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Helly Hansen reliable all-weather Boat Crew Clothing

Published: 9 Oct 2026
New Boating Products

When you're spending time on the water, the right clothing can make the difference between enjoying the day and wishing you'd stayed ashore. Helly Hansen has been developing technical clothing for sailors and outdoor enthusiasts for generations, combining practical protection from wind, rain and spray with comfortable designs that are equally at home on the boat, around the marina or simply enjoying the coast.

Although we do not stock clothing in store, we've put together this guide to some of the most useful and popular Helly Hansen marine clothing and footwear. From heavy all-weather and lightweight waterproof sailing jackets to warm midlayers and base layers, trousers, footwear, polo shirts, fleeces, vests and caps, there's something for everything from a summer cruise to a colder day on deck.

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Why choose Helly Hansen marine clothing?

a Navy Blue Helly Hansen Men's Hooded Crew Sailing Jacket

Helly Hansen's sailing clothing is designed around the realities of being outdoors on the water. Wind, spray, rain, changing temperatures and wet decks all place different demands on your clothing.

The company's technical sailing collections include waterproof and breathable HELLY TECH® garments, quick-drying fabrics, insulating midlayers and practical footwear designed specifically for use around boats.

The advantage is that you don't necessarily need one heavy jacket to cope with every condition. Building a clothing system from a base layer, midlayer and waterproof outer layer gives you much greater flexibility as the weather changes.

Waterproof Crew Jackets, a great all-round sailing jacket

If you only buy one piece of proper marine clothing, a good waterproof jacket is probably the best place to start.

An Opel Green Helly Hansen Seven Rain Jacket

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The Helly Hansen Crew Sailing Jacket has become one of the brand's best-known sailing garments. The latest Crew Sailing Jacket uses HELLY TECH® Protection technology and is designed to be waterproof, windproof and breathable while remaining relatively lightweight and comfortable. It is particularly well suited to coastal cruising, inland boating, marina use and general outdoor activities where showers and wind are part of the day.

Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jackets

For summer sailing, boat trips and changeable British weather, a lighter waterproof jacket is often more useful than a heavily insulated coat. It can be packed away when the sun appears and quickly put on when a shower or breeze arrives. Look for a jacket with adjustable cuffs, secure pockets, a comfortable collar and breathable waterproof construction.

A lady sporting the Wildberry Pink Helly Hansen Arden Long Rain Jacket

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Everyday Long Waterproof Rain Jacket

If you are looking for a versatile longer-length waterproof coat then the Helly Hansen Arden jacket provides waterproof, breathable, and windproof benefits with a soft interior lining for all-day comfort in a classic Scandinavian styling for when you are sailing, in the marina, on the school run, or at the sports field cheering on your little ones. The three-quarter length silhouette gives an elegant feminine shape, and the hood and adjustable cuffs helps keep you comfortable all day.

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For colder days heavier jackets and midlayers

When temperatures fall, layering becomes particularly useful. Helly Hansen's Crew collection includes heavier midlayers, insulated jackets and fleece garments that can be worn underneath a waterproof outer layer or on their own in drier conditions.

The Crew Midlayer Sailing Jacket is a useful middle option, providing additional warmth without the bulk of a heavy winter coat.

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For colder conditions, the Crew Insulator Jacket adds more insulation and can be combined with a waterproof outer shell when conditions deteriorate.

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Base Layers are the foundation of comfortable sailing

A close up of the Navy Blue Helly Hansen Midlayer Waterproof Jacket

A waterproof jacket keeps the weather out, but what you wear underneath it is just as important.

Helly Hansen's LIFA® base-layer technology is designed to move moisture away from the skin while providing a lightweight layer underneath your sailing jacket or fleece. A good base layer can help keep you comfortable during active sailing, working around the boat or simply spending a long day outdoors.

Base-layer tops and trousers are particularly useful during spring, autumn and winter. They can also be worn for walking, hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities, making them a versatile addition to your clothing kit.

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Trousers and shorts for quick-drying comfort on board

Helly Hansen Lifa Active Leggings

Wet jeans are nobody's idea of comfortable sailing clothing. For warmer weather, Helly Hansen's Quick-Dry Trousers and shorts offer a practical alternative.

Quick-drying fabrics are particularly useful around boats because splashes, rain and wet decks are difficult to avoid. Cargo versions also provide useful storage for smaller items when you're working around the boat.

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For women, the Women's QD Trousers provide a similar lightweight, quick-drying option and are suitable for sailing, travel and general outdoor use.

For colder or wetter sailing, trousers can also be combined with a thermal base layer underneath, giving you a flexible system rather than relying on one very heavy garment.

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Fleeces provide lightweight warmth for the marina and boat

Helly Hansen Fleece

A fleece is one of those pieces of clothing that earns its place on almost every boat.

Helly Hansen's Crew Fleece Jacket provides a warm but relatively lightweight layer for cooler summer evenings, spring and autumn cruising or simply sitting in the cockpit after the sun has gone down.

