Investing in a good quality waterproof sailing jacket is a necessity for all sailors. When you are out on the water, you are relentlessly exposed to the elements, so ensuring that you choose a sailing jacket that is able to stand up to the relentless wind, rain and sun needs to be a top priority. Therefore, choosing the best sailing jacket for your specific type of sailing or season is essential. However, this can often be a challenge, which is why we have put together the best sailing jackets for different types of sailing that cater for a range of budgets.
Best Offshore Sailing Jackets
Whether you are planning your maiden voyage out on the sea or if you consider yourself to be an experienced offshore sailor, ensuring that you have a good quality offshore sailing jacket is essential. Offshore jackets are required to protect you in the harshest conditions and so tend to cost more than inshore jackets, however you are afforded a lot more functionality.
If you’re looking for the best offshore sailing jacket, the options below are built for unthinkable conditions. There’s an offshore sailor in everyone with the right gear. Shop by brand below.
We’ve selected jackets that have sustained heavy weather, multi-day passages and wind-driven spray that would defeat an inshore jacket within hours – all rated to 20,000mm hydrostatic head or above, with fully taped seams, reinforced high-cut collars and storm hoods.
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Best Offshore Sailing Jackets Under £350 For Men & Women
Men’s Musto BR2 Offshore Jacket
Musto is one of the best brands to consider when purchasing a sailing jacket. The Musto BR2 Offshore Jacket is ideal for those on a tighter budget but who do not want to sacrifice on quality. The men’s BR2 Offshore offers high levels of breathability and waterproofness, making it the ideal choice for those sailing in inclement weather.
There are also double cuffs, an adjustable hem and a double storm flap for higher levels of dryness. This is complemented by a technical fleece-lined collar to provide greater levels of warmth when out on the waves.
Women’s Musto BR2 Offshore Jacket
The women’s Musto BR2 offshore jacket offers the wearer high levels of comfort, visibility and protection. The bestselling range by Musto has long been favoured by sailors around the world and ensures that you will be storm-proof if out exposed to the elements. Both the collar and hood are fleece-lined to ensure that you are kept comfortable and protected in the harshest conditions at sea.
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Men’s Gill OS2 Offshore Jacket
The men’s Gill OS2 offshore jacket is a diverse offshore jacket that is suitable for both a day out at sea or an extended voyage. It has a double-layered laminate fabric to create a water and windproof protective shell. This is enhanced by a thermal collar to provide you with comfort and warmth when you need it the most. Moisture is wicked away from the skin thanks to the combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic technology to ensure full protection against the elements.
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Women’s Gill OS2 Offshore Jacket
As with the men’s version of the jacket, the women’s Musto MPX Pro is one of the best women’s offshore sailing jackets available. This sailing jacket offers the exceptional levels of quality that you have come to expect from a Musto MPX jacket but takes it to the next level and offers a new generation in offshore protection with reduced weight for enhanced freedom of movement when on deck. If you’re looking for a women’s offshore that you can rely on in even the toughest of elements, this is the best women’s sailing jacket for you.
Best OFFSHORE SAILING JACKETS UNDER £700 FOR MEN & WOMEN
Men’s Musto MPX Gore-Tex Pro Offshore Jacket
The men’s Musto MPX Gore-Tex Pro Offshore jacket provides supreme levels of comfort with a 3-layer Gore-Text fabric to provide unrivalled waterproof protection while being breathable to ensure that you are comfortable in all weathers. These levels of comfort are enhanced by a heat retentive grid fleece-lined funnel and hood pod. The men’s Musto MPX Gore-Tex Pro is one of the best men’s offshore sailing jackets that you can buy and comes with a 250g reduction in weight compared to previous models.
Women’s Musto MPX Gore-Tex Pro Offshore Jacket
As with the men’s version of the jacket, the women’s Musto MPX Pro is one of the best women’s offshore sailing jackets available. This sailing jacket offers the exceptional levels of quality that you have come to expect from a Musto MPX jacket but takes it to the next level and offers a new generation in offshore protection with reduced weight for enhanced freedom of movement when on deck. If you’re looking for a women’s offshore that you can rely on in even the toughest of elements, this is the best women’s sailing jacket for you.
