Whether you are an experienced fisherman, a casual sailor, or somebody who lives in a coastal town, a sailing jacket will definitely be a staple of your outerwear wardrobe. These jackets are designed to withstand the elements (to varying degrees). Thanks to the waterproof outer layer and heat-preserving inner layer, sailing jackets are the most essential items you can own when faced with difficult conditions.
We have done our best to compile a list of the premier sailing jackets in 2024, bringing them to you in the form of this nifty buying guide. Take a look at our suggestions and see if any of them suit your requirements.
The Helly-Hansen Men’s Crew Hooded Waterproof Sailing Jacket is one of the most popular designs for one of the best-selling sailing jacket brands in the world. With a fleece-lined collar, this item provides ample protection from the cold, while also fending off the elements with the durable water repellency treatment applied to the outer layer.
Combine this with the fully seam-sealed design, and you start to understand why more people choose Helly Hansen over the rest of the competition. If you’re thinking of picking up your first sailing jacket, there are few jackets that can compare.
The WindRider Waterproof Paddling Sailing Spray Top proves that sailing jackets and paddling jackets do not need to be big and cumbersome in order to be effective. In fact, this joins the ranks of paddling jackets that are perfect for high-intensity watersports, such as rafting, surfing, and paddling.
The jacket comes in two different colors (blue and green) and is complemented with an adjustable neck and wrists. In addition, WindRider has opted to give this jacket a pullover style, which allows you to get in and out within seconds. If you’re hot, all you need to do is unzip the top.
If you like to get active in the water, this should be the first jacket you consider purchasing.
The Navis Marine Sailing Jacket with Bib Pants is as robust as sailing jackets get. Technically a foul weather jacket, this product features a nylon outer Seratex shell which has been carefully designed to be extra water-resistant while still allowing the body to release moisture and stay dry.
The jacket is completed with storm flaps and fleece-lined pockets to ensure you are protected from the elements as much as possible. You also have the choice of four different colors – yellow, black, grey and navy – all of which cost the same price.
If you find yourself working out at sea, either as a fisherman or something else, this sailing jacket will soon become your most treasured possession.
Designed in the great city of Miami, Florida, the Unisex PRO Neoprene Jacket Wetsuit Hoody has the pleasure of being the only sailing jacket on our buying which can be worn by both men and women. Not only is the top specifically designed to keep water away from your body, but it’s also windproof. For this reason, these hoodies have become particularly popular with surfers and wakeboarders all along the East Coast.
Choose from a range of colors, then hit the beach prepared for any watersport activity you enjoy – we have no doubt you’ll be the envy of all the other beach-goers!
Most people are looking for an affordable, stylish, and durable sailing jacket. But all of that is subjective. Most individuals will have a different view of what they want in their sportswear. This is why you should consult our buying guide and plan ahead of time before you go out and purchase any potential sailing jackets. Read on to find some key points you may like to consider.
There are a number of reasons why somebody would need a sailing jacket. Unsure if you fall into one of those categories? Allow us to clear some things up for you.
Basically, the closer you are to the coast, the more likely you’ll need a sailing jacket. The weather can be unpredictable in these regions, so you always want to have a good, warm (not to mention waterproof) jacket available for any trip outdoors.
This goes without saying. The most obvious person who needs a sailing jacket is somebody who works on a boat or enjoys taking their own private boat out on the water on a regular basis. When you’re on the water you can face very turbulent weather. A sailing jacket should be the first line of defense against the elements.
Sailing jackets are multi-purpose. In fact, they can double as both your everyday coat and are reliable and waterproof for a variety of occasions. You can even wear a sailing jacket when you go skiing, provided it’s sufficiently warm and waterproof.
Be sure to consider the following advice before you purchase your next sailing jacket. These considerations will make your shopping experience easier, and may even help you save some money in the process.
