Waterproofs test: Eleven of the latest bad-weather outfits put through their paces
On summer boat trips, bad-weather clothing usually remains stowed away deep in the locker. However, as soon as it starts to rain or rough weather sets in with persistent spray, oilskins become the crew’s most important form of protection. There are enormous differences in weight, features and price between spartan, lightweight inshore models and heavy offshore gear.
For motorboat enthusiasts, choosing the right clothing depends heavily on the type of boat: those sitting in an open boat or a vessel with low freeboard, exposed to spray, need significantly more protection than crews on a large yacht with a protective flybridge or a fixed deckhouse.
Candidates
What waterproof gear does the average motorboat owner really need? Eleven sets from seven manufacturers were put through their paces. From the offshore sector: Gill OS1 Ocean, Henri-Lloyd Ocean Pro (with jacket, bib and smock), Helly Hansen Ægir Race 2.0, Skagen Offshore and Pier 4.0 and Slam Ocean. In the coastal and inshore segment: Marinepool Sunderland FL3, Musto LPX Gore-Tex 2.0, Helly Hansen HP Foil Flyer, Slam OD Hooded and Zhik Inshore 400.
Manufacturers divide their oilskins into three categories: Offshore, Coastal and Inshore. Some garments also carry the ‘Race’ designation. Offshore oilskins, such as the Helly Hansen Ægir Race 2.0, are designed for extreme conditions on deep-sea voyages. Very few recreational skippers ever encounter such scenarios. Nevertheless, offshore oilskins can be a sensible choice: anyone who regularly sails in rough seas and cannot choose their weather will benefit from maximum protection. Even those who sail out of season – in autumn, in winter, or in cold water – need more than just light summer gear. Offshore oilskins are heavier, warmer and more expensive. They feature a much higher collar, double cuffs with a PU coating, sturdy knee pads and waterproof pockets.
These details add weight and cost, but they pay off in tough conditions. Coastal oilskins are the compromise choice for the majority of cruising sailors. Reliable protection for normal conditions: coastal sailing, weekend trips, occasional spells of bad weather. The collar is higher than on inshore models, but not as bulky as on offshore versions.
Lightweight and quick-drying
Inshore oilskins are designed for active use: fast sailing, training, and summer coastal cruises. They are extremely lightweight, thin and breathable. Models such as the Musto LPX Gore-Tex 2.0 or the Helly Hansen HP Foil Flyer weigh less than 1.5 kilograms. They provide reliable protection from the rain but offer little warmth. Perfect for summer cruises – quickly slipped on as soon as it rains, then taken off again afterwards. But inshore oilskins have their limitations. In spring or autumn, they don’t offer enough protection. The solution: either a second, warmer set of oilskins or a coastal model that does both. The choice also depends on the type of boat. On an open sports boat, where you’re constantly in the spray, you need more protection than on a large motor yacht with plenty of freeboard and a fixed windscreen. If you’re sitting well above the water and can take shelter when it rains, inshore oilskins should suffice in most cases.
Sturdy protective gear guarantees maximum protection on the water
Our offshore test winner: Henri-Lloyd Ocean Pro. Padded, anatomically shaped knees, a hood with transparent inserts for better visibility, and detachable storm flaps and cuffs. The smock has a neoprene cuff that remains watertight even in heavy spray. The fit is close-fitting but not restrictive. Every detail has been carefully considered. At just under 1,500 euros, the price is high, but justified for maximum offshore performance. The offshore models are, however, very closely matched. The Helly Hansen Ægir Race 2.0 (€1,600) also offers top performance with its mouldable visor and 4-millimetre-thick knee pads. The Gill OS1 Ocean is the best value for money in the offshore category: for 1,350 euros, you get a reliable offshore suit with an extremely high collar, four thermal pockets and an integrated multi-tool.
In the coastal category, the Sunderland FL3 from Marinepool is a solid choice. When evaluating this, it is important to bear in mind that coastal and inshore clothing offers fewer features than the offshore versions. Nevertheless, the Skagen Offshore is priced within the coastal segment. Here, the whole set costs as much as just the jacket of Gill’s OS1. Our inshore test winner: Musto LPX Gore-Tex 2.0. Very lightweight (1,230 grams in total), good fit with stretch panels on the shoulders, wide leg openings for boots. The only criticism: the hood adjustment with plastic fittings is fiddly.
