In 1981, John Oakley, skipper of the British America’s Cup challenger, Lionheart, approached Gill about team gear with an eye toward minimizing windage. Innovation again–the kit included detachable sleeves. That opened the door for Gill to start producing offshore gear for the long haul of the grueling Whitbread Race. So good was the kit, the story goes, that Gill shipped 15 sets of foul weather gear to Cape Town for a team that had enough of being soaked to the bone. Only one crewmember had been wearing Gill’s stuff—and he was the only one that sailed into port happy and dry. 

This year marks the company’s 50th anniversary, a major milestone in an industry that has seen many others come and go. Gill’s core and DNA has always been sailing so we’ve reviewed a lot of their high-end gear over the years, but given their humble origins, we thought it appropriate to revisit five iconic, every-race items we all use. 

Glove Love

With the high-tech, smaller diameter lines we’re using these days, sailing gloves are essential. Gill has a wide assortment. We recently got our hands on—or into—their 50th Anniversary Pro Glove, which is their top-of-the-line offering; the Deckhand Glove, a more cost-friendly option; and their 3 Season Glove, which is the only one with full coverage on all fingers.

The Pro and Deckhand models are both pre-formed for a comfortable fit and have a shortened cuff, which is great for flexibility and makes getting to watch buttons a lot easier. Both have breathable four-way stretch fabric material on the back. The Pro model is a beefier glove, especially in the palm area and up the inside of the fingers. Sometimes beefier fabric equals a stiffer glove but the Pro has a pair of notches on each finger, which act almost like finger joints. Surprisingly flexible. 

The Deckhand has great flexibility and fits similarly, but the forefinger on each glove is open, which makes it easy to use a touch screen or deal with a small item, such as a fastener ring or shackle, without having to remove a glove. If you’re just looking for a basic, well-designed glove, the Deckhand will do the trick. If you’re dinghy sailing or handling aggressive lines on a bigger boat, opt for the Pro Glove.  Pro: $59.95. Deckhand: $29.95.

The 3 Season Glove has the same Dura-Grip material as the Pro model on the palm and up the fingers, but the rest of the glove is neoprene, making it preferred for frostbiting or spring conditions. We’ve worn these when the ice has only been off the water a short time and glad we had them. They extend further up the wrist than the Pro and Deckhand gloves, so less ideal for watch-button access. With full-finger coverage, the forefinger tip is touch-screen compatible. $39.95.

Pack On, Pack Off

For sailors, a backpack is ideal for lots of reasons, but a pack that’s too big invites overpacking. Gill’s Special Edition 35L Voyager Kit Pack is just the right size. We were able to stuff it with a pair of deck shoes, spray top, salopettes, sailing shorts, extra base layer, thin fleece, gloves, and sunglasses case. No problem. 

Made of PVC material, it’s darn near bulletproof. It has a roll-down top and large, zipped-front pocket for easy access to smaller items, as well as an adjustable, shock-cord, webbed section to hold a water bottle.  The straps are padded and adjustable, and we especially liked the breathable pads to keep the PVC material off your back. Measures 26x13x8. $94.95

I’ve had a 10L Voyager Dry Bag for a number of years, and it simply refuses to die.  Not saying it will last a lifetime, but darn close. Made of a PVC fabric with welded seams, it’s perfect for Wednesday evening racing where you just need to bring a few basics–a spray top, gloves, sunglasses case. The top features a roll-down closure to make the bag water-tight, and there’s a handy strap to sling it over your shoulder as you’re carrying sails down the dock. Measures 19×8.  Also comes in 25L and 50L sizes, if you need more room. 10L Voyager Dry Bag: $29.95.

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The biggest change to the jacket is a more relaxed fit. The hem has been eased from the previous model to give a straighter, less V-shape, which is good for layering. That also means it should fit a wider range of body shapes.

Meris Jacket

When I first picked up the jacket, my initial reaction was, “Holy smokes, this thing is really light!” The size L we checked out tipped the scales at only 1.8 pounds, which was around a pound less than a comparable jacket we had on hand.  Of course, part of this is the absence of a liner. Interior liners are great for creating a moisture barrier inside the jacket and a bit more warmth, but you can arguably accomplish the same thing with proper layering, and with the relaxed fit, there’s plenty of room to work with various options there. Also, when rolled, it’s much more compact than our lined comparison.

The jacket’s material, which is not only waterproof and breathable, but feels rugged and durable, is constructed with a three-ply marine spec, and reinforced in areas with lightweight and durable Cordura 500. There are two cargo pockets in front that have waterproof zippers and flaps over the top; although we’d like to see a little velcro to secure the flaps. Also front-side are two zipped, side-entry pockets with fleece lining, which is always a plus. There are no pockets inside the jacket. The front Aquaseal zipper is billed as 100-percent waterproof, so there’s no need for a flap. The wrist openings have a very solid-feeling and comfortable neoprene gasket system that you can cinch with a velcro tab to greatly reduce water ingress. Wrists and shoulders feature reflective material. 

