A top sailing jacket will keep you warm and dry in harsh marine weather in winter months and warm on cooler summer evenings.
There are a number of top sailing jackets to choose from with each having its own strengths.
A good sailing jacket is one that protects you from the elements, is comfortable to wear and allows for a full range of movement.
The best sailing jackets are:
- Best Overall: Helly Hansen Waterproof Jacket
- Best Lightweight: Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket
- Best Foul Weather Gear: Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit
- Best Heavy Duty: Gill Offshore Jacket
- Best For Women: Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat
- Best For Kids: Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket
In finding the greatest sailing jackets, we looked at different types from the best waterproof sailing jacket, yachting jackets, general boating jackets, professional sailors jackets and coastal jackets.
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
1. Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket
The best overall sailing jacket is the Men's Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket manufactured by the brand Helly Hansen in Oslo, Norway and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 10/10.
Most retailers price the Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket between $150 to $170. The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket weighs 645 grams. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
This jacket fits regular with space around the waist and chest area. It is neither an oversized fit or a slim fit.
It can be used for coastal sailing, offshore sailing, inshore sailing and as a general lifestyle jacket.
The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket performance metrics are:
- Windproof: This jacket is windproof rated 13 - 30 CFM which means it is wind resistant and can protect against medium levels of wind
- Waterproofness: This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 5000mm to <10,000 mm which means it offers medium waterproofness and can withstand moderate rain
- Breathability: This jacket has a breathability range of between 5,000g/m2 to < 10,000 g/mm2 which means it is breathable enough for moderate activity
The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket is constructed of HELLY TECH Protection fabric system which is 100% polyester with the insulated polartec 100g fleece lining being of 100% recycled polyester, sealed seams, a high collar, adjustable hem and cuffs, two zipped hand pockets, a main zipper in the center to fasten the jacket up and the polyester material is treated with durable water repellency treatment (DWR).
The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket design includes a "HH" logo on the front of the collar, a "HELLY HANSEN" logo on the back of the collar, a "HH" logo on the back of the left shoulder, a "HH" logo on the right arm and a "HELLY HANSEN" logo on the left arm near the cuff.
The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket comes in 8 colors which are red, navy, black, bright white, racer blue, stone grey, blue and yellow.
The Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket comes in 9 sizes which are XS, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, 3x-Large, 4x-Large and 5x-Large. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 35.5 inches for the XS size jacket to 60 inches for the 5x-large. The sleeve length of this jacket ranges from 31 inches for the XS size jacket to 38.5 inches for the 5x-large.
With 9 different sizes, this jacket should fit most adult male body sizes.
The advantages of the Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket are:
- It fits comfortably: With the adjustable cuffs and hem, this jacket fits comfortably
- It is water repellent: This sailing jacket is water repellent with a water repellency treatment on the fabric that is great for preventing the salty sea water from sticking to the jacket when sailing
- It can be used for multiple activities: This jacket can be used for multiple activities including coastal sailing, offshore sailing and inshore sailing and it is not restricted to one activity
- It is durable: A Helly Hansen sailing jacket is high quality and durable and will last for 2 years
- It is wind resistant: This Helly Hansen jacket has a 13-30 CFM rating which means it is wind resistant and it will help prevent moderate wind from getting through the fabric
Two disadvantages of the Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket are there is no hood with this sailing jacket and the color of the jacket can fade over time.
2. Columbia Glennaker Lake Packable Rain Jacket
The best lightweight sailing jacket is the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket manufactured by the brand Columbia Sportswear and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.9/10.
Most retailers price the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket between $45 to $95. The price varies based on the size chosen. The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket weighs 290 grams (10.2 oz.). It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
This jacket fits true to size with space around the waist and shoulders area.
It can be used for coastal sailing, inshore sailing and as a general lifestyle jacket. It can not be used for ocean sailing during harsh marine conditions.
