Inside the lab where Gill pushes sailing gear beyond industry standards
We’re proud to unveil a new global brand campaign that brings to life the rigorous testing behind the equipment trusted by sailors and boaters around the world.
Titled Beyond Tested, the campaign offers a rare look inside the engineering and validation processes that sit behind Gill’s technical marine apparel — where fabrics, seams and garment construction are pushed beyond industry testing standards before ever reaching the water.
For more than 50 years, Gill has developed clothing designed to perform across a wide range of marine disciplines — from offshore racing and coastal cruising to dinghy sailing and powerboating. Central to that work is a commitment to testing beyond industry benchmarks, both in controlled laboratory environments and through real-world use at sea.
The new campaign brings that work into focus through a campaign film and supporting content featuring Gill ambassadors across multiple disciplines, including Conrad Colman (IMOCA, Auckland, New Zealand), Aina Bauza (Class40, Spain), Helena Mills Bowers (WASZP, UK) and Marie Barrue (ILCA 6, France).
The content highlights how garments are subjected to demanding lab tests before being proven in real conditions on the water. The message behind the campaign is simple; when sailors head out on the water, they should be able to trust their gear.
John Hibbard, Gill CEO, said:
"For more than five decades our focus has been designing equipment that performs in real marine environments. Testing is fundamental to that process. The Beyond Tested campaign allows us to show the work that goes on behind the scenes — pushing materials and construction beyond industry standards so our customers can head out on the water with confidence."
Matt Clark, Gill Product Development and Sustainability Director, said:
"Beyond Tested means the product is scrutinised at every level – engineered in our UK design hub, built correctly in the factory, pushed hard in the lab, and proven in the hands of sailors and boaters who depend on it. "Our lab allows us to push garments to breaking point, but time on the water tells us how they actually perform. That combination is where real performance is built."
Alongside the campaign, we’ve also launched a new global e-commerce platform built on Shopify, providing an enhanced digital experience for customers exploring the Gill product range and the engineering behind it.
The Beyond Tested campaign will roll out globally across digital platforms, retail environments and social channels throughout 2026. Watch the campaign video below.