The most unique part of the jacket is the hood. Zip the jacket up all the way, and you’ll have a nice fleece-lined collar around your chin and lower face. Pull the hood out, pop it over your head, pull out the stowable face guard and attach, and you’re suddenly cocooned. But this hood extends forward much further than those on other jackets we’ve reviewed. It’s almost like wearing a traditional Sou’wester Hat backwards–your face is really sheltered from the elements.  In fact, it’s far enough out that Mustang has added “peripheral-view windows,” which sound a bit odd, but they really work, and in time, you forget you’re actually looking through them.

The Meris jacket is billed for coastal and offshore racing. It’s compact, lightweight and streamlined, just the way we like it. Red or Navy, $699.99

Meris Salopette

Salopettes have become de rigueur for a lot of racers over the years, and for good reason—comfort and flexibility. We’ve checked out a number of salopettes over the years, so we have a pretty good handle on what’s what in that world. Plus, we just plain prefer them over bibs.

The Meris salopette is constructed of the same military spec material as the jacket and includes extra seat and knee reinforcement. The stretch back material and adjustable straps keep it in place and comfortable, even when going back and forth from standing to sitting to kneeling positions, which we tried numerous times.  Like the jacket, the salopette has a relaxed fit, so you’ll be able to wear just about whatever base layers you’ll need. The range of adjustment to fit is controlled by waist cinchers as well as Velcro tabs behind the knees and at the ankles that can really taper all the fabric down the leg.  All make for a compact, customized fit. The salopette has a waterproof, two-way, front zipper; it’s convenient and eliminates the need for an inner flap.

One detail we liked on the Meris that’s not always found on salopettes are knee pads. Unless we’re at the helm, somehow we always find ourselves kneeling at some point in the race, whether it’s dealing with an issue at deck level, getting better leverage while grinding a winch or just seeking divine intervention for better wind.  Always seems to happen.  The Meris knee pads are just right—large enough to cover the knees for a wide range of leg lengths and thick enough to provide the comfort you need, but not so thick that they interfere with movement.  Don’t need ‘em?  On the new Meris salopette, they’re easily removable. But once you try them, we’re sure you’ll leave them in place. 

Other features include two zipped thigh pockets, instead of the previous model’s one. The left one has a cell-phone-sized window section that’s perfect for wet notes or anything else you need to be able to see without having to dig it out of a pocket.  The right leg now has a tool tie. The idea is that you can separate tools from screens and notes. There’s also an upper chest pocket. Plenty of places to stash stuff. 

Like the jacket, the Meris Salopette is designed for coastal as well as offshore conditions.  Available in navy, $649.99

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For starters, both are now made of an estimated 98 percent recycled material, something unheard of a quarter-century ago. In case you’re wondering about the remaining 2 percent, it’s basically zippers and reflective material, currently not a recyclable option. Beyond that, there’s a lot to talk about. Both jacket and trousers are made of Gill’s XPLORE two-layer waterproof and breathable fabric with a liner. There’s mesh fabric at the bottom of the jacket, at the wrist on each sleeve, and at the bottom of each trouser leg to allow moisture to escape. I especially like how lightweight both pieces are, even with the lining.  

The main standout in the Offshore Jacket is from the shoulders up. The OS2 line has always had tall collars, but this one, at 7 inches, is probably the highest they’ve made. The collar on my loaner jacket came about halfway up the back of my head and at least up to my nose when fully zipped. Inside is a plush, fleece lining. The front of the collar features an integrated face guard that secures the collar around your chin and nose.

Zip the jacket all the way, pull the high-viz, lined hood (another nice touch) up over your head, secure a face guard across the front of the collar, and all that’s exposed are your eyes and perhaps your nose. Warm and dry. Clearly, over-the-deck spray and rain are not going to win this battle. When not in use, the face guard can be folded or rolled out of the way into a dedicated pocket in the side of the collar, and the hood can be similarly tucked into a pocket at the back of the collar.  

Is there anything not to like about it? If you’re cool with the size of the collar when wearing the jacket in a more casual mode, the only thing I’d recommend is an inner flap so the zipper doesn’t rest against your facial skin. But maybe that’s not an issue, given the conditions you’d likely be wearing this in would necessitate an inner layer that would come far enough up to provide a buffer between your skin and the zipper. 

The jacket has a Velcro-sealed cargo pocket on each side, along with side-entry hand-warmer pockets lined with fleece. Two deep chest pockets have large zipper pulls, making them easy to access even with cold fingers or when wearing wet sailing gloves. A pocket just inside and to the left provides a perfect place for a phone or anything else you want to have with you but not take any risk getting it wet. With all those storage places, there’s more than enough for anything you’d typically need on deck.

Finally, I really appreciated the soft, inner-cuff seals, which are secured with Velcro tabs. Something we’ve seen before, but it always checks a box. Like the whole collar arrangement, if you snug them up, there’s little chance water will penetrate, even when working with your hands above your head, such as when jumping halyards in very wet conditions. 

Offshore trousers are one of the most frequently worn pieces of sailing kit, and as such they need to top-shelf. So, when I first saw the modest $260 retail price tag on Gill’s OS2 trousers, I anticipated a middle-of-the-road garment. Boy, was I wrong. Everything about them is primo. I worked hard to find something wrong with them, but I came up empty.  