The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket is constructed of a hydroplus 100% nylon shell, hood stow in the collar, adjustable hem, drawcord adjustable hood, two zippered hand pockets, adjustable cuffs and a mesh lining.
The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket design includes a "Columbia" brand name and logo on the front left chest area.
The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket comes in 28 color options which include black, black/grill, blue jay/columbia navy, bluestone/ dark mountain, columbia grey/boulder, cordovan, deep marine, delta/shark, elderberry, electric turquoise/nimbus grey, harvester/shark, kelp/spruce, laser lemon/black, mango, metal/shark, mountain red/graphite, spruce, stone green, tusk/grill, night tide, red jasper, mosstone/shark, azul/collegiate navy, canyon sun/city grey, wildfire/shark, blue, columbia grey/mountain and thyme green/spruce.
The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket comes in 22 sizes from small to 6-XL. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 36 inches for the smallest size jacket to 68 inches for the largest size which is 6-XL.
The sleeve length of this jacket ranges from 33 inches for the smallest size jacket to 41 inches for the 6-XL.
The waist size of this jacket ranges from 29 inches for the smallest jacket to 61 inches for the 6-XL jacket.
With 22 different sizes, this jacket should fit most adult male body sizes.
The advantages of the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket are:
- It is climate pledge friendly: The Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket is Bluesign product certified which means this jacket is responsibly manufactured using safer chemicals and less energy
- There are many colors to choose from: This jacket comes in 28 different color options so there are plenty of colors for people to choose from to find their favorite
- It is lightweight: This jacket weighs just 290 grams (10.2 oz.) so it is lightweight to wear
- It is durable: This jacket is made of 100% nylon material which is extremely durable
One disadvantage of the Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket is it does not protect you against heavier rain.
3.Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit
The best foul-weather sailing jacket is the Unisex Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit manufactured by the brand Navis Marine in China and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.8/10.
Most retailers price the Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit between $150 to $180. The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit weighs 1.9kg. It comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest and neck area.
It can be used for coastal sailing, inshore sailing and ocean sailing during harsh weather conditions.
The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit performance metrics are:
- Waterproofness: This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 12,000mm which means it offers strong waterproofness and can withstand hard rain without rain seeping through the jacket material
- Breathability: This jacket has a breathability range of 6,000g/m2 which means it is slightly breathable but not much moisture gets through the fabric
The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit is constructed of 90% polyester, 8% polyurethane and 2% other fibers, 2 front YKK zippered pockets, 2 adjustable water seal cuffs, full front zip with a chin guard, a fully mesh-lined hood with elastic adjustment, adjustable elastic hem and 1 inner zip pocket.
The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit design includes a round-shaped "Navis Marine" brand name and logo on the front left chest area.
It has a round-shaped "Navis Marine" brand name and logo on the upper thigh area of the left bib leg too.
The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit comes in 3 colors which are blue, charcoal and yellow.
For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the yellow color.
The Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit comes in 4 sizes which are small, medium, large and X-large. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 37 inches for the smallest size jacket to 47 inches for the largest size jacket.
The waist size of this jacket ranges from 31.5 inches for the smallest jacket to 41.5 inches for the X-large jacket.
The advantages of the Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit are:
- It will help to keep you dry: With a waterproofness protection range of 12,000mm, this jacket will keep you dry in the rain and wet weather
- It is comfortable: The adjustable cuff straps, fit to size, warm pockets and chin pad help to keep people comfortable and warm during wet weather
- It is durable: The 90% polyester material is durable and this jacket will last for 3 years
One disadvantage of the Navis Marine Sailing Rain Suit is it can't be worn as a lifestyle jacket.
4. GILL Offshore Jacket
The best heavy-duty sailing jacket is the Men's GILL Offshore Jacket manufactured by the U.K. brand Gill in Vietnam and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.7/10.
Most retailers price the GILL Offshore Jacket between $250 to $350. The Men's OS2 Offshore Jacket weighs 3.26 pounds. It comes with the Gill Guarantee which is a limited lifetime warranty against defects.
