Top sailing gear includes sailing clothes like sailing jackets, pants, shirts, t-shirts shoes, gloves and hats.
We've compiled a list of great sailing apparel for the next sailing trip with both women's and men's sailing clothes included.
The best sailing gear is:
- Best Sailing Pants: Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants
- Best Sailing Bib: Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib
- Best Sailing T-Shirt: Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt
- Best Sailing Shorts: Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Short
- Best Sailing Gloves: Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves
- Best Sailing Jacket: Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket
- Best Sailing Shoes: Unisex WateLves Water Shoes FBN919
This sailing wear is made of high quality, is stylish and fashionable and keeps sailors cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
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 HP Foil Sailing Pants
The first best sailing gear to buy is the Men's Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants manufactured by the brand Helly Hansen in Oslo, Norway and sold worldwide.
Most retailers price the Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants between $100 and $120. The price varies based on the size chosen. The Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants weigh 650 grams (22.93 oz.). They come with a limited lifetime warranty.
These sailing pants fit true to size with space around the thighs and waist area. They can be worn during coastal sailing, inshore sailing and ocean sailing. They are not worn as general lifestyle pants.
The Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants come in 5 sizes which are small, medium, large, extra large and 2-xl. The waist dimensions of these sailing pants are 33 inches for the small size to 44 inches for the 2-xl size.
The inseam length of these sailing pants is 31 inches for the small size to 34.5 inches for the 2-xl size.
The Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants come in 2 colors which are grey and black.
The performance metrics of the Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants are:
- Windproof: These sailing pants are windproof rated 2-12 CFM which means the fabric offers strong wind resistance
- Waterproofness: These sailing pants have a waterproofness protection range of 10,000mmH20 to <20,000mmH20 which means it offers high waterproofness and can withstand hard rain and seawater
- Breathability: These sailing pants have a breathability range of 10,000g/m2 to <20,000g/m2 which means it is highly breathable
The Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants are constructed of 2 YKK zipped pockets, fully seam sealed, adjustable waist with belt loops, soft mesh-lined, front zipped fly, a hanger loop and a 2-layer reinforcement construction around the knees and backside area of the pants.
The Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants are treated with a DWR that helps to repel water. These pants are PFC-free.
The benefits of the Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants are:
- They are a bluesign-certified product: These sailing pants have a bluesign logo which means they are certified to be safe textiles, environmentally friendly production and responsible use of resources
- They are comfortable: These sailing pants are comfortable with an adjustable waist to perfect the size and 2 large hand pockets to keep hands warm
- They are durable: The Helly Tech performance system construction ensures these pants are durable and can last for over 3 years with a 2-layer reinforcement construction around areas of the pants that are known to wear like the knees and the backside
One disadvantage of the Helly Hansen HP Foil Sailing Pants is are they are not worn as everyday lifestyle pants.
2. Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib
The second best sailing gear to buy is the Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib manufactured by the brand Helly Hansen in Oslo, Norway and sold worldwide.
Most retailers price the Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib between $170 to $200. The price varies based on the size chosen. The Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib weighs 1040 grams. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
This sailing bib fits true to size with space around the waist and leg area. It can be worn for coastal sailing, inshore sailing, offshore sailing and ocean sailing.
The Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib comes in 5 sizes which are small, medium, large, x-large and 2-xl. The waist dimensions of the sailing bib are 33 inches for the small size to 44 inches for the 2-xl size. The inseam length of the sailing bib is 31 inches for the small size to 34.5 inches for the 2-xl size.
The Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib comes in 2 colors which are navy and ebony.
The performance metrics of the Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib are:
- Windproof: This sailing bib is windproof rated 2-12 CFM which means the fabric offers strong wind resistance
- Waterproofness: This sailing bib has a waterproofness protection range of 18,000mmH20 which means it offers great waterproofness and can withstand hard rain and seawater
- Breathability: This sailing bib has a breathability range of 10,000g/m2 to <20,000g/m2 which means it is highly breathable
The Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib is constructed of 100% polyamide, YKK two-way front zipper, velcro adjustable ankles, reinforced fabric on knees and backside and two adjustable velcro shoulder straps.
The Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib design includes a "HH" brand name printed on both the right leg and left leg.
The Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib is a bluesign-certified product which means it was produced in an environmentally friendly way with safer textiles.
