How To Choose A Sailing Jacket
Your sailing jacket is probably one of the hardest-working components of any sailing clothing system. Constantly exposed to changing conditions and relied on when you need to be protected from the elements, there’s no doubt that we ask a lot from our outer layer.
It needs to keep driving rain and spray out, while protecting you from the wind and standing up to the demands of life on deck. At the same time, your sailing jacket needs to be comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time and allow you to move freely when you’re working on deck.
Those are big shoes to fill, so choosing the right jacket for the way you sail is important. Whether you’re heading offshore or cruising along the coast, the conditions you face and the way you’ll use your jacket can narrow down your options and help you make your choice.
So, where do you start? We’ve outlined the main questions you need to consider when choosing a sailing jacket to find one that you can count on.
Where & How Do You Sail?
The first way you can narrow down the different types and styles of sailing jackets available is by thinking about the type of sailing you do most often. Put simply, the further offshore you go, the more important it becomes to have reliable protection against prolonged exposure to wind, rain and spray.
For coastal sailing, you won’t need the same level of protection as you would offshore. A waterproof sailing jacket with a solid waterproof rating, breathability, and light thermal protection will be your friend in this environment.
For offshore sailing, you’ll be exposed to the elements for longer and potentially in much tougher conditions. Waterproofing and breathability will still be important, but additional features like a higher collar, structured hood and face guard will all come into their own when you’re battling the conditions from all angles.
Then you’ve got dinghy and racing environments, where protection is still important, but a lightweight waterproof sailing jacket will trump others for its ability to enhance your agile movement rather than bogging you down in the most competitive moments.
You can learn more about what to wear for each type of sailing and which of our jackets are most suitable in our what to wear guides.
What To Wear For Ocean Sailing
What To Wear For Offshore Sailing
What To Wear For Inshore Racing
What To Wear For Coastal Sailing
What To Wear For Dinghy Sailing
What Conditions Will You Be Sailing In?
The next thing to consider when choosing your sailing jacket is the possible conditions. Yes, you can get a rough idea of what you might expect from a simple weather forecast, but this doesn’t always tell you what it will actually feel like once you’re out on the water.
Think about how exposed you’ll be and whether you’re likely to encounter changing weather during a day or passage. This naturally feeds into your earlier consideration of the type of sailing you’re doing; wind chill and spray will be a given with offshore and ocean adventures, but we wouldn’t overlook them when you’re enjoying the coast in an evening either.
Waterproofing therefore becomes an obvious consideration, but don’t overlook breathability. If you’re working hard on deck, you need a sailing jacket that can allow moisture and heat to escape rather than simply locking everything in.
How Will You Use It?
If you know you’re going to be exposed, active, and in need of protection, it’s easy to decide to just get a waterproof sailing jacket with an endless list of features. Before you do, consider how you’ll actually use your jacket and whether all of these features are actually necessary.
Remember that sailing involves plenty of movement and your jacket should never get in the way. This is particularly true for racing and active inshore sailing where a lighter, more streamlined waterproof sailing jacket can make sense. The Verso Waterproof Jacket, for example, uses lightweight XPLORE+ 3-layer waterproof fabric for great levels of protection but is still designed for active environments. Its longer back hem, adjustable cuffs and packable hood provide peace of mind without compromising movement.
For cruising, you may place more value on versatility and practical storage. Features such as hand warmer pockets, cargo storage, an adjustable hem and a comfortable collar become useful when you’re spending longer periods on board. The Coastal Cruising Sailing Jacket is designed with exactly this kind of use in mind.
What Will You Wear Underneath?
Don’t forget that your sailing jacket is the outer layer of your clothing system, not the only layer you will rely on. It doesn’t need to provide all of your insulation; in fact, it’s often better if it doesn’t, as this gives you greater freedom to add and remove layers when conditions change.
This isn’t to say that a jacket with absolutely no insulation is ever a good idea. Particularly in colder conditions, you’ll want a waterproof sailing jacket that’s warm in itself. However, you definitely don’t need to choose one jacket to provide warmth in every situation. Pick one with enough room underneath it to add extra mid-layers when conditions get more challenging and you’ll never be caught without the right clothing.
Find The Right Sailing Jacket At Gill
There is never going to be one jacket that is perfect for every condition. However, when you think about how you sail and choose a jacket with your wider layering system in mind, you’ll always have a sailing jacket you can depend on.
At Gill, we’ve carefully curated a range of waterproof sailing jackets designed for dependable protection, whatever the conditions. You can explore the full range of men's sailing jackets and ladies sailing jackets online today to find your perfect fit.
