Affordable Foul Weather Gear For Cruising: Tried and Tested By Skippers
Waterproofs tried and tested by our cruising community.
January 28, 2025
Waterproof and Windproof Foulies
Sailing gear is notoriously expensive and if you are on a tight budget, instead of purchasing a recognized offshore marine brand, look to commercial fisherman clothing, as trawlers boats go out in almost any weather. While you might have the intention of cruising in calm and fair weather, weather happens.
Gore-Tex material is known for its waterproof, breathable and lightweight qualities, however it is expensive since there is only one manufacturer that closely monitors how their fabric is used by manufacturers, ensuring consistent quality and performance.
If you are just starting off cruising there is no point spending a lot of money on marine waterproofs. Here are some tips and advice for staying warm and dry in order to brave the harshest weather.
If you are preparing for a cruise, you might benefit by reading our guide How To Pack For A Boating Trip.
Above: A water resistant wide-brimmed marine sun hat. image via Gill.
Foul Weather Wardrobe Checklist
Prepare for strong winds and rain by wearing the right gear. Outerwear is not enough alone, you will need to make sure that you have the clothes from the inside-out.
- Rain Jacket/waterproof outerwear
- Salopettes
- Mid layer clothing is the primary layer for generating heat- fleece gilet, or a lightweight insulated vest
- Base layer
- Sea boots
Remember to carry all the normal safety gear required by the local Coast Guard and have a Garmin In-reach satellite communicator.
Features to Help You Stay Warm
Innovative features in garments have been cleverly designed to seal you against foul weather and help you to stay dry. Some features to look out for are:
- Hand-warmer pockets with a zip closure
- Stretch cuffs that prevent water coming in and up your arm
- Face guards with lining and a contoured fit and adjustment
- Fleece-lined hand warming pockets
- Pockets with a velcro locks and zips, protecting both the inside and out.
- Jackets with adjustable drawstrings at the waist bottom to prevent the wind from getting inside.
- All seams should be taped, and linings should be attached with mesh.
- Collars should finish up high, lined and adjustable to prevent water from getting inside.
Offshore Waterproofs: Try Before You Buy
Boat shows are a good place to try on foul weather gear and ask questions. Make sure you size up to get the right bibs as you will need room for multiple layers underneath.
Best Brands For Foul Weather Gear
Tribord
Decathlon’s own brand Tribord is a relatively new debut to the French marine clothing market, and the premium end of their Tribord Ocean 900 outfit is impressive with stay-dry features.
Grundens
Clothes made for professional fishermen complete with bib overalls. Born almost 100 years ago on the west coast of Sweden, in the small fishing village of Grundsund producing waterproof oilskins to protect the fishermen of the North Sea from the demanding, harsh conditions of their job. This practical gear costs approximately a third less than the big names in the offshore retail market.
Navis Marine is available to buy from Amazon. Good quality and reasonably priced and recommended by professional delivery skipper friends who use it as their brand of choice.
Helly Hanson Aegir
Since becoming Official Clothing Supplier for The Ocean Race in 2019, HH outfitted the race staff, elite ocean racers that faced extreme conditions before launching their stormproof, ocean-racing bib and brace overalls for men and women offering long-term protection from wild waves.
Fladen
Popular among fishing and charter boat crews, Fladen has been tried and tested across the world and a trusted brand in the sports industry. The Fladen Offshore 903 sailing jacket features an adjustable high-visibility hood, an extra high fleece lined collar and form-fitting sleeves, and an elastic drawstring around the waist and at the bottom.
Above: Chuck Hawley sporting a West Marine Trysail foul weather gear offshore racing. Image via Chuck Hawley.
West Marine
Founded in the sixties, West Marine is America's go-to for boating, fishing, and sailing gear. We recommend The Third Reef Men’s and Women’s foul weather jackets with a 2.5 layer nylon shell. Waterproof, windproof with breathable internal water-resistant stretch cuffs, a roll-out hood with reflective patches and internal taped seams, and moves with your head.
Lastly, another option is to check out eBay for second-hand regatta sailing gear.
Marine Accessories for Foul Weather
Remember to bring binoculars onboard with you to get a closer look at distant objects such as wildlife, other ships, coastal features, and scenery from your balcony or deck.
Footwear
On a yacht you spend a lot of time standing. Bring shoes with good, solid non-slip soles for wet metal or wood decks. Choose sensible flat shoes with good grip, plus tall sailing boots or wellies. Bring extra pairs of socks to wear in case you get wet or cold feet.
Above: Aegir Ocean Boot Gaitor is the perfect boot for the professional sailor looking for the best in class weather protection, grip, insulation and comfort. It has a fully waterproof, rubber upper with a protective and abrasion resistant gaitor. Image via Helly Hanson.
Brimmed Hats
A lot of heat is lost through your head. A brimmed sun hat keeps the wind and water out of your face, and you could pack a woolly hat for added warmth. Pack lightly, and in a soft duffel bag that can be collapsed and stowed, rather than a rigid suitcase.
How do you measure a garment's waterproof rating?
A small piece of fabric is placed under a column of water and measured in millimeters (mm). A high rating means that a garment is very waterproof. For example, A 20,000 mm is a waterproof rating that indicates a fabric is highly water resistant and can withstand heavy rain, wet snow, and high pressure. It's suitable for activities where you'll be out all day in all conditions, carrying a heavy load. 5,000 mm is the minimum rating for a jacket to be considered rainproof, but it can't withstand much more than a light shower 10,000 mm–15,000 mm can withstand downpours and heavy snowfall, but if subjected to endurance it will eventually soak through.