Picking them up for the first time, the fabric feels remarkably durable, yet it’s not stiff or heavy, even with the beefy knee and rear-seat reinforcement panels.  Neither feel like you’re wearing pieces of cardboard. A Velcro waist closure keeps them close to your body.

Some details: The men’s model includes a brace system with a comfortable stretch back panel and Velcro adjusters. A two-way zipper in front with a large gusset provides protection, yet enables the user easy access for relief without having to mess with the jacket. The women’s model has a drop-seat function that, as I understand it, can be used without undoing the braces. I imagine that’s a real bonus.

On the front right side is a Velcro tool attachment point, and the convenient front thigh pocket includes a D-ring. At first I questioned the lack of a thigh pocket on the left side, but one is easily enough. Velcro closures finish off the bottom of each trouser leg.  

Overall, the OS2 system is a really solid, well-designed offshore kit that should provide most sailors years of good use. Twenty-five years of development can’t be wrong.

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Mustang Survival has a reputation for providing top-notch, high-tech cold water gear for professional use.  Think winter-water rescue teams, ocean fishing and the like. When they rolled out the Quadra this past August, the goal was to provide a drysuit with a quality level comparable to their professional models, but at a recreational user price-point. The suit’s proprietary “Marine Spec” BP fabric is composed of three breathable, waterproof and UV-resistant layers that include a face fabric, a waterproof membrane and a nylon tricot backer, which not only protects the membrane but is also soft to the touch.  Even though you’ll likely wear a warming layer underneath, the softer inner layer should minimize chafe. Handling the suit you can feel how robust the fabric is, yet it’s not particularly heavy or stiff—at least for a drysuit. Mustang claims it stands up better than other waterproof breathable membranes against marine specific conditions including saltwater and, get this, “fish guts and engine fuel.”

Clearly, this is the real deal. 

The fabric extends down into each foot, making it easy to slide into the footwear. And, the Quadra really seems to shine when it comes to reinforcement in high-wear areas.  The extra heavy-duty Cordura seat reinforcement extends well down each leg and will easily accommodate a wide range of inseam lengths.  Knee pads are of the same material and similarly large. As a result, you can hike, sit on the rail or kneel on a textured deck with little concern about wear. The super-soft latex neck and wrist seals are easily trimmable, with built-in concentric trim guide marks and detailed instructions on the Mustang website.

We’re told Mustang pressure tests and water tests each drysuit before it leaves the factory, which is good insurance to have before ending up in cold water for the first time, and each suit comes with a two-year warranty from the date of purchase. 

Oh, and about those few details, such as the zipper, waist adjustment and leg cincher. We really like the front positioning of the zipper—you don’t need a friend to help you in and out of this suit—and a large T-handle on the pull makes the zipper easy to operate. In the spirit of simplicity, the adjustable webbing at waist level works, to a degree. The belt has about 3 inches of adjustable range, and with a 35/36-inch waist and testing out a size large, we could not get it as quite as tight as we’d like. Maybe it’s just that we like the security of a snug waist fit, or perhaps a size medium dry suit would have fit better.  Just below each knee is a velcro cinch strap that helps minimize bulk. 

With a sharp design that comes in either red or admiral gray for men and bluefin or admiral gray for women, the Mustang Quadra should definitely be on your list of finalists if you’ve got your eye on a new drysuit for the upcoming colder months. $849.99.

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The word “salopette” comes from a French word for trousers, and its use in sporting gear appears to have originated in the ski industry. Unlike traditional “bibs,” salopettes extend higher up on the chest, providing more core coverage, and the shoulder straps are wider. While some models have shoulder strap adjustment, many only have lightweight stretch material in this area, which is good for mobility and warmth. They tend to be a little closer fit overall than bibs, often helped by some sort of waist cincher, suggesting mostly around-the-buoys and coastal use, although there is a trend toward making them more suitable for ocean passages with much tougher materials and slightly larger fit to accommodate layering. Either way, for many sailors, the salopette is the first line of defense, providing water and windproof protection from legs to core before adding a more bulky jacket or spray top. The salopette’s versatility is what makes it an ideal piece of gear for keelboat sailors.

Why go with salopettes over traditional bibs? It’s largely a matter of personal preference, but with stretch fabric that goes over the shoulder and onto your upper back, you don’t have straps digging into or sliding off your shoulder. The downside? You usually can’t adjust your torso length as easily as you can with bibs. However, even then, there are a few options that do have some adjustment, usually done with an envelope-style Velcro setup that eliminates buckles in the chest area.

As with any foul weather gear, you must try it before you buy it (or recommend it), so we collected the top-of-the line kit from seven top manufacturers and wore them throughout the 2021 Boat of the Year testing in Annapolis, Maryland, this past October. Although we weren’t able to try every one in every condition, it did give us the opportunity to examine them up close and use each of them in a sampling of real-world conditions. The biggest takeaway we had was that there’s no such thing as a “best salopette.” This is no cop-out. They’re all good for certain sizes of users and for certain applications, so your choice comes down to the conditions you’ll regularly sail in, your position on the boat, your need for specific features, and your budget. Either way, there’s definitely something here that will be just the right fit.

