What To Wear For Offshore Sailing

Offshore sailing is a different beast from keeping the land in sight. The conditions can stop feeling temporary at a rapid pace, and while inshore sailing often allows you to head back to shore or change layers quickly, a passage offshore demands clothing that can adapt quickly.

Offshore, a short spell of rain becomes hours of exposure to the elements. Then, there are temperature changes from day to night to contend with. It’s not long before you realise just how important what you are wearing is.

However, when it comes to what to wear for offshore sailing, there is still a balance to strike. Your kit needs to be technical enough to deal with heavy weather but versatile enough to allow you to perform during more active periods on deck. To help you understand this further, we’ve broken down exactly what to wear for offshore sailing in this guide, diving into the right approach to layering to ensure that you’re prepared when conditions shift.

Offshore vs Inshore Sailing Clothing

If you’re transitioning to offshore sailing from a closer-to-home discipline, you’re not alone. Inshore sailing is the obvious entry point for sailing, with offshore sailing its obvious extension for those looking for a different approach.

There is clear overlap between the two and certainly a case for doing both, but a misunderstanding of the difference between offshore vs inshore sailing clothing is often what creates much of the confusion surrounding what to wear for offshore sailing.

Inshore sailing demands a clothing system designed around shorter periods on the water. The conditions are usually lighter, but movement levels are usually higher. In short, this means that sailing clothing, which is breathable and lightweight, will take priority. 

Offshore sailing clothing absolutely still needs these qualities. However, it also has to manage repeated exposure over longer periods, not to mention the ability to perform both day and night over longer expeditions. That said, the goal isn’t maximum protection at all costs, like ocean sailing clothing. Some balance has to be struck between technical performance and versatility.

Where To Start - Choosing An Offshore Sailing Jacket

When you’re on a dinghy, you can probably get away without an outer layer and getting wet from time to time. This is not the case for offshore sailing, and a proper heavy weather sailing jacket forms the backbone of what to wear.

With a balance between protection and performance in mind, a good offshore sailing jacket needs to be able to manage prolonged exposure to wind and rain while still allowing freedom to do your thing around the boat. That’s why we have developed our OS2 Offshore Sailing Clothing System, with a central OS2 Offshore Jacket, to deliver uncompromising waterproof protection and enhanced visibility when it matters most.

The OS2 Offshore system provides dependable protection without bulk or stiffness by utilising XPLORE® waterproof and breathable fabric technology, designed to deliver reliable waterproof performance while still allowing heat and moisture to escape during more active periods. A PFAS-free water-repellent finish also helps prevent the outer fabric from wetting out during sustained exposure.

It's been shaped heavily by real offshore sailing feedback and developed using insight from 269 OS2 sailors alongside more than 140 Gill reviews. Fabrics are hydrostatic head tested to 20,000mm and subjected to continuous abrasion testing, including a 4-hour Martindale abrasion test that reflects repeated wear in offshore environments.

OS2 Offshore Jacket Overview

The foundation of what to wear for offshore sailing - our OS2 Offshore Jacket - has been designed specifically for when you need comfort and protection over long periods of wear. Coupled with the already covered technical foundations of the OS2 range, a high-cut collar and adjustable hood system help to reduce exposure, while reflective detailing and high-visibility elements become increasingly valuable overnight and in low-light conditions.

Of course, a jacket alone is only one part of the equation. The OS2 Offshore Trousers complete the offshore sailing clothing system, providing dependable protection against wet decks and the repeated spray of long passages.

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What To Wear Underneath

Your offshore sailing jacket can only do so much on its own. The principles of layering that you might already be familiar with absolutely apply here. After all, layers underneath your outer layer are what help regulate body temperature and manage moisture as you navigate the open ocean.

A technical base layer top and trousers, like our core Base Layer range, should form the starting point and move sweat and moisture away from the skin before it becomes uncomfortable. Mid layers then provide insulation on top, with the flexibility to add or remove as temperatures shift offshore.

Offshore Sailing Boots

Your choice of footwear becomes increasingly important when deciding what to wear for offshore sailing. Particularly once decks stay wet and you’re spending longer periods on foot, you’ll need to move away from any neoprene water shoes and towards specialist offshore sailing boots with dependable grip and waterproof protection.

Our OS Sailing Boots represent the latest innovation of Gill offshore footwear. Built using a fully waterproof construction with a reinforced sole, heel and instep, they expertly provide the support and grip needed when movement naturally becomes more unpredictable offshore. Unlike bulkier designs, the OS Sailing Boots also feel noticeably agile and supportive as you spend more time on deck.

Offshore Sailing Gloves

It’s also easy to overlook the importance of the right gloves until your hands have already felt the consequences. Gloves are pretty essential, given that offshore sailing brings repeated rope handling which, coupled with wet conditions and colder temperatures, can impact grip and dexterity. 

As you finalise what to wear for offshore sailing, choose gloves with added grip and long finger coverage, like our Pro Long Finger Sailing Gloves. Dura-Grip fabric on the palms and fingers provides the dependable grip you need, while extended coverage offers additional protection when your hands are exposed on long passages.

Final Tips

Ultimately, what to wear for offshore sailing all comes down to handling unpredictability. Calm stretches become rougher weather in a flash, and when you add rougher weather into the mix, you need a well-built clothing system that can cope with changing demands. The Gill OS2 offshore sailing clothing system has been the go-to choice in these conditions for decades, and remains the trusted choice as you’re deciding what to wear for your next expedition.