Let’s face it: Sailing is a gear-heavy sport. What better time to check off a few items from the wish list than the holidays.
We combed our catalog and put together a list of our picks for the best gifts for sailors this holiday season. We expect you’ll find something for just about everyone on your list! (And—a few things for yourself too.)
 |
| Gill Classic Floating Polarized Sunglasses in Matte Black. |
How many pairs of sunglasses have you lost during your sailing career? You may rather not count, and frankly, neither would we! That’s why we’ve got Gill’s floating sunglasses on our wish list. The sleek, Grilamid TR90 wrap-around frames come in three colors, and shatterproof, 100% glare free polarized lenses are designed specifically for wearing on the water. However if you drop them on the racecourse, we don’t guarantee your helmsman will turn the boat around. $89.95
 |
| The Optimum Time Series 16 features a large 28mm display and comes with two bands. |
The perfect gift for the discerning sailor: The Optimum Series 16 features a large 28mm display enclosed in heavy-duty polished stainless steel and interchangeable leather and silicon rubber straps, perfect for on the water or at the club. The three-row display shows time and timer together; timer functions include countdown, pre-programmed ISAF start sequences with audible warning signals, and user selectable one-minute intervals—ideal for match racing. $229.95
 |
| Racer Blue is one of our favorite colors in the HH Duffel Bag 2 range! |
Helly Hansen’s Duffel Bag 2 is fantastically versatile, transforming from backpack to duffle bag with ease. The bag comes in seven colors (so you can easily find your bag in the pile) and four sizes. The 70L bag is the perfect size for racing, and if you pack responsibly, should be able to carry just about everything you need even for an ocean crossing. $120.00
 |
| The Henri Lloyd Traverse Half Zip in Carbon. |
We love this mid-layer fleece on cold days! The Henri Lloyd Traverse is lightweight, breathable, and ergonomically designed for men and women with a half-zip neck. The men’s version has a zippered pocket on the left chest, while the women’s version has a zippered pocked on the left upper arm. Two colors available. $139.00
 |
| Your junior sailor will love this limited edition watch from Optimum Time. |
The Optimum Time Series 11 is a great gift for the stylish junior sailor, with a ton of functions for on and off the water including countdown and up and pre-programmed ISAF start sequences. There’s also a calendar and an alarm—for those of you who are prone to sleeping in. The watch has an electro-luminescence backlight feature (a key function to have if you do any overnight racing) and is housed in a 26mm round display with a soft strap and heavy-duty stainless steel buckle. $74.95
 |
| The Helly Hansen HH Dry Technical Base Layer comes in great colors for men, women, and juniors. |
Helly Hansen’s HH Dry technical base layer for men, women, and juniors is a great pick for any cold weather sport. Lightweight, non-itch, and allergy neutral, it stays dry next to the skin no matter how wet you get. Available in multiple colors, all with Helly Hansen’s iconic stripe along the sleeve. $40.00
 |
| Our favorite ultra-lightweight inflatable lifevest! |
Do your family members moan every time you tell them to put on their lifevest? We’ve got the answer! The Spinlock Deckvest LITE is our favorite inflatable lifevest for inshore sailing and powerboating. Its ultra-lightweight, contoured design makes it comfortable all day long. The Deckvest LITE is Type III USCG approved, and uses a water-activated auto-inflator designed to inflate only when water flows upward through the unit. $189.00
 |
| A great boot for going across the ocean, or getting soaked on a sport boat around the buoys! |
Hands down our favorite heavy weather sailing boots. The neoprene and rubber upper and waterproof gaiter with perforated neoprene gusset for drainage guarantees that your feel will be dry in even the most extreme conditions, but they’re also lightweight enough for the sloppy conditions of Melges 24 or J/70 sailing. Only available in men’s sizes, but the men’s 6 with a pair of wool socks fits a woman’s size 7 foot perfectly. $229.00
 |
| The Gill Helmsman Gloves—a must-have for any helmsman! |
Gill’s insulated Helmsman Gloves are great for keeping your hands warm and dry on rainy cold days and cold nights. Soft Fibrefill insulation provides warmth while the waterproof breathable liner keeps you dry. As the name suggests, these are designed to offer good grip on the helm and while handling wet lines. (If you’re looking for a glove for your bowman, may we suggest the Henri Lloyd Cobra Grip Long Finger Glove.) $55.00
What attracted us to Henri Lloyd’s Cyclone Soft Shell was how classy it looks. We’re talking “yachting” here. But what we love it for is the quality: It’s extremely breathable, but still highly wind and water resistant; just watch the water droplets roll off the DWR finished surface. And the fit is the perfect combination of athleticism and style. The Cyclone Soft Shell is also available as a vest.
$129.00
Not quite what you had in mind? Check out our entire holiday gift collection!
