose-fitting. This makes it comfortable to wear, yet it still sinches down in essential locations.

The BR1 Trouser is waterproof and windproof, making it ideal for spray and choppy conditions. When the weather begins to cool off, you can use it in combination with a waterproof top, effectively creating a full-body drysuit.

When you go below, simply shed the top, and you'll be comfortable. These premium sailing trousers are an excellent example of the market, and they're an affordable piece of an essential foul weather kit.

3. Gul Dartmouth EClip Zip Drysuit

The Gul Dartmouth EClip Zip Drysuit  is a zip-up sailing suit with some unique features that make it stand out. It's a full-body suit that keeps you dry from head to toe and features sealed socks to keep your feet dry in the worst conditions.

This is a premium drysuit that's constructed with three layers of waterproof fabric. The multi-layer construction is common in the industry, but the Gul Dartmouth drysuit utilizes superior materials compared to some other manufacturers.

All seals on the Gul Dartmouth drysuit are made of neoprene, which is a durable and waterproof material that stands up well to all kinds of weather conditions. Neoprene is also comfortable and non-allergenic. However, there is latex in other parts of the Gul Dartmouth drysuit, such as the socks. People with latex allergies should take this fact into consideration.

The Gul Dartmouth drysuit utilizes a horizontal zipper system, which is unique in the market. This zipper is designed to open the suit wide enough to get in and out comfortably, which is difficult on traditional drysuits. The zipper is also waterproof, and it's not a weak point where water can enter easily.

The Gul Dartmouth drysuit is breathable, but it may not be ideal for the hottest climates. Drysuits can become uncomfortable in tropical climates, especially during the summer when temperatures can exceed 100 degrees. That said, its waterproof and windproof qualities are good enough to justify taking it along in any environment.

The Gul Dartmouth drysuit is roomy and ideal for use in cold conditions. Due to the extra space inside and the fully-waterproof design, there's plenty of room for fleece or other warm undergarments. You can purchase a specially-designed sailing under fleece to go along with the Gul Dartmouth drysuit, though it's not included when you purchase the suit.

4. Gill Dinghy Drysuit

The Gill Dinghy drysuit  is a great drysuit for sailing and watersports. It's lightweight, comfortable, and goes on easy without too much trouble. Plus, it's made of high-quality materials, which makes it ideal for long-term use.

Like most premium drysuits, the Gill Dinghy drysuit is flexible in all the right places and durable in spots that need extra reinforcement. Like the previous model, this drysuit features a cross zipper, which makes it easy to slide on and off.

The Gill Dinghy drysuit is designed for use in severe weather. It's a dinghy drysuit, which means the designers intended it to keep sailors of small open boats warm in bad weather. With that in mind, it makes a particularly good drysuit for larger vessels with more spray protection.

It features an elasticated waist, large cargo pocket, and adjustable elastic braces for custom-fit comfort. The Gill Dinghy drysuit is constructed with four layers of waterproof fabric, which is one layer more than the industry standard. While that doesn't necessarily make it more waterproof, the additional layer of the fabric increases the durability and longevity of the suit.

The Gill Dinghy drysuit is breathable and features fully tapered seams for durability and comfort. The finish is waterproof and water-repellant, which prevents water from sticking to it and spreading around when you go down below to the cabin.

5. Palm Atom Back Zip Drysuit

Here's a popular drysuit designed for kayaking that's also useful for sailing in rough weather conditions. Kayaking drysuits are advantageous, as they're designed for a sport that requires a good bit of flexibility and a wide range of movement. Many sailors find kayaking drysuits to be more comfortable and durable than others.

This drysuit falls into the 'ultra-premium' category, as it's made with the very best materials available. This is the kind of drysuit that you buy once and use for years. It's a professional suit which works well in most weather conditions.

Like the Gill Dinghy Drysuit, the Palm Atom Back Zip drysuit  utilizes four separate layers of material to make up its waterproof shell. These four layers are heavy duty and designed to stand up to wear and weather. It features reinforced panels for long life and double-taped socks for toughness.

Another notable feature of this drysuit is its lack of four-way seam joints. It also features latex wrist and neck gaskets, which are tough and long-lasting. That said, people with latex allergies may want to use caution before purchasing this drysuit.

The outer collar of the Palm Atom drysuit is made of neoprene, which is comfortable and flexible. The drysuit seals around the waist using a belt-like strap, which makes it easy to adjust and remove. Overall, the Palm Atom drysuit is an excellent option for sailing with a partner, as it may be tricky to zip from the back yourself.

