How to choose the right sailing jacket ?
Sailing jacket or oilskin : how to choose ?
Professional skipper or sailor for a day, our sailing jacket comparison will help you choose the most suitable garment. Choosing the best sailing jacket depends above all on your sailing program and how you intend to use it.
The bestis the one that will protect you from bad weather at sea, such as sea moisture and spray, while adapting to your sailing schedule.
Your sailing jacket acts as a barrier against the elements, protecting you from harsh weather conditions offshore. That's why it's important to choose a garment suited to your use on the water.
An offshore sailing is designed for offshore sailing. ItIt has to perform extremely well, since it will be exposed to the worst conditions at sea. We recommend that you buy a sailing jacket with at least a 3-layer membrane, and materials that are both waterproof and breathable, such as Gore-Tex® from Musto or Helly Tech® fabric from HellyHansen.
Ais worn for a day at sea or a weekend of regattas. It's lighter than an offshore jacket because it has fewer textile layers.
The fabrics used, generally 2-layer coated, must also be breathable and waterproof, but don't necessarily require the same level of technical expertise as for an offshore sailing program. The budget is lower, and brands such as Gill and Helly Hansen offer high-quality sailing jackets at affordable prices.
The main functions of a sailing jacket
Your sailing jacket is the last bastion between you and the elements. From professional skippers to yachtsmen, all sailors know that the pleasure of a successful navigation depends largely on the quality of the equipment you take on board.
Choosing a sailing jacket or marine foulies will prevent you from suffering from the cold and bad weather while sailing: heavy weather, strong winds, high temperatures, spray, heavy seas...
Sailing jacket comparison: 3 criteria for the right choice
Poor conditions at sea can quickly spoil a cruise or an overnight watch. That's why it's imperative to be well equipped. To ensure optimum comfort and protection, the quality of a sailing jacket depends on 3 essential features.
A sailing jacket must be waterproof
Waterproofing is the ability of a fabric to prevent water penetrating through it. The manufacturers we have selected have all risen to the challenge of offering you quality equipment at attractive prices.
Now you can enjoy your sea outings to the full, thanks to a range of waterproof sailing jackets. No matter how heavy the sea, rain or spray, you can stay dry in any condition.
No water can get in, thanks to coated membranes, thermo-welded seams (heat-bonding of fabric parts), waterproof zips, sleeves and double-flap waterproof zippers .
A sailing jacket must be windproof
In addition to keeping you dry, technical textiles also allow the body to breathe by allowing perspiration to escape.
To avoid the condenser effect under your jacket during intense maneuvering in heavy weather, the combination of materials now allows water vapor (where H2O molecules are less bound than in liquid water) to escape while keeping you dry.
These same materials also provide a windproofing effect, a feature found on technical textiles. Today, manufacturers use two types of membrane for their sailing jackets.
A sailing jacket must be breathable
Coated or water-repellent membranes, where a protective layer is applied to the surface of a textile to make it waterproof and breathable. This process is generally used on coastal or deck jackets, which are less subject to harsh conditions.
Microporous membranes, the best-known example being the Gore-Tex® membrane, which contains micropores 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapor but 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water. A top-of-the-range coating, Gore-Tex® is more commonly found on offshore sailing jackets.
Other manufacturers, such as Slam, Zhik and Guy Cotten, have chosen not to associate the Gore-Tex® membrane with their marine clothing collections, in order to to develop similar processes in the laboratory. The Helly Tech© membrane is now a benchmark in waterproofing, as is the .
And what about comfort?
When it comes to boating , as with everything else, your activity should always be a pleasure. The comfort provided by your equipment is therefore a step not to be neglected. Many people have made the mistake of prioritizing price over quality, and end up with soggy clothes that are impossible to dry at sea.
To avoid this pitfall, our sailing jacket test shows you the best value for money: namely, the unavoidable ancestor of today's sailing jacket, made from coated canvas. Please note that an oilskin is neither warm nor breathable, but will keep you dry in all circumstances, just like the .
Today's most technologically advanced materials, such as Gore-Tex®, combine lightness and performance. Lightness is a real guarantee of comfort. Some sailing jackets also feature elastic inserts at strategic points, guaranteeing superior freedom of movement.
What's the best sailing jacket for my practice on the water ?
