I can't stand the rain..... AY evaluate eights sets of offshore wet weather gear

A good set of wet weather gear is a must for every racing or cruising sailor, but with a set costing well over one thousand dollars, what represents good value? AY gear test eight sets of offshore wet weather gear to help you decide.

Oilskins have come a long way in the past twenty years.  Today’s wet weather gear is made of high tech fabrics with a host of new features and capabilities.  So pull out your Christmas wish list, we’re about to check out some pretty good kit.

The biggest advance in wet weather gear has come in the fabrics.  Fabrics like Gore-tex, 5 Dot, Helly Tech XP, HPX, MPX and a raft of other proprietary fabrics are layered in today’s jackets and overalls to create garments that are rugged, waterproof, quick drying and breathe to draw perspiration away from your body.  

As we started this evaluation we quickly realised that we lacked the expertise to evaluate the characteristics of the fabrics, so what we’ve done is an old-fashioned features, comfort and price evaluation.  We got a set of each manufacturer’s kit in large or extra large and tried them on.  We looked at things like the placement and types of pockets, the closures, the zips, the type and placement of reflective strips, etc, and we wrote down what we liked and didn’t like.

A few words about fashion and safety
Twenty years ago wet weather gear came in two colours, yellow and red, because those were the last colours to disappear in the colour spectrum, ie. you could see them from the longest distance.  A lot of today’s wet weather gear reflects a new fashion consciousness.  You can now buy many brands of jackets and overalls in graphite, grey, black or dark blue, and with a variety of two-tone combinations.  Darker colours, particularly on the overalls and lower back of the jacket, hide dirt and some think, look better.

Now, forgive me for being a spoiler, but I have a problem with this trend.  Put bluntly, there is a real risk that we’re putting fashion ahead of safety.  I can understand why you might want dark overalls, but a dark jacket?  To ensure I wasn’t letting my own prejudices get in the way of good judgement, I decided to ask the opinion of the most important sources I know, the rescue pilots and swimmers coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Administration (AMSA).  These are the guys that go out in storms to rescue blokes like you and I.  As far as I’m concerned, their’s in the only opinion that matters and here’s what they said:

“The yellow and red colours are the easiest to see by far.  You only have to look at our rescue gear: the life rafts, life rings, etc. to see that we use bright yellow, orange or red, and we do it because it stands out.    We fly up and down the coast and if we see a fisherman on the rocks in yellow or red, he stands out.  If he’s wearing darker colours, he just blends in.  The same goes in the water.”   Trevor Cracknell, Aircrewman and rescue swimmer, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

Imagine you tumble overboard, would you rather be wearing a black jacket or a bright yellow one?  The choice is up to you, but keep in mind that your wet weather gear is also safety gear.  With that off my chest, let’s take a look at what’s available in wet weather gear for offshore racing or cruising.  

Helly Hansen OS1 Offshore jacket and overalls
A professional-grade, 3/4-length jacket and overalls that is a signature piece for all multi-day offshore-sailing excursions. Its three-layer Helly Tech® XP waterproof breathable construction and fully adjustable, high-visibility hood.

Jacket features

• Helly Tech® XP technology

• Three-layer, quick-dry construction

• Comfortable & lightweight stretch fabric

• Offshore collar provides maximum protection

• Polartec® fleece-lined collar and pockets

• Fully adjustable En-471 high-visibility hood

• Double Storm flap

• Adjustable double cuffs

• SOLAS® reflection tape on shoulders and hood

Overall features

• Helly Tech® XP technology

• Three-layer, quick-dry construction

• Comfortable & lightweight stretch fabric

• Seat & knee reinforcement

• High back protection

• Two-way front zip

• Front pockets

• Adjustable suspenders, waist & leg openings

Colour: Red for jacket, black for overalls

Sizes: XS-XL  

Prices: $799.95 for jacket and $599.95 for overalls

What DID our assessors SAY?

