Autumn extends the season – provided the weather plays along. Even in September and October, mild days still tempt you out onto the water, but cold spells and rough conditions can set in at any time now.
You’ll be well prepared if you have the right clothing on board. In this article, we explain what makes good functional clothing. As the Norwegian saying goes: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
Well-dressed for the cold season
Staying dry and warm is the top priority and essential for safe and enjoyable sailing outside the summer season. Unlike our nautical forebears, who wore woollen underpants and jumpers, linen shirts, caps and tarred jackets (hence the term ‘oilskins’) as they rounded the capes or hauled in fish from the North Sea, we now have a wide range of functional clothing available to protect us from the elements. Anyone setting out to sea can kit themselves out with high-tech textiles from specialist nautical shops and the wider outdoor sector, and sail the Northwest Passage or the Antarctic without getting goosebumps.
This can be a sensible, albeit expensive, investment. However, an autumn sailing trip doesn’t necessarily have to put a big dent in the boat’s budget, as the basic idea for a warm and dry ‘off-season’ sailing experience is quite simple and can be achieved bit by bit using the sailing clothing you already own: the layering principle. This idea of wearing several layers of clothing made from different materials and with different properties has proved its worth in all outdoor activities and is also known as the ‘onion principle’.
The layered look
This involves layering garments made from a wide variety of materials and thicknesses, much like the individual layers of an onion. The advantage of this approach to dressing is that it allows body heat to be retained effectively, whilst at the same time enabling moisture in the form of water vapour to be wicked away from the body and outwards. In theory, three layers of fabric are sufficient for this; in practice, you can experiment with additional layers, depending on how sensitive you are to the cold, the outside temperature and the wind strength. It is important to take into account the specific properties of the textile fibres and to wear the material either close to the body or as the outermost layer, depending on its characteristics.
Base layers: It’s the basics that make all the difference
The base layer should be a thin, close-fitting garment that wicks moisture away from the body (Functional underwear). Manufacturers use materials such as polyester or polypropylene for this purpose; in recent years, wool – and merino wool in particular – has also become highly sought after. It combines the advantages of being warm, odour-resistant, moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Compared to synthetic alternatives, merino wool remains highly effective at keeping you warm even when wet. The reason: the wool can absorb up to 30 per cent of its own weight in moisture whilst still feeling cosy and warm. What’s more, this natural material prevents unpleasant body odour, as sheep’s fleece has natural antibacterial properties. Sweat odour doesn’t stand a chance. A benefit for the whole crew.
Whether high-tech synthetic fibres or woollen garments are worn next to the skin depends on personal comfort, budget and medical considerations such as allergies. Cotton is by no means suitable as a base layer. Whilst this fabric can absorb body moisture, it does not allow it to be transported outwards. The result: the body remains damp and, in the medium term, becomes chilled – a sure-fire recipe for maximum discomfort.
Mid-layer: The thermal layer
The insulating or thermal layer (mid-layer, softshell) is designed to retain body heat and repel the cold from outside. It must also be able to wick moisture away from the base layer to the outside. Suitable materials for this include fleece, merino wool or synthetic fibres, in the form of a jacket or jumper, often with an integrated hood.
Fleece is the most widely used material on the market. Clothing made from the synthetic fibre polyester offers many advantages for use as a mid-layer: it does not absorb water or moisture, keeps you warm, is lightweight and yet very durable. As polyester is easy to process, manufacturers have plenty of scope to offer fleece in a variety of shapes, styles and thicknesses. There is even fleece clothing produced sustainably from recycled PET bottles or old clothes. The only drawback is that odours can become unpleasant relatively quickly due to bacteria caused by sweat.
Merinowool: a miracle fibre
Merino wool is therefore also known as Mid-layer has become increasingly important and is often described as the all-rounder amongst natural fibres. This is because, compared to ordinary wool, the merino variety is almost completely itch-free due to its finer structure, and its water-repellent properties are greater thanks to increased lanolin production, whilst at the same time being lighter in weight. There are now also manufacturers who blend wool fibres with synthetics to create a composite fabric, in order to achieve a better fit and greater stability.