The term "watch" comes from the vocabulary of the French Navy, which divided crews into "watches" (4 watches per 24-hour period).
The expression "taking a watch" meant taking charge of the ship's management. Working on deck meant equipping oneself accordingly, and donning the famous "sailing jacket" to protect against the elements. Despite the years, its usefulness has not changed, and the sailing jacket, also known as the "ciré", remains widespread in the world of navigation.
Today, sailing jackets come in a variety of models to suit the needs of sailors and yachtsmen. Find out which one suits you best with our comparison of offshore and inshore sailing jackets.
Coastal jacket
An inshore jacket offers extra protection if the weather turns nasty, or if you're out at sea for an extended period. It can even be considered for a weekly regatta session or sailing course. It's a versatile garment, appreciated by novice sailors and even professional skippers. If you're planning a mid-season cruise in the Mediterranean, choose a .
Offshore sailing jacket
A }will offer you the maximum level of protection during a transatlantic crossing or even during a sabbatical year at sea. Thanks to features such as hand-warmer pockets, a high-visibility hood, SOLAS-compliant reflective inserts and a high collar, you can withstand the onslaught of bad weather at sea, even in heavy swells, with an offshore jacket.
Regatta sailing or jacket ?
For light sailing, dinghy sailing or racing, a jacket is preferable to a "Race" type sailing jacket (with a more fitted cut), for performance and comfort. Both are devoid of superfluous accessories to enhance your agility and avoid any risk of snagging on board.
We strongly recommend the purchase of a jacket if you play the role of number 1 in competition. Seams are kept to a minimum to improve watertightness and give you greater mobility on deck.
Some sailing jacket models are also available in a regatta version for offshore racing. The is a perfect example. Lighter and more fitted, they offer total freedom of movement, while withstanding the hazards of working on deck.
Top Vente Veste de Quart
Which sailing bib to match with my sailing jacket ?
Just like a sailing jacket, your choice of will depend on your sailing program. The number of textile layers on a pair of dungarees is equivalent to that of a jacket.
Consider waxed or waterproof pants (more expensive) for occasional sea outings. For multi-day cruises in rough or heavy seas, or if you sail regularly, opt for .
Choose for ocean sailing in heavy weather. This will give you the best possible protection in terms of waterproofing and breathability.
You'll find 2 different cuts in our catalog. The classic cut, with adjustable straps for occasional wear, and the "Long John" version, with an upper body bib and elasticized straps. The latter is more comfortable and more snugly fitted, especially for intensive use or regattas.
For women, "dropseat" technology, found at Helly Hansen, Gill and Musto, integrates a watertight zip at the lower back to facilitate trips to the toilet. The models and OS2 models
How do I take care of my sailing jacket ?
To best preserve your sailing jacket, rinse with fresh water and hand-wash with soap. To dry, avoid storing your jacket in direct sunlight. Drying on a hanger in the open air is recommended.
Also, avoid storing your sailing jacket in a place where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees (like the trunk of a car in summer, for example). Overexposure to heat can damage the membrane of your sailing jacket.
For machine washing, choose a gentle program at 30 degrees maximum and a . Dry-cleaning and tumble-drying are absolutely forbidden, as they can alter the coating or membrane of your jacket.
What to wear under a sailing jacket
To get the most out of your garment, our sailing jacket comparison helps you match it with complementary equipment. Like many other outdoor sports, a will be recommended for your sea outings. You'll need to choose breathable, insulating clothing made from fast-drying synthetic fibers.
A of warm, breathable synthetic fabric in contact with the skin forms the base of your equipment.
A fleece or softshell protects you from the cold, lets perspiration escape and dries quickly. It's the last link before the outer layer. The combination of a fleece and a softshell jacket, plus a technical underlayer, will give you excellent thermal performance.
Sailing jacket comparison : what's the difference with a ski jacket ?
Since we regularly receive this question from our customers, we'd like you to know that some mountain jackets have the same characteristics as the best sailing jackets, except that they are not treated against hydrolysis (alteration of any membrane or coated textile by the action of salt combined with humidity), abrasion and salt attack.
If you use a ski jacket for your sea activities, you run the risk of premature aging, or delamination, of your garment. We therefore recommend that you purchase a sailing jacket from our website.
Happy sailing !
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 04.78.41.79.31.
