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The Best Sailing Foul Weather Gear 2022
Table of Contents
What is Foul Weather Gear?
Foul weather gear is the common name for what is essentially sailing rain gear or marine wet weather gear. They’re heavy duty waterproofs designed to withstand driving rain, spray and rogue waves while sailing. They’re normally made with a considerably heavier material than waterproofs used on land because the force of water hitting them from waves and spray is more powerful than rain on it’s own.
There’s two parts that make up Foul Weather Gear; the jacket and the trousers or salopettes (usually these have braces and go up to around chest height). By the way, I’ll use the terms ‘trousers’ and ‘salopettes’ interchangeably throughout the article.
I’m going to group the gear reviewed into three categories; Coastal, Offshore and Ocean.
Hopefully the names are pretty self explanatory but I’ll go through the best use cases for each at the start of each section as well.
Note: Nearly all of the sets I’m going through have both male and female options, if there’s extra features or a notable difference with the female option then I’ll add a note. There will be a link to both options separately for each set as well.
| Product Image | Product Name | Key Features | Star Rating | Buy Now |
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WindRider Pro Jacket & Trousers |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Navis Marine Offshore Jacket Bib Pants for Men Women Sailing |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Gill OS 1 Ocean Jacket |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Gill OS2 Offshore Jacket |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Gill OS3 Coastal Sailing Jacket |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Gill OS3 Sailing Trousers |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Musto BR1 Coastal Trousers |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Skagen Offshore Jacket |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
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Skagen Offshore Bib (Trousers) |
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Check Price & Reviews |
Ten foot waves are tossing your boat about, the rain is driving down and the wind is whipping across the deck, spraying rain and sea spray at you with relentless force. It’s not exactly the poster image for enjoyable sailing but it’s important nonetheless to be prepared for these kinds of conditions should you have to endure them.
To keep things under control in conditions like this it’s essential that you stay dry and warm even in the face of downpours and wild seas. That’s where foul weather gear comes in, it keeps you protected from the worst conditions and allows you to keep focusing on sailing the boat.
Related Read: Complete Review of The Best Sailing Boots
What should you look for when choosing your gear?
Ok so the basics that you can probably guess are waterproofness and breathability, that’s the ‘ticket to entry’ as such to be classed as a modern sailing waterproof. Every item I’m going to cover in this article has excellent waterproofness and breathability as a starting point, with the standard of this improving even higher as we move into the high performance offshore / ocean sets.
Some other factors that might not immediately come to mind are:
Colour. If you fall in the sea you want to be seen rather than blend into the blue and white tones of the water and waves. As such it’s worth considering the benefit of bright colours such as red, orange or yellow rather than say black or navy.
Fit: This depends on where you plan to sail. If you’re sailing in colder climates, you’re going to be wearing a number of insulating layers underneath your sailing jacket so you need to factor this in when choosing your sizing and make sure it fits over these.
If you’re sailing in warm climates, a smaller fit may suit better but you might want to ensure the gear doesn’t have too much insulation already built in so you’re not overheating wearing it.
Racing or Cruising: If you’re racing competitively in a coastal setting then you might want to go for a lighter set since you’ll be moving quickly around the boat a lot more than a cruising sailor would.
Room to move: Even with the jacket fully zipped up over a couple of layers you should still have a full range of motion. If you don’t you should probably go for the next size up.
Hood: A hood is absolutely essential. It’s a good idea to look for one with a stiff visor at the front to stop it flopping down over your face and eyes in the wind.
Reinforcement: For the salopettes in particular, the knee and seat sections go through a lot of wear from rubbing against deck surfaces. Models that have extra fabric / gussets on these areas can offer longer lifespans as a result.
Who makes the best sailing foul weather gear?
We’re going to look at four manufacturers, Helly Hansen, Henri Llyod, Musto and Gill. They’re probably the four largest and most well known producers of sailing clothing.
If you’re trying to get your head around the models that they offer here’s a quick rundown:
Gill has three series; OS3 is their Coastal series, OS2 is their offshore series and OS1 is their heavy duty ocean series.