6. Prolimit Nordic Sup U-Zip Drysuit

The Prolimit Nordic Sup U-Zip drysuit  is an affordable and durable drysuit with a unique zipper system and full-body protection. From a distance, the Prolimit Nordic drysuit looks like it utilizes suspenders and a separate pair of pants. But in reality, the entire front unzips, allowing easy use and removal.

The Prolimit Nordic drysuit is designed specifically for use in winter conditions. It's an excellent option for sailors in northern latitudes, where conditions get much colder and windier than in the gulf or the Caribbean. The Prolimit Nordic drysuit works well with fleece liners as well, which are necessary for cold conditions.

Unlike many sailing drysuits, the Prolimit Nordic drysuit comes with an added flex panel at the back to make bending and twisting side-to-side easier. Many people find that drysuits tend to bind up during these motions, which is why the Prolimit Nordic suit has an advantage.

Generally speaking, suits like the Prolimit Nordic are ideal for wearing for long periods of time. In colder conditions, the suit is warm and has room for additional insulation below. For summer conditions, this breathable suit is a good option. That said, a set of drysuit trousers would be more ideal for hot tropical conditions.

7. Gul Code Zero Drysuit

The final sailing drysuit on our list is an affordable option designed specifically for cold weather. The Gul Code Zero drysuit  is a full-body waterproof drysuit with a fleece lining designed to keep you warm in harsh wind and spray.

Like the other Gul drysuit we featured, the Code Zero is made from high-quality layered waterproof material and designed to stand up to harsh conditions. It's tight around the neck and wrists, ensuring a snug fit and reliable water tightness.

The Gul Code Zero drysuit features flexible material in all key areas, which allows it to stretch when needed. This is advantageous, as it allows you to manipulate the suit to tend to winches, lines, and move freely around the vessel without trouble.

This particular Gul drysuit comes with a fitted fleece liner as a separate unit. This is useful, as you can use the fleece liner when you're below in the cabin to keep warm in cold weather. The liner is the same shape as the drysuit, and it slides in with ease.

Overall, the Gul Code Zero drysuit is a great all-in-one cold weather drysuit. It's affordable and comes with Gul's reputation for quality sailing gear. This is the ideal drysuit to purchase for sailing in mild climates where wind and spray can interfere with your ability to sail.

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The best sailing kit – on test

A new generation of sailing kit is claimed to be lighter and drier than ever..

New technology and corresponding claims about its performance in technical sailing clothes seems to emerge every couple of years. The current crops of Musto MPX and Henri Lloyd Elite cruising gear are both said to be 30 per cent lighter than the previous generation, and 20 per cent more breathable – all without affecting the waterproofing of the garments.

That’s because they use the latest Pro membrane from Gore-Tex, which requires a much lighter backing layer for strength than previous iterations. It still counts over 1.4bn microscopic holes per cm 2 – 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but hundreds of times bigger than a single water molecule.

The testing that Gore carries out on a garment before it will certify the manufacturer to use its membrane is a closely guarded secret. But Musto’s head of sailing design, Shane Rhone, told ST that Gore’s ‘storm’ test used a combination of horizontal and vertical nozzles, set to a calculated position so that the drops reach maximum velocity before striking the material.

“In total, the room’s rainmaking capability is a torrential 22in/hr. It’s a tough test and the pass rate is only about 50 per cent on the first try.” Gore’s guarantee to keep the wearer dry means that any water getting through results in a fail.

“Then begins the search for the cause, so it’s back to the drawing board and re-submitting an updated version with the problem fixed.”

Apples and pears

But amid the claim and counter claim, it is very hard to compare claims on waterproofing and breathability – particularly when it comes to the durability of these qualities. There are no global standards on this – just lots of different proprietary measures for both. For instance, a common method of testing the waterproofness of a fabric is to simulate a column of water applied to a small patch, and see what height the column reaches before water goes through.

A figure up to around 5,000mm is considered to be lightly water resistant; up to about 10,000mm is rainproof; and 20,000mm-plus is the current standard for really heavy-duty waterproofing.

For breathability, the usual measure is to see how many grams of water can evaporate through the fabric over a 24-hour period. Similarly, 5,000g is considered fine for low-energy activities, while you’ll want 20,000g or more for really demanding use. Remember, that equates to losing 20kg of sweat over 24 hours – something that would put most of us in the grave. However, it allows the fabric to keep pace with irregular bouts of intense activity.