Gill OS1 Ocean Trousers

With one look at these, it was clear they’re built for offshore sailing. The four-layer laminate material is stiffer and heavier than almost everything in our collection, but unlike the more around-the-buoys types of salopettes that have stretch material from the waist up, these were all business, all the way to the top. The shoulder straps are not stretchy material, but they do have multiple Velcro adjustment points that provide a customized fit.

There’s a small chest pocket, perfect for a cell phone or small notebook, and lined hand pockets, along with a photoluminescent safety reflector mid-chest, which is a nice safety touch. We really liked the webbed waist cinchers, located on the outside of each hip. With a quick pull on the tabs, it felt like we suddenly had the security of a belt around the waist, which kept the lower part of the salopettes fitting correctly, regardless of position.

The OS1 was the only salopette in our group with a storm flap over the front zipper. That, coupled with a large gusset inside, provides insurance against water intrusion. One stand-out from the other salopettes, however, is that the front zipper is only one way. We contacted Gill about this, and they said, “Previous versions of the trouser had a ‘relief’ opening behind the zipper, which benefited from having a two-way slider. User feedback told us this opening was difficult and uncomfortable to use, plus it created an opening for water to enter the trousers. The updated construction is now waterproof to just below chest height.” The idea is that you can unzip your jacket from the bottom (or pull your smock up) and then zip the trouser down.

There are loads of features below the waistline, including a PLB attachment point and two thigh pockets. We especially liked how the pockets were positioned—not directly on top of each thigh but slightly around to the outside, which made storing items in them, such as sailing gloves or nutrition bars, seem less bulky. On the right-hand pocket is a cool knife sheath, with a snap attachment. The seat and knee patches are as beefy as you’d expect for this level of offshore gear and the seat patch has no center seam, which reduces the chance of leaking. There’s plenty of room in the legs for as much layering as you want and accommodating higher sea boots. $499. gillmarine.com/os1-ocean-trousers-os13t/

Helly Hansen Aegir Race Salopette

When we pulled the Helly Hansen Aegirs out of the bag we immediately started bargaining over who would get to use these first. They’re just heavy enough to make clear they’d be good in everything from around-the-buoys racing to coastal racing, and they also have all the features you’d want, starting with a stretchy Lycra top that made it feel like we weren’t wearing any foul weather gear from the waist up. And, it’s a whole lot cooler when wearing a smock or jacket.

Designed with input from ocean racer Thomas Coville and named after the mythological Norse God of the Ocean, the Aegir is made from Helly’s proprietary seam-sealed three-layer fabric. There’s a two-way front zipper, with a large gusset just inside that. The fabric from the waist down is breathable and waterproof, and there’s plenty of room in the legs for multiple layering. Like the Gill salopettes, these have webbed waist cinchers—definitely a plus for preventing the legs from sagging when heavy and wet.

There are large, articulated reinforcement patches on the knees and seat, but they don’t have a lot of stiffness, which not only makes these salopettes more comfortable, but that means they’ll pack small, taking up less space in your duffle. One small but cool feature is the trim on the pockets and the ankle fasteners—a fluorescent yellow, making locating them in the dark a whole lot easier. $450. hellyhansen.com/en_us/aegir-race-salopette-33871?color=291475

Henri Lloyd M-Pro Salopette 3HL GTX BLU

Even without putting them on a scale, we could tell these were clearly the lightest weight salopettes in the group and would be perfect for high-intensity buoy racing. Made with Gore-Tex Pro Recycled Face Fabric, this was one model we felt we could wear all day and never feel like we had to peel a layer on a downwind leg.

The 3HL (the 3 is for three-layer laminate) has four-way stretch Lycra material from the waist up, which allows for great temperature control and accommodates a wide range of body types. There are two convenient chest pockets—keep a phone in one and lens cloth or notepad in the other. There’s also a pocket on the right thigh with two different sized loops along with a long, narrow pocket for a knife or small flashlight. The Lycra is, of course, not waterproof, so if conditions are likely to be on the wet side, you’ll be adding a jacket sooner. Waistline cinchers are located in the bottom of each chest pocket. To tighten, pull the stretchy cord. To loosen, unzip the main zipper to waist level and use the release button on each side.

There’s a two-way front zipper, with a large gusset just inside the lower portion. Reinforcement patches welded on the knees and seat (therefore, no seams) are articulated, allowing them to be smaller, again saving weight but more importantly blocking as little of the breathable properties as possible. The legs on the 3HLs were slightly narrower than some of the other brands, a big plus for around-the-buoys sailing, but they might be a little snug if you’re planning on really bulking up with layers. Adjustable ankle cuffs are soft enough that they feel great on bare ankles when just wearing sailing sneakers and are large enough to fit over sea boots.