Musto has a BR1 series that is their entry level / coastal options and a BR2 series which is a mix of heavier Coastal and Offshore options. Then they have a HPX series for Ocean sailing.
Helly Hansen has more of a mix of options with less distinct series. We cover their Skagen Jacket and Trousers here which is their offshore model.
Henri Llyod has an M-PRO series for offshore sailing and an O-RACE series for ocean sailing. They also have a range called Fremantle which is a mix of coastal and offshore gear with a really unique striped colour scheme.
The Best Coastal Foul Weather Sailing Gear
Coastal gear is best suited for sailors who cruise or race mainly in coastal waters. It’s lighter than other categories because you’re less likely to be exposed to extreme weather for long periods of time. Also, the sea states and weather states in coastal sailing situations are likely to be less wild since you would typically look at a forecast and choose not to sail in strong winds and rough sea states. The benefits of lightness is that it can be comfier to wear and move around the boat in.
The WindRider brand is a US boating company made up of commercial fishermen and sailors familiar with the intricacies of sailing in rough weather. For this reason, you can trust the WindRider pro foul weather gear created by them.
Windrider Pro Foul Weather Gear (Set of Jacket & Trousers)
Buy Now
This jacket works perfectly for every type of weather you might come across while sailing.
Materials: The jacket is constructed from water and moisture-wicking materials. These materials are lined in layers; they are breathable and fast drying. The cuffs are made from polyurethane materials, while the inside is made of soft polyester mesh materials.
Best Features: The vast number of pockets in the jacket is a great feature that many of you will love. It spots two internal pockets for keeping important stuff like your keys, two large zipped chest pockets for keeping smartphones, two front pockets, and two extra outer side fleece-lined pockets to keep your hands warm.
The collar also houses an adjustable hood and is fleece lined to provide warmth. You’ll find it long enough to cover your ears when worn. This jacket has a double storm flap that aids in keeping the wind and water out. Lastly, there it spots a double zipper design.
Styling: Like several already reviewed products, this foul weather gear is available in black and red. The cuffs are waterproof and sealed, and the hem prevents the jacket from popping. You additionally get reflective linings at the front and the back; the logo is also reflective.
Materials: This bib has Cordura material built into the knees and butt for an added layer of protection.
Best Features: The WindRider foul weather Bibs design grants you easy access to your legs when you open the zippers and velcro at the sides.
It additionally packs two thigh pockets for keeping accessories, two fleece warm pockets that will keep you warm while providing safe storage space.
Finally, its double zipper with a storm flap design, allows you the freedom to take a leak anytime you desire without having to go through the hurdles of taking your entire gear off.
Styling: Like the jacket, the WindRider bibs are also available in black and red colors for now.
One liner on the set:
The WindRider is a great entry-level / intermediate set of foul weather gear. And it offers great value, being the most affordable set on this list!
Navis Marine Offshore Jacket Bib Pants for Men Women Sailing
Material– NAVIS Marine Offshore Foul Jacket has a superior waterproof construction featuring 90% nylon and 10% PTFE material.
Best features – One of the most outstanding things about this gear is its exceptional waterproof and windproof capabilities. It has a breathable shell featuring the Marine Tech 2 ply fabric. This material is highly resistant to water and breathable meaning that it also allows sweat to evaporate. As a result, it ensures that you are always dry and comfortable.
The shoulder strap is easy to adjust while the adjustable waist provides a customized fit. Besides that, it is equipped with Velcro adjustable ankles to keep out spray and rain. The two thigh pockets contain water-deflective closures. As a result, you don’t have to worry about your items getting damaged by water. However, these pockets are a bit shallow meaning that they might not fit larger items.
Safety – It features patches of reflective plastic material on the shoulders, around the sleeves and at the top of the hood. This enhances your visibility in low light conditions.
Uses – Whether you are searching for a reliable foul weather gear set for fishing, cruising, racing, inshore, offshore, ocean, coastal, powerboat or anywhere you require maximum protection against rain, this gear set will be a great choice.