So far so good, but there are lots of ways of simulating these experiments in the laboratory, and not everyone agrees on the methodology. Perhaps a more useful measure to compare wet weather gear, then, is to look at how they’ve been tested in the real world.

There’s a degree of real competition here between manufacturers, who vie to supply and clothe the highest profile sailors. Ian Walker, who skippered Abu Dhabi to victory in the last Volvo Ocean Race, wore Musto clothing, as did the winner of this year’s Vendée Globe singlehanded race, Frenchman Armel le Cléac’h. More telling, perhaps, is the fact that over half the Vendée Globe non-stop singlehanded round the world sailors wore Musto as well.

Testing ground

“The Volvo Ocean Race is the most extreme testing ground available,” said Musto’s Shane Rhone. “We pioneer our garments to endure, survive and outperform the brutality and severity of the harshest of these weather conditions.” At the end of the last Volvo Ocean Race the design and production teams travelled to Gothenburg for a full debrief with the four teams that wore Musto throughout the race. “We wanted to talk to them as soon as they stepped off the boats to ensure nothing was forgotten – we always want the good, the bad and the ugly detail of their experience to help us push forward.”

That said, what works for top flight racers doesn’t always translate to everyday sailing.

Design process

“When designing sailing kit, discipline-dependant, we start the process the old fashioned way, pen and paper, face-to-face with the people that live and breathe the product – with professional sailors of the highest calibre, we analyse and scrutinise our past and present products in order to move them forward to ensure they meet the ever changing demands of the sailing world.”

Henri Lloyd works in a similar way, using CAD technology as the basis for its design work. “During the development cycle of a new product, the first concept is office/computer based, after that the majority of the product development is conducted out of a traditional office environment.”

It takes anything from 18 months to three years to get from the initial concept to a product in a store.

What’s next?

Musto promises some ‘amazing concepts’ appearing in its future ranges soon. In general, the trend is towards lighter, more flexible garments and enhanced breathability and waterproofing. “Streamlining and minimising construction is key – reducing seams ultimately reduces the chances of a garment failure and increases our products’ durability,” said Musto’s Shane Rhone. He also pointed to weaving in different fabrics as a likely development. “Reinforcements in seat and knee panels are currently overlaid, adding unwanted bulk and weight to the overall garment. It is possible to weave the reinforcement fabric within the main body fabric, eliminating fussy multi layers as well as bulk.”

Henri Lloyd is pursuing flexibility in its clothing. “Our latest 2017 range has also pushed the boundaries on the use of stretch fabrics which have been incorporated alongside non-stretch fabrics within the product design,” said marketing manager Amy Grealish. For example, the company’s new jackets (overleaf) use waterproof softshell fabrics for a more comfortable seal at the cuff.

Amy says that sailors should look out for more stretchy fabric, intelligent insulation and pioneering design features soon. She held out another intriguing possibility as well: that technical clothing would begin to look more like everyday wear. “The consumer is constantly looking for products that are multi-functional and can be worn for both every day use and as sporting attire for a variety of sporting activities.”

Gill is also following a similar line of development. Product development director Matt Clark said: “We are all living increasingly busy lifestyles so there is a focus on versatile garments that perform and look great on and off the boat.”

Aussie upstart Zhik, which is well known in the dinghy racing world, but less common in cruising, has also developed a midlayer that it claims is warmer than the competition, and more breathable.

It is a sandwich of Zhik’s stretchy Xeflex fabric with a nano layer of foil to reflect body heat, plus a vertically lapped insulating fibre that resists compression.

Zhik testing

To establish the credentials of its offshore gear, Zhik turned to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. R&D manager Tom Hussey asked the scientists to simulate wear and tear on garments so that Zhik could establish how durable the waterproof qualities of its fabrics were.

The solution was a kind of washing machine ( below ), fitted with steel teeth to accelerate the abrasion which sailing garments suffer. Running the machine with their own and competitors’ gear, Zhik, retested the waterproofing and breathability at 30-minute intervals (roughly equivalent to a year of normal use).

The company claims that its products outperformed the market- leading gear within minutes of the experiment starting. After two hours of testing, involving 7200 impacts equivalent to three legs of the Volvo Ocean Race, Zhik claimed its top flight Isotak Ocean fabric was 10 times more waterproof than the competition.

These claims are hard to verify, and make no mention of breathability. So perhaps the key point is that waterproofing deteriorates quite rapidly in all sailing gear, and that wearers should re-energise the water-repellent layer on the surface of the garment with a wash followed by a gentle tumble dry.

