Sailing can be an intense sport whatever the weather and it’s important to ensure you’re well equipped for the task – especially when it comes to your choice of jacket wear.
The Pier 3.0 Coastal jacket by Helly Hansen (Photo: Helly Hansen)
Jackets designed for sailing range from lightweight styles that’ll shield you from showers to coats with head, face and hand protection that can withstand up to 24 hours on the open seas. If you’re seeking a jacket to keep you well insulated for your ocean adventures, we’ve done some research and scoured a number of renowned clothing brands to pick out 10 of the best sailing jacket currently available.
Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Jacket
This fully waterproof, versatile coastal sailing jacket is designed for coastal and inshore cruising. Made with cutting edge Helly Tech Performance fabric, it’s particularly suitable for trips when you need light yet sturdy protection. The jacket scores highly for breathability and durability too, although slightly lower for weight, coming in at 1,200 grams. It also has an added packable hi-vis hood, double storm flaps, and drainage to deliver more security in bad weather. The jacket is available in several colour options. From $248.
Crew Insulated Sailing Jacket
The Crew insulated jacket by Helly Hansen (Photo: Helly Hansen)
A soft, comfortable and lightweight insulated sailing jacket boasting a classic marine design, this jacket is great at keeping you warm when sailing upwind. With its clean-cut, marine aesthetic, it also looks smart in the city as well as on the water. Its makers use 80% recycled Primaloft Black insulation for warmth and a with PFC-free water-repellent microfibre fabric to keep you dry. The jacket scores top marks for being lightweight, at just 490 grams. Several colour options are available too. From $161.
LPX Gore-Tex Infinum Foiling Jacket
Made from exceptionally lightweight and breathable Gore-Tex Infinium fabric, this is inshore race jacket is designed to optimise ocean-faring performance – making it a fine choice for competitive sailors out there. Notable features include an underarm gusset and articulated sleeves for maximum freedom of movement, laser cut pocket drainage, a shock cord adjustable hem opening with springless cord lock, and a laser-cut pocket drainage. From $434.
M-Pro 2.0 RO Jacket
The M-Pro 2.0 RO jacket by Henri Lloyd (Photo: Henry Lloyd)
A 100% waterproof, highly breathable and durable yet lightweight shell jacket designed for hi-octane racing, this jacket you forget about your gear and focus on winning. Taped seams stop any seam puncture holes from leakage in wet conditions, with Gore-Tex pro technology ensuring durable waterproofness even in the heaviest of storms. Lightweight and packable, it also features double cuffs, a high collar, an adjustable hood, and a concealed drainage system in lower side pockets and hood. From $614.
Levanto Jacket
Perfectly designed for leisurely shoreline sailing in calm weather conditions, this light jacket combines a durable water repellent finish to fend off any encroaching coastal waves with an eye-catching contemporary design. Its shell is made from 100% nylon and its lining from 100% polyester. The jacket also comes with a centre front zip, zippered hand and chest pockets, and adjustable cuffs with a stud closure. From $117.
Offshore 900 Jacket
The Offshore 900 jacket by Decathlon (Photo: Decathlon)
Developed with input from ocean racing skippers, this waterproof jacket provides optimal protection against bad weather. Featuring fabric coated with three layers, it provides excellent water resistance and comfort, while its high polar collar, adjustable hood and double sleeve seals add to its capacity to be your best ally when you take on the waves and weather. Other notable elements include a reinforced bottom to ensure durability. From $347.
INS00 Jacket
This sculpted and streamlined jacket is tailored for life on and off the water. It is fully waterproof and breathable, and comes with fully taped seams and an athletic street style cut. The jacket is lightweight too, and would look equally at home during spring-time in the city as it would while traversing the gentle ocean waves. Soft mesh lining maximises airflow, keeping you cool in warm conditions and providing a thermal air gap in colder clines. A low profile chest pocket provides storage for your necessities while pre-formed cuffs deliver uninhibited wrist movement. From $173.
HW1 Jacket
The HW1 jacket by Hudson Wight (Photo: Hudson Wight)
An all-purpose sailing jacket built to last, the HW1 features a full front zip, hand-warmer pockets, two water-resistant pockets, two internal seam-taped pockets and an innovative, fleece-lined, high collar. The collar incorporates a high visibility hood, zipped inside, which can be quickly and easily deployed and stowed even when wearing a lifejacket. The front water-resistant pockets are entered from left to right and right to left for easier access when sitting on the rail. A high cut front and low cut back with abrasion-resistant patches enhance both comfort and style. From $408.
Offshore Jacket
This impeccably waterproof, exceptionally windproof and breathable shell is superb at keeping water out and allowing sweat to evaporate to keep you dry, and is suitable for whenever you need maximum rain protection out at sea. There are patches of retroreflective plastic material on the sleeves, shoulders, and on top of the hood, while reflective details keep you visible in low light. The jacket is available in a choice of three colours. From $408.
Pro All Weather Rain Jacket
This highly waterproof, windproof foul weather jacket is streamlined enough to look super cool off the water, but sturdy and durable enough to provide ample protection for the most high-octane of sailing endeavours. It features a high collar, fleece lined pockets and all the other necessary aspects to keep you comfortable on the water, helping ensure you suffer no more lost days to rain. From $182.