Best Gore-Tex Sailing Jacket
If you’re specifically looking for the best Gore-Tex sailing jacket, the technology appears across both the Musto and Henri Lloyd offshore ranges in this price bracket. The Musto MPX Gore-Tex Pro jackets use Gore-Tex Pro – the highest-performance Gore-Tex membrane, with the highest moisture vapour transmission rate of any Gore-Tex variant. These are the best Gore-Tex sailing jackets for high-output racing sailors who need maximum breathability alongside full offshore waterproofing.
What is the difference between the Musto MPX and BR2?
The Musto MPX is the performance racing jacket in Musto’s offshore range. It is lighter, more articulated and built for racing sailors who need unrestricted movement at the cost of some robustness.
The BR2 is the cruising offshore jacket so it is heavier-duty and built for extended passages rather than race-day performance. If you’re mostly racing, choose the MPX. If not, the BR2.
How does the Musto BR2 compare to the Gill OS2?
Both are strong offshore jackets in a similar price bracket. The Musto BR2 uses BR2 laminate technology with fully taped seams and a fleece-lined collar; the Gill OS2 uses a double-layered hydrophilic laminate with Gill’s own moisture-management technology.
The BR2 tends to run a bit warmer, while the OS2 is often preferred for its cut and articulation in active sailing positions. Both pass the same offshore specification requirements. If you are choosing between them, it will come down to fit preference and brand loyalty as much as technical specification.
Best INSHORE Sailing Jackets
Inshore jackets are designed to be worn when you are in port or on land and require a sailing jacket that is fully waterproof yet versatile. This type of sailing jacket tends to be slightly more stylish than offshore jackets, but they still offer the wearer strong levels of protection when exposed to the elements.
Best INSHORE SAILING JACKETS UNDER £200 FOR MEN & WOMEN
Men’s Musto BR1 Channel Jacket
The men’s Musto BR1 is the best budget inshore sailing jacket for men that does not compromise on quality. It’s the perfect jacket for daily sailing out on the coast and inshore; it is strong and durable enough to offer you the wind and waterproof protection you require. It features an integrated rollaway hood to protect you from the rain and spray when out on the water. There is also a mesh lining and fleece-lined collar to offer you comfort and warmth when it turns a touch colder. This inshore men’s jacket is stylish enough to wear both on-deck and when out for the day in the city.
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Women’s Musto BR1 Inshore Jacket
The women’s B1 Inshore jacket also provides the strong levels of protection seen in the men’s version thanks to Musto’s BR1 standard, which ensures that this women’s inshore jacket will withstand persistent downpours of rain. The jacket is mesh lined to provide high levels of comfort against the skin and provides improved air circulation to help keep you comfortable on deck.
For more options using the BR1 technology, our dedicated women’s sailing jackets page covers the full range of inshore and offshore options in women’s-specific cuts from Musto, Gill and Helly Hansen and more.
Here are all your FAQ's on sailing jackets answered:
What is an inshore sailing jacket?
An inshore sailing jacket is designed for short coastal trips where the weather is changeable but not extreme. These jackets are lightweight, flexible and easy to pack. Inshore jackets are perfect for day sails, coastal cruising & regattas.
What is an offshore sailing jacket?
An offshore sailing jacket is made for big water and big weather. They use heavier-duty waterproof fabrics, reinforced panels, higher collars, storm flaps and deeper hoods to protect you during long passages and rough conditions.
What's the difference between a sailing jacket and a standard waterproof jacket?
A sailing jacket is built to handle wind-driven spray, sudden squalls and long hours at the helm. The seams are fully taped, the collars are much taller, the cuffs are sealed tighter and the fabric is specifically engineered to be both waterproof and breathable. Standard waterproofs usually fall short when you're dealing with constant exposure to salt water and wind.
What waterproof rating shall I look for?
For inshore sailing, anything from 10,000-15,000mm hydrostatic head is sufficient. Offshore sailing typically demands 20,000 mm or higher. That rating indicates how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before it leaks. Check out our video on how sailing jackets are tested, explaining in simple terms what Hydrostatic head ratings are.
How do I look after my sailing jacket?
Use a gentle wash, skip fabric softener (it can affect waterproof membranes), and re-proof occasionally with a durable water repellent treatment. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the labels. Our jacket cleaners and reproofers range covers the specialist treatments that will keep your sailor jacket performing.