Henri Lloyd field tests

The gear has appeared on the backs of professional crews including those on Wild Oats XI , the maxi yacht that has taken line honours eight times in the punishing Rolex Sydney-Hobart race.

One crewmember said afterwards: “The Henri Lloyd Elite range was the perfect choice for our crew for the conditions that we encounter during our racing programme, including the long periods of time hiking on the rail during the Sydney-Hobart Race”.

Henri Lloyd is also the official technical clothing supplier to Land Rover BAR, the challenger hopefuls for the America’s Cup, lead by Ben Ainslie. Together, they have put a lot of work into completely redesigning the race smock worn by crew on board. “It benefits from incorporation of stretch panels at the shoulder and elbow, whilst   the placement of the fast-draining side access stow pocket means that you have access to the pocket even when wearing a buoyancy aid or lifejacket,” a team member said.

Henri Lloyd Elite offshore Henri Lloyd’s flagship wet weather gear for cruisers has had an upgrade. Elite 2.0 gear dries 30 per cent faster than the previous generation, while its yarn structure combined with DWR water repellent coating prevents water absorption by the outer layer and reduces the chilling effect that results. Meanwhile, a new stretch pod on the back of the higher collar makes for easier and more comfortable storage of the hood. Photo luminescent patches improve safety for night sailing, and there are new handwarmer and cargo pockets.

• jacket £550
• trouser £400
• henrilloyd.com

Musto HPX Aimed at the professional or extreme sailor, HPX is still the benchmark for durable waterproofs. The range has just been redesigned, with the focus on using larger panels of fabric to reduce stitching and seams, which are down by 60 per cent in the latest models – saving 4m of tape. Cuffs and other features have been double bonded to the jacket, reducing the need for further stitching. The jacket is also 15cm longer, protecting around the seat, and the transparent panel of the hood has been made UV-proof and non-misting.

• jacket from £675
• trousers from £499

Gill OS1 Gill has completely redesigned this offshore range to make it 10 per cent lighter but 15 per cent more resistant to abrasion. The garments are made using the company’s most durable 5-Dot high performance fabric, confusingly made up of four layers. The jacket features an exceptionally snug collar and a new hood that zips away. Other offshore features include numerous handwarmer pockets, seals at the cuff, and fluorescent detailing for 360-degree visibility. Men and women’s cut available.

• jacket £425
• trousers £325

Helly Hansen Newport New this season is this ¾-length jacket and high-waisted trousers for coastal cruisers. With a tall and comfortable fleece-lined collar and hand warmer pockets, double cuffs, high-vis hood and retroreflective patches, this is a well specc’d but lightweight jacket. The trousers are articulated at the seat, with the seams offset, and have two generous cargo pockets. Both use Helly’s proprietary HellyTech membrane, optimized for highly aerobic activities.

• jacket £250
• trouser £180
• hellyhansen.com

Gill OS2 jacket and trousers Gill’s bestselling second tier wet weather gear uses a two-layer laminated fabric system to keep the elements out and provide breathability. The technology remains largely the same as in previous years – there’s a new all-plastic zipper, better cuff arrangement to accommodate those wearing gloves and prismatic reflectors. The key change for 2017 is the new colours available, including bright lime, white and graphite.

• jacket £275
• trouser £220

Musto BR2 Offshore Musto’s non-Gore-Tex gear has been tweaked this year to improve the fit over the shoulders and biceps, where some people had found it too baggy. Also available in a new colours, including fire orange and sulphur yellow.

• jacket £249
• trousers   £199

Zhik Isotak 2 Ocean Based on its proprietary fabric, membrane and seam tape, Zhik claims that its jacket and trousers offer much longer-lasting waterproofing and breathability than its competitors. With Cordura reinforcement, deep fleece-lined collar and a hood that can be deployed singlehanded.

• jacket £685
• trousers £529

HP Fjord jacket At the sporty end of the spectrum, this jacket still has HellyTech waterproofing and breathability. It is shorter cut for ease of movement, but still offers a collar and snug hood. Ideal for wearing ashore as well. The lining is printed with a jazzy design showing unique artwork from across the fjords of Norway.

Aquadown jacket/vest Designed to cross over between boatwear and shorewear, this jacket relies on featherless insulation for warmth. Lightweight and quick-drying 600 fill insulation performs better than down when wet, and the whole is articulated for a more flattering fit. There’s a concealed thumb hole, and a hood with an elastic binding.

• jacket £125

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How To Choose The Best Wet Weather Gear For Sailing In Australia

How to choose the best wet weather gear for sailing in australia.

