{"id":82935,"date":"2026-02-02T15:25:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:25:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/?p=82935"},"modified":"2026-02-04T12:04:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:04:23","slug":"gear-to-get-while-its-hot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/regatta-series\/gear-to-get-while-its-hot\/","title":{"rendered":"Gear to Get, While It\u2019s Hot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Team One Newport\u2019s Martha Parker, who has been wearing and selling sailing gear for 60 years, knows what racing sailors want and need. As the retail partner of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series, she selects the best of Helly\u2019s new offerings to ensure your experience on the water and onshore is all about comfort and performance. Ahead of our regatta in St. Petersburg, we took a peek at Parker\u2019s order sheet for the Series to learn what Team One will have available for us as we start a new season\u2014what we see is great gear for great results. Let\u2019s go shopping or visit Team One’s Online Regatta Store.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Helly\u2019s new Versalite \u00bd Zip Top is a technical, long-sleeved top with a waffle weave on the inside and a smooth face on the outside. The waffle holds the heat.<\/span>\n Courtesy Helly Hansen<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Versalite \u00bd Zip Top<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Comfort is all about layering, and the midlayer is where magic happens. For climate control to happen inside your foul weather gear, moisture has to have a way to escape, and for this, Parker\u2019s top recommendation is Helly\u2019s new Versalite \u00bd Zip Top. It\u2019s a technical, long-sleeved top with a waffle weave on the inside and a smooth face on the outside. The deep contours of the waffle, she says, trap air, which improves warmth and breathability so the shirt will never feel clammy against your skin. It\u2019s an all-purpose layer for warm and breezy days, she says, but under foul weather gear it does the heavy breathing. \u201cThink of your foul weather gear as the walls,\u201d Parker says. \u201cAnd think of this shirt as your thermostat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foil Flyer Smock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the \u201cwalls\u201d that keep you dry, Helly has launched its new Foil Flyer Smock, which is an advancement of its high-tech Foil line. Wear it once and you\u2019ll know why it gets rave reviews The fabric is incredibly lightweight and supple. \u201cButtery,\u201d is how Parker describes it; it\u2019s nothing like the stiff and crunchy fabrics of yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n The Foil\u2019s Helly Tech Professional fabric is a robust new four-layer construction, featuring a bi-component membrane sandwiched in the middle for even greater waterproofness and prolonged protection. <\/span>\n Courtesy Helly Hansen<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

The Foil\u2019s Helly Tech Professional fabric is a robust new four-layer construction, featuring a bi-component membrane sandwiched in the middle for even greater waterproofness and prolonged protection. The outer face layer is super stretchy, and the inner scrim, which protects the membrane, is silky smooth. The outer layer\u2019s PFC-free water-repellent coating, used in lieu of banned water-repelling chemicals, effectively sheds water droplets, but it will need to be occasionally reapplied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are no shoulder seams, Parker points out, which are common leak points in foul weather gear tops, and the articulated elbow design minimizes fabric bulk in the sleeves. The smock\u2019s high, quarter-zip neck gusset is offset so the zipper doesn\u2019t dig into your chin, and when the gusset is unzipped, it fans open to ventilate. One great feature, Parker says, is the extended back panel with a neoprene and grippy waistband, which helps it stay put when bending over or hiking. There\u2019s plenty of pocket action in this smock as well, with a chest pocket and a kangaroo pouch that\u2019s easily accessible when wearing a PFD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helly\u2019s Foil Flyer Salopettes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What pairs best with the Foil Flyer Smock, is Helly\u2019s Foil Flyer Salopettes, which uses the same new four-layer Helly Tech Professional fabric. These awesome salopettes are loaded with features that dinghy and sportboat sailors will especially appreciate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n For excellent mobility, the stretchy upper panel of Helly’s Foil Flyer Saloppette does the trick and the knees are articulated to minimize bulk and excessive fabric in the folds behind the knees.<\/span>\n Courtesy Helly Hansen<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Start with reinforcements on the knees and seat, which Parker says are durable but not overly stiff. For excellent mobility, the stretchy upper panel does the trick and the knees are articulated to minimize bulk and excessive fabric in the folds behind the knees. Like the Foil Flyer Smock, the front gusset fans open for venting, and adjustable side cinch straps keep the salopettes above the waist. Thigh pockets have drainage and the ankle closures have both elastic and Velcro to get a snug fit around your ankles to avoid the dreaded flush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combine the Salopettes with the Smock, Parker says, and you\u2019ve got yourself a legit high-end wet-boat gear setup that, when taken care of, will last many seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women\u2019s HP Leggings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we have our walls built, let\u2019s take the conversation back to base layers, and here Parker is keen on the Women\u2019s HP Leggings. These are all about fit and comfort, she says, with a high waist design and a half-moon stitch pattern over the backside, which ensures they sit securely on the hips. A polyester and elastomer fabric blend, she adds, has four-way stretch for unhindered movements and a snug fit. Flatlock seams prevent chafing. Parker says these leggings are excellent for warm, sunny conditions, but perfect as a thermal base layer, too. This is her go-to piece for sailing, perfect under shorts or foul weather gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n HP Leggings are all about fit and comfort, says Team One’s Martha Parker. The high waist design and a half-moon stitch pattern over the backside ensures they sit securely on the hips. <\/span>\n Courtesy Helly Hansen<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Women\u2019s Shine Solen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With a greater awareness of sun protection today, lightweight hoodies have become the fashion-forward statement of smart high-performance sailors. But hoods are often flappy and hard to keep fit on the noggin. With the Women\u2019s Shine Solen half-zip sun hoodie, however, Helly has the ultimate design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n With UPF 50 protection, the elasticized hood on the Solen fits snugly around the face for maximum coverage, and thumb holes in the sleeves keep the cuff over the back of the hands\u2014a common area for sun damage<\/span>\n Courtesy Helly Hansen<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

With UPF 50 protection, the elasticized hood on the Solen fits snugly around the face for maximum coverage, and thumb holes in the sleeves keep the cuff over the back of the hands\u2014a common area for sun damage. The Solen\u2019s raglan fabric sleeve material is smooth and less bulky, Parker says, and its shoulder seam design provides better mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viken SS Shirt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s take the action from the deck to the dock. For this, Helly has the <\/strong>Viken SS Shirt, which is made with a blend of organic cotton and polyester. Call this one a hybrid. The organic cotton part of the blend, Parker says, is what gives the shirt its soft feel. The polyester\u2019s job is to extend the life of the cotton so it doesn\u2019t wear out as quickly\u2014plus it helps the shirt dry faster. For those who dislike the slippery feel of technical shirts, she adds, you\u2019ll love the cotton touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Helly has the Viken SS Shirt (6), which is made with a blend of organic cotton and polyester. Call this one a hybrid. <\/span>\n Courtesy Helly Hansen<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Helly Hansen has a robust technical lineup designed for performance sailing, perfect for the year’s Regatta Series. Here’s how to get layered up for racing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":82937,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Dave Reed","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","custom_permalink":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"sponsored_image":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":true,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\"","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","ad_targeting":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true,"sponsored_url":"","social_share":true,"alternate_title_newsletter":"","alternate_content_newsletter":""},"categories":[157],"tags":[176,311],"class_list":["post-82935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-regatta-series","tag-helly-hansen","tag-helly-hansen-sailing-world-regatta-series-st-petersburg"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82935"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82935\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}