Best Clothing Selection Solent Area

[Gixer]

I’m after a new jacket and want to try on ones from different brands.
For you guys around Portsmouth/Southampton area, which chandler has the best selection at the moment?

Cheers

 

[ashtead]

I would suggest Marine superstore at Port Solent would be the starting point,you might also look in Decathlon in Soton. Force Four would be other option plus at Deacons chandler - guess it depends on budget though.

 

[lustyd]

Does the Soton store have more sail gear than the one next to Port Solent? I've not looked but sicne it's right next to Port Solent would be two birds with one stone

 

[sailingmartin]

I would endorse Marine Superstore for choice. They often have discounted bargains. I picked up a 2019 colours Musto jacket the other day for a hefty discount on the 2021 version (the jacket was identical, apart from the colour). My old one - more than 10-years-old and used for dog walking etc - was also exactly the same style and worked for me. Lots to choose from all the brands.

 

[ashtead]

There is just one shop in port Solent as marine superstore -service isn’t brilliant -rather take it or leave it I tend to find - not difficult just not customer centric - they have a click and collect location on main road but perhaps not relevant for clothing. In Soton you have Decathlon (other locations eg Guildford exist) but sign up for marine superstore emails and they will be delighted to send you regular mails on a weekly basis. Otherwise a drive to uboat at Deacons, but Portsmouth has zero choice apart from musto in gunwharf .

 

[jaminb]

What about Cowes ? It is full of boutique stores selling sailing clothes a bit like Bicester Village by the sea. I imaging there is tumbleweed blowing down the high street at this time of year.

 

[ashtead]

I think it’s more likely to be covid blowing down the high street than tumbleweed but not well stocked -you have a Henri Lloyd small shop plus pascall at key but not the choice really -ideally if looking for clothing being based on island you would have gone to SBS for variety of choice . Nowadays there might be a few pop up shops in summer so if you were on island by all means but I don’t think I would be paying for parking in Soton and the red jet to sample cowes shopping unless you fancied a weekend stay etc or were sailing there.

 

[lustyd]

There is just one shop in port Solent as marine superstore -service isn’t brilliant -rather take it or leave it I tend to find - not difficult just not customer centric - they have a click and collect location on main road but perhaps not relevant for clothing. In Soton you have Decathlon (other locations eg Guildford exist) but sign up for marine superstore emails and they will be delighted to send you regular mails on a weekly basis. Otherwise a drive to uboat at Deacons, but Portsmouth has zero choice apart from musto in gunwharf .

Couldn't disagree more about the service in Marine Superstore, they're usually excellent and very helpful when you ask them but leave you to browse in peace rather than bothering you constantly. The Decathlon is 200 yards from the Port Solent turning https://www.decathlon.co.uk/store-view/sport-shop-portsmouth-0070207802078?utm_campaign=Portsmouth

 

[ashtead]

I guess it depends on when you visit Marine superstore re service -they are fine on technical stuff it’s just on clothing the leaving alone becomes indifference -yes sorry re decathlon I had in mind Soton version as not tried the one on main road .

 

[Gixer]

Thanks guys, the Port Solent Marine Superstore would be easy to get to for me as I’ll be coming along the 27. What I’m really looking for is a Gill or Musto jacket I can use for general use as well as sailing. I already have decent wet weather gear on the boat.
Thanks for tips on Deacons and Force Four, sounds like Portsmouth is worth bypassing and head straight to Soton. I did go to the boat show this year to get a jacket but there was nothing there.
What about Youboat (?) up the top of the Hamble? I went in there to get milk a few weeks ago, didn‘t think to look for clothing…
I’ll see if the wife wants a trip to the IOW ?

Any more ideas welcome

 

[lustyd]

don't forget there are also two Musto outlets at Gunwharf if Musto is on the list. Not all cheap but there are bargains in there

 

[Daydream believer]

Any of those do Guy Cotton. I have their gear for walking & cycling when I am on holiday in port. It is light & easy to carry in a back pack. Have not tried it actually sailing, as i always use the full Musto Kit. However, it does keep me dry & seems breathable etc. I like the fit .It is a lighter version of course. But some may want that & it would certainly keep the spray off me, as well as heavy rain

 

[chrishscorp]

Marine Super store at Port Solent had a fair amount of stock in on Sunday and service was excellent and the there is a Decathlon next to Tesco North Harbour Musto outlet in Gunwharfe. Youboat in Gosport or Force four and You boat at Deacons yard.

