A sailing vacation allows you to see beautiful places, eat delicious food, and relax in peace and privacy. But what do you wear when you sail? Read on…
What to wear sailing in summer
wondering what to wear sailing, it depends greatly on the weather and the time of year. Since we’ll be sailing in the Adriatic in July, the weather is likely to be warm and sunny. I’ll check the weather just before we leave.
This post tells you what to bring on a summer trip to the Caribbean or southern Europe. It should be warm and not too cold. I’ve been sailing in the English Channel quite a few times, and even in the summer, it can be really cold and rough. How to dress for sailing when it’s cold is a whole different story. I think rain gear and thermal base layers, but that’s a topic for a different post.
If your sailing vacation is between May and September, you won’t need to bring many sailing clothes. You don’t have to go out and buy a special outfit for sailing right away, because you probably already have most of what you need.
What to wear on-board
Choose lightweight essential sailing clothing for on-board gear, such as t-shirts, shorts, and leggings. Pack a couple of light layers in case of chilly weather, as well as fleece, particularly if you’re sailing at the beginning or end of the season and for nights.
Unless you want to do a lot of sailing in the future, you don’t need to acquire a specific sailing jacket, but it’s a good idea to have a wind and waterproof jacket with you. A hood is also important, but make sure it is movable so that it does not interfere with visibility. Brands to check for if you want to invest in a nice sailing jacket are Tribord, Musto, and Gill.
Life jackets will be provided by your sailboat.
Gill sailing gloves are an excellent purchase for preventing calluses on your hands. They’ll also protect you from rope burn if you’re going to be doing a lot of hands-on sailing throughout your vacation.
A hat or cap will be necessary to protect your hair from wind, sun, and seawater drying effects. If windy, a sunhat with a strap is less likely to fly off your head.
Polarized sunglasses are essential, and a glasses lanyard to prevent them from flying off into the water on a windy day can spare you from losing a favorite pair of specs and having to pay for a new pair in the next port.
Finally, don’t forget to bring 2-3 swimsuits or bikinis in case you want to go for a swim or hop on a paddle board. Check with your boat business to see whether snorkeling gear is offered.
Footwear – what shoes to wear sailing
You are not required to purchase sailing shoes, but you must have closed-toe, non-slip footwear for your safety on board. Deck shoes or sports shoes are preferable, but any shoes you wear on board should have a light-colored rubber sole — dark rubber bottoms might leave marks on the deck, resulting in a deduction from your security deposit.
I use my Superga pumps, also comfortable walking and cycling shoes, for day trips, walking, and cycling.
Dubarry, Chatham, Sperry, and Musto deck shoes are the finest brands if you opt to purchase specialized sailing boots.
Outside footwear must be removed before boarding to prevent pebbles or dirt from scratching the deck. You may wish to bring flip-flops that are easy to put on before boarding, or you may go barefoot while the boat is in port.
Teva sandals are also an excellent alternative, and I like my waterproof Teva Zymic sandals, which are ideal for sightseeing and are quite comfortable. When boarding and disembarking, passengers often leave their shoes in a basket beside the gangway.
On-shore
If you plan to go ashore and eat in a restaurant in the evening, you might want to bring a few non-sailing clothes that are nicer. Evenings on the coast are cooler, so have an extra layer like a denim jacket or wrap on hand. Linen pants and tops work well. In general, people who sail are pretty easygoing and casual.
For shore excursions during the day, it’s a good idea to bring a pair of walking shoes or trainers so you can get around easily. If the bottoms are light, you can also wear these on deck.
So, what should you wear when sailing for a week? I recommend the following sailing packing list. Download the free printable packing list by scrolling down.
- 3 pairs of shorts
- 9 tees / vest tops / tops
- 1 set of leggings
- A fleece
- 1 windproof and waterproof jacket
- 2 shirts with long sleeves
- 1 pair of linen trousers
- 2 Gowns
- 3 bikinis/swimming outfits
- 1 hat or cap with a strap
- lanyard underwear and sunglasses
- deck shoes for the night
- shoes with flip flops
- footwear for shore trips
- gloves for sailing
How should I dress for sailing in the winter?
When you go sailing in the winter, you need to be prepared for the elements. This can mean dressing in layers and having a variety of clothes to choose from. If you’re going sailing in the cold, it’s important to dress in layers, so that you can easily adjust to the temperature of your surroundings. You should wear clothing that is easy to maintain. Avoid wearing cotton, as it will soak up water and hard to dry. Instead, choose synthetic fabrics like polyester, because they will dry faster and keep you stay warm.
Conclusion
The best way to decide what to wear is to ask yourself this question: “will I be warm and dry in this outfit?” If you are going to be sailing in cold weather, you should try to be prepared. There are times when it may be too warm to wear a lot of clothes, but usually you will want to wear as many layers as possible. You will want to have a hat and gloves, a thick coat or two, and dry shoes. You should also bring a heavy-duty raincoat and warm boots to wear when you go out on the boat.
We hope you enjoyed our article about what to wear sailing, and what not to wear. With this knowledge, we know that you’ll be able to construct a warm, dry, and comfortable sailing suit that you’ll like wearing. So what are you waiting for?
