Oilskins

Why is high-quality oilskin crucial when sailing?

A durable oilskin is essential for sailing, as it offers a variety of advantages that guarantee the comfort and safety of sailors in different weather conditions. 

Sailing with oilskin prevents water from penetrating and protects against wind and cold, keeping your body warm and dry even in the harshest conditions at sea. The robust material provides long-lasting protection with its windproof, waterproof, and breathable properties, ensuring a comfortable wear experience.

Sailors require full freedom of movement without being hindered by wet or cold clothing. A good sailing oilskin allows you to move freely while being well-prepared for the elements. Moreover, it helps you perform strenuous maneuvers without suffering from hypothermia, thus improving your performance and concentration on the water.

In addition to the practical benefits, a high-quality oilskin is a top-class piece of rainwear and gives you mental reassurance. Feel good knowing that your clothing will protect you in any situation, whether trimming the sails with the right sailing gloves or navigating through stormy weather. This confidence allows you to move more freely on deck. When purchasing sailing clothing, choose oilskins that offer high quality in material properties and additional features. 

When you buy oilskin for sailing, it helps make your sailing experience safer and more comfortable, regardless of the challenges you face at sea. Want more information about the different requirements of sailing clothing for every sailing area? Our SVB guide will certainly help you.

What types of oilskin are there?

Sailing with robust oilskin allows you to sail more confidently over the sea because you know that wind and water cannot harm you. If you want to purchase high-quality oilskins, take a look in our SVB online shop. There, you will find oilskin jackets and trousers to suit every taste.

If you are planning to buy a complete set of oilskin waterproof clothing, we recommend our oilskin sets. To get kitted out, a basic set usually consists of a jacket and trousers. Buying a set not only gives you a complete outift that is designed to match, it can also save you money compared to buying each piece separately. 

What matters when buying oilskins?

Whether you are buying your oilskin online or in-store in Kiel or Bremen - be sure to pay attention to fit and freedom of movement when trying on oilskin jackets and oilskin trousers. Sailing clothes that are too tight can hinder your mobility, just as clothing that is too wide and bulky and not suited to your body shape can prevent movement on board. So the question is, "What oilskin should I buy?" - well, always pay attention to the following tips when trying on oilskin: 

1. Freedom of movement in oilskin

Check whether you can perform all movements easily or whether you feel restricted by the oilskin: Bend your knees and turn your upper body as if you were operating a winch. Pay particular attention to how it feels on your shoulders, buttocks and knees. Then stand up again and stretch as far as possible. Check here too to see if the clothing hinders your movement. 

2. Adjusting oil clothing

Good oilskin clothing should always be adjustable to fit your body as well as possible. Oilskin trousers usually have straps or buckles in the waist area to adjust to suit your size. Are you able to and is it easy for you to adjust them?

Most oilskin jackets have an elasticated hem that can be tightened to prevent wind and water from entering the jacket from underneath.

Adjusting your clothing should be easy and intuitive to adjust and fit your body shape perfectly. Therefore, make sure that there are Velcro fasteners or a strap on the arms and legs that can be tightened. The cuffs are especially important. Do the velcro straps have the right length to close around smaller or wider wrists?

3. Additional cuff

Many oilskin clothing manufacturers fit a second, internal cuff on the wrists, which is often elasticated. This is because, ideally, no water should enter here even when stretching the arms upwards. Please also check the fit of the jacket before buying oilskins.

4. High-cut collar

A good oilksin jacket should have a collar that fits snugly to protect you as much as possible, but should still be comfortable. Check the fit of the collar when the hood is tucked in the neck and when the hood is on. When the hood is folded back in the neck, the collar will feel a little tighter. Do you feel any chafing or tightness? Compare the fit of the collar with the hood up. Is the collar still tight enough? Tip: A fleece lined collar keeps you warm and provides more comfort.

5.  The matching sailing hood

Before you buy oilskins for sailing, you should put the hood on when trying them on. Pay particular attention to the length of the hood. It should be long enough, but not too long. To check the length of the hood, turn your head to the side. Can you see everything or is the hood in the way? Some hoods can be adjusted so that they protrude differently into the face. 

When sailing, it is crucial that every move is right. Therefore, make sure that the hood can be pulled closed easily with just one hand. If you have long hair, remember that if you have plaited hair you may need a longer hood than with loose hair. It is therefore advisable to try out both variants. 

6. Practical extras

Check to see if the sailing jacket has any extras that are important to you. These include, for example, pockets that can be used to hold things you want to carry with you or to keep your hands warm. Some manufacturers sell sailing oilskins with lined pockets. Make sure that the pockets on your jacket or sailing trousers are either waterproof or have a drainage system to drain off any water that gets in.

How do I care for oilskin clothing?

If you have already invested in top gear and want to use it for as long as possible, make sure you regularly care for it with the right products and techniques. Simply apply the following care tips to ensure that your sailing clothing remains functional and always ready for use.

1. Freshwater

After sailing with the oilskin, rinse it thoroughly by hand with fresh water. It is important to remove coarse dirt such as salt and other particles so that they do not settle in the fibres of the fabrics, contaminate the pores and thus impair the waterproof, windproof or breathable properties of the clothing.

2. Cleaning agents

When cleaning oilskin clothing in the washing machine, you should use mild detergents that are designed to remove dirt and salt residues without affecting the functionality of the highly technical membranes. Fabric softeners should never be used and separate washing is also recommended. 

3. Air drying

Always air dry your oilskin garments thoroughly, but avoid direct sunlight as this can damage the outer materials and cause the colours to fade.

4. Storage

Store your gear in a dry place with good ventilation. This prevents unpleasant mould growth and saves you additional cleaning. In addition, men's and women's clothing should be stored away from direct sunlight so that the fabrics are not exposed to unnecessary UV radiation and may fade.

5. Impregnation

To maintain the waterproofness of your oilskins, it is important to refresh the impregnation regularly. Use the impregnation sprays from our SVB online shop, which are ideal for the material of your high-tech clothing. This care is particularly essential for your waterproof boat shoes.

6. Repair

Check your sailing clothing from time to time for small tears or damage. It is best to repair them immediately to avoid major damage and extend the life of your garments in the long term.

Sailing fashion for every sailing area: stylish clothing for men and women

For men with a passion for the world of sailing, high-quality men's clothing is essential. From waterproof jackets and breathable sailing trousers to technical baselayers, our SVB online shop has everything a man needs. Long gone are the days when sailing was just a man's domain. Just take a look at the extensive range of women's clothing in our shop if in doubt. Women will find a variety of sailing clothing that is both functional and fashionable, with a perfect mix of comfort and style. A complete outfit must also include genuine boat shoes. These not only offer excellent grip on wet surfaces, but are also comfortable and hard-wearing. Furthermore, sailing gloves are an important accessory for every sailor. They protect your hands from blisters and injuries and also provide additional grip and warmth. 

Choosing the right sailing clothing from all the manufacturers such as MUSTO, GILL, HELLY HANSEN, MARINEPOOL and SEATEC can be a challenge, especially when you have to consider different waters. Our SVB guide "Finding the right sailing clothing for all waters", explains in detail what you should consider when choosing your new sailing gear.