A good sailing jacket does three jobs, in this order: it stops the wind, it keeps water out, and it lets you move. On top of that it needs a few details that only matter on a boat: a high collar or a hood, cuffs and a hem you can close, and pockets that zip shut. For most coastal day sailing, that means one of two jackets: a softshell for dry, windy days and a water-resistant or waterproof shell with a hood for days with rain. Here is how to tell them apart and how to choose.
What a sailing jacket has to do
On the water you lose heat faster than on land. The wind is stronger and steadier, there is no shelter, and spray finds every gap. A jacket that feels fine on a walk round town can feel thin after an hour on deck. So before looking at colours or fit, check four things:
- Wind: is the fabric windproof, or does the air go straight through?
- Water: is it water-repellent, water-resistant or waterproof? These are not the same thing.
- Breathability: can moisture from your body get out, or will you end up damp from the inside?
- Movement: can you reach up, pull a rope and sit on the side without the jacket riding up?
Wind first: why a windproof layer matters
Most days at sea are not rainy, but almost all of them are windy. That is why the first jacket many sailors reach for is a windproof softshell rather than a rain jacket. If you want to know how strong the wind will be, our guide to the Beaufort scale explains each force in knots.
The Stortex softshell jacket is a good example of this type. According to its product page it has three layers: a hydrophobic outer face, a breathable middle layer and a soft micro-fleece lining, with a windproof, water-repellent finish. It has a high double-layer collar with a chin guard and an elastic drawcord hem, so you can close the gaps the wind uses. It is the jacket for a cold, bright morning on the pontoon or a breezy afternoon with no rain in the forecast.
What a softshell does not do is replace a rain jacket. A water-repellent finish makes drops roll off for a while; it is not built to keep out steady rain for hours. We compare the two types in detail in softshell or rain jacket: which one for the boat.
Water: repellent, resistant or waterproof
Labels use these words loosely, so it helps to know what each one usually means:
- Water-repellent: a finish on the outer fabric that makes water bead and roll off. It wears down with use and washing.
- Water-resistant: the fabric holds off light rain and spray for a while, but water can get through under pressure or over time.
- Waterproof: the fabric, and ideally the seams and zips, keep water out even under pressure. Makers usually back this with a number.
That number is often given in millimetres. It comes from the hydrostatic pressure test described in the international standard ISO 811: a column of water presses on the fabric and the result is the height the column reaches before water gets through. The higher the figure, the more pressure the fabric can take, for example when you sit on a wet deck or a wave hits your shoulder.
The London waterproof hooded jacket is the one in our range with these figures on its product page: a stretch fabric with a TPU membrane that resists water up to 3,000 mm and breathes at 1,000 g/m²/24h, which is the amount of water vapour that can pass through a square metre of fabric in a day. It also has laser-cut waterproof zips, an adjustable drawcord hood and stretch ribbed cuffs. It is not padded, so you can wear a warm layer underneath when it is cold.
The Sarbon hooded rain jacket sits in between: its product page describes it as water-resistant and windproof, with a breathable mesh lining, and it packs down small, which helps when locker space is tight.
One honest note: technical offshore gear is built for hours of spray and breaking water and has its own construction. A jacket like London is meant for rainy days on land and short coastal outings, not for an ocean crossing.
Details that make a difference on deck
Two jackets with the same fabric can feel very different on a boat. These are the details worth checking:
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hood with a drawcord | A loose hood blows off or blocks your view. A drawcord keeps it in place. |
| High collar and chin guard | Closes the gap at the neck, which is where wind and spray get in first. |
| Adjustable cuffs | Stops water running down your arms when you reach up. |
| Drawcord or elastic hem | Keeps the jacket from riding up and lets you seal out the wind. |
| Zipped pockets | Keys, phone and wallet stay in the jacket when you lean over the side. |
| Interior pocket | A drier place for the things that must not get wet. |
Which jacket for which day
If you only buy one jacket, think about the weather you sail in most. For a typical autumn on the Galician coast, this is a simple way to decide:
| The day | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Dry and windy | A windproof softshell such as Stortex. |
| Showers on and off | A light hooded shell such as Sarbon or London. |
| Steady rain | A waterproof jacket with a hood and waterproof zips, such as London. |
| Cold and dry | Softshell over a warm middle layer, for example the Zipes half-zip sweatshirt or the Sogilet stretch vest. |
| Cold in port | A padded coat such as the Oceania quilted parka; see quilted jacket or parka. |
For a full head-to-toe list, our guide on what to wear sailing covers base layers, footwear and what to pack. You can see every outer layer we stock in the jackets and coats collection.
Fit: leave room for a layer
A sailing jacket should fit over whatever you wear underneath on a cold day, without being so loose that it flaps in the wind. A few practical checks:
- Try it with a sweatshirt or a vest underneath, not just a T-shirt.
- Reach both arms forward and up: the cuffs should not pull far up your wrists.
- Sit down and lean forward: the back should still cover your lower back.
- Each product page has a size chart in centimetres for length and chest. Lay a jacket you already like flat, measure it and compare.
Finally, a jacket keeps you warm and dry, but it is not a buoyancy aid. If you wear a lifejacket on board, it goes on top of your outer layer.
Common questions
Is a softshell enough for sailing?
On dry, windy days, yes. A softshell blocks the wind and copes with light spray, but for steady rain you need a hooded water-resistant or waterproof shell.
What does 3,000 mm mean on a jacket?
It is the result of a hydrostatic pressure test like the one in ISO 811: the height of a water column the fabric holds before water gets through. Higher means more resistant under pressure.
What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant?
Water-resistant fabric holds off light rain for a while; waterproof fabric keeps water out under pressure, and good waterproof jackets also seal their zips and seams.
Should a sailing jacket have a hood?
For rainy days, yes, ideally one with a drawcord so it stays on in the wind. On dry days a high collar with a chin guard is often enough.
Should I size up for a sailing jacket?
Not necessarily. Check the size chart and make sure there is room for a middle layer; a jacket that is too big lets the wind in.