8 replies to this topic

[gosailnow]

First off I want to thank Gill for making an effort to produce women's gear. They seem to be the only ones using their top rated material on such a thing. Having said that, here's a review of my OS2 jacket 2 years in. (I know it's not the top of the line but it's what the pocketbook allows). First off, why why why would you ever put the sticky velcro side anywhere near someone's hair, let alone on a women's jacket. The "sticky" velcro side of the closure is on the inside of the hood, so when raised anything and everything gets tangled. Next up, I think jacket shoulders should be reinforced with some sort of cover. Mine are tore up from harnesses. After 2 years, the jacket has become more of a water sponge than a repellant. I suppose this is to be expected with age, and I will try and use one of the conditioning detergents. Anyone had any success? I tried on the boss' Musto and I think I will be saving my pennies (for a while) to upgrade. However, they don't offer their top of the line jacket in a women's version. The tall neck makes it difficult to look down and see anything but fleece. No problem when steering but try solving deck problems! I guess there aren't enough women offshore to warrant their own line....ladies?

[Charly Setter]

So, let´s talk about boots....

We yesterday evening had a discussion with several ladies about sailing boots. It seems to be impossible to purchase top of the line (gore tex) products in sizes smaller than EU40 / US6. So my girlfriend is always grumbling about cold and wet feet - especially sitting virtually motionless at the helm....., making every trip a nightmare ;-)

[gosailnow]

Well, as a watch leader I get up every once in a while to look around, thanks . Dubarry makes women's sizes, but they are pricey. I just add sock layers to my old standby rubbers.

[BobJ]

You might e-mail Sally at Pineapple Sails in Alameda (San Francisco Bay). They are our local Musto (and Dubarry) dealer and owners Sally and husband Kame are lifelong sailors. If Sally can't give you some direct help at least she'll have a sympathetic ear.

[ftbinc]

Bought my girlfriend sealskin socks. Now she never complains about cold feet...

[pogen]

Sperry had a mid-price women's boot which they used to sell through West Marine, but they were recently discontinued. Manufacturer's seem to think that boots are unisex I guess. My daughter's Helly Hanson women's foulies seem to serve her well.

[gotmoxie]

I just bought a pair of women's Sperry boots, have only worn them twice but like them so far. Velcro has gotten stuck on lines a little, but hasn't been too big of a deal yet. Altrec.com has them on clearance right now, I think they are starting to run out of sizes, but $70 boots for less than $40 isn't bad. This is the pair I bought, http://www.altrec.co...-bearing-bootie
they have some others on sale as well. Would love to have continuing conversation on women's sailing gear! I'll be shopping for a spray top soon, any recommendations? Have only been sailing in warmer weather, but now I'm getting more into racing and will be needing some foul weather gear.

[samc99us]

Bought my girlfriend sealskin socks. Now she never complains about cold feet...

+2. Work in any environment where you aren't constantly immersing your ankle (no real top seal).

[gosailnow]

Gill does good spray tops, and is fine for racing around the buoys. Also decent offshore jackets for the price. I used mine to death though and I will be switching to Musto as soon as they make an HPX series for women. The cuffs on the men's are gorilla sized. The MPX series comes in women's sizes, but I think the top level is worth it. I use plain old gill rubber boots and they are fine with socks.