The 3HL Salopettes are also available in women’s sizes, which have a different cut, allowing for a shorter frame, leg lengths and curves. Henry Lloyd salopettes are manufactured in Poland from 100-percent recycled material and for North American customers, they only sell direct. Price: $445. henrilloyd.com

Mustang Meris MP3000 02 Sailing Salopette

Here’s another salopette we quickly started coveting. They’re just a touch heavier than the super-light Henri Lloyd M-Pro, but the Mustang Meris has a lot going for it. The biggest plus is that they’re just plain comfortable to wear. We spent a few hours in them and forgot we were wearing foul weather gear. For greater comfort, the light gray color also helps keep the inside temps down.

The design brief begins with the lightweight and super-comfortable stretch shoulder straps. They’re supplemented by beefy Velcro attachments that provide a three-inch adjustment range. This is a great feature for accommodating a large range of body types. There’s a chest pocket on the left-hand side and stretchy waist cincher on the right-hand side. Just above that is a Velcro strap arrangement for attaching accessories—think PLBs and the like.

The chest pocket and two-way front use beefy YKK Aquaseal zippers, which are touted as being 100-percent waterproof. With such a zipper, Mustang decided there was no need for a gusset, thus simplifying the design, saving weight and improving mobility. Take a big wave without it fully zipped and you’ll understand why it’s important to make sure it’s firmly seated.

There’s one pocket on the right thigh with a windowed section that we’re told is meant for seeing written notes (coordinates, polars, etc.) There’s also a slim pocket to the outside of the thigh pocket that’s perfect for a knife or small flashlight.

In addition to the Cordura reinforcement on the knees and seat, the knees have impact foam padding. Great for those times when having to kneel over a winch or on a hard deck to secure a sail. We sailed a couple of dinghies wearing these, and the few times we ended up on our knees, we really appreciated the padding. A Velcro tab on the outside of each leg, adjacent to the pads, keeps them firmly positioned on your leg. The Meris is constructed of four-layer “Marine Spec” material developed specifically for tough saltwater environments. $499.99 mustangsurvival.com/collections/mens-outerwear/products/meris-waterproof-bib-pants-mp300002

Musto LPX GTX Salopette

The first thing we noticed right away is how light the LPX is. Again, it’s one of those salopettes that you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing. The LPX is designed primarily for day sailing, although we could see it working for a coastal race, with the right layering. Made of three-layer Gore-Tex fabric, which runs all the way up to where the shoulder straps begin, these salopettes are waterproof almost up to your neck. As a result, you might be able to postpone adding a spray top and jacket just a little longer than those that aren’t waterproof that far up. Reinforced patches at the knees and seat are beefy enough to make clear these will take a lot but not so much that they add stiffness. Multi-layer elastic shoulders are solid and do a nice job of keeping the salopettes in position. Built-in elastic around the waist helps keep them close to your body.

Our only beef with the LPX GTX is that there is no device for cinching the waist, which would prevent them from sliding down below your hips. That means that when moving from, say, a seated position to a kneeling position, they can get a bit snug in the knees. It’s not a major, but something to consider if you’re working a high-movement position.

Beyond that, this is mostly a no-frills salopette and is the most economical of the group we tried. It has a two-way zipper with a large gusset behind it, two thigh pockets with zipper closures and elastic/Velcro tabs at the ankles. Its simplicity is one of the things we liked. After all, this is not something you’re going to use sailing offshore for weeks, but it will be in its element in day races. We tried the platinum version (it also comes in black), and it kept us comfortable even when the sun was shining strongly—never experiencing a sensation of overheating. $395. team1newport.com/Musto-LPX-Gore-Tex-Salopette-81212/productinfo/MU81212/

North Sails Ocean Trousers

The first question asked when these came out of the box was, “Where did these bad boys come from?” Clearly the heaviest duty of any of the gear we checked out, but they’re amazingly light for what they are. With tough but pliable reinforcement on the seat and knees and an oversized fit for maximum layering, it was clear: if you’re going to the Southern Ocean, these should be on your gear list. Not surprisingly, that’s reflected in the price. Technically, these are bibs, but they had enough in common with salopettes that we decided to include them.

That’s not to say these won’t cut it for less extreme sailing. Prior to our Annapolis tests, SW’s editor Dave Reed used a demo for the Chicago-Mackinac Race (on deck and sleeping through off-watches and loved them) and then loaned them to a teammate for the cold and windy J/24 Nationals in Vermont where they performed like a champ, emerging no worse for the wear after being dragged across the non-skid for days. Would you want them for everyday around-the-buoys racing? They’d be overkill, but they could very well be the last pair of salopettes you ever buy.

Constructed with GORE-Tex Pro and an innovative TightWeave fabric, if they’re not bulletproof, they’re darn close to it, but the real deal is in the seat and knee panels, which do not have seams, thereby eliminating common leak points. The front zip is two-way and has an internal gusset to keep water out. The overall design is simple and clean, with just two big thigh pockets. The internal high-density foam padding at the knees is a great feature, and the pads are removable by sliding them out from the side of each padding pocket.