The benefits of the Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib are:
- 18,000mmH20 waterproofness protection range: This sailing bib has a high waterproofness protection range which means it is extremely waterproof and will help to protect a sailor against harsh marine environments
- It offers great mobility: The adjustable shoulder straps and the space around the arms and shoulders allow for great mobility when wearing this sailing bib
- It's PFC-free: PFC-free means this sailing bib was manufactured in a more environmentally friendly way with fewer chemicals used in the fabric
One disadvantage of the Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib is it will not keep you warm in colder temperature weather.
3. Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt
The third best sailing gear to buy is the Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt manufactured by the brand Crysully in China and sold worldwide.
Most retailers price the Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt between $30 and $50. The Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt weighs 0.46 pounds.
This t-shirt fits true to size with space around the neck and arm area.
It can be worn for all recreational sailing activities. This T-shirt comes in 2 designs which are a short sleeve design and a long sleeve design.
The Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt comes in 10 colors which are army green, black, blue, grey, khaki, light grey, navy blue, sky blue, wolf brown and tan.
For the best visibility when sailing, we recommend the sky blue color.
This t-shirt comes in 5 sizes which are small, medium, large, x-large and xx-large. The chest dimensions of this sailing t-shirt are 37.4 inches for the small size to 45.3 inches for the xx-large.
The Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt is constructed of 100% polyester, a stand collar, splicing hem, 1 zipped chest pocket, 3 button closure with sunglasses/ earphone loop beneath the buttons, rib cuffs and 2 shoulder patch panels.
The benefits of the Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt are:
- It's practical: This t-shirt is easy to care for and can be worn for a variety of sailing activities from casual lounging onboard the sailboat to more active racing
- It's comfortable: This t-shirt is made of soft and comfortable polyester fabric with plenty of space around the neck and arms area to allow the skin to breath
- Unique front pocket design: There is a great unique front pocket included on this t-shirt which helps to store items at ease
One disadvantage of the Crysully Outdoor T-Shirt is some of the brighter colors can fade after multiple washes.
4. Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Short
The fourth best sailing gear is the Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts manufactured by the brand Bimini Bay Outfitters in Florida, America and sold worldwide.
Most retailers price the Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts between $40 to $50. The Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts weighs 0.34 pounds. They come with a 1-year limited warranty against defects.
These shorts fit true to size with space around the waist and knees. They can be worn for recreational sailing activities and fishing too.
The Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts come in 8 colors which are grey, cement, steel blue, khaki, blue, black, olive and glacier white.
The Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts comes in 8 sizes which are 30", 32", 34", 36", 38", 40", 42" and 44". The inseam length of these shorts is 7 1/2 inches.
The Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts are constructed of 100% cool tek dry nylon, a side elastic waistband, a button closure and 9 pockets with 4 of the pockets having a velcro closure.
The Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts design includes a "Bimini Bay" woven label on the front left pocket and a bimini bay logo horn on the button.
The benefits of the Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts are:
- It helps to keep you cool: Wearing shorts helps to keep the body cool by allowing air to circulate around the legs which can be particularly beneficial in hotter weather
- 9 pockets for additional storage: There are 9 pockets in these shorts which helps store more items when sailing
- Elastic waist for the perfect fit: These shorts come with sides elastic waist which helps get the perfect fit
One disadvantage of the Bimini Bay Outfitters Boca Grande II Men's Shorts is they will not keep you warm if the weather turns colder when sailing.
5. Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves
The fifth best sailing gear is Unisex Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves manufactured by the U.K. brand Gill in Vietnam and sold worldwide.
Most retailers price the Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves between $30 to $50. The Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves weigh 0.06 pounds. It comes with the Gill Guarantee which is a limited lifetime warranty against defects.
These gloves fit true to size with a comfortable fit around the palm of the hand and fingers.
These gloves can be worn for all sailing and fishing activities.
The Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves come in 6 sizes which are x-small, small, medium, large, x-large and xx-large. The width dimensions of these gloves are 6.5 inches for the x-small size to 11.5 inches for the xx-large size.
The Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves come in 1 color which is black.
The Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves are constructed of 93% nylon and 7% elastane for the panel, the main area is 60% nylon and 40% polyurethane and the cuffs are 60% neoprene and 40% nylon, velcro closure straps on each glove, and a silicone grip at the cuff.
The Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves design includes a "Gill" printed brand name on the front of the gloves and a smaller "Gill" printed brand name on the back of the gloves near the cuffs.