Another material option for the insulating mid-layer is down – albeit made from synthetic fibres. Genuine down clumps together when damp and is then unable to provide any warmth, whilst the thermal insulation of the synthetic microfibre alternative remains very high even in high humidity. As with goose down, this imitation has a three-dimensional structure. The weight and density therefore remain very low, whilst offering high comfort thanks to the material’s airiness and thermal performance.
The Hardshell: Protection from wind and weather
The weatherproof jacket (hardshell) as Jacket and Trousers is the outermost layer, which must wick body moisture and condensation (water vapour) outwards, whilst at the same time preventing damp and wind from getting in. What sounds like squaring the circle is now possible in modern textile manufacturing. The magic word is ‘breathability’, and this is achieved through membranes that are laminated onto the outer fabric. Various membrane technologies are available on the market (Gore-Tex, Texapore, Sympatex, etc.) and, in different ways, provide almost complete protection against water molecules penetrating the fabric during rain, melting snow and contact with seawater. At the same time, there is effective water vapour permeability, which allows moisture to be wicked away in the form of air molecules.
Hardshell jackets and trousers are available in various designs: three-layer fabric consists of an outer fabric, the membrane and the inner fabric, ensuring that the membrane is protected. The layers are laminated together in such a way that they function as a single unit, offering benefits in terms of comfort. Two-layer fabric consists of the membrane and the outer fabric, laminated together to form a single fabric. The protective, fine-mesh inner fabric is not bonded to the outer fabric, which creates the impression of greater volume; however, this does not actually result in any improvement in performance compared with the three-layer version.
Depending on the intended use and location of use, the surfaces of the hardshell layer are designed to be of varying degrees of robustness; each manufacturer employs its own specific material and design concept.
This also applies to the cuffs at the arms and legs, where neoprene cuffs or Velcro fastenings are used to prevent water from getting in.
Seams are largely avoided in modern clothing systems, as they would allow water to seep in at the needle entry points, much like a small leak. For this reason, the components are instead bonded or heat-sealed using film.
Conclusion: There is no single ‘perfect’ outfit for sailing in the colder months. Rather, it is the combination of different layers that keeps you warm and dry. The ‘layering’ principle offers great flexibility, allowing you to adapt to changes in temperature and weather conditions. Even during short but strenuous tasks such as reefing, stowing sails or an anchoring manoeuvre, you can quickly adapt to changes in body temperature by removing a layer of clothing. Fundamentally, the mid-layer plays a key role in this clothing strategy, as the weatherproof layer (hardshell) should always be worn in low temperatures to keep out wind and water.
Protection for hands and feet: a secure grip and warm toes
An unprotected head, hands or feet result in significant heat loss, which is why Hats, headbands, scarves and gloves Far more than just fashion accessories; they are essential for a winter sailing trip. A person can lose up to 50 per cent of their body heat through their head. This is prevented by a hat or a headband (e.g. fleece), as well as the hood and neck flap of a hardshell jacket. Neoprene gloves are a good choice for handling anchor chains or mooring lines. When at the helm or whilst on watch in the cockpit, however, water-repellent mittens are a cosy option.
These deck boots, made from breathable materials, ensure good grip on deck and keep your feet warm and dry. Choose a size that allows room for thick socks and warm insoles. When sitting for long periods in the cockpit, insoles or single-use heat pads with active heat help to regulate body temperature.
On longer voyages, handy hand warmers – powered by petrol, activated charcoal, water or electricity – can help the crew maintain their dexterity. The classic hot water bottle is also always a good companion: tucked between layers of clothing, it provides cosy warmth for at least an hour. Heat patches containing active ingredients such as chilli and essential oils (take care to avoid allergic reactions) also provide long-lasting warmth when stuck directly onto the skin.
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Nico Krauss
Freier Fotograf