We thought this was a high quality piece of kit.  Well made, comfortable and rugged.  

Jacket

+ Good quality manufacture, rugged and hard wearing

+ Quality high visibility strips on shoulders, chest and hood

+ Lots of pockets: 2 lined hand warmer pockets at chest height and 2 large unlined pockets at waist height.  The pocket seals were fold over with Velcro seals (not waterproof, but ok)

+ Nice high padded neck to keep out cold

+ Two pockets inside the jacket: one mesh pocket and another inside pocket with a pouch for your mobile or PLB

Overalls

+ Two chest-high lined hand warmer pockets

+ One thigh pocket with fold closure

+ Tough wearing fabric on knees (only set with padded knees)

+ Lots of adjustments for good fit

Musto HPX Offshore
Specifically designed for long distance offshore racing or cruising, the HPX Ocean jacket and overalls give unlimited movement and warm in adverse conditions.

Jacket features

The HPX jacket comes with a spume visor to protect your face, a roll away flouro hood, an adjustable top collar edge and a seat patch with internal abrasion free seams. The jacket has fleece lined hand warmers with an internal zip pocket. The reflectors are high quality prismatic reflectors and the jacket has an attachment point for a life jacket.

Colours:  Gold/Dark Grey, Platinum/Dark Grey

Sizes: S-XXL  RRP: $1,600

Overalls

With Velcro adjustable ankles, elasticized underarms and adjustable braces, a knife holder at your waist and tough knee pads, these overalls are built to last.

Colours: Gold/Platinum  

Sizes: S-XXL  RRP: $1,000

What did our assessors say?

The Musto gear is high quality. This is serious offshore kit.

Jacket

+ High quality build

+ Velour neck quite comfortable

+ High visibility strips on chest, cuffs & shoulders (they run over on to back)

+ Lots of pockets: 2 x waterproof pockets at waist (nice), 1 x pocket with zip closure inside, &  2 x lined hand warmer pockets at chest

Overalls

+ Velcro closures at shoulders

+ Zip closure with high flap

+ Knife holder at waist

+ 1 x pocket with flap closure at waist

+ 2 x hand warmers

+ Nice oversize zipper pull

+ Tough knee and seat

SLAM Ocean Waves racing jacket and overalls
SLAM’s Ocean Waves clothing is 3 layer construction for those facing difficult weather conditions; wind, waves and the cold.

Jacket features

• Ergonomic neon yellow tuckaway hood, Polyester fleece lining, thermo-laminated visor support.

• Reflexite reflective bands on the shoulders, hood and sleeves.

• Front fastening without flap with Riri Storm 10 zip and 2-way sub slider.

• Emergency whistle.

• Dual entry front external pockets, removable fleece pocket lining, with small hole for water drainage.

• Thermo-laminated flaps and drawcord at bottom of the jacket.

Colours: Red, blue, grey

Sizes: XS-XXL

Price: RRP $1,200

Overall features

• Quick release elastic braces.

• Elastics under arms.

• Side pockets with Riri Decor UV zip closure.

• Front fastening with Riri Storm 8 zip without flap.

• Large side pocket.

• 500D Cordura reinforcements in the knee area.

• Trouser bottoms in neoprene with adjustable velcro fastening.

• 500D Cordura reinforcements on back with removable padding in inside pockets (not shown).

• Stretch mesh on the back (not shown).

Colours: Red, blue, grey

Sizes: XS-XXL

Price: RRP $975

What did our assessors say?

Light weight and comfy for in-shore or coastal racing, but a bit light for offshore use. It ‘s also fairly pricey.