The benefits of the Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves are:
- Improves dexterity: The no-seam and 3/4 length thumb and index fingertips of these gloves help to improve dexterity
- Provides UV 50+ sun protection: The 4-layer stretch fabric of these gloves provides hands with UV50+ sun protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays
- They are lightweight: These gloves weigh 0.06 pound so people find them very comfortable on their hands
One disadvantage of the Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves is they only come in a black color so there are not multiple color options to choose from.
6. Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket
The sixth best sailing gear is the Men's Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer Waterproof Sailing Jacket manufactured by the brand Helly Hansen in Oslo, Norway and sold worldwide.
This is one of the best sailing jackets on the market.
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 is 13-30 CFM 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
- 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
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.
7. Unisex WateLves Water Shoes FBN919
The seventh best sailing gear is the Unisex WateLves Water Shoes manufactured by the brand WateLves in Quanzhou City, China and sold worldwide.
These are one of the best sailing shoes on the market.
Most retailers price WateLves Water Shoes between $30 to $50. The WateLves Water Shoes weigh approximately 456 grams with larger shoe sizes weighing 2 to 3 grams heavier. They are lightweight which makes them extremely comfortable when sailing.
The WateLves Water Shoes fit true to size.
The WateLves Water Shoes come in 13 shoe sizes. These shoes come in a size 3 men to a size 13.5 men and a size 5.5 women to a size 15 women. The insole length of these sailing shoes ranges from 7.48 inches for the smallest pair to 10.11 inches for the largest pair.
With 13 shoe size options, these shoes can be worn and fit by the majority of adult foot sizes.
These WateLves Water Shoes are unisex and there are color options for both men and women.
The WateLves Water Shoes come in 42 color options which include black, grey, green, blue, brown, pink, white, gold, orange, red and these shoes are also offered as a mix and combination of these colors.
The WateLves Water Shoes are constructed of 92% polyester and 8% spandex, anti-slip rubber sole with a unique pattern for a great grip, 7 drainage holes on each shoe bottom for great drainage and quick drying, elastic lace-up stripe for adjusting the tightness of the shoes and thicker toe caps that provide more cushioning around the toes.
The WateLves Water Shoes have labels on the side of the shoes which are labeled "Sport.s", "sport.Z" and "sport.N". Different color options have different labels on the side. However, these shoes are offered with no label on the side too.
The advantages of the WateLves Water Shoes are:
- They are breathable: With 7 small drainage holes on the soles, these shoes are breathable and help prevent feet from sweating
- They fit comfortably: With the elastic fabric, these shoes fit comfortably on your feet and can stretch and mold around the shape and size of your feet
- There are plenty of color options to choose from: This shoe has 42 color options to choose from which is a great amount of choice for people
- The rubber soles of the shoes improve the overall grip: The rubber soles of the shoes help provide great grip which is useful when sailing and walking on slippery sailboat surfaces
One disadvantage of the WateLves Water Shoes are they will not keep your feet warm in colder weather.
Top Sailing Gear Comparison Table
What To Consider When Buying Sailing Gear<
The 4 most important factors to consider when buying sailing gear are:
- Type of sailing: The type of sailing you will be doing will influence the sailing gear purchased. For example, dinghy racing will require different sailing gear than lounging on a recreational sailing trip
- Price: The price of the sailing gear is a factor to consider. Some sailing gear is outside a sailor's budget
- Quality: The quality of the sailing gear is a factor to consider when buying sailing gear. Is the fabric of a high grade? Are there manufacturing defects? These are important quality considerations to think about before buying any sailing gear
- Waterproofness: Depending on the type of sailing gear, an important factor to consider is whether or not it is waterproof as you might need sailing gear that can withstand the rain or seawater
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Sailing Gear
Below are the most commonly asked questions about top sailing gear.
What Are The Top Sailing Gear Brands?
The top sailing gear brands are:
- Gill
- Helly Hansen
- Crysully
- WateLves
- Bimini Bay Outfitters
How Much Does Top Sailing Gear Cost?
The best sailing gear costs between $30 to $200.
What Is The Cheapest Top Sailing Gear?
The cheapest best sailing gear is the Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves which costs between $30 and $50.
What Is The Most Expensive Top Sailing Gear?
The most expensive best sailing gear is the Helly Hansen Pier 3.0 Coastal Sailing Bib which costs between $170 to $200.
What Is The Best Sailing Gear For Kids?
Some of the best sailing gear for kids is the Stohlquist Life Vest For Infants and the UpAndFast Toddler One Piece Zip Swimsuit with Sun Hat.