Shoulder straps are made of 50mm elastic with a hook and loop adjustment that keeps any excess strap safely tucked away. We discovered that you need to pull the two parts of the hook side up so the strap with the loop is sliding through and only touching the outer side of the fabric—it’s a bit like putting battens in a big-boat mainsail without a batten tool. A bit challenging at first, but once in place, you’re good to go, and they shouldn’t need further adjustment. And they’ll certainly stay where you set them. $800. team1newport.com/North-Sails-Offshore-Bib-Trousers-27M440/productinfo/NS27M440/

Zhik OFS 800 Salopette

Our first reaction on seeing these was, “This looks like a good, solid, all-around salopette.” After we had used them for a while, that reaction was confirmed. They fit great and were comfortable, even on 70-degree days. They’re made with “eVent” fabric, which is new to the marine market and boasts exceptional breathability while retaining high levels of waterproofness and durability. In fact, Zhik claims these are 60 percent more breathable than their previous salopettes, and durability falls into the military grade category.

The shoulder straps are made of Spacer mesh, which is also great for breathability, and they are attached with dual Velcro tabs. Again, it was a little challenging to adjust, but once there, we were good to go. The seat and knees are reinforced with durable nylon panels. The front zipper is backed by a large internal gusset, and there is a side-accessed pocket on the right-hand side. A small niggle, but this placement makes it a little more challenging to access for right-handers. However, left-handers should be pleased. There are two elasticized adjusters to cinch the waist and two thigh pockets with Velcro closure flaps. We liked the velcro pocket closures but found ourselves wishing the elasticized waist adjusters were non-stretch webbing instead. Again, not a major concern, but it’s one of those “it would be nice to have” features. $579.95 zhik.com/featured/ofs800-range/black-ofs800-salopette.html

Helly Hansen’s Women’s Aegir Salopette

Martha Parker, Founder Team One Newport, provides insight into her favorite salopettes: I’ve worn salopette-style foul weather gear trousers for years, and it wasn’t until the Helly Hansen Women’s Aegir salopettes came along that I finally found a pair that fits me. I’m 5’2”, so it’s difficult to find a pair that fits my size. To complicate matters, I use them on a wide variety of boats—team racing on Sonars, fleet racing on J/24s and IC 37s and offshore—and everything in between. I’m usually on the bow or in the pit and prefer salopettes because the tops are flexible, making movement easier, and when I have a smock or jacket over them, which is about half the time, they’re not too bulky and cumbersome.

The Helly Hansen Aegir salopettes were designed with the help of the women on Team SCA in the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race to assure a true female fit. They’re made of a tri-laminate Helly-Tech Fabric with articulated reinforcement in the seat and knees, along with an adjustable waist. The two thigh pockets are perfect for storing my multi-tool, sunscreen lip protection, snacks, and a sail tie. I always wear knee pads, and there is plenty of room for those.

The best thing? A drop-seat feature. It utilizes a waterproof YKK Aquaseal Dry zipper that starts at the right hip, goes all around the back at the upper hip area, and stops at the left hip. This allows the bottom part of the trousers to fall down towards the knees, allowing me to use the bucket or head without having to take off my smock—a true bonus when there are only 15 minutes between races and we’re trying to get the boat ready for the next race. $450. team1newport.com/Helly-Hansen-Womens-Aegir-Race-Salopette-33885/productinfo/HH33885/

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North Sails had been dabbling in sailing gear for many years, mainly in Europe, and while it was perfectly suitable for inshore racing and the streets of St. Tropez and Sardinia, it wasn’t built for hard and wet ocean miles. And we all know that if you’re wet and cold, you’re slow, and North doesn’t do slow. So, they recently set out to produce the best and most durable foul weather gear they possibly could and the key step was to hire Nigel Musto, whose eponymous brand was long considered the gold standard of serious performance sailing gear, both inshore and offshore. That same standard now applies to the new North Sails Performance Collection released this spring and immediately earning praise among the pros as the most technical kit on the market today.

Yes, it’s top-shelf gear with top-shelf pricing, but with top-shelf materials and construction, it may very well be the last bit of sailing gear you ever buy (as long as you take care of it, of course). That’s the sentiment of Martha Parker, founder of Team One Newport, who has the first shipment of inventory in the States, https://www.team1newport.com/North-Sails/products/1269/). Parker has seen her share of foul weather gear over three decades in the apparel business, and her last impression is, “it’s incredibly light.

“Even when you pick up the offshore stuff it feels like the weight of a windbreaker, and once you get down into the inshore stuff, it’s amazing what they’ve done,” Parker says. “The first thing I do with foul weather gear is turn it inside out because that’s the whole story, and this stuff is definitely cool. The seams are impeccably finished.”

The range is designed and built for bigger boat applications (no dinghy gear), and offered in Ocean, Offshore and Inshore categories. Using Gore-Tex Pro, the absolute best membrane fabric from Gore, the gear is certainly durable, breathable, and it’s most definitely waterproof. To address seam and reinforcement construction—the Achilles Heel of sailing gear, North designers developed what they’re calling “4DL,” which is a four-layer laminate used in high-wear areas like the knees and the seat. There’s weight savings, too: by not stitching on a chafe protection layer (especially the seat area), the real benefit is eliminating water absorption and leakage where it’s most likely to happen.

