Sailing in winter, how to dress: watchword breathability

Boating in winter means first of all choosing clothing suitable for cold weather conditions, that is, garments that are not too heavy to impede our movements but that insulate us from low temperatures. The choice of materials is therefore essential to have comfort while boating during the cold months, and we must be careful not to choose products that are too thrifty to avoid finding ourselves in situations where the cold would become no small problem.

Sailing in winter – how to insulate the body

Dressing in layers yes, but be careful what we choose: piling layer upon layer just to increase cold resistance risks compromising breathability, resulting in the development of condensation or sweat under our clothes that would make us feel uncomfortable. In fact, the important thing for winter sailing is the quality of the materials we choose, not so much the quantity of layers we wear. On the skin, the best thing is to choose well-made thermal garments, jerseys and sock knits, choosing garments intended for outdoor sports in low temperatures. In this sense you can also sometimes fish from brands that produce thermal mountain garments, which are often very effective in their ability to maintain warmth and breathability.

Dressing in winter – looking for breathable garments

A fleece for the back will be more than advisable, but here again we need to make sure we choose well-designed garments that, in addition to thermal insulation, let our carpus breathe if we are engaged in a maneuver. In fact, condensation inside clothing is one of the main enemies of winter sailing. Inevitable then to talk about Goretex for the choice of oilskin. There are different types of “laminates” for modern boat jackets and dungarees, but Goretex, at a higher average expense, is the one that in all likelihood still provides the best seal. In fact, Goretex makes it possible to make garments that are very light in weight, yet durable and highly insulating as well as breathable. This material was invented and then patented in 1976 by U.S. textile entrepreneurs Wilbert L. Gore and his son Robert. Goretex is composed of a series of layers of polytetrafluoroethylene, known commercially as Teflon, with thousands of microscopic holes that promote breathability. It has highly insulating capabilities, and is currently one of the leading materials for technical garments, not just those related to sailing. For the feet in addition to classic boots, also recommended in Goretex, for somewhat milder temperatures classic boat shoes coupled with a waterproof sock can also be used. A product the latter on the rise in recent years, waterproof socks are available in various weights and lengths, a versatile solution when we do not have to be at sea for too long periods.