How to choose the best wet weather gear for sailing

Ready to hit the high seas? If you’re planning a sailing trip, you’ll need just one more thing – great quality, comfortable sailing wet weather gear. Even if you’ll only be out on the water for a few hours, it’s crucial to prepare for the elements with the right clothing. Here’s our guide to finding the best wet weather gear for your needs.

Are casual waterproofs up to the job?

Lightweight, casual wear waterproofs might be ok on some sailing excursions, keeping the rain off for a few hours. However, it’s not advisable to go sailing with just these to protect you from the elements. You need higher quality kit that keeps you warm as well as being waterproof, and that doesn’t sweat and cause discomfort.

Wet weather gear for sailing in Australia

Remember – the weather can change at anytime

If you’re out on the water for any length of time, you should be prepared for conditions to change. This is when versatility becomes crucial in the marine wet weather gear you choose. Go for items that can be layered up or down to suit the conditions. This allows you to adjust what you’re wearing if the sun comes out or there’s a sudden downpour.

How to choose the most comfortable gear

Comfort in sailing gear doesn’t necessarily mean soft fabrics. It refers to:

• Breathability – materials which don’t allow air to circulate will create condensation, as well as causing you to sweat unnecessarily
• Insulation – stopping heat escaping and keeping your body heat in
• Waterproofing – especially at seams and at sleeves (which is why adjustable cuffs are a popular choice in sailing jackets) where rain can enter
• Freedom of movement – you need to feel unrestricted when working on a sailing vessel, or even just enjoying the trip. You can’t be weighed down by heavy materials or a restrictive fit.

Sailing wet weather gear for long trips

When you’re out at sea for days at a time, finding the right wet weather gear is not just about comfort. It can also affect your health and safety. Getting soaked through in a poor-quality jacket, which then stays wet, can make you ill – with no access to a doctor until you’re back on dry land. To avoid situations like this, it’s well worth spending a lot more on specialist, high quality sailing wet weather gear.

How strong is our PVC?

Can you be seen?

This is the last thing to remember when buying sailing wet weather gear, but it’s just as crucial as comfort and waterproofing. Your gear must have reflector tape or contain high-visibility material, so that you can be seen clearly in all conditions. This is especially important for trips taking place in the afternoon or evening. However, you should wear hi-vis items on any sailing or boating excursion, as you never know how long you’ll actually be out on the water. Night time could creep up on you.

Take a look here at Stormline’s range of sailing wet weather gear, available as individual pieces and with a discount on wholesale items when you buy in bulk.

Check out our pvc rain gear for fishermen.

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1 Headwear - see a lot of photos of furry hats with ear pieces - easy to acquire when you get there and where from?

2 I have seen the thread about slush - I was imagining snow - what can we expect and what to wear on feet?

3 I am assuming layers with wind proof/waterproof coat as most appropriate outerwear?

4 How many daylight hours at this time of year?

You can easily buy a fur hat in any clothing store here. And contrary to what some have been saying here, a good warm knit skiing hat with lining is good enough for here, and I suppose you can buy those at home (I bought the one I am happily wearing right now in the South of France).

As for the footwear - the boots must be both warm and water proof, as +5 and -20 are equally probable in mid Feb. Look for warm trekking boots, preferable fur-lined, add thick wool socks if needed.

Layers are good, but no amount of thin layers will save you if it falls below -20, so the coat must be really warm - with fur or down padded.

As for the daylight hours - I don't know the exact figures off the top of my head and I am too lazy to google it for you, sorry :)

hy boaster...I founded yesterday this site...it's very helpful to planning a trip...this link have your request aboutf Feb. , but you can make many other possibilities

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=352&month=2&year=2010&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1

good trip...

Brilliant thank you....here unless you buy winter stuff before Christmas ....its hard to obtain

2 facts were proved beyond doubt during the German winter campaign in Russia:

- Russia is very different from the south of France and

- layering doesn't work

hoping that boaster's trip would be more successful than that, "trapper hats" are somewhat fashionable here and available most stores;

Get yourself a down jacket - it is very warm and light. Also some thermal underwear to keep butt toasty. Maybe overkill unless you go ice fishing))

I am somewhat conflicted re footwear. Hiking boots are great for slush and waterproof, but in real cold temps puffy winter boots may be called for. But I am sure they are readily available in Russia if needed and cheap.

By the way... May be not so cheaply... But unequivocally it's more useful present than a nested doll :)

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ynti.ru%2F&sl=ru&tl=en&swap=1

Hi Boaster,

I think the others have covered the hat question.