For 1,238 euros, a super-lightweight and comfortable oilskin outfit for fast summer sailing. Closely followed by the Helly Hansen HP Foil Flyer (800 euros), weighing just 1.2 kilograms in total and featuring a hood that pivots perfectly. Inshore price tip: Slam OD Hooded Jacket and Long John. For €630, you get a very lightweight, breathable inshore oilskin set with a detachable hood and dual waist adjustment. The light colour is prone to showing dirt, but the set is perfectly adequate for summer sailing.
Good value for money for those on a tight budget
The best value for money choice is the Helly Hansen Pier 4.0: this oilskin set costs just 500 euros and is a pleasant surprise. The hood moves well with your head, and whilst the features are kept to the bare essentials, they are functional. The more affordable inshore oilskins also offer advantages: they take up very little space when packed, dry quickly and aren’t too warm. If it gets cold, you can still fit a mid-layer underneath. This makes them suitable for most sailing trips and weather conditions. The price differences are also due to the membranes used. Musto relies on Gore-Tex.
This is the most expensive and highest-performing solution. Manufacturers also offer their own designs, which likewise deliver very good performance figures. The most affordable option is a microporous coating on the inside. It fulfils the same function – sealing against water ingress whilst allowing water vapour to escape from the inside to the outside – but is not quite as effective. The question for motorboat enthusiasts is: how active am I really on board? If periods of very high activity alternate with periods of lower activity, breathability is crucial. After all, if sweat isn’t wicked away quickly, it will become damp and cold inside the oilskins.
A high-performance membrane is an advantage here. For many motorboat owners, however, more affordable options are also a viable choice, particularly in summer.
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The hood is the key detail, important for both weather protection and freedom of movement and visibility. It should move with you and be intuitive to use – even with cold, wet fingers. The best hoods feature dual adjustment and move smoothly with the head. Protection is a priority, particularly with offshore oilskins. Visibility is more quickly restricted because the chunky collar does not follow head movements as well. Helly Hansen, Henri-Lloyd and Slam solve this problem with vision panels in the hood’s brim. This is a real added benefit. All manufacturers provide abrasion-resistant reinforcements.
Many offshore models also provide additional support for the elbows, shoulders and arms. The knee pads on the Ægir Race and Slam Ocean are particularly noteworthy. They offer real comfort when working on your knees on deck. The Henri-Lloyd Ocean Pro has thinner pads, but these still provide noticeable support.
Special cuts for women
Most of the models tested are also available in women’s fits. These are often available in different colours or offer additional features such as a drop-seat function on the trousers, which makes using the toilet easier. The Helly Hansen Ægir Race 2.0, Skagen Offshore and Henri-Lloyd Ocean Pro all feature this function. The Slam Ocean is only available in a unisex version, whereas the Slam Foil is also available for women. The Musto LPX Gore-Tex 2.0 jacket is specifically designed for women, whilst the trousers are identical. The Marinepool Sunderland is entirely unisex. The Skagen Offshore and Pier 4.0 are available in women’s cuts. Fits should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but as a general rule: if the men’s version works well, the features are right and the hood fits, the women’s version will also work very well. An important point regarding the hood: women with long hair should check whether a plait fits inside the hood. The adjustment is crucial. If the hood isn’t easily adjustable, it will slip too far up onto the forehead when wearing a plait. We covered this aspect in our test.
Lightweight inshore models
After extensive testing, the clear recommendation is this: most cruising sailors are well served by inshore oilskins. The advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages on summer cruises. The low weight of 1.2 to 1.7 kilograms makes all the difference; you can wear them without breaking a sweat. They pack down so small that they take up hardly any space. After a shower, Inshore oilskins dry quickly overnight. The freedom of movement is excellent; you really notice the difference, especially during active manoeuvres. And the hoods usually move much more freely with you; there are no bulky collar constructions, just an unobstructed view.
The collar on offshore oilskins is essential in bad weather, but can quickly become a nuisance in milder conditions. It’s good if it’s detachable. Because as soon as it gets really cold or the weather turns properly nasty, offshore oilskins really come into their own. The high collar protects the face right down to the back of the head, cosy hand warmers keep frozen hands toasty, and a sturdy storm flap keeps spray and the cold out. Anyone who sails out of season, gets cold on night-time trips or regularly faces rough seas needs this protection. For regular touring paddlers, a good inshore or coastal model may be the more practical choice. However, anyone starting the season early, when it’s still cold, will definitely need to invest in a warm mid-layer (jacket and trousers).
Michael Rinck
Redakteur Test & Technik