Styling – In terms of design and appearance, the Navis Marine Offshore Jacket is among the most stylish foul weather gears on the market. You can find it in different colors and designs to suit your preferences. It has a unisex design meaning that it can be worn by both men and women. Check the size to ensure that you have ordered the correct one.
Verdict – This model has most of the features you would expect to find in a top-quality sailing foul weather gear. It is highly waterproof and windproof to give you maximum protection It also comes with adjustable parts to enhance your comfort. Besides that, it has reflective patches to keep you visible in low light conditions.
Gill OS3 Sailing Jacket & OS3 Sailing Trousers (Salopettes)
Materials: The outside is made from 100% nylon and the inner fleece lining is made from polyester. It’s coated with a water repellant finish and the seams are taped on the inside to prevent leakage.
Best Features: It’s got a nice high cut collar which is always good for keeping out wind and rain. The hood is bright reflective yellow with the only downside being that it’s visor doesn’t seem that rigid. It also has internal soft cuff seals on the wrists which is a really good feature for a coastal jacket to have. Some other little perks are fleece lined pockets and an internal pocket for your phone.
Styling: I really like the OS3’s clean, classic styling. It’s just how you imagine a sailing jacket should look and there’s nothing wrong with that. Available in Dark Blue, Camo, Graphite or Red.
Women’s Model: There’s a separate female model for this jacket, the features are the same except obviously for the female fit and sizing. Only available in Light Blue or Red at the time of writing.
Check out the men’s model on your local Amazon here. And the women’s model on your local Amazon here.
Photo from musto.com
OS3 Sailing Trousers
Materials: The Outer and Inner lining are both 100% Nylon. The reinforcements on the knees and seat are Polyester.
Best Features: The reinforcements on the knee and seat areas are a great feature at this price point. They also have a semi elasticated waist, full front zip and adjustable braces.
Styling: The OS3 is a clean, classic pair of salopettes. Available only in black at time of writing.
Women’s Model: Again, there’s also a female model with the same features, also available only in black currently.
Check out the men’s model on your local Amazon here. And the women’s model on your local Amazon here.
One liner on the set:
The OS3 from Gill is an ideal starter set of foul weather gear for a coastal sailor.
Musto BR2 Coastal Jacket & BR1 Trousers (Salopettes)
My recommendation here is to combine the BR2 Coastal jacket with the salopettes from their Coastal BR1 series. I think the BR1 trousers are a great match for the Coastal Jacket and are strong enough to handle most coastal sailing. Plus they’re at a lower price point than the normal BR2 trousers which are aimed at Offshore sailors.
BR2 Coastal Jacket
Materials: The BR2 mixes things up a bit here, the outer material is Polyamide and the inner lining is a Polyester mesh.
Musto states that it has a waterproof rating of 15,000mm. This is a very good rating and perfectly suitable for Coastal sailing. However if you’re going to be out in heavy rain for extended periods of time (eg. Offshore in a storm) then you should look for closer to 20,000 or above.
It’s breathability value (MVP) is 15,000mm.
Best Features: The BR2 also has an inner soft cuff layer on the sleeves which is great. Large reflectors on the shoulders are a nice safety feature should you need to be spotted in a searchlight. The pockets have an internal fleece lined section for keeping your hands warm and an external deep cargo pocket for stashing essentials. Like the OS3, it has a reflective hood which again seems to be lacking a bit of rigidity in the visor.
Note: The sleeves are a little longer than you might be used to in jackets so keep that in mind when choosing your sizing.
Styling: I really like Musto’s styling here, the red model with black sections is the one I’d go for. Available in Black, Navy or Red.
Women’s Model: The women’s model seems to be a slightly newer design here. It has 3 layers of waterproofing instead of 2 and there’s a new and improved hood which has a more sturdy looking visor. Plus, it’s still the same price as the men’s version. Available in White (very nice), Red or Black.
Photo from musto.com
BR1 Coastal Trousers
Materials: Just like the BR2 jacket, the outer material is polyamide. The trim is polyester.
