Layering for Offshore Sailing

Layering for Offshore Sailing

6 minutes

Offshore sailing means being ready for whatever comes your way. Before you set sail, packing the right offshore sailing gear is essential for keeping your journey smooth and safe.

From multiple days to challenging sea states, when you're far from shore, you want to ensure you have everything you need—including the right sailing layering system and marine clothing for all conditions—close at hand. Whether it’s cold-weather sailing or rough seas, having waterproof sailing gear can make all the difference.

Baselayers: Moisture Wicking & Warmth

Baselayers (next-to-skin layers) are an essential part of any sailing layering system, helping regulate your body temperature and manage moisture. They do this by wicking moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable, whether staying warm during cold-weather sailing or cool in warmer conditions.

During offshore sailing, baselayers are a crucial component of offshore sailing gear. They help prevent chafing, provide extra insulation, and work seamlessly with other marine clothing to protect against extended exposure to the elements.

By keeping your core temperature stable, base layers enhance your comfort and safety on the open ocean, making them a fundamental part of any effective sailing layering system.

For those who opt for dry suits as their outer layer protection when offshore sailing, our one-piece Kazan Dry Suit Liner uses Bluesign® certified body-mapped gridded fleece for a robust sailing layering system that eliminates bunching and cold spots as you move.

EXPLORE KAZAN LINERS

Extra thermal layers for your head are just as important as those for your body. Our Headwind Thermal Hat and Balaclava are essential additions to any sailing layering system or marine clothing collection. Made with moisture-wicking OEKO-TEX®-certified sustainable gridded polyester fleece, they’re designed to fit perfectly under your hood.

Ideal for cold-weather sailing, these options provide the flexibility you need—choose between head-only coverage or full-face protection. Perfect for pairing with waterproof sailing gear to keep you warm and dry.


SHOP HEADWIND PRODUCTS

The Watchkeeper Knit Beanie is an excellent addition to your sailing layering system, perfect for cold-weather sailing when extra warmth and coziness are needed.

Our Mariner Fleece Lined Toque uses a wool and acrylic blend to deliver warmth in a marine clothing essential we designed to fit everyone. Wear it on its own or as part of a waterproof sailing gear combo under the hood of your jacket.

UV Clothing: Protection from the Sun

Spending long days out on the water means you need all the UV protection you can get. Along with sunscreen, wearing marine clothing with a high UPF rating is key to staying safe under the sun.

But what exactly is a UPF rating? It's a way to measure how effectively a fabric blocks UV radiation from reaching your skin. The higher the rating, the better the protection.

DISCOVER ADELPHI UV GEAR

waterproof and breathable outer layers

Our wicking, antibacterial Adelphi UV Hooded L/S offers 50+ UPF protection, making it the ideal offshore sailing gear. Pull up the hood to protect your neck and head, and use the thumbholes to ensure your arms have full coverage as you move about. It's an essential piece of any pro’s sailing layering system, offering both comfort and protection.

Protect your neck and face on the water with our Adelphi UV Neck Gaiter. Skip the burn with this wicking, antibacterial gaiter with UPF 50+ protection, making it another must-have for marine clothing and ideal for those in cold-weather sailing conditions.

Our selection of hats offers more than just style. Each keeps the glare out of your eyes and the sun off your head on those hot days. Choose from our 5 Panel Hat, Floater Hat, and Baseball Mesh-back Hat—which floats, so you won't lose it on windy days. 

Our hands can take a beating on the water, which is why we developed our Traction UV Open Finger Gloves. Lightweight polyester and spandex knit with UV treated yarns shield your hands from the sun. Extended fabric on the index fingers guards against blisters and cuts, while AX Suede G-Series overlays protect the palms. 

Mid-layers: Insulation & Heat Generation 

When it comes to staying warm out on the water, it's all about your mid-layers. These pieces insulate and help you generate heat in cold conditions. Choose mid-layers that are lightweight and breathable, giving you the warmth you need without sacrificing mobility.

Our Torrens Hooded Thermal Jacket and Torrens Thermal Crew Jacket are mid-layers designed specifically for wear on the water. Using body-mapped thermoregulating Polartec® Alpha® they deliver insulation that retains heat even when wet, making them perfect for cold-weather sailing. Hydrophobic properties and lofted fibers on a mesh core mean these jackets are quick-drying and highly breathable. The DWR finish delivers protection from light rain and spray, giving you versatility to skip the outer layer on milder days.


