Waterproof Breathable Jackets

Most waterproof jackets are less waterproof than the label suggests. Most breathable waterproof jackets are less breathable than you’d hope when you’re working hard in the rain. The brands that have actually solved both problems didn’t do it for hikers, cyclists or commuters – they did it for sailors.

Musto, Gill, Helly Hansen and Henri Lloyd have been engineering high-performance waterproof and breathable jackets for offshore and ocean sailing since the 1970s. Their jackets are tested in conditions the hiking and outdoor markets rarely face: sustained wind-driven spray at sea, salt water saturation, hard sun and UV degradation over multi-day passages. If a jacket can hold up out there, it will hold up anywhere.

What “waterproof” actually means – and what it doesn’t

A jacket’s waterproofing is measured by its hydrostatic head rating: the height in millimetres of a water column the fabric can resist before it leaks. Most budget outdoor jackets reach 5,000mm. A decent hiking shell might hit 10,000mm. The inshore sailing jackets in this range start at 10,000mm; offshore jackets reach 20,000mm or beyond.

But the fabric rating is only part of it. Budget waterproofs are stitched, which leaves needle holes where water can track through under sustained pressure. The jackets here use fully taped or welded seams throughout – the same construction required for offshore racing class certification.

What “breathable” actually means

Breathability is measured by the MVTR rating: the amount of water vapour a fabric can transmit outward per square metre per 24 hours. The fabrics used here – Gore-Tex Pro, Gore-Tex Active, Musto’s High Performance Exchange laminate, Gill’s 4-layer hydrophilic laminate – are calibrated for high physical output in cold, wet conditions.

In practical terms: you will not overheat inside a quality sailing jacket the way you might in a standard shell. A waterproof windproof jacket from Musto or Gill meets the same requirement as a high-end hiking or cycling shell.

Features designed for real conditions

When conditions can change in an instant, you need a jacket that can keep up. On our range of jackets, you can expect to find: fully adjustable hoods with a peak brim designed to maintain peripheral vision in driving rain; cuffs that seal tight against the wrist to stop water getting in; underarm ventilation zips; and fabrics tested for UV degradation and getting soaked in both salt and fresh water.

Lightweight options – the inshore and coastal range

If you want a lightweight breathable waterproof jacket for hiking, commuting, cycling or general outdoor use, the inshore and coastal ranges are the place to look. The lightweight breathable waterproof jacket options from Musto (BR1), Gill (Coastal) and Helly Hansen (Salt Inshore, Pier jacket) are light and easy to wear day-to-day. For men, a lightweight breathable waterproof jacket men’s option from the Musto or Gill inshore range will match or better anything from the general outdoor market at the same price.

For men and women

Every brand in this range produces dedicated fits for men and women. Same great performance, just different cuts available in a range of sizes for all body shapes.

Browse the full range below, or take a look at our waterproof sailing jackets for the complete technical jacket range.

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