These have a waterproof rating of 5000mm so significantly lower than the jacket. This is still enough for normal coastal sailing trips but if you’re going to sail in rougher conditions I’d say upgrade to the BR2 Trousers which have a rating of 15,000mm.
Its breathability value (MVP) is 3,000mm. This is a decent value for trousers but if you want to improve on this consider upgrading to the BR2 which has a value of 6000mm.
Best Features: The seat and knees are reinforced with Polyester which should prevent excessive wear in the areas. Back waist adjuster and a thigh cargo pocket are nice touches.
Styling: Simple and clean. Again, my preference would be the red with black tones to match the jacket. Available in Black, Navy and Red.
Women’s Model: There’s a female option available with the same features. It seems the leg length might be a bit longer than you’d normally expect in the women’s sizing so it’s worth keeping that in mind.
Check out the men’s model here. And the women’s model here.
Photo from musto.com
Quick overview on the set:
Super set for inshore, the BR2 is my reasonably priced jacket of choice. BR1 trousers bring down the price but if you’re out in heavier conditions, upgrade to BR2 trousers.
The Best Offshore Foul Weather Sailing Gear
This is the next step up from coastal gear, the waterproof and breathability ratings jump up significantly here. The key difference is that it’s designed to withstand the rain and waves for longer periods (since you can’t get away from them). If you’re going to be sailing over 20 miles from shore or on extended passages (10 hrs +) then you should probably consider these offshore options.
Musto BR2 Offshore Jacket & BR2 Offshore Trousers (Salopettes)
The Musto BR2 Offshore range is a go-to option for sailors who want a good balance of performance and price. It’s a bit more expensive than the BR1 range but the improved waterproof and breathability ratings make up for it in my view.
| BR2 Offshore Jacket | BR2 Offshore Trousers |
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| Check Price & Reviews | Check Price & Reviews |
BR2 Offshore Jacket
Materials: Just like the coastal version, the outer is made from Polyamide and the inner lining is Polyester mesh.
Best Features: Feature wise it’s essentially the same as the coastal version I went through above. To give a quick runthrough; fleece lined pockets, reflective hood, inner soft cuff on the wrists, reflective shoulder pads and a high protective collar.
I’m about 90% certain the waterproof and breathability values for this jacket are decently higher than the coastal option but strangely I can’t find published values anywhere from Musto. I sent them an email asking for values so I’ll update this if they get back to me.
Update: Musto Customer Support got back to me and said; “Even after the fabric has been washed five times, BR2 has a minimum hydrostatic waterhead of 10,000mm and up to 15,000mm. This is a significantly higher waterproof rating than the industry minimum of 1,500mm. BR2 fabrics allow 7,000g of moisture to pass through it, giving it a breathability rating of 7,000g/24hrs”
What’s interesting about this to me is that it strongly suggests washing the gear reduces it’s waterproofness! Even though most of the manufacturers recommend machine washing the gear at a low temperature. It’s worth bearing this in mind and perhaps hand washing gear with a waterproofing product instead.
Note: It’s got 62 reviews with an average rating of 4.8/5 on the Musto store!
Styling: I think it looks a bit better than the BR2 Coastal we covered above. It seems to have more structure to it and a bit more of a technical look. Available in Black, Navy, Red and Blue.
Women’s Model: There is a female model of the BR2 Offshore with the same features. It has the colour options from the men’s as well as a white option and a nice light red and white combination.
Photos from musto.com
BR2 Offshore Trousers
I actually own these salopettes myself and use them for sailing and powerboating. I’ve had them for about four years now so they’re the older model but they are superb. They’re comfy to wear and consistently keep me dry. Even after riding down waves awkwardly in a RIB and having a wall of water come over the boat. In terms of durability, the only noticeable wear now is on the very bottoms of the trousers where there’s a few scuffs. I re-waterproofed them after a couple of years of use with Nikwax TX. Direct just by chucking them in the washing machine at a low temperature with a 100ml of Nikwax. I highly recommend doing this if you’ve had waterproofs for a while, it makes them perform like brand new again.
Materials: 100% Polyamide outer and lining, with a Polyester layer on knee and seat protection areas.