Excessive absorption, or what’s referred to as fabric wet-out (when the applied water-repellent coating is no longer effective), is what hinders the membrane laminate’s breathability. To eliminate this fabric saturation, designers also developed what they call “Tightweave,” a fabric construction that uses thinner threads and a tighter weave. By doing so, we’re told, they’re less reliant on the water-repellant coating and more reliant on the fabric itself to maintain waterproofness. For wrist and neck seals, they’ve gone away from the traditional flimsy rubber dry-suite type gaskets and use thin, slippery neoprene instead, which is a far more durable material and stretchy enough to get a reliable watertight seal without cutting off your circulation.

In the Offshore range, the top of the line are certainly the Southern Ocean Smock and the Atlantic Ocean Smock. Designed by true blue-water professionals and field tested during the recent Vendée Globe, they have the key attributes you’d want in the extreme latitudes or cold-water passage: high-collars, a deep front hand pocket, an extra-long back panel, tight seals, and a streamlined design to make it easier to don and fit harnesses and PFDs. Pair one of these tops with the bib-style Ocean Trousers and you’ve got yourself a full-send package that’ll keep you dry all watch long.

While most sailors don’t require the sophistication of the Ocean range, the North Performance gear transitions into the Offshore and Inshore offerings using the same Gore-Tex Pro for streamlined smocks and bibs. There are proper layers in the lineup, too, from fleece-lined jackets, to shell, shorts and pants. They’ve got your pants, shorts, belts and beanies, too, which is also top-of the line stuff to get you across the finish line warm, dry and ready for another race.

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Gill’s Navigator’s Jacket is a no-frills coat perfect for fall or spring big boat sailing or just kicking around ashore when the temps are down a bit. We found it did a nice job down into the mid-40s, with a fleece vest underneath. Warmth is provided by a 100-percent polyester lining, and the elements are kept out with two layers of waterproof polyester—great for when your sailing takes you into the 40s and 50s. The jacket includes a lower back hem for added protection (sitting on a dew-covered deck, for example). It’s lightweight and breathable and includes a roll-away hood, adjustable cuffs and a zippered inside pocket large enough for a cellphone. $199.

A good compliment to the Navigator’s Jacket is Gill’s Waterproof Beanie. Just how much better can you make something as simple as a beanie? Try adding a polyester micro-fleece thermal lining to keep your head toasty, and then make it waterproof. We had a chance to try this out in sub-freezing temperatures recently, and it kept the pate nice and warm. $33.

The Millbrook Zip Tee is a lightweight, quick-drying tech shirt that does a great job of wicking moisture away from your body. Its high collar adds to the sun protection provided by the 50+ UV material and the zipper makes the shirt easy to get in and out of. $50.

Combine these three and you’ve got yourself a great three-part warmth system for fall and winter sailing or offseason boatwork. www.gillmarine.com

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Zhik Sea Boots

I wore these boots for three days straight and hardly noticed I was wearing them. They fit well around my foot, with no slop, and the soft, breathable uppers were extremely comfortable. One of the foredeck crew aboard Stripes also had a pair, and he especially liked how the tread ran up on the sides of the boot. He said it’s useful when on a wet foredeck, on his knees or trying to get a good footing on a sloping deck. Loops on the each boot’s neoprene liner makes it easy to pull them on. The rubber sole is soft and pliable, giving a great grip.

How easily can they be removed in the water? I visited my neighbor’s pool, to find out before the race, and even while wearing thick wool socks, it took about 10 seconds per boot. As with other boots of this style, don’t tighten the top of the gaiter too much. Tighten them just enough to hold the gaiter up, as any water that gets in there runs down the outside of the neoprene and then out through the perforated neoprene. You’ll still need to loosen them to get the boots off.

Bottom Line: Neoprene uppers that keep the boot lightweight. Pull loops are designed to make quick work of putting these on when you’re below and all hands are needed on deck. $299

This jacket has great styling, and it’s a sharp looking, durable jacket for coastal sailing. There are three pockets—one on each side plus an inside chest pocket for small items, such as an iPhone. The jacket is lightweight, but has no liner so layering is a must. Its waterproof rubber cuffs are great assets, but they’re a little challenging to get to and snug, unless you roll up the outer shell.

The only issue I had with this jacket is one I’ve run into with other jackets—there’s comfortable fleece collar liner everywhere except the section by your chin. After three days of continuous wear, I ended up with chafe marks and minor discomfort in that area. Another good upgrade, especially for colder situations would be fleece-lined side pockets.

Bottom Line: A lightweight, unlined, breathable jacket—warmth hinges on the base layers. Its key features are a fleece-lined collar and double wrist closures. $295

The Race Trousers were pretty typical of most bibs available today. I appreciated the two-way zipper and large inner flap that made relieving myself over the long race a non-issue. Unlike other bibs I have worn, I never had to deal with the shoulder straps sliding down off my shoulders. Two front pockets gave me all the storage space I needed, and Velcro cuffs allowed them to slide smoothly into the boot gaiters.

