Sailing jackets are part of functional clothing and are not only suitable for sailors. Depending on the field of application must have a yachting jacket but have different characteristics so that their wearer is protected in wind and weather. Sailing jackets are available in different materials and designs. The materials are manufactured in special technologies. Sailing jackets are available with different coatings or synthetic fibers. The field of functional materials is developing steadily and rapidly. But even the highest quality functional clothing is of no use if used incorrectly.

Use of sailing jackets

The perfect yachting jacket it is not easy to find. Sailing is divided into various areas such as offshore sailing, regatta racing, sailing charter tours, day trips or just for fair weather sailors. A yachting jacket alone can not cover all these areas. Therefore, you should think about the type of sailing the jacket should actually be used before buying.

Functions of a yachting jacket

A good yachting jacket should offer some functions. This includes a good moisture management. This means that the jacket is able to transport body moisture to the outside. The body should stay dry and not cool down so quickly. At the same time a high level of comfort is desired. Functional clothing should at best consist of materials that dry quickly and wick moisture away. In addition, it must protect from rain, wind and other weather conditions. It is therefore essential to make sure that the sailor jacket is really waterproof. If a jacket is referred to as water repellent, this is not enough. Windproofness is also an important function of a high quality sailing jacket.

If a sailing jacket is particularly waterproof and windproof, this can have a negative impact on breathability. The coating is so dense in these cases that smaller vapor drops are no longer derived from the material. If sailing trips or offshore trips take place in cold temperatures, it makes sense to better protect yourself from the outside. Accordingly, the loss of breathability of the sailor jacket in these cases should exceptionally be accepted.

Single layers of sailing jackets

Sailing jackets are breathable only when the individual material layers are used correctly. The breathability and quick-drying functions are fully realized only if all three layers of the jacket are set as a function. The three layers of Baselayer, Midlayer and Toplayer are used in every type of functional clothing.

The Baselayer is the first or lowest layer. It has the task to direct the resulting moisture to the outside to keep the body dry and to prevent it from cooling down. Therefore, materials are often used here that have warming properties. Often, merino wool is used. A sailing jacket is not available as a baselayer, because usually other clothes are worn under the jacket. However, these other layers should definitely be breathable for the sailor jacket to work properly.

The midlayer refers to the second layer of the functional jacket, It is also called isolation layer. It mainly serves to keep the body warm and to remove the moisture that is released from the first layer. Not only jackets are suitable as midlayer, but depending on the field of application and season also T-shirts, pullovers or longsleeves. For warmer temperatures midlayer are completely sufficient, so that a third layer can be omitted. The softshell or fleece materials are often used for the midlayer sailor jacket. These plastic fibers represent a very good insulation layer.

The top layer is the third layer of a sailing jacket. This refers to the protective layer that ideally prevents bad weather. The hardshell material means that rain, spray and wind have no chance to penetrate the inside of the jacket. Nevertheless, high-quality hardshell jackets offer a positive breathability. Moisture of the lower layers is conducted well outward on these models. Toplayer sailing jackets are made of innovative materials. They have special membranes with outer small pores, which do not allow drops of water inside, but allow body vapors to escape. However, hardshell jackets do not protect you from heat because they are not lined. They therefore lack the warming properties. Sailing jackets with top layer are different in functions and material. Inshore jackets meet different requirements than sailing jackets, which are suitable for offshore sailing. Before buying, you should therefore know exactly which jacket fits which type of sail to avoid a bad buy.

Functional clothing such as sailing jackets should offer the best possible protection against wind, water and rain and be breathable.