Best Features: Chest pockets lined with fleece are a great feature if you’re wearing these without a jacket on top, very handy for warming up hands. It also has a big thigh cargo pocket and wear protection on the seat and knee areas which is great.
It’s waterproof value is 15,000mm and it’s breathability value is 7000mm. This is a really significant jump up in values from the BR1 trousers we covered above. The improved values is really what the extra money gets you and I do think it’s worthwhile spending a bit extra for these if you’re out in worse conditions or for longer periods.
Like most of the gear we cover, the sizing might be a bit larger than you expect for the size.
Styling: Super, I think these are a great looking pair of salopettes. My pair is the red option with black knee sections. At the time of writing there’s only Navy or Black available on the Musto site but I’d say they’ll bring red back in soon.
Women’s Model: There’s a separate female version of these trousers, Musto says they’ve been “engineered in a new feminine fit for tailored comfort and protection in foul weather”. Strangely, the breathability value is 6000mm for the female version, 1000 less than the men’s version.
If you have any questions on the salopettes in particular, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you based on my experience with them.
One liner on the set:
This would be my set of choice for a mix of coastal and offshore sailing; durable, fairly priced and great performance.
Helly Hansen Skagen Jacket & Skagen Offshore Bib (Trousers)
Skagen Offshore Jacket
Materials: HELLY TECH Performance Fabric ( 100% Polyester ) Best Features: So you’ve got the standard 2-layers, sealed seams and a modern waterproof coating (DWR). A fleece lined high collar is a nice touch for cold, windy days.
The hood is high-vis and seems to have a decently solid visor. SOLAS approved reflective elements on the front and sleeves are a good plus safety wise. They actually only state waterproof and breathability values as being between 10,000-20,000mm for the jacket so I sent them an email asking for a specific value, if they get back to me then I’ll update it here.
Styling: I’m a big fan of the Skagen in this regard, I think it’s the only jacket so far that really has innovative, modern styling and interesting colour options. My pick would be the 402 Azid Lime option, a good mix of visibility in an emergency and style.
Women’s Model: The female model of the Skagen jacket is 160 grams lighter than the men’s and has some nice colour schemes like reef green, cherry toma and alert red. Other than that the features seem to be the same. Check out the men’s model on your local Amazon here. And the women’s model on your local Amazon here.
Skagen Offshore Bib (Trousers)
Material: HELLY-TECH fabric ( Front: 100% Polyamide, Back: 100% Polyurethane )
Best features: Two thigh cargo pockets and quick dry mesh inside. Adjustable waist is a nice feature that most salopettes don’t have. Reflector element on the front is a good safety plus again.
They say both the breathability and waterproof values are in the range 10,000-20,000mm.
Styling: Like the jacket, I think these have a superb modern styling, there are less colour options than the jacket though, with only two (lime & black) being available at time of writing.
The sizing is larger than you might expect, in particular with the legs being longer than expected.
Women’s Model: The female version is 60 grams lighter and has a great colour option of blaze orange, the highest visibility option I’ve seen so far.
Check out the men’s model on your local Amazon here. And the women’s model on your local Amazon here.
One liner on the set:
This is a really solid offshore option, if you want modern styling combined with top performance this is the set for you.
The Best Ocean Foul Weather Sailing Gear
This is the very top level performance gear, designed for long distance ocean racers and cruisers. They have the best waterproof and breathability values of any gear you’ll find. The key difference with this equipment is that it’s designed to keep you dry for extended periods in awful conditions, there’s nowhere to run in the middle of the ocean. The prices are substantial but if you’re going to be doing this type of sailing then it’s not somewhere that I’d cut costs.
Gill OS1 Ocean Jacket & OS1 Trousers (Salopettes)
OS1 Ocean Jacket
Materials: The outer is Nylon, the reinforcements and the inner fleece lining is Polyester.
Best Features: 4-layer waterproof system, improved ‘Ocean Active Fit’ hood, high collar and wraparound face-guard.
This is a really solid ocean jacket at a lower price than some other ocean options.
