Sailing Brands
Discussion
Not sure if right forum to post, but looking to get some sailing jacket/clothes as a gift for a friend getting back into it.
he has a special birthday coming up, so id like to get him something special or at least some sort of gift vouchers for a top quality maker.
what are the 'special/best' brands in sailing, im only aware of Musto, Henri Lloyd, Helly Hansen, Dubarry, but all seem a bit 'high street' rather than what afficiandos would get?
any ideas on other brands to look at?
he has a special birthday coming up, so id like to get him something special or at least some sort of gift vouchers for a top quality maker.
what are the 'special/best' brands in sailing, im only aware of Musto, Henri Lloyd, Helly Hansen, Dubarry, but all seem a bit 'high street' rather than what afficiandos would get?
any ideas on other brands to look at?
pequod said:
What sort of sailing is your friend getting back into? Makes a difference to what he/she may 'need' or feel comfortable wearing so maybe a gift voucher would be best unless they have indicated what they want.
i have no idea! hes french, any french makes? was thinking some sort of lightweight waterprrof jacket as his OH says he can never have too manyI have always thought of Gill being lower end decent stuff but maybe that is just my perception. I also see tresspass as mass marked budget stuff although maybe they do sailing stuff I am not aware of.
Anyway, one thing I have found is that sizes and shapes vary wildly. For example I have some musto trousers that are size large and very tight on me (to be fair, I am on the large size of large! ) but I also have some helly hansen (I think, might be lloyd) that are also large but feel like I am wearing a tent.
Maybe I am an awkward size/shape or just fussy but, like with most clothing, I would council against buying stuff without trying it on. Sailing kit especially needs to fit nicely to be nice to use. So that would suggest gift vouchers might be the better bet? If that is the case why not get vouchers for a decent chandlers that you know is accessible to your friend. Go for on of the bigger ones and there should be plenty of choice for them to get what they want?
Anyway, one thing I have found is that sizes and shapes vary wildly. For example I have some musto trousers that are size large and very tight on me (to be fair, I am on the large size of large! ) but I also have some helly hansen (I think, might be lloyd) that are also large but feel like I am wearing a tent.
Maybe I am an awkward size/shape or just fussy but, like with most clothing, I would council against buying stuff without trying it on. Sailing kit especially needs to fit nicely to be nice to use. So that would suggest gift vouchers might be the better bet? If that is the case why not get vouchers for a decent chandlers that you know is accessible to your friend. Go for on of the bigger ones and there should be plenty of choice for them to get what they want?
brman said:
I have always thought of Gill being lower end decent stuff but maybe that is just my perception. I also see tresspass as mass marked budget stuff although maybe they do sailing stuff I am not aware of.
Anyway, one thing I have found is that sizes and shapes vary wildly. For example I have some musto trousers that are size large and very tight on me (to be fair, I am on the large size of large! ) but I also have some helly hansen (I think, might be lloyd) that are also large but feel like I am wearing a tent.
Maybe I am an awkward size/shape or just fussy but, like with most clothing, I would council against buying stuff without trying it on. Sailing kit especially needs to fit nicely to be nice to use. So that would suggest gift vouchers might be the better bet? If that is the case why not get vouchers for a decent chandlers that you know is accessible to your friend. Go for on of the bigger ones and there should be plenty of choice for them to get what they want?
This is good advice and I can confirm the variation in fit.Anyway, one thing I have found is that sizes and shapes vary wildly. For example I have some musto trousers that are size large and very tight on me (to be fair, I am on the large size of large! ) but I also have some helly hansen (I think, might be lloyd) that are also large but feel like I am wearing a tent.
Maybe I am an awkward size/shape or just fussy but, like with most clothing, I would council against buying stuff without trying it on. Sailing kit especially needs to fit nicely to be nice to use. So that would suggest gift vouchers might be the better bet? If that is the case why not get vouchers for a decent chandlers that you know is accessible to your friend. Go for on of the bigger ones and there should be plenty of choice for them to get what they want?
I have a few Gill jackets and some Gill OS2 waterproofs for work (yacht engineer) and they are fine, decent quality and not overly expensive.
Personally if I wanted something a bit more high end I’d go for Musto, got a couple of henri Lloyd bits as well but musto seems to be the highest quality and in my eyes one of the ‘poshest’ brands.
Personally if I wanted something a bit more high end I’d go for Musto, got a couple of henri Lloyd bits as well but musto seems to be the highest quality and in my eyes one of the ‘poshest’ brands.
timbo999 said:
If you fancy buying him something a bit different have a look at Quba sailing stuff. Note that their technical jackets are very nice but wouldn't count as sailing waterproof/oilies but are very nice deck jackets etc.
I remember when they started out fabricating sailing jackets, bags, and other assorted kit from recycled sails, nice but expensive, but were the genuine thing.Sadly, they are just another retailer of fashion kit made in the FE, but as you say, could fit the bill for something different!?
theplayingmantis said:
pequod said:
What sort of sailing is your friend getting back into? Makes a difference to what he/she may 'need' or feel comfortable wearing so maybe a gift voucher would be best unless they have indicated what they want.
i have no idea! hes french, any french makes? was thinking some sort of lightweight waterprrof jacket as his OH says he can never have too many
jned2 said:
Another vote for Musto. My son is a crew member on his local RNLI lifeboat, they kit him out top to toe with Musto gear.
I believe the all weather crews are now issued Helly Hansen as of 2018. I wear Musto gore-tex kit and it’s very good, however I find Henri Loyd gloves and T-shirt’s to be the best and Helly Hansen best for footwear. As others have said though we will all find different brands that fit.
Gil as someone else mentioned is more middle of the pack weekend leisure user.
For high end stuff Zhik or Slam.
Musto-for your average yotty, although in my experience a lot of their kit doesn't last that well. I've a full set of MPX foulies and boots replaced under warranty after only a couple of seasons. I think their very high end (HPX) kit is a lot better, and for that matter their lower end kit (BR2) makes the medium stuff look like a bit of a rip off.
Gill to me is more of a dinghy and sportsboat brand, more of a racing emphasis.
Henri-Lloyd to me is now way more of a fashion brand, good for shore wear but I don't see much HL offshore gear in use.
Zhik/SLAM very much dinghy or round the cans racing
SailRacer...HOW MUCH?????
Quba...fashion brand...often seen on Sunseekers along with pink deck shoes...
Guy Cotten...very tough (a Vendee Globe solo RTW guy I know wore it for that little trip...) also very popular with fishermen and commercial people, and it's French...
Gill to me is more of a dinghy and sportsboat brand, more of a racing emphasis.
Henri-Lloyd to me is now way more of a fashion brand, good for shore wear but I don't see much HL offshore gear in use.
Zhik/SLAM very much dinghy or round the cans racing
SailRacer...HOW MUCH?????
Quba...fashion brand...often seen on Sunseekers along with pink deck shoes...
Guy Cotten...very tough (a Vendee Globe solo RTW guy I know wore it for that little trip...) also very popular with fishermen and commercial people, and it's French...
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