This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest, waist and arms area.
It can be used for ocean sailing activities, offshore sailing, coastal sailing and long-term sailing trips.
The GILL Offshore Jacket performance metrics are:
- Waterproofness: This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 20,000mm hydrostatic head which means it offers very strong waterproofness and can withstand extremely heavy rain without rain seeping through the jacket material
- Breathability: This jacket has a breathability range of 5,000g/m2 which means it is not very breathable but not much moisture gets through the fabric
The GILL Offshore Jacket is constructed of 100% nylon main lining, 100% nylon mesh, 100% polyester fleece and 100% polyester reinforcement (2-layer laminated fabric), fully taped seams for a waterproof seal, a high-cut thermal collar that protects the face, a thermal fleece inner collar and chin guard, fully lined hi-vis hood with a 3-way adjustment system and internal fleece lined cord, 2-way zipper in the front center of the jacket, a zippered internal pocket, 3 prismatic reflectives, velcro adjustable cuffs with PU inner seals and 2 front pockets with 2 anti-corrosive YKK aquaguard water resistant zips.
The GILL Offshore Jacket design includes a "Gill" brand name on the outer front left chest area and a "Gill" brand name on the upper back of the jacket. There are 3 prismatic reflectives on this sailing jacket, one in the front center area, one on the upper left arm and one on the upper right arm.
The GILL Offshore Jacket comes in 4 colors which are bright red, black, dark blue/light blue and tango/dark blue.
For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the bright red-colored jacket.
The GILL Offshore Jacket comes in 9 sizes which are extra small, small, medium, large, extra large, 2x-large, 3x-large, MT and XLT. The chest size of this jacket ranges from 34 inches for the smallest size jacket to 52 inches for the largest size jacket.
The waist size of this jacket ranges from 28 inches for the extra small jacket to 45 inches for the largest jacket.
The advantages of the GILL Offshore Jacket are:
- It protects against wind and rain: This jacket comes with a hood that helps to protect the head from wind and rain. The high collar design helps protect the face area from wind and rain too
- It has plenty of storage pockets: This jacket comes with 3 pockets with plenty of space to store items while sailing
- It is extremely waterproof: This jacket with a waterproofness protection range of 20,000mm is extremely waterproof and it will help keep rainwater or seawater out of the fabric
One disadvantage of the GILL Offshore Jacket is it can restrict mobility around the neck and face area due to its weight and design.
5. Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat
The best sailing jacket for women is the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat manufactured by the brand Helly Hansen in Oslo, Norway and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 9.6/10.
Most retailers price the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat between $70 to $90. The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat weighs 590 grams. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest, shoulders and arm area.
It can be used for coastal sailing, offshore sailing, inshore sailing and as a general lifestyle jacket.
The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat performance metrics are:
- Windproof: This jacket is windproof rated 0 CFM which means it is completely windproof and no wind will get through
- Waterproofness: This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 20,000mmH20 which means it is completely waterproof against heavy rain
- Breathability: This jacket has a breathability range of <5,000g/m2 which means it is only slightly breathable and not not much perspiration can get through this material
The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat is constructed of a 100% polyurethane shell, Helox fabric construction, welded seams, a high collar and a hood, an adjustable shock cord at the hood, adjustable cuffs and bottom hem, two pockets with flap and rivets and a front placket with hidden snap button closure and YKK zipper in the center at the front of the jacket.
The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat design includes a "HH" printed brand name on the front left chest area of the jacket.
The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat comes in 3 colors which are yellow, catalina blue and black.
For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the yellow-colored jacket.
The Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat comes in 5 sizes which are x-small, small, medium, large and x-large.
The bust size of this jacket ranges from 34 inches for the x-small size jacket to 42.5 inches for the x-large. The waist size of this jacket ranges from 27 inches for the x-small size jacket to 35.5 inches for the x-large.