Jacket   

+ Light weight jacket (short length)

+ 2 x side, lined, zipper closure pockets with whistle

– Only one small high vis patch on back of neck, shoulders reflective material

+ Velour neck

+ Inside pocket with phone/PLB holder, 2nd pocket inside

Overalls

+ Light weight overalls

+ Mesh back (very comfortable)

+ Good knee patches (very tough material)

+ Use an elastic over the shoulder brace that is very comfortable

+ One pocket on high with a zip

Burke Offshore Southerly
The Southerly high performance garments have been developed and refined over many seasons to withstand the rigours of offshore sailing. These garments provide optimum performance and protection and include all the essential features required of serious offshore sailing garments.

Jacket features:

Two way non-cording zip, two-way storm flap with drainage channel, high cut ocean fleece lined collar, adjustable chin seal, extended face guard, high visibility adjustable peaked hood with drainage gutter, reflective tape, Buoyancy loops, articulated sleeves, fast draining PLB pocket, fleece lined hand warmer pockets (chest and tummy), external cargo pocket, secure internal pocket, external wrist adjusters with internal Dartex wrist seals, adjustable waist and abrasion seat panel.

Colour: Red/Navy Trim  

Size: XS – XXL  

Price: RRP $445.00

Overall Features:

High cut bib and brace, articulated knees, two way non corroding zip fly with internal waterproof gusset and external storm flap, wide adjustable braces and fleece lined hand warmer pockets, thigh cargo pocket, adjustable waist, abrasion seat and knee reinforcement and external ankle adjusters.

Colour: Red  

Size: XS – XXL  

Price: RRP $360.00

What did our assessors say?

This would have to rate as one of the best value sets we evaluated.  Good product, good price.

Jacket

+ 2 long high visibility strips that go over shoulder providing coverage for front, top and back

+ 1 x pocket on arm with zip and an elastic inside to hold stuff in place

+ 2 x hand warmers with zips

+ 2 x big pockets with fold closures

+ 1 x large pocket inside jacket with zip closure

+ High visibility strip on top of hood

Overalls

– Front closure is a zip, but the inside water directing flap doesn’t go very high

+ 2 x hand warmers

+ 1 x pocket with flap closure

+ Knees and seat were covered with tough material

Ronstan Puma offshore
Jacket features

• U.S.P. WATER PROOF to keep you dry and comfortable.

• Highly abrasive and long lasting material for optimized protection in extreme conditions.

• Fluorescent yellow hood for visibility in severe and dark weather conditions.

• Adjustable hood to suit individual height and width, with fleece front lining and elastic draw cord

• Raised offshore collar with silver coated neoprene upper collar edge

• Ergonomically cut collar to protect neck, head and face against wind and weather

• GORE-TEX® 3-layer stretch fabric at back shoulder for optimized freedom of movement.

• Reflective shoulder patches

• Preshaped sleeves

• Reinforcement overlay

• Safety loops to attach inflatable life jacket for added safety.

• Inside double storm flap with drainage fold

• Inside pocket with stretch cord and sunglass shammy

• Water-resistant zip pocket

• Laser-cut and bonded pockets with drainage

• Adjustable inner and outer cuff

• Inside PU cuffs

Overall features

• U.S.P Waterproof

• GORE-TEX® Performance Shell 3-layer for highly breathable water and wind protection

• Highly abrasive and long lasting material for optimized protection in extreme conditions.

• Elasticated branded straps for optimized freedom of movement.

• Inside front-flap zip with drainage fold

• Fleece lined pocket for warming hands in cold weather.

• Quick access mesh pocket to stow away for personal equipment.

• Laser-cut and bonded pocket flaps with water-proof entrance

• Large cargo-pocket

• Pre-shaped knees

• Reinforcement overlay

• Adjustable ankle cuffs

• Silver reflective PUMA Logos

Colours: Red  

Sizes: XS-XXL  

Prices: $1,100 for jacket and $800 for overalls

What did our assessors say?

One of the lightest & most comfortable bits of kit, but we were unimpressed by the reflective materials.