Fleeces are also particularly versatile because they don't have to stay on the boat. They're equally useful for walking, travelling, camping and everyday wear.

Women's versions include the Women's Crew Fleece Jacket, while heavier pile and hooded options are available when extra warmth is required.

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Vests add extra warmth without restricting movement

A sailing vest is particularly useful when you need a little extra insulation but don't want the bulk of another full-sleeved jacket.

The Helly Hansen Crew Sailing Vest are designed for marine use and work particularly well over a polo or fleece and underneath a waterproof jacket.

Insulated versions provide additional warmth around the body while leaving the arms unrestricted – useful when handling ropes, working around the cockpit or simply enjoying a day afloat.

Helly Hansen Polo Shirt

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Polo Shirts are the classic marine style

Not every day on a boat calls for technical sailing gear. When the weather is warm, a comfortable polo shirt is often all you need.

Helly Hansen's Crew Polo range combines the traditional nautical polo style with the company's distinctive HH branding. They're ideal for summer cruising, marina visits, holidays and everyday wear away from the boat.

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The Women's Crew Polo is a particularly good option for women looking for a classic marine-style polo with a feminine fit; ideal for coastal and inshore sailing and around the marina.

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Sailing footwear for grip that matters

Good footwear is about much more than keeping your feet dry. Boat decks can become extremely slippery when wet, so a proper sailing shoe should provide dependable grip while remaining comfortable enough to wear for hours.

Helly Hansen's sailing footwear includes the popular Crew Low Sailing Shoes and Skagen F-1 Offshore Shoes, alongside lighter shoes and water-friendly designs.

Helly Hansen Sailing Shoes

The Helly Hansen range includes both men's and women's sailing footwear, with designs using features such as non-slip soles, quick-drying materials and technologies intended to improve grip on wet surfaces.

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If you specifically need a waterproof boot rather than a deck shoe, Helly Hansen also produces waterproof and marine-friendly boots such as the Seaspray Rain Boot range.

Caps that keep the sun off, and hats to keep the heat in

Helly Hansen Baseball Cap

A good sailing cap is one of the simplest pieces of kit you can take aboard. It helps keep the sun out of your eyes, keeps hair under control in windy conditions and completes the classic marine look.

The Helly Hansen Crew Cap is a simple unisex option with an adjustable closure and the familiar HH logo. It is available in several colours and Helly Hansen also offers sun hats and visors, providing alternatives when maximum sun protection is more important than the traditional sailing-cap look; together with classic beanie hats for cooler days.

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How to build a Helly Hansen sailing clothing system

Helly Hansen Women's Crew Insulator Vest

The beauty of buying marine clothing as a layering system is that you don't need a huge wardrobe to cope with changing weather.

  • Warm weather: Polo shirt + quick-dry trousers or shorts + sailing shoes + cap.
  • Cooler weather: Base layer + fleece or midlayer + trousers + sailing shoes.
  • Wet and windy: Base layer + midlayer + waterproof Crew Sailing Jacket.
  • Cold and wet: Thermal base layer + fleece/insulator + waterproof jacket + suitable trousers + waterproof footwear.
  • Summer showers: Lightweight waterproof jacket packed ready for when the weather changes.

This approach also means that most of your clothing can be used away from the boat. A good Helly Hansen fleece can go walking, a polo works on holiday, and a waterproof jacket can be just as useful on a rainy dog walk as it is on the river.

Helly Hansen clothing for men and women

One of the strengths of the current Helly Hansen sailing range is the breadth of choice available for both men and women. Rather than simply offering unisex versions of the same garments, Helly Hansen has developed dedicated men's and women's sailing collections covering jackets, trousers, tops, midlayers, footwear and accessories.

That makes it easier to build a practical sailing wardrobe around the conditions you actually expect to encounter.

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Why Helly Hansen makes sense for boat owners

Marine clothing doesn't have to be complicated. The key is choosing garments that work together.

A waterproof outer layer protects you from rain and spray. A fleece or insulated midlayer adds warmth when temperatures drop, while a good base layer helps manage moisture next to the skin. Quick-drying trousers keep you comfortable when things get wet, and proper sailing footwear provides the grip you need on deck.

That combination makes Helly Hansen clothing useful not just for serious sailors, but for river cruisers, yacht owners, dinghy sailors, boatyard users, paddle sports enthusiasts and anyone who spends time outdoors around the water.

Helly Hansen Underlayer

Find your Helly Hansen marine clothing

Whether you're looking for a lightweight waterproof jacket for summer sailing, a warmer jacket for colder days, a technical base layer, quick-dry trousers, a fleece, insulated vest, polo shirt, sailing footwear or simply a good marine cap, Helly Hansen offers plenty of options.

We've selected the products above to give you a starting point, with options for both men and women and for everything from warm-weather cruising to colder and wetter days afloat.

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