Regarding slush:

(1) typically mid-Feb you can expect temperatures between -5 and -20. But we do very occasionally get warm spells where it goes as high as +3, +4 in the city and it can rain (as happened 2 days ago; last winter we had a day at the end of January where it rained).

Regarding wind, Moscow is usually quite wind-free, especially by UK standards. St Pete's is a different story though, by all accounts the wind can be pretty nasty, making the cold less bearable than in Moscow.

Try to get a coat that goes down to your knees, since however many layers you put on your body you'll still get cold legs!

... sorry Boaster, I just realised you're female!

So, warm tights under the trousers will solve the cold legs problem for you!!!

Enjoy - its a great city.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Wet weather set to continue in Moscow

By Neil Hudson

More rain is forecast for the World Touring Car Championship weekend at Moscow Raceway this weekend, as the sixth round of the championship takes place in what has so far been the wettest season on record.

Although the last races in Germany took place just before the rain fell, affecting the Nürburgring 24 Hours race just two hours later instead, rain has played its part in the Hungarian and Moroccan rounds of the championship, which handed a surprise result to Sébastien Loeb Racing drivers Mehdi Bennani and Tom Chilton at the Hungaroring, and helped neutralise the performance gap between Citroën and Honda in Morocco.

“We’ve never had this in 11 years, with 80 per cent of our races have been wet,” said WTCC promoter Francois Ribeiro. “It’s a bit depressing I must say. When I saw the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday…in the middle of June you don’t expect this, but anyway it will be a good show and a good TV show but if there is a shop somewhere I can buy dry weather conditions I will pay myself, I promise you.”

Sébastien Loeb Racing Citroën driver Tom Chilton said after his Hungarian podium, rain would probably be his best opportunity, but then settled on a more neutral position when reflecting on his Nürburgring results.

“I was (driving for) ten years in the British Touring Car Championship and I did an awful lot of wet races,” said Chilton. “This year we had a very wet race in Hungary where I went from tenth to second, so I am kind of hoping it’s going to be wet, but after my performance last weekend (in Germany) with my first double podium; a second and a third, that was dry so I’m quite happy for it to be dry. I’m very 50/50, I don’t mind.”

Polestar Cyan Racing have struggled so far in all the wet events so far, with the Swedish team having done all their testing in the dry, so the team’s driver Thed Björk has a more certain view on what weather he’d prefer.

“I have to say with the performance of the Volvo car earlier this year, we’d like to have dry weather actually, but if it gets wet we have another opportunity to develop,” he said. “But I joined the WTCC to go out into the world for the warm weather, because we have all the rain in Sweden all the time and now I would have only sunshine.”

FIA WTCC Race of Russia Timetable

Friday 10th June 12:30 – Testing

Saturday 11th June 09:00 – Free Practice 1 11:30 – Free Practice 2 14:00 – Qualifying 15:00 – MAC3

Sunday 12th June 12:15 – Opening Race (16 Laps) 13:30 – Main Race (17 Laps)

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Long term test: Offshore sailing kit

• Bruce Jacobs
• March 29, 2022

The conditions out on deck of an ocean-going yacht makes designing truly great offshore sailing kit a challenging task for equipment manufacturers.

Professional sailors spend a great deal of time in offshore sailing kit, and with Rubicon 3 expeditions heading out into some of the harshest conditions we need equipment that consistently delivers in the real world.

Clothing needs to be able to keep wind, rain, and the cold at bay, along with that seeping, wet greyness that seems to get everywhere by the end of a tough night watch. In heavy weather we might also have waves sweeping over the deck and us.

We expect all that water to be kept out, yet we also want sailing jackets and sailing salopettes that give us freedom of movement while letting out the moisture generated by our bodies. And all this while the kit is being rubbed against abrasive non-slip, snagged by deck gear and generally being used in a tough, physical environment.

In recent times there has been a huge amount of innovation, both in terms of the materials being used to improve weight, durability and protection, and also in the design and cut of the clothing. The results really set new standards for what sailors can expect at sea.

Although not directly comparable, as they’re targeted at different markets, three sets caught our interest from brands which are either new or new to this level of wet weather kit. We spent a season putting them through their paces.

Our skippers have worn these jackets and salopettes almost continuously for the last six months. They have been used hard in the English Channel and west coast of Scotland, across the Bay of Biscay and on crossings of the Atlantic Ocean. They have been subjected to gales, heat, cold, lots of UV and all the physical rigours of full time sailing.

