Unless you know you will be spending a considerable amount of time in severe weather conditions, then the coastal style range of sailing jacket will be more than sufficient. Let’s look at the best costal sailing jackets.The best coastal sailing jackets are more than able to deal with almost all conditions and races which the majority of us will ever experience.
\nFor this comparison we will look at sailing jackets which can deal with overnight races and short passages \u2013 but importantly they must be able to qualify for safety regulations of mid distance races with a built in hood and reflective patches.
\nAll manufacturers have a different labelling system but for all intense purposes this gear is a level down from the \u201call singing\u201d full noise style of extreme offshore sailing jackets.
\nFastnets, Hobart\u2019s, Bermuda races to less extreme trade wind ocean passages \u2013 the jackets are more than tough enough to keep you operating at 100%, and are a step up from the entry-level lightweight sailing jackets.
\nThese jackets always share the technology and lessons learnt from their slightly tougher ocean stablemates \u2013 but in a slightly lighter form. More than able to keep the elements at bay these jackets will serve you well, and if you are anything like me, they must essentially be up to those really wet dog walks. Let\u2019s look at the best buys.
\nNote: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.
\n6 of the best coastal sailing jackets<\/p>\n
Helly Hansen Skagen Offshore jacket
\nGood all-round coastal sailing jacket
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2013 Shares knowledge gained from front line racing experience
\n\u2013 Good hood and storm face shield
\n\u2013 Good price
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2013 Not the levels of Gore-Tex for protection \u2013 but not far off
\nHelly Hansen have been involved with sailing for many years, from singlehanded to multi crew round the world racing they really have learned a lot about what is needed for the longer races.
\nThe Skagen jacket borrows a lot of what has worked well from their ocean range and ocean experiences and put into this more coastal offering. Made from their very own produced Helly-Tech performance system for maximum water resistance combined with a good level of breathability to ensure maximum comfort.
\nSharing a decent hood, which can fold away in the large fleece lined collar which also has more than adequate storm coverage for the face \u2013 so you can fully close down to protect from the elements.
\nThere\u2019s plenty of pocket space and all the safety boxes are ticked.
\nBuy at Amazon<\/p>\n
North Sails Offshore jacket
\nSimply the best coastal sailing jacket
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2013 Built to be the best
\n\u2013 Vast experience gained in yacht racing
\n\u2013 Gore-Tex construction
\nReason to avoid
\n\u2013 At top of budget \u2013 but for a reason
\nAs with their whole range, the North Sails Offshore Jacket benefits from the vast experience of pro yachtsmen in all conditions in every race available.\u00a0All performance gear was made with the brief of being the very best, and it certainly looks like they achieved.
\nAs with the Ocean range the Offshore jacket benefits by being lighter and less bulky than its competitors, which makes tasks and manoeuvres easier for the wearer in all weather conditions.
\nSmall details combine to make this possible, a big difference is the use of North\u2019s very own 4DL reinforced seat and elbow pads which are bonded to the Gore-Tex pro material as opposed to being sewn into the panel joins, so less bulky seams which are significantly easier to waterproof.
\nThe Gore-Tex pro cloth used is the best available and this offshore jacket is only slightly lighter weight than the all singing and dancing Southern Ocean Jacket.
\nThis jacket really is the next step in development in the overnight coastal jacket category, and also available as a smock or Women\u2019s specific.
\nBuy mens version at North Sails
\nBuy women\u2019s at North Sails
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gill OS2 Offshore jacket
\nBest coastal sailing jacket on a budget
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2013 Great price point
\n\u2013 Available globally
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2013 Breathability not as good as more expensive Gore-Tex clothing
\nGill are better know for their kit for smaller yachts and dinghies and don\u2019t seem to fully compete for a slice of the \u201cround the world\u201d level of kit, but with that in mind the Gill OS2 offshore Jacket is great for this category.
\nThe shape and comfort of the jacket is really good and waterproofing seems good (although not quite at the levels of Gore-Tex).
\nHas the usual attention to detail in an easily adaptable hood, and decent adjustable seals on the cuffs for the waves that love to shoot up the arm. Also has the nice touch of fleece lined pockets for those chilly fingers.
\nAs far as price goes the jacket is very competitive at around 50% of some others in this category and with that in mind will be a fantastic option for many people.
\nReadily available worldwide and comes in a varied range of colours.
\nBuy at West Marine<\/p>\n
Zhik CST 500 Jacket
\nWorth a look
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2013 Lighter weight
\n\u2013 Not bulky
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2013 Not ideal for longer trips
\nZhik have really made a push in all areas in sailing kit in the past few years, and their kits can be seen at almost every event and in high street stores of popular sailing centres.
\nOne of the lighter weight jackets around, this meets the requiremnets on test with fluorescent hood and reflective tape.
\nDue to it being closer to an inshore oreiented kit it is less bulky than some of the others on test, so it may be a case of being an ideal coastal option but maybe a little light for extended periods of \u201cfire hydrant\u201d ocean action.
\nBuy at Zhik<\/p>\n
Musto BR2 Offshore Jacket
\nMid range offering
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2013 Musto are a sailing powerhouse
\n\u2013 Years of experience and lessons learned
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2013 Surprisingly not Gore-Tex
\n\u2013 Can be bulky
\nMusto are one of the best known manufacturers in the industry and have put their experience in to the BR2 Offshore jacket and it shares a lot of details seen in the HPX range.
\nHood and storm face shield are good and easy to snug around the head. Large pockets allow for carrying lots of essential items, maybe a little to much as to make this bulky when laden.
\nSurprisingly not Gore-Tex, but is Musto\u2019s BR2 fabric, which they claim is up to the job. Also available as a women jacket.
\nBuy men\u2019s at Musto
\nBuy women\u2019s at Musto<\/p>\n
Henri Lloyd O-Race Jacket 3L
\nA good alternative coastal sailing jacket
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2013 Decent storm protection
\n\u2013 Good sizing range
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2013 Quite bulky
\n\u2013 Limited colours
\nHenri Lloyd seem to be concentrating on their general clothing and less on the performance related gear theses days. They still do the odd bit of performance kit and this \u00a0Coastal Offshore Jacket is one of them.
\nMade from their own DRI PRO system for maximum waterproof and breathable properties, the seams are taped well and it seems a good jacket.
\nAn ample collar which houses a decent and adjustable hood, which includes a couple of clear windows to help peripheral vision. It also has a good storm shield for the face to really close yourself away from the elements.
\nBuy men\u2019s at Henri Lloyd
\nBuy women\u2019s at Henri Lloyd
\nDidn\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for? Head to Amazon\u2019s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.<\/p>\n
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The post Best coastal sailing jackets buyer\u2019s guide: 6 of the best options appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Unless you know you will be spending a considerable amount of time in severe weather conditions, then the coastal style range of sailing jacket will be more than sufficient. Let’s look at the best costal sailing jackets.The best coastal sailing … <\/p>\n