The advantages of the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat are:
- It will keep the rain off your body: This jacket is extremely waterproof and windproof which helps keep the rain and wind off your body
- It is comfortable to wear: This jacket is comfortable to wear with the jacket fitting true to size with plenty of space for mobility
- It offers added safety: The yellow colored jacket helps to stay visible on the water and makes it easier for other boaters to see you
One disadvantage of the Helly Hansen Women's Waterproof Raincoat is it is not very fashionable so if you are concerned about appearance, you may prefer to wear a different type of jacket when sailing.
6. Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket
The best sailing jacket for kids is the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket manufactured by the brand Hiheart in America and sold worldwide. We rate this jacket 8.9/10.
Most retailers price the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket between $30 to $40. The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket weighs 12 ounces. It is a lightweight jacket.
This jacket fits true to size with space around the chest, shoulders and waist area and a tighter fit around the wrist area.
It can be used for coastal sailing, offshore sailing, inshore sailing and as a general lifestyle jacket for children aged between 3 to 12 years old.
The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket performance metrics are:
- Windproof: This jacket is windproof rated 20 CFM which means it is moderately windproof
- Waterproofness: This jacket has a waterproofness protection range of 3,000mmH20 which means it is slightly water resistant and will protect against light rain
- Breathability: This jacket has a breathability range of 10,000g/m2 which means it is breathable enough for moderate levels of activity
The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket is constructed of 100% polyester shell material, cotton liner material with polyester sleeves, a zipper closure with velcro tabs in the front center area of the jacket, 2 front pockets, a hood, and 2 rib knit cuffs.
The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket comes in 10 colors which are blue, dark navy, grey, green, orange, pink, purple, red, rose and yellow.
For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the yellow-colored jacket.
The Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket comes in 7 sizes which are 3T, 4T, 4 - 5T, 6-7 years, 7-8 years, 8-9 years and 10-12 years.
The advantages of the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket are:
- It offers great mobility: This jacket is comfortable and offers great mobility so kids can perform moderate activities unimpeded by the jacket
- It has multiple color options to choose from: With 10 color options, there are plenty of options for kids to choose from. Some of the colors are bright which helps with visibility when sailing too
- It is comfortable: With a soft cotton liner, this jacket is comfortable for kids to wear
One disadvantage of the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket is it is only slightly waterproof and will only protect against light rain.
Top Sailing Jackets Comparison Table
What To Consider When Buying A Sailing Jacket
A good sailing jacket has 5 key attributes that make it well-suited for use on the water.
The 5 most important attributes to consider when buying a sailing jacket are:
- Waterproof and breathable material: A good sailing jacket should be made of material that is both waterproof and breathable. This will help keep you dry and comfortable in wet conditions while also allowing moisture to escape from the jacket, preventing you from getting too hot and sweaty
- Hood: A hood is essential for protecting your head from the wind and rain when sailing. Look for a sailing jacket with a hood that can be adjusted for a snug fit and that has a peak to help keep the rain out of your face
- Pockets: Sailing jackets should have plenty of pockets for storing items. Look for jackets with pockets that are easily accessible and that have secure closures to prevent items from falling out or from seawater or rainwater getting in
- Comfort and mobility: A sailing jacket should be comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time and should allow for a full range of movement so you can move freely while sailing
- Visibility: A good sailing jacket should help you stay visible on the water. Look for jackets with reflective details or bright colors that will make you more visible to other boats
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Sailing Jackets
Below are the most commonly asked questions about top sailing jackets.
What Are The Top Sailing Jacket Brands?
The top sailing jacket brands are:
- Helly Hansen
- Gill
- Navis Marine
- Columbia Sportwear
How Much Do Top Sailing Jackets Cost?
The best sailing jackets cost $30 to $350.
What Is The Cheapest Top Sailing Jacket?
The cheapest best sailing jacket is the Hiheart Unisex Kid's Waterproof Jacket which costs between $30 and $40.
What Is The Most Expensive Top Sailing Jacket?
The most expensive top sailing jacket is the GILL Offshore Jacket which costs between $250 to $350.