Tried & Tested: Best Yacht Crew Jackets

With thanks to Sea Design

Purchasing a suitable jacket is vital to the comfort, health and performance of any superyacht crew, particularly those who work outdoors on a regular basis. As they are exposed to the elements, it is important that crew members benefit from clothing that protects them from inclement weather without restricting their freedom of movement.

Yachting Pages is committed to providing real-world solutions to everyday problems captains and crew face onboard, and this Tried & Tested with Sea design sheds an important light on the topic of outerwear.

Sea Design’s uniform experts reviewed eight yacht crew jackets, highlighting the pros and cons of each garment before compiling a list of scores across a range of relevant criteria. Given the importance of such products to crew members’ well-being and performance, and the professional impression of the yacht’s brand to others, it is crucial that decision makers are well informed before placing their next order.

Here are the tested crew jackets in alphabetical order.

Gil Lite Jacket RRP: €205

The Gill Lite hooded jacket is a great solution for staying warm and dry. In addition to the fully sealed and taped seams, adjustable cuffs, a detachable hood and an internal storm flap to protect against the elements have been incorporated to give the wearer freedom of movement. This jacket is ideal for yacht crews and water sports activities.

Sizes: Men S-3XL, Women 8-18

Helly Hansen Crew Jacket – RRP: around €150

A truly versatile jacket for those who want the style, protection and comfort of a sailing jacket with a design that also looks great on land. The Helly Tech® protective fabric is windproof, waterproof and breathable. The jacket has a hip length cut and a protective collar to suit all conditions. It’s also a firm favorite among teams and clubs for its clean design and ID race pocket on the back of the neck.

Sizes: Men/Women XXS-2XL

James & Nicholson 3-1 Jacket – RRP: around €115

This hardshell is a waterproof and windproof technical jacket made of a material that creates a layer of air between itself and the wearer, creating a unique microclimate. Its technology enables high breathability and efficient moisture transport. It’s a very good budget option for an unbranded garment, and its removable fleece lining makes it suitable for all climates.

Malfini 3 in 1 jacket – RRP: approx. €150

Available in men’s and women’s models, this 3-in-1 softshell hooded jacket is designed for comfort and functionality. It has many technical qualities including the outer jacket which is made from a TPU polyester membrane and is both breathable and waterproof with taped seams. The detachable hood with a reinforced peak is adjustable with an elastic drawstring. Other nice details include side pockets and welt chest pockets with reversed zips. There is also a removable inner jacket which has an anti-pill finish on both sides so it can be worn as a separate garment.

Sizes: men S-2XL, women XS-XXL

Musto Corsica Jacket – RRP: around €192

The Musto Corsica Jacket is made from a two-layer, rainproof and breathable fabric that meets Musto’s stringent BR1 standard to counteract persistent downpours. It is fleece lined for warmth and comfort and has a detachable and adjustable hood with a reinforced peak to keep water running off the wearer’s face. There are two zippered side pockets, a zippered chest pocket and an inner pocket with a headphone outlet. A curved back hem offers added coverage and comes with a hem adjuster, while there are Velcro adjustable cuffs with a heavy-duty rubber cuff tab.

Sizes: Men/Women XS-2XL

Nimbus Fargo Jacket – RRP: around €115

A functional hooded softshell from Danish company Nimbus. Stylish and practical, it’s made from a premium three-layer material for comfort and functionality. Breathable and wind and water resistant, the Fargo jacket is ideal for crew and guests as it is easy to pack.

Sizes: Men/Women S-4XL

Stormtech 3-1 XLT-4 Jacket – RRP: around €160

Classic styling in a bomber length with the option to wear it with or without a fleece lining. Two interior pockets and two exterior hand warmer pockets provide ample storage, while a zip-out fleece liner provides extra insulation when you need it. It offers high performance and the durability needed when wearers are exposed to colder climates.

Sizes: Men/Women XS-5XL

Tee Jays Urban Adventure Jacket – RRP: around €140

A high-quality jacket made of two-layer functional material. One of the key features of the detachable hood jacket is the pocket details. It offers excellent warmth, durability and a sleek, fashionable look. It is available as a women’s model but does not have the same pocket function.

Sizes: Men/Women S-3XL

Which crew jacket has prevailed?

Read more tried and tested articles in our dedicated library that includes reviews of deck shoes, crew polo shirts and crew t-shirts. Alternatively, do a search for the crew uniform and clothing you want!