Best Sailing Clothing Brands in 2022
Whether you’re an offshore sailor or just day-sailing dinghies, you need the right gear to sail as enjoyably and effortlessly as possible; one of the most fundamental pieces of gear is sailing clothes. When it comes to the best sailing cloth brands, there’s no difference whether you’re racing in America’s Cup, Barcolana’s Regatta, or simply cruising around in a bay. Having the best sailing gear can make a huge difference, especially when technical variants come into play to provide unprecedented wind-blocking levels, waterproofing, and, of course, comfort.
>>Also Read: What To Wear When Sailing
Here Are The Best Clothing Brands For Sailing
Helly-Hansen
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian producer of sailing gear headquartered in Oslo, Norway. This sailing clothing brand was established in 1877 when boat captain Helly Juell Hansen found a better way to stay shielded from the Norwegian harsh weather conditions. Shortly thereafter, Captain Hansen and his wife Margrethe launched a business producing waterproof oilskin jackets, trousers, hat, and waterproof canvases made from rough linen soaked in flaxseed oil – and the Helly Hansen legend began!
Helly Hansen gear is worn and trusted by sailors worldwide, but it is not the most budget-conscious clothing brand you can choose; however, it is probably the best when it comes to sailing jackets.
Helly Hansen offers the widest variety of clothing and is probably the most versatile and overall the best clothing brand out there.
>>Buy Helly Hansen Clothes From Amazon
Musto
Musto has always been an innovator in sailing clothing and is one of the best and most recognizable sailing clothing brands. They have over 55 years of experience in creating the best sailing performance apparel, and they are the world’s leading sailing brand. They use a great fabric technology that protects ocean racers to keep you dry and comfortable.
Their designs have attention to detail and are pretty stylish too. They are very precise with the placement of ergonomic panels on active jackets. Also, their handmade leather shoes are of exceptional quality. Like many of these best clothing brands for sailing, Musto produces clothing that can be worn in both on the boat and in everyday life and skiing if you are into this as well. Musto also works with some of the best manufacturers globally, so you can be assured of the quality every time.
Musto’s clothes are also very durable. For example, my father’s twenty-plus-year-old Musto foul weather jacket that has been used every year and is still looking and performing well. Musto is very famous for its durability, which is probably why they offer a guarantee for many of our garments’ lifetime.
Zhik
Established in 2003, Zhik is an Australian brand focused on product development and sailing clothing design. Using its in-house research and development team, Zhik is constantly introducing new fabric technologies, creating performance clothes made especially for water sports.
Zhik’s gear radically altered the industry’s approach to sailing performance wear. Zhik is making an effort to understand athletes’ needs when sailing and creating products tailored to their environments to produce a wide range of cutting-edge yachting apparel, from coastal cruising to extreme ocean racing.
Tried and true, Zhik is the winning choice of numerous Olympic and World champions around the world. Zhik is the official clothing supplier to the Australian, British, New Zealand, and Singapore Olympic sailing teams, as well as many of the best, top-level international sailors, Extreme 40s, America’s Cup, and Vendee teams.
>>Unfortunately, Zhik is not an Amazon but you can purchase from eBay
Gill
Gill is one of the best marine clothing brands, founded in 1975. In 1975, the company’s founder, Nick Gill, was an avid sailor who used his father’s factory in Nottingham to produce truly capable sailing apparel that could offer both protection and comfort.
Gill is still based in the UK, where they design and test all their garments and they have grown to become one of the best marine clothing brands in the world. Also, they equip sailing teams from round-the-world.
Inspired by their sailing heritage, they also offer lifestyle clothing that can be worn anywhere but are still designed with their marine lineage in mind.
Today their clothing line utilizes a wide range of technologies, from Activated Carbon base layers to SuperFabric™; which is the most abrasive-resistant type of fabric in the world. When sailing in foul weather conditions, saltwater comes at you from everywhere. For that reason, Gill tests their clothing in-house and on the water to withstand the worst weather conditions.
That means whatever weather condition you find yourself in – sea, shore, or inland – they’ve already engineered the best clothing kit to perform for you.
Xtratuf (Shoes)
Founded in the 50s, Xtratuf is a brand of neoprene boots manufactured by Honeywell International. The boot was originally designed for commercial fishermen but is now used by sailors and boats worldwide. They are common throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, especially in coastal areas and fishermen.
Xtratuf boots are famous for being built to battle the elements. The brand’s core Legacy range is equipped with a unique triple-dipping technique designed to keep feet dry and comfortable. There are non-insulated and insulated options rated to sub-freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, its signature Chevron outsole has remained unchanged for years, providing reliable traction in extreme conditions. A steel toe option offers added protection.
>>Also Read: Best Fishing Boots For Boats
Harken (Gloves)
Harken is a global corporation that specializes in performance sailing hardware and industrial solutions, headquartered in Wisconsin, US. When Harken first started, it was housed in a 60-foot trailer in 1967 by brothers Peter and Olaf Harken. Originally, they built sailboats under the name Vanguard. However, they kept the hardware business separate so they could sell to competing boatbuilders.
In 1986, the Harken brothers sold Vanguard Sailboats to Stephen Clark in Rhode Island so they could concentrate on hardware. Harken hardware has been the golden standard in the racing segment for many years.
Harken equipment may be found on racing boats as small as the 7-foot dinghies to megayachts and ocean racers. They are famous for making hardware like swivels but they also make some of the best sailing gloves on the market today.
>>Also Read: Best Sailing Gloves
Henri Lloyd
Established in Manchester in 1963, Henri Lloyd is a British clothing brand specializing in sailing clothes. They manufacture some of the most high-end sailing clothes available today. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, they have implemented a direct-to-consumer business model. They are only selling directly through their own websites and retail locations. That way, they have cut out the middlemen who raise retail prices, which means they can offer the same excellent quality products at affordable prices permanently. They are still an expensive brand, don’t get me wrong, but they do offer some great quality products.
Navis Marine
Established in 1999, Navis Marine is a sailing clothing manufacturer specializing in designing and manufacturing performance foul weather gear for coastal and offshore sailing.
Navis Marine has a rigorous research and development process. The team is always looking for ways to innovate, blending new technology with feedback from their customers, and test sailors to create unique apparel solutions. The Navis Marine design team looked for materials with the same properties; able to work with the body and protect against the elements. However, they use lighter and more breathable materials than traditional marine fabrics.
They offer an excellent alternative to more famous brands like Helly-Hansen at a fraction of the cost. Actually, a friend of mine bought one of their jackets last year, and I was impressed with the product’s quality and durability. I just had to mention them in this article after that.
>>Buy Navis Marine Clothing From Amazon
>>Also Read: Must-Have Boat Safety Equipment For Sailing
