The salopettes have one generously sized cargo pocket on the thigh and there’s a strap to secure a knife pouch. The ankles have Velcro strap closures, the waist is adjustable and the shoulder straps are fabric covered, elasticated with Velcro adjustment.
SalopettesĪ chunky two-way YKK zip closure at the front has a large inner gusset to keep water out and there is good reinforcement on the knees, seat and around the heel of the trousers. There is drawstring adjustment at the hem but not around the waist. Inside, it was good to see two zipped chest pockets for keeping phone and keys, and the jacket and hood has a simple mesh liner. The single cuffs are adjustable but lack inner cuffs. There are just two external pockets with zip closures and fleece handwarmer linings. We liked the hi-vis yellow detail on the collar. With no external storm flap, the jacket has a waterproof zip and internal storm flap, which kept water out.Ī fleece-lined mid-height collar contains a roll-away hood with a small peak, volume adjustment and side adjusters. Other than fit, the men’s and women’s jacket and salopettes both offer the same features. Musto’s BR1 inshore jacket and salopettes were the most lightweight design on test, reflecting the fact that this is very much an inshore rather than coastal jacket, selected in order to come in under the price point.ĭespite this, it is an extremely comfortable and well-made jacket that should be plenty for day sailing in anything but awful conditions. Personal taste will dictate which you prefer. Some were fairly substantial garments including many of the features you’d expect to see on offshore waterproofs, while others had taken a more minimalist approach, giving some protection while keeping things lightweight and simple. We’ve included minimum waterproof ratings (the water pressure the fabric can withstand in millimetres) though most claim to exceed this.Īs soon as the jackets arrived in our office, it was clear the suits fitted roughly into one of two categories. The sets we tested were all breathable, utilising own-brand fabric rather than branded cloth like Gore Tex. The good news is that there’s plenty of choice out there, and it’s a segment of the market that’s seeing lots of innovation as manufacturers compete to stay a step ahead.īecause it’s not long since only top-end sailing waterproofs were breathable, with entry-level sets being impermeably sweaty.
If you’re after something more heavyweight, we’ve done a full group test of offshore waterproofs too. We’ve chosen sets of oilskins that all come in at under £350 for the jacket and trousers together.