Foulies - anything other than Musto worthwhile?

[sfchallenger]

Yes, I have West Marine foulies already, they are not appropriate for extended offshore use in these latitudes.

Thanks for the insight so far, I was looking at the Helly Hansen onesie last night, I forgot to mention them in the OP. Anyone own a onesie, in any make? What do you love and hate about it?

Cheers,
h

[PaulinVictoria]

I've got Stormtech bibs and jacket. Seem to do the job and I got them half price which is always nice.

[hellosailor]

hugh,
I would strongly suggest trying the gear on. Pull the color and hood up, see which jacket gives you a snug fit but good visibility, because those two wil give you much better warmth & dryness when you have the collar up alone or with the hood.
No way to tell that without actually trying them on.

[TQA]

Another vote for Henri Lloyd. My Ocean Racer bib and jacket are still going strong after 27 years.

Mind you I don't wear them much now in the Caribbean.

[Kiltmadoc]

I just got the latest catalog from Sierra Trading post, and they have some "cold water fishing" gear from a company called bluestorm. They look like fancy-dancy gortex-type foulies to me. Regardless, the price seems right: Results for "bluestorm" up to 70% off at Sierra Trading Post

[Gary M]

I have the Gill OS2 which is one level down from the set that Smackdaddy recommended.
I am very happy with them, I only sail on the lakes but they are well made and in conditions where we are getting green water over the deck and some times over my head they keep me dry. My old set did not so I went out and bought these.
The OS1 would be even better. I think they would be worth a look.

Gary

[aeventyr60]

I have had good service from my Helly Hansen foulies, a one piece and another just a jacket. I need to replace them as they are 17 years old and are starting to leak...luckily I'm not in a cold wet place anymore...but there will come a time...

[MedSailor]

Yeah there is better stuff out there. For starters STOP looking at "boating" and "sailing" gear.

All but the most expensive foul weather gear will either breathable-ish but not waterproof (durable water repellent) or will be waterproof but NOT breathable (Grundings PVC). Gore-Tex breathable foulies can be had starting at $800

Check our REI and other outdoor retailers and look at hiking, skiing, and snow-mobiling clothing. It is MUCH cheaper and the competition is greater because those markets are bigger.

For example check out these absolutely top of the line 3layer Gore-Tex bibs. They sport, fully taped seams, full length watertight leg zips (to cool you down and for ease of getting in and out) that also have a built in butt and knee pads. Can be found for around $300. Mind you that's the top of the heap, with all the bells and whistles priced gear. The North Face and other companies make nice bibs and jackets for less. "Boating" gear is just too marked up.

http://=http://www.klim.com/en-us/sh...e-tex/3178-000


Stay warm. Stay dry.
MedSailor

[Cherp]

Hhmmm. If you need top end foul weather gear you must be a racer, sitting in an exposed cockpit or up on the rail to weather. If you need it when cruising you probably need to rethink your shelter arrangements. We added a hard dodger and a bimini attached to it to stopmwind and spray in cold weather. Now we rarely use foulies of any sort.

[DRFerron]

One of the big sailing magazines (Cruising World, Sail, can't remember offhand which one) last year did a spread on what a number of people (most whose names you'd know) wore for foul weather gear. At least a third used no-name gear, or at least not the usual gear marketed to boaters (HH, Gill, etc). They seemed perfectly happy, were just as dry and spent much less.