SHOP TORRENS COLLECTION

Outer Layers: Protection from the Elements

Your outer layers stand between you and the harsh conditions out on the water. They shield you against wind, rain, and other elements.

For serious offshore sailing gear, you need outer layers that are both waterproof and breathable. A good offshore jacket, smock, or salopette will keep you dry and comfortable, no matter the weather.

The EP 6.5 Ocean Racing collection features exclusive, durable, breathable, and waterproof sailing gear, made with Mil Spec 6.5 GORE-TEX Fabric to provide the absolute best outer protection in high-intensity offshore sailing environments. 

Each piece is available in an extended range from XS to 2XL, making it the preferred choice for more users, including women. Whether you're building a sailing layering system or shopping for marine clothing, mix and match between unique features to create a head-to-toe waterproof solution.

Our versatile EP 6.5 Ocean Dry Top can be worn in sailing climates thanks to its innovative removable hood with integrated face coverage. Its added length, neoprene inner skirt, and latex wrist and neck seals provide maximum protection, making it a great addition to your sailing layering system.

The unique removable high-visibility hood on our EP 6.5 Ocean Jacket minimizes bulk and has clear peripheral windows to block out spray while you keep an eye on evolving conditions. A fully integrated face cover tucks into the collar when not in use, making it ideal for cold-weather sailing.

The EP 6.5 Ocean Smock features watertight latex wrist seals and a neoprene waist seal to prevent water ingress in rain and rough seas. We built this lightweight smock to enhance your performance during offshore sailing  adventures.

EP 6.5 Ocean Racing Salopette adapts to you with adjustable straps at the shoulders, waist, and knees. The design allows room to pile on extra layers for the night watch or gear up for a squall. Oversized dump pockets, removable knee pads, and abrasion-resistant seat, knees, and hem make this salopette an essential piece of waterproof sailing gear for offshore use.


EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

Waterproof Jacket without restricting mobility or comfort


Constructed with our rugged 3-layer
Marine Spec BP fabric and YKK® AQUASEAL® zippers, our Meris collection is 100% waterproof and has a proven design that keeps you dry in unforgiving conditions. Each item is available in an extended size range from XS to XL, making them the preferred choice for more users, including women.

The Meris Waterproof Jacket uses a neoprene inner lapping cuff system to keep water out, and the relaxed fit allows for necessary layers without restricting mobility or comfort. But we didn’t stop there- a stowable hood and peripheral windows make it easy to see what's ahead, making it a key part of your marine clothing solution. 

The Meris Waterproof Spray Top has a neoprene neck gasket that allows one-handed venting to control your temperature. The design ensures you stay dry while maintaining freedom of movement as part of your sailing layering system.

Bridge the gap between agility and durability with our Meris Waterproof Salopette. Its minimalist, lightweight design, made from durable fabric, withstands variable offshore conditions, making it a reliable piece of offshore sailing gear.

SHOP MERIS

Gloves that give grip in strong and cold conditions

Sailing Gloves: Hand Protection

Offshore sailing really puts your hands to the test, gripping ropes and handling gear, so a solid pair of gloves is essential. This functional piece of marine clothing shields your hands from blisters and rope burns. Best of all, it’ll keep your fingers warm and dry, and give you the grip you need in tough conditions.

In colder weather, full-fingered neoprene gloves are your best bet for staying warm, while in warmer conditions, open-fingered gloves offer more flexibility and dexterity.

Our EP 3250 Full Finger Gloves are the most dependable racing gloves on the market. Get a strong grip in wet conditions with the heavy-duty PVC overlay on the palms. Moulded 3mm neoprene keeps your hands warm in and out of the water. Available in full finger and open-finger fingerless, a snag-free silicon grip closure tucks under your wrist and guarantees a secure fit.

Keep the warmth in your hands with 2.5mm of neoprene on the back of our Traction Closed Finger Gloves. The abrasion-resistant AX Suede G-Series at the palm provides excellent grip in the wet, and a fold-back thumb, index, and middle fingers allow for additional dexterity.

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