Styling: Classic Gill styling with quite an advanced technical look. Currently available in Black and Red.
Women’s Model: The female version is pretty much identical, it just has a female fit. Only available in Red at time of writing.
OS1 Ocean Trousers
The fit of these trousers is quite unique in that the chest and back material goes all the way up to shoulder level. I reckon this could come in quite handy if you were wearing the salopettes without the jacket over a fleece or similar as the top half would still offer good upper body warmth / protection.
Materials: They’re made from Nylon with Polyester reinforcement areas.
Best Features: Like the jacket they have a 4-layer waterproof system, fully taped seams to prevent leakage, waist adjuster and hand warmer pockets.
Styling: I think these are great looking salopettes. I really like the full length look, it differentiates them from the other options.
Women’s Model: The female version of these trousers has a slightly different design in that the back material doesn’t come up as high as the mens.
They also have a drop-seat function which should reduce the need to undo braces (the first pair of trousers that do so far).
Check out the men’s model on your local Amazon here. And the women’s model on your local Amazon here.
One liner on the set:
The OS1 offers the best blend of value and performance for ocean sailing in my view.
Henri Llyod O-Race Jacket & O-Race Trousers (Salopettes)
This is a really great looking, high performance ocean set from Henri Llyod. They’re known as more of an up-market brand so it’s a bit more expensive than the Gill set
O-RACE Jacket
Materials: GORE-TEX (Other fabrics used not specified). This is the first jacket featuring GORE-TEX so far.
Best Features: 3-way adjustable hood and solid visor, fast draining hand warmer pockets and EPIRB / Knife pocket.
This jacket isn’t lined to speed up drying time and decrease weight. So bear in mind that if it’s chilly you might want to have a suitable mid-layer to warm up.
Styling: This is a simple, heavy duty style and I like it. Available in a nice high visibility Orange or Navy Blue.
Women’s Model: There’s a female version that has the exact same features and colour options.
O-Race HI FIT Pants (Salopettes)
he material on these goes all the way up to just below shoulder height, a little lower than the Gill OS1 but higher than the other trousers we’ve looked at.
Materials: Like the jacket, it’s made from GORE-TEX. Other fabrics aren’t specified.
Best Features: Waist adjuster, seat and knee reinforcement, side hand warmer pockets and the fact that they’re made from GORE-TEX.
Like the jacket, these are unlined so they should dry faster than other options and be a bit lighter.
Styling: The orange version has quite a professional ‘rescue’ look to it. Not mad about the look of the ankle cuffs but other than that I think they look great. Available in Bright Orange or Navy.
Women’s Model: The female version has the same features and colour options with slightly changed fit and shaping.
One liner on the set:
If you want to look the part on a high spec ocean racing yacht, this is the set for the job.
Taking Care of your Foul Weather Gear
The options we went through aren’t exactly cheap. However, they are built to really high quality standards and designed to last for years to come. Here’s a few simple steps you can take to prolong their life:
- If they get wet, dry them out, don’t store them wet if possible.
- At the end of a trip, rinse them with fresh water and allow them to dry.
- Washing; most manufacturers say to wash them at a low temperature with a non biological detergent but I found after putting my salopettes through the wash that they seemed a bit ‘beaten up’. I only wash mine very occasionally using a waterproofing liquid.
- About once every year or two depending on usage, re-waterproof them using a waterproofing product. I used Nikwax TX. Direct to do mine and it worked a treat.
Conclusion
Well that was a long one, hopefully it gave you a good idea of the best options out there (in my view) for various types of sailing. It’s best to choose your gear based on your needs and requirements. One thing I’d say is to watch out with sizing when buying gear, nearly all the models seem to be a bit larger than expected, go through some of the user reviews and try to get a feel for the sizing.
Here’s the sets that I’d choose personally:
Coastal pick: Gill OS3 Jacket & Gill OS3 Trousers
Offshore pick: Helly Hansen Skagen Jacket & Trousers
Ocean pick: Gill OS1 Ocean Jacket & Trousers
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions on choosing gear or feedback on the article then please leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you.