I have replaced all my Musto gear with Decathlon the jacket is great the salopettes I have yet to use

 

[Gixer]

Marine Super store at Port Solent had a fair amount of stock in on Sunday

That’ll do for me, it’s an hour + drive so sounds worth it. I’ll pass the force four in Chichester on the way down so will also take a look in there. If I can’t find anything I think I’ll head along the 27 to Soton.

thanks again

 

[Tranona]

They also have discounts running on all clothing. Good time to buy.

 

[laika]

The handily adjacent Force 4 at deacons and YouBoat at swanwick (which used to be force 4 #2) have been mentioned but note also that over the road are Andark: I've never been into their shop in swanwick but bought clothing from them at boat shows on several occasions. Their web site says they've got a sale on but it was making too many annoying noises for me to want to go back and look. Who on earth thinks that websites that play loud noises are a good idea?

 

[steveeasy]

Ok I can highly recommend the store opposite swanwick boatyard Nr Bursledon. Think its called Anorak. They have a huge range of wet weather gear with top brands. They also do good discounts on slightly outdated products. got a great Gill offshore 1 jacket reduced by £200 last June. Do diving gear as well. far better range than most chandlers.
Steveeasy
Bit slow just read the above post. were talking the same place.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I would endorse Marine Superstore for choice. They often have discounted bargains. I picked up a 2019 colours Musto jacket the other day for a hefty discount on the 2021 version (the jacket was identical, apart from the colour). My old one - more than 10-years-old and used for dog walking etc - was also exactly the same style and worked for me. Lots to choose from all the brands.

I've seen 3 different "model years" of the same jacket at 3 different prices in Marine Superstore. They seem to have a better selection of XXXL foulies than more moderate sizes though. This is probably the ideal time of year to be looking.

Musto often have some discounted kit in one of their stores at Gunwharf Quays - they have two stores there, one is their technical sailing gear showroom, and the other is full of Musto-branded jeans and t-shirts and stuff; the discount foulies are in the back of the jeans and t-shirts store. Ask "is that the best price you can do?" and you might get a further discount.

I love YouBoat in Gosport and I think they have been known to discount last season's gear, so I'd guess their Swanwick branch would be worth a look.

What I’m really looking for is a Gill or Musto jacket I can use for general use as well as sailing. I already have decent wet weather gear on the boat.

I'd be reluctant to wear my best foulies down the pub, as they are reserved for sailing, but I have Decathlon Tribord 100 model that is perfect for what you describe. I don't think they any longer offer the same model with hood that rolls up into the collar, however. Maybe their 300's might be worth a look?

 

[PhillM]

As Steve says Andark have quite a range in stock, although I have found them better for footwear than foulies ... but that could just be me.

I was at Decons a couple of months ago and they have downsized and no longer have the upstairs area. Clothing selection was quite limited.

Musto in Ginwharf have 2 stores and a decent selection in the 'lighthouse' at the seaward end of the shopping centre. They also do student discount, so if you have a student in the family, its worth taking them with you. I think its 10% but it may be as much as 20%.

Oh and if its for dog walking, I much prefer my Mountain Warehouse coat to sailing gear. It seems to repel mud much better, although I suspect it would not be as good at sea ...

 

[Gixer]

I'd be reluctant to wear my best foulies down the pub, as they are reserved for sailing, but I have Decathlon Tribord 100 model that is perfect for what you describe. I don't think they any longer offer the same model with hood that rolls up into the collar, however. Maybe their 300's might be worth a look?

I currently have a Gill inshore winter jacket for 'down the pub' use which is coming to the end of its life and am looking for something similar. I'll pop into Decathlon when I'm down that way.
On another note I sailed for years wearing a snowboarding jacket, worked perfectly