Jacket

+ Very lightweight & comfortable

+ 2 waterproof lined hand warmer-type pockets on chest

+ High, lined neck

– Reflective strips did not look highly reflective and the reflective PUMA logos were small and could be rubbed off the jacket by wear and tear

Overalls

+ Very lightweight, comfortable

+ Large self-draining mesh pocket on side

+ Mash pocket on thigh

+ Large pocket with fold closure on thigh

Henri Lloyd Offshore range (new 2010)
The Henri Lloyd offshore range is constructed using a 3 layer GORE – TEX PRO SHELL® system. GORE – TEX® Pro Shell provides breathable comfort and durably waterproof and windproof protection whether you are a hard core offshore racer or passage making cruiser.

Ocean Explorer Jacket Features:

Ocean Hood Pod, High visibility OPTIVISION hood system, Fast draining hand warmer pockets with rentex mesh, Fast Draining cargo pocket, Wrist adjusters with internal Dartex storm cuffs, PLB pocket, two way non corroding zip, Internal pocket, Reflective patches at cuffs, shoulder, storm flap and Hood, 500D Cordura® reinforcement, unlined to speed up drying, reduce weight and reduce inter layer binding, articulated for ease of movement and contoured to reduce windage.

Colour: Red

Size: S – XXL, 1 – 5

Price: RRP $1300.00


Ocean Explorer Trouser Features:
Self fabric Shoulders straps with Hook and loop adjustment, two way storm flap with drainage channel, two way non corroding zip, hand warmer pockets, internal gusset, ankle adjusters, fast draining leg pocket,500D Cordura® seat and knee reinforcement, diverted critical reinforcement seams, unlined to speed up drying, reduce weight, articulated for ease of movement.

Colour: Red  

Size: S – XXL, 1-5

Price: RRP $920.00

What did our assessors say?

Quality bit of gear with waterproof pockets.  Comes at a price.

Jacket

+ High visibility strips on cuffs, shoulder and chest

+ 2 x pockets at waist with folding closures

+ 2 x waterproof hand warmer pockets at chest level

+ 1 x pocket inside with zip closure

+ High visibility strip on hood with clear plastic panels on side for improved visibility with hood up

Overalls

+ Velcro and buckle on shoulder closures

+ Waterproof seal on front zip

+ Waterproof seal of pocket

+ 2 x waterproof hand warmer pockets

Gill OS1 Offshore
Built for the worst conditions imaginable, the OS1 Jacket is tough, totally weatherproof and perfectly at home on any ocean crossing. Its high collar, wrap-around face guard and peaked hood offer the best possible protection from extreme conditions.

Jacket

• 5 Dot™ waterproof and breathable 3-layer fabric

• Ocean height collar with high, wrap-around face guard. Fold down face flap positioned over mouth

• Active-fit rollaway hood with 2 way volume adjustment and fleece lined channel for comfort.

• Double front storm flap

• Adjustable cuffs with PU inner seals for watertight comfort

• Gridded thermal inner collar and chin guard

• Adjustable shock cord hem with adjustors that tuck up into the seam

• Two sets of chest hand warmer pockets

• Cargo pockets for storing bulky objects

• Internal chest pocket protected by a WR zipper

• 360 degree reflective piping

• Solas approved prismatic reflectors on chest, shoulders, cuffs and hood

Gill OS1 Jacket

Colours: Yellow/Graphite  

Sizes: XS-XXL

Price: RRP Jacket:  $749.00

Overalls

• 5 Dot™ waterproof and breathable 3-layer fabric

• Front zip with internal gusset for wet weather protection

• Thigh pocket with additional multi tool pocket

• Internal fly eliminates need to undo braces

• Adjustable stretch braces for a comfortable fit

• Fleece lined hand warmer pockets

• Fully adjustable ankle closure

• Performance cut for unrestricted movement and comfort

• Chest cargo pocket design to fit radio

Gill OS1 Trousers

Colours: Graphite  

Sizes: XS-XXL

Price: RRP $525.00

What did our assessors say?

Very good bit of kit at a good price.  Lots of nice features.

