Sailing Apparel
Wearing the right sailing apparel makes the difference between staying warm and dry in water or getting wet and cold under nasty conditions. The specificity of sailing apparel lies in the fact that it requires pretty exclusive materials with complex insulation properties. Synthetic fabrics like Gore-Tex meet the lightweight, quick-dry and breathable feature demands of good sailing clothes. Therefore, a sailor's wardrobe should necessarily include wind and waterproof clothes that can be worn on various weather conditions. Here are a few things you should consider when shopping for sailing apparel, particularly if you are preparing for your first experience on board of a ship.
One essential sailing apparel item is the so cold “sail pant”. Though fancy fashionable clothes may catch your eye, practicality should be always on your mind. Thus, the best trousers you can get for boating are made from state-of-the-art fabrics. They have waterproof seams and keep you warm and comfy. They may look like a fisherman's pants, but the design and the features are much more intricate. The best models include Velcro closures on the seat patches and at the ankles. Zipped drop seats with adjusters for a good fit are other features included in women's models of sailing pants.
Most people think that the basic sailing apparel consists of the common life jacket, t-shirts and comfy clothes for tropical weather. Generally speaking, this is true if you go sailing in a hot globe area and you stay close to the coasts. But when you are traveling on a longer cruise, you and your crew could get to places with cooler temperatures, and this is when your sailing apparel needs to save you from hypothermia. Windbreakers, jackets and vests should not miss from your baggage; the same holds true for tight sailing hats, water-repellent pants and sailing boots. The latter sailing apparel items are best manufactured from Kevlar due to the high waterproof features of this material.
Boat shoes are similar to the Native American moccasins, and their cut allows the usage both on deck as well as on shore. Even if you have to pay more for a decent pair of sailing boots, consider it a good investment, particularly when boating is part of your life on a constant basis. On bad weather, regular sneakers are not exactly the kind of sailing apparel you need since they do not offer a firm grip. Boat decks tend to get slippery, hence, your sailing boots need an extra gripping feature. Moreover, another element to look for in boat shoes is the low cut that allows your getting out of them in no time.