No matter the weather conditions, there will be a sailing jacket that is perfectly designed to match. The jacket you choose depends on where you plan on sailing. For example, coastal jackets are light and give the least coverage, usually intended for mild weather.
Offshore jackets are a little warmer than the coast alternatives, designed for colder, wetter, and harsher conditions. Depending on the time of the year, you may need to break out your offshore jacket while you’re still on the mainland because of the temperamental nature of the weather in these areas.
Dinghy sailing jackets are aimed at sailors in smaller boats who need to make rapid flexible movements. These jackets are lightweight and dry quickly. Finally, foul weather gear is designed for the harshest conditions. If you sail regularly, it may be a good idea to have a foul weather jacket on your boat in case of a storm.
You want to ensure the sailing jacket has enough pockets to carry your belongings. You will want inner pockets for your valuables such as your wallet and phone. Outer pockets and fleece-lined pockets are essential for warming your hands. If you like the design of the jacket but feel it doesn’t have enough pockets, you can always buy an inner fleece with pockets to wear underneath, although this is a lot less convenient.
Many sailing jackets use polyester fleece lining to draw moisture away from the skin. Sailing is vigorous work and you are bound to sweat at some point. The jacket’s outer layer is water-resistant, keeping the sailor dry. Most jackets have multiple layers. It would be unwise to buy a sailing jacket without a fleece lining. This would lead to the sailor feeling cold and wet despite the water-resistant outer layer.
You can always buy base layers separately to stay warm and reduce sweat.
Hoods may seem a bit cumbersome, as they can affect your peripheral vision. You can easily solve this problem by choosing a jacket with adjustable hood closures. Hoods are important when staying dry and comfortable. They also offer some protection from the wind and sea spray. Some hoods come with reflective tape so that you can easily be seen in the water should you fall overboard. Choosing a jacket with a foldaway hood allows you to enjoy the sun on occasion.
There are plenty of new and stylish designs to choose from, with newer models making the most practical of jackets look like something you could wear on a night out.
Sailing jackets can cost anywhere between $150 and $1300. This depends on the brand and the materials. Foul weather sailing jackets will cost more than a coastal jacket.
Most sailing jackets will offer ample protection from the elements, but the price increases when you start factoring in specific design details, such as fleece linings and extra pockets.
We take pride in gathering the knowledge needed to give the best advice to our readers. We read customer reviews, interview manufacturers, and analyze sailing jackets, and retail suppliers. We also put these sailing jackets to the test, so we can truly vouch for their reliability and effectiveness. We are constantly looking for new and innovative designs, so you can rest assured, that our recommendations are always up to date and on-trend.
Some of the most popular brand names for men’s sailing jackets include Musto, Helly Hansen, Gill Marine, Henri Lloyd, and Hudson Wight. These names usually assure quality, but you should always check out a jacket’s specifications and see whether it is right for you.
Yes, you can. Foul weather jackets are designed for colder climates, and the layers mean you will barely feel any snow on your torso or midriff. That being said, we would strongly advise that you invest in a good set of base layers to go underneath your outfit if you plan on wearing a sailing jacket on your next skiing trip.
After some time, the DWR finish applied to your sailing jacket will eventually start to wear off. DWR is the chemical treatment that prevents your sailing jacket from absorbing moisture. Luckily, you can find these treatments at any outdoor retail store. Re-proof the jacket is a relatively straightforward process that you can do yourself at home. This should be done three or four times a year depending on how often you wear the jacket.
Some sailing jackets are unisex - such as our recommended Unisex PRO Neoprene Jacket Wetsuit Hoody - but this is not typical of the majority. In fact, most high-end sailing jackets will have been designed for a specific gender. This is because the fit of a sailing jacket plays a big part in both performance and durability. The jacket should fit comfortably on your body.
SAIL Magazine Review Team reports on best-selling products in sailing and boating. The SAIL Magazine editorial staff is not involved in the creation of this content. SAIL Magazine is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The SAIL Review Team is composed of authors, editors, and sailors. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.
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