Bottom Line: Like the jacket, very light with a full front zipper that not only zips up but down, as well as the waist clincher straps that take a little pressure off the shoulder straps. $379

When I first tried these out, they fit pretty snug, even though they were the correct size for someone of my height and weight. How comfortable they would be over the long haul? Not an issue. I wore them from Saturday afternoon straight through to Monday afternoon—almost 48 hours straight—and almost forgot I was wearing them—seemed just like a second skin. And they certainly added to my overall warmth. A front fly opening in the pants would make them even better.

Bottom Line: These base layers are advertised as “hyper wicking,” which would be perfect in cold, damp situations.Top: $109. Pants: $109

The jacket is considerably thicker than the pants: It has the usual set of outside pockets, plus a pair of inside pockets on both sides—convenient whether you’re left-handed or right-handed. It was great under the foul weather gear or just on its own in chilly conditions. The pants are light enough to wear under a pair of sailing shorts, providing long-pants warmth. Early on, I wondered how much the fleece pants and Hydrobase pants would restrict movement, but once again, I was pleasantly surprised. They worked well together. Again, with the pants, my only suggestion would be a front fly opening.

Bottom Line: This is the stuff of critical mid-layer protection, worn over the Hydrobase set. Jacket: $149. Pants: $99

There’s nothing worse than having your gear scattered about when you’re trying to find something. The Regatta bag has 50L of storage space that will fit any gear you need to stow in it. It’s easy to carry with both shoulder and backpack straps, and is extremely durable and waterproof.

Bottom Line: This bag has big, easy-to-access pockets, plus it’s waterproof. $179

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ProDinghy368

I’m pretty nerdy about lists. I make grocery lists, to-do lists, and packing lists for all occasions, even those as mundane as beer-can racing. When I’m headed out on the water, the first things that go on my list are, typically, spray top and trousers. In my experience, this foul-weather gear combination will cover the majority of wet situations you’ll encounter racing small and big boats in moderate conditions. But what I really like about the spray-top/ trouser combo is it’s ideal for the times when I don’t need any foul-weather gear at all, the times when the foulies are tucked neatly away in the gear bag, where I like them best. Having compact foul-weather gear means I don’t have to feel guilty about bringing it along, no matter how benign the forecast, which means I’m less likely to get caught in the rain.

As I made my way through the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD circuit this spring, Gill’s Pro Dinghy top and trousers rested quietly in the shadowy recesses of my gear bag while I basked in the sunshine of Annapolis, Seattle, and Detroit. It wasn’t until we arrived in Chicago that the foulies came out. In between two wet days on the press boat shooting video of the J/111 class, I sailed a cold, damp distance race aboard the Beneteau 36.7 Endeavor. Each day, I left the dock thinking I wouldn’t need the gear, but quickly learned otherwise as Lake Michigan came splashing across the bow. The Pro Dinghy top and trousers saved my bacon all weekend, keeping me dry and warm despite frequent dousings.

But it wasn’t until I hopped aboard Adam Spiegel’s J/105 Jam Session at the San Francisco regatta last month that the Gill combo showed its true colors. There was a strong wind whipping up the Bay under bright sunshine; I was trimming spinnaker and jib. When I was riding the rail upwind, the conditions were chilly and wet, but when I was tugging on the sheets, conditions quickly changed to hot and sweaty. The Pro Dinghy combination kept me comfortable in both modes. On the rail, I could batten down the hatches and keep out the spray, and as I worked up a sweat trimming, I could unzip the cuffs and collar for plenty of ventilation.

Both garments are made from Gill’s lightweight, breathable, flexible, waterproof 2 Dot laminated fabric with fully taped seams, and both benefit from numerous thoughtful design features. The top has a a polyurethane collar with a center zipper and Velcro adjustments on either side of the neck. Once you set the flaps to fit your neck, you can return to the same comfortable seal each time you rezip the collar. There’s a soft chin flap covering the zipper closure, and abrasion-resistant patches protecting the point inside the collar where the taped seams come together. These are the kinds of details that indicate the Pro Dinghy top isn’t some flimsy thing you bring along for light duty—it’s a workhorse built for regular use. The generous cut accommodates base layers, and ergonomic paneling through the shoulders and arms allows for free range of movement during high-energy tasks like grinding and trimming. The single zipper pocket on the right hip is angled for easy access when wearing a PFD.

The trousers ride high in the front and back, providing plenty of overlap with the top. You’ll find reinforcement at the usual places (knees and seat). The shoulder straps employ Gill’s user-friendly Velcro adjustment system. I like how the hem is angled upwards from front to back, giving you more coverage over the top of your foot but less in the back of your ankle, so the cuff doesn’t catch your heel. At first, I found the absence of pockets on the trousers to be annoying, especially since the top only has one side pocket. But this gear is designed for active racing, where you don’t want to have a bunch of stuff in your pockets, where you want something that will get the job done with as little fuss as possible. And in that regard, Gill’s Pro Dinghy gear gets it done.

Men’s Pro Top, $129
Women’s Pro Top, $129
Junior Pro Top, $119
Pro Trousers, $129

www.gillna.com

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