Offshore sailing kit test

Skipper Pete Stirling is impressed with the all-round performance of the North Sails kit

North Sails Performance Offshore

Star rating: 4.5/5

Who’s it for? Offshore sailors who value super light weight and less bulky clothing without any compromise on performance

North Sails’ heritage is in making sails for yachts, so everyone in the industry was intrigued when they announced a link up with Nigel Musto to produce a bespoke range of foul weather clothing. It’s rare to get a new entrant into the market, and they have taken a long hard look at issues with current foulies to produce a really top-of-the-range collection.

Rubicon 3 skipper Pete Stirling has been using this set throughout the summer and autumn, including a tough Bay of Biscay crossing. A veteran of well over 100,000 miles at sea, multiple circumnavigations and many sets of foulies, Pete is a skipper with exacting standards.

Suffice to say, he was impressed. North Sails’ Performance kit is noticeably lighter and thinner than normal ocean grade kit, claiming a 30% reduction on rival spec clothing. The result is that it feels like wearing light coastal equipment and the difference that makes when using them on a daily basis is significant. “I was a little disconcerted at first, as they lack the usual weight and bulk of other offshore foulies, and I was worried they wouldn’t be as effective or robust as I needed them to be.

But after the last six months I rate them very highly – these are superb,” he reports.

The key to how well they’ve performed comes down to a new 4DL fabric that North Sails developed, which in effect gives an extra water repellent layer laminated on top of the three-layered Gore-Tex Pro. The result is material that does not become waterlogged, which a heavy rain storm or large wave over the deck will usually accomplish quickly.

It means that not only do the clothes not become soggy and heavy, but the dreaded damp ingress through the seat never happens. Many salopettes, no matter how good, are susceptible to a soggy bottom if sat on a wet cockpit seat for a prolonged period. Counterintuitively, it is usually the toughened seat patch on the salopettes creating air pockets that then drive moisture back into the material. Laminating the protective patch on means there is no air gap and therefore no water ingress. Top of the range ocean clothing often has latex seals at the neck and wrist and these can be a really tricky to get a neck or hand through – and that’s before degradation of the seals from prolonged UV. North Sails’ Duraseal technology makes it far easier for skin to slide through the seal and we are told is much more resistant to UV. It is a big win and Pete, at 6ft 2in, and who often avoids foulies with seals for this reason, is sold.

“These are a vast improvement on much of what is out there and I’m genuinely impressed. Having been initially sceptical, if they continue to perform to this standard through the winter I’ll be a real convert”.

Buy the Southern Ocean Jacket from North Sails Buy the Southern Ocean Smock from North Sails Buy the Ocean Trousers from North Sails

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Emily Caruso wore the Zhik OFS700 through both summer and winter conditions

Zhik OFS700 Ladies

Star rating: 5/5

Who’s it for? Mainly coastal and occasional offshore sailors wanting top performance and value for money

The new Zhik OFS700 ladies offshore jacket and salopettes have proved to be a really big win. Tested by Emily Caruso through the summer while skippering the Rubicon 3 Clipper 60s and then on into the wetter, colder autumn months, they have certainly come up trumps.

Designed for coastal and offshore sailing, the design works well for ladies. Being relatively short at 5ft 3in, Emily often finds that foulies don’t quite fit: common issues are that reinforced knee and seat patches are in the wrong place and pockets get hidden behind lifejackets.

Thanks to their design, however, these are not issues with the Zhik clothing. They also have good reinforced patches made of a tough 500-denier abrasion resistant fabric. Most of all, Emily was impressed with the two-layer Apex fabric of the jacket and salopettes. It was noticeably softer and more flexible than many fabrics, yet proved to be just as tough and robust as thicker materials.

The overall cut and shape of the foulies allowed excellent mobility when hauling sails and working on deck. There are many adjustment points and cinches on the hood and waist and strong wrist and ankle seals. The high collar kept the wind and rain out and there is a well designed neck and lower face guard. The jacket kept her warm and dry in a particularly wet Force 8 gale, with the fleece lined pockets as always a big win for keeping hands warm.

Although there was a little water ingress into the pockets, this is an occupational hazard for every jacket we’ve ever tested. Other pockets are lined with a toughened material to stop sharp tools and such like wearing through. Emily would have liked a hanging tab on the outside of the jacket so a coat hanger is not needed (and which so often has wet salopettes on it, which then gets the inside of the jacket wet).

