Best offshore foulies

Long John Silver

Long John Silver

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21 Apr 2010
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ok folks I think its time to get some new foulies. Had mine for donkeys years and they are getting a bit tired. Happy to invest in some good ones as I do get out on the water in all conditions and fingers crossed will be joining a friend on a trip up to Norway early this summer. I guess gortex is all the rage. I welcome any recommendations? Many thx
 
I have Gill, he has Musto. Both purchased 10 years ago in Port Solent, can't remember the name of Chandlers.

Mine leak like a sieve and the wrist enclosures have both delaminated, salopettes started letting water through after two seasons. His are fine, still completely waterproof, just a bit of mildew on the white part of the jacket.

Both sets used equally, high and low latitude sailing.

I'm about to buy a new set of Musto......
 
+1 for Musto MPX. Breathability was significant improvement on the Gill 02's they replaced. (Gill may have moved on since then - 2002ish). Musto fit also worked better for me. Enough room for layers underneath but snug enough that they move with you when clambering around.
 
To be honest I don't think there's much between the big players on quality, go to somewhere that stocks them all and try them for fit / features.
 
Have to say I love my musto smock top, think it was either ocean or offshore. Coupled with a cheap pair of gill sallopets
 
Some reports over on SA that quality at Musto doesn't seem to be quite what it was since the company was sold.
 
If money is no object ... Ursuit Gemino Operative drysuit. Best kit ever.
 
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I've had XM Ocean for a few years. Mine have been fine and half the price of the big players. A friend who bought some salopettes on my recommendation found that they leaked in the second season. You pays your money................
 
We both have HL foulies- i have one HL 'tropical ' jacket that must be 15 years old and stlll ok-used it for commuting all week to London, then on boat and round about daily for 9-10 months of the year.

SWMBO had Gill but like another poster, found it delaminating round the cuffs and shoulders within months, they replaced it, that did the same. She changed to HL then.

We've always tended to use Trax/ Buffalo tops and salopettes, and our foulies only when v wet/ high winds/cold, as a hangover from our dinghy cruising days.
 
It's not all about the name, it's where it is in the range. My mate bought Musto BR1s at the same time I bought MPX Gore-Tex. I did question why I'd spent twice the amount. A few years later his pockets are hanging off, my kit is still fine despite much more use. There's also a lot more reflective bits on the MPX.

However a few years ago I was lucky enough to go cross channel on an Open 60 with a Vendee skipper, and he swore by Guy Cotten in terms of outright durability. And I'd be inclined to listen to him!
 
Another happy XM jacket customer ... trouble I have is finding salopettes to fit ... being only slightly portly round the middle I find that if I want the right leg length I need to be 7 feet tall.
Has anyone had a pair altered? If so ......... ?
 
Iain C said:
It's not all about the name, it's where it is in the range. My mate bought Musto BR1s at the same time I bought MPX Gore-Tex. I did question why I'd spent twice the amount. A few years later his pockets are hanging off, my kit is still fine despite much more use. There's also a lot more reflective bits on the MPX.

However a few years ago I was lucky enough to go cross channel on an Open 60 with a Vendee skipper, and he swore by Guy Cotten in terms of outright durability. And I'd be inclined to listen to him!
Click to expand...

Guy Cotten have a factory shop at Trégunc near Concarneau where they sell shop-soiled, end of series and good sets. I recently got an offshore jacket and salopette for €100. I haven't used it yet but visually the quality looks fine.

I previously had a German made set which now leaks like a sieve.

Prior to that I had simple Guy Cotten oilies which I used for years without problems.
 
Another vote for Guy Cotton. Heavy duty, pretty bomb proof, don't leak, good enough for off-shore trawlermen good enough for me. Wear with fleece layer/s.
 
I spend most of my time when sailing sitting down, doing nothing very much.
This general lack of activity makes expensive breathables somewhat unnecessary, so Guy Cotten for me too. :)

Zero posing value, of course.

:D
 
:):)

suggest, that when 'trying on' and looking around, compare the Neck Collar for right height size for you.

some make / models, have higher Collars, and reports from various users suggest that its the collar fitting that made a particular suit / jacket appear more warm and helped retain heat when sitting in cockpit with the wind always behind them :cool:

NB if any make is found to be wanting, complain to Manufacturer, who have workshops designated to testing and finding out probs and faulty garments.

but beware, they also have ways of finding out if you have incorrectly washed the garment or abused it :eek:
 
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