Budget Oiles

[Stemar]

My Gill jacket must be 15 years old now, and is falling apart. I don't need kit for extreme conditions - the Round the Island is as adventurous as I get these days, though last year was pretty extreme!

Where would you go to get decent quality at a sensible price? I'll be going to Brittany in a couple of months, so if there's better to be had in France, I'm interested.

 

[Stemar]

Supplementary question - Does anyone have any experience of the Decathlon Tribord jacket? My local store has one in stock in my size. It looks good in the photo, but does it perform?

 

[KompetentKrew]

You won't go far wrong with Decathlon - I wouldn't be surprised if it was better than some of the name brand stuff.

The Tribord kit has a number - e.g Tribord 100 vs Tribord 500. Higher number is better / more offshore.

I have a 100 "coastal" jacket that I bought in 2017 (must be a 2016 model because I bought it in the january sale) and it's still going. The zip tends to stick quite hard when I haven't worn it for a while, but it's still good and waterproof. Most obvious shortcomings are lack of fleece at the collar causing a bit of discomfort where my stubble rubbed on it after hours of prolonged drilzzle and it doesn't really cover the mouth properly - it's more like a country walk to the pub sort of anorak. Likely the 500 and up jackets address this, but I still use my 100 in light weather.

 

[Stemar]

Thanks for that. It's the 500, so should be up for a bit of rambunctious weather. I'll go and have a look at it.

 

[dansaskip]

I bought a Triboard 500 a couple of years ago and I am pleased with it

 

[Geoff A]

I have a Mullion two-piece flotation suit. I have had it for a few years. My thinking is if it is good enough for professional people working in the sea environment It is good enough for me. The down side is it can get a bit too warm. At the time when I researched to see if there was any difference between the Mullion suite and another popular make one was advertised as being water resistant the other as water proof. Things may have changed now so do your own research.

 

[Dellquay13]

Supplementary question - Does anyone have any experience of the Decathlon Tribord jacket? My local store has one in stock in my size. It looks good in the photo, but does it perform?

I’ll be stocking up again on Tribord clothing and deck shoes when back in Brittany this summer. It’s my preferred price point for March to October sailing wear, and the Tribord 100 to 500 ranges match this use. I get my heavy oilies out Nov to Feb.

If you suddenly find yourself rather taken with their stripey Breton tops, remember they are meant for French body shapes, not the typical shape of the British near-retiree…

 

[The Q]

I have a Mullion two-piece flotation suit. I have had it for a few years. My thinking is if it is good enough for professional people working in the sea environment It is good enough for me. The down side is it can get a bit too warm. At the time when I researched to see if there was any difference between the Mullion suite and another popular make one was advertised as being water resistant the other as water proof. Things may have changed now so do your own research.

I have the Fladen two piece flotation suit, it's lasted for several years and looks like it will last several more.
It too is rather warm, great for winter racing though..

For my use a set of waterproof overalls is enough for summer soggy sailing.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I bought a pair of their cheap black sailing wellies for launching our tender on the muddy slipway. They are comfortable, the grip is good. So comfortable that I wore them whilst doing a spot of building, and stepped on a nail. In spite of me bleeding copiously, and having to prise out said nail before removing the boot, they are still waterproof.

 

[Stemar]

Thanks everyone. The dreadful deed is done, a Tribord 500.

 

[seeSimon]

Thanks for that. It's the 500, so should be up for a bit of rambunctious weather. I'll go and have a look at it.

The 500 salopettes are excellent. I've had two pairs, looks feels and performs as well as my old musto goretex. About Half the price.

 

[Stemar]

I don't need the salopettes, my Gill Atlantic ones are still fine and, for the amount I hope to use them, they should see me out.