The salopettes also got great feedback from Emily, with a really well thought through fit and inner lining that kept them comfortable and with good airflow. She commented in particular on the effectiveness of the ‘set & forget’ adjustment, in effect a hook and loop Velcro tab. It removes the often fiddly plastic buckle and stops it chafing against shoulders and lifejackets. It’s a good system that was appreciated throughout the season. Emily concludes: “I’ve worn these foulies now for much of the last five months and I love them. I hadn’t used Zhik much before but they’ve had some tough wear and really been superb.”

We also think they represent good value for money at a really competitive price point.

Buy it now from Zhik

Rubicon 3’s Stuart Cook tested Zhik’s OFS900 Jacket and Salopettes for a full season in high latitudes

Zhik OFS900

Who’s it for? Professional sailors, ocean racers and bluewater cruisers operating in extreme ocean sailing environments

Stuart Cook is one of Rubicon 3’s longest serving skippers and is usually to be found no further south than Scotland and more often up in the high latitudes of Iceland and Norway or far out in the middle of an ocean. He works on yachts most days of the year, so any set of offshore clothing he tests is going to have to really live up to its durability claims.

He has been using the Zhik OFS900 ocean range all season and from the now UV-faded yellow and red colours, it’s obvious just how hard this clothing has been used. “Absolutely top quality, and very, very well made,” is his feedback. “So many sets of foulies just can’t deal for long with the rigours of professional sailors and start to develop tears and leaks, sometimes after just a few months. I’ve been practically living in these foulies these last few months and they have proved to be bombproof. They really are strong, robust and well designed.”

Zhik has worked hard to reduce the number of seams, thereby reducing the possible points of water ingress. An inner skirt in the jacket also works really well as a barrier in rough weather.

More than just their robust, four-layer build, however, the level of innovation in the design is really impressive. The most notable aspect for Stuart was the hood. Spending a lot of time in high latitudes, the hood is often up and the neck collar pulled tight. This means peripheral vision can be limited and, in the busy environment of an expedition yacht’s deck, that is a significant issue. Zhik has been clever with the addition of a rigid plastic hood visor made from a material they call Hydrovision, which is resistant both to fogging and scratching. It helps keep the face dry while still allowing a good field of vision.

The Salopettes have really strong 1000D reinforced patches and Stuart rates these as the best he has had. “This clothing is very obviously built for a genuine, hard working environment. It just does the job really well, which is a blessing.” Protective knee pads can be added for extra comfort and two good sized cargo pockets mean there is plenty of handy storage.

What to look for in offshore sailing kit

The membrane.

There are various options here. Musto, Henri-Lloyd and North Sails Performance use Gore-Tex (or Gore-Tex Pro), Zhik uses military proven eVent technology while Helly Hansen and Gill have their proprietary material in HellyTECH and XPLORE+ respectively. They are all variations of waterproof breathable fabrics (WBF), however, and there has been a constant stream of new designs and innovations since the original Gore-Tex first appeared in the 1970s.

The fabric used in foul weather gear must fulfil two distinct functions: waterproofness and breathability. As such, it keeps the sailor protected from wind, waves and rain but at the same time lets out the natural moisture generated by our bodies in order to keep the wearer comfortable.

The jacket collar

A good, high collar is critical to keep out the wind and cold when at sea. It needs to be quite a sophisticated design, as again it has to be big and warm enough to keep the wearer warm, but it also can’t constrain them, especially when they’re working hard.

A fleece lining or similar is key for comfort and warmth.

The jacket hood

A good hood is critical to foul weather gear as it plays such a key role in keeping the wearer both warm and dry. It needs to be large enough to comfortably cover the head, likely with a woolly hat underneath and it can be useful to have a peak at the front to help deflect water away from the face. It needs to be adjustable to keep it nice and snug to the head.

Neck, wrist and ankle seals

A great deal of water can get in through the neck, wrist and ankle openings. At the highest levels of protection, neoprene seals and internal gaiters all but guarantee the wearer stays dry. But these can be much too constrictive for casual or coastal sailors, so effective alternatives for closing the openings are essential.

Sailors carry lots of bits of equipment with them, from knives to torches and compasses. Pockets need to be angled so they’re easily accessed, but also so that equipment doesn’t fall out. Pockets should have zips or Velcro closures and may or may not have protective flaps. Good sized fleece-lined pockets to keep hands warm are a must.

Reflective tape on the jacket will help you be seen in the dark, seams should be taped inside to prevent water ingress, and knees, elbows and the seat should be reinforced to protect against wear and chafe. Zips should be robust, waterproof and have protective flaps. Serious ocean clothing will have all these, but coastal ranges may only have only some.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.

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