Jacket

+ Good quality manufacture

+ High visibility patches on cuffs, chest and shoulders

+ Lined hand warmer pockets on chest

+ 2 x large pockets at waist with fold closures

+ Neck padded and comfortable

Overalls

+ The overalls have been designed with a pee pouch so you can urinate without having to remove the overalls (boys only)

+ 2 x good hand warmers at chest level

– 1 x chest pocket (no fold or zip closure)

+ 1 x knife/PLB attachment point on the thigh

+ 1 x pocket with fold closure

+ Velcro closures at shoulder (easy on and off)

Westcoast Ocean jacket and overalls
Westcoast Ocean Jacket

The best value wet weather gear in the market place with Seratex breathable fabric and 100% Waterproof taped seams.

Jacket features

• Fully adjustable safety peaked hood

• Internal mobile phone pocket

• Internal zip pocket

• Fleece lined hand warmer pockets

• Two gravity draining cargo pockets

• High visibility reflective patches

• Fleece lined internal chin flap

• Internal storm flap with drainage gutter

• External storm flap

• Heavy duty zip

• Crutch strap

• Adjustable inner and external wrist seals

• High cut fleece lined collar with chin seal

Colour: Red

Size: XS-XXL

Price: $250.00 + GST

Overalls

• Trousers

• Seratex breathable fabric

• 100% Waterproof

• Fully taped seams

• Lined with integral drainage

• Front storm flap over 2 way zip

• Adjustable elasticated braces

• Reinforced seat and knees

• Adjustable ankle closures

• Reflective prisms

Colour: Red

Size: XS-XXXL

Price: $150.00 + GST

What did our assessors say?
Really good gear with a heap of features at an amazing price.

Jacket

+ Good quality fabric and manufacture

+ High visibility patches on cuffs, shoulders, hood and chest (quality high vis strips)

+ 1 x pocket with zip inside jacket

+ 1 x pouch inside jacket for PLB or phone, 2 x lined hand warming pockets at chest level

+ 2 pockets at waist level with fold closures (one with Velcro inside for fixing something in place and another with a clasp for attaching gear)

+ All seams taped

Overalls

+ Good front closure, a zip with a high drainage flap and outer flap over zip as well

+ A knife (multi-tool) holder on the side

+ Lge. pocket with flap closure

Summary
Wet weather gear has comes a long way since the oilskins of yesteryear.  Not only have the fabrics gone high tech, but manufacturing methods have advanced dramatically.  Fabrics are now layered, seams are taped and the products are getting better and better.


Trends
As we tried on set after set of wet weather gear, one of the issues we kept coming back to was how comfortable these products would be in Australian weather conditions.  

If you sail in southern waters then a jacket that will keep you warm should be a priority, but what if the bulk of your sailing is done in Queensland?  Can the same set of wet weather gear perform well in both tropical and temperate conditions?   

The answer is–we’re getting there, but we’re not there yet.  Fabrics are getting lighter and more versatile. Ronstan and SLAM both have very lightweight products, although I can’t attest to how well they will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, it’s good to see a trend toward lighter and more comfortable gear.  

Another interesting trend is that manufacturers are making allowances for phones and PLBs.  Westcoast incorporate a waterproof phone/PLB pouch on the upper arm of their jacket and several others are making allowances for electronics.

Manufacturers are also providing attachment points for knives and multi-tools; some are providing pouches, whereas others are providing pocket lanyards to secure your tools.

The prices of the gear we tested ranged from $2,000 for a set down to around $500.  That’s a huge range, so it’s worth shopping around.   

I want to close this article by thanking my good mate and fellow assessor, Ralph Skelton.  Ralph modeled and assessed 16 different sets of wet weather gear (on a hot day) with nary a complaint.  

I also want to thank the  suppliers who participated in this gear test for making their products available for testing.  AY is committed to providing independent tests that help our readers make better buying decisions.