By Grace Lockhart
Table of contents
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It’s no secret that sailing is generally a male-dominated sport. We all know plenty of awesome lady sailors who have dealt with their fair share of overcoming sexism and paving the way to close the gender gap in sailing. And fortunately, those efforts are paying off. Slowly but surely, there are more women in sailing every year. Barriers are being broken, and many classes are adopting event protocols to encourage more balance onboard. The Ocean Race gender requirements are trickling down to a myriad of fleets, and it’s making a difference. Just recently, the first woman skipper won J70 worlds, an extremely competitive event and a huge win for her team and for women in sailing. I have no doubt it’s the first of many, and we are well on our way to a time when we can stop specifying men and women sailors and just call ourselves sailors.
Regattas and programs are making great headway, but a facet that is still catching up is what we wear. Every woman who has ever tried to buy sailing shorts understands the true struggle of finding the proper gear to get on the water.
Women’s clothing in general is difficult to size correctly (what does size 8 really mean?), but when technical gear is required, the challenge becomes more difficult. Women come in so many shapes and sizes. I can’t imagine trying to design a pair of shorts that can stretch to accommodate curves without being unwearable for someone else of a similar size. Specifically, shorts need reinforcement for sliding across decks, and finding the perfect pair is the holy grail of outdoor wear.
Sailing women have enough challenges to get on the water, and the clothing advertised to us doesn’t help. Many of my friends keep it simple and wear typical women’s running shorts, which end up as booty shorts when jumping around the boat. I ask how they do it, and the response often includes, “eh, the butt rope burns really aren’t that bad.” Not kidding. I may be a bit more old fashioned, but at what point do we stop sacrificing functionality and performance for cheap options and being cute? And don’t get me started on sun shirts with V necks. We wear sun shirts to protect against UV damage; who thought it was a good idea to open up the part of the shirt to skin that is already getting too much sun?
I’ve been mixing men’s clothing into my sailing wardrobe because it just works better. I want my skin protected from the sun, I want my legs and butt protected from rope burns and boat bites, and I want some REAL pockets for my knife, a roll of electrical tape, and whatever else I need on hand for competitive racing.
Unfortunately, the big name sailing brands haven’t done an amazing job of providing women options. And why would they? It’s already a niche market, and to build inventory for what used to be a very small group of people just wasn’t worth the cost.
Fine. If what we’re supposed to buy doesn’t work, then find something that does.
Here’s what I’ve found to work instead:
Try the Status Quo
Give the main sailing brands a chance. Try on what’s available- these companies understand the rigors of boats, and they won’t build them unless we create the demand.
Helly Hansen Women’s HP Racing Deck Shorts
→ Durable, quick-dry, reinforced seat
✔ Fits your point about brands understanding boat wear
→ Lightweight + UV protection + stretch
✔ Good “entry point” option from a known sailing brand
Small Companies with Niche Products
My most biased and enthusiastic review is for 10 Knots Clothing. Home grown in Detroit, founders Susie and Kristen have developed some really incredible sailing shorts. The shorts are both stretchy and structured, with a tough but quick dry material. There is a long option and a shorter option, featuring real pockets and even (drumroll) an option for butt pads. Is it a miracle? Yes. The McGraw shorts are my favorite sailing shorts of all time- I’ve been using them constantly for two years and they are amazing. I hope there are other similar companies and products specifically designed for women sailors. Support small businesses and try them out!
→ More performance-focused, better fit than most mainstream
✔ Good bridge between niche + major brand innovation
Think Outside Sailing
Sailing clothing is a niche industry, so explore in other sports! There are tons of clothing options for hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, paddling, etc. Sailing isn’t the only sport that requires clothing to be quick dry, flexible, and durable. I’ve had great luck with Kuhl hiking shorts, amongst other clothing brands made for hiking.
Peeing Outside is Fun!
After a quick Google search, I stumbled upon a pair of women’s shorts with a fly designed for peeing in the wilderness. I don’t own a pair, but the design really seems to help the endless dilemma of peeing on boats. Made by Gnara, the zipper on these shorts goes from front to back. This eliminates the need for full shorts removal, removing one more barrier for our awesome lady sailors. Helly Hansen also has a pair of foul weather pants that zip across the butt: you can pop a squat without removing 17 layers and your entire pants just to have a pee. Innovation is out there, and it’s encouraging to see creativity make its way into useful products.
Helly Hansen Women’s Skagen Offshore Bib Pants (Drop Seat)
→ Rear zip = exactly what you described
✔ Perfect real sailing solution to the “17 layers” problem
Tried and True
Leggings are always amazing. Comfortable, flexible, and more functional than ever. The advent of phone pockets has made everything better, providing a creative spot to stash a sailing knife and electrical tape. The downside is the lack of reinforcement on the backside for sliding across decks, but maybe that will be next.
Zhik Women’s Eco Spandex Leggings
→ UV protection + performance stretch
✔ Great for active deck movement
Sun Protection is Key
I refuse to wear any sun shirt that doesn’t cover my skin as much as possible. I avoid anything with a V neck or a super wide open neck, and unfortunately that means I’m usually wearing men’s shirts. When it comes time to put in the order for crew gear, I always have to specify men’s sizing since the typical women’s options just don’t make sense. I would love to have some crew gear sun hoodies with a waist and hips that fit, but for now, I’ll stick to boxy and protected.
This is by no means a comprehensive list but hopefully a useful starting point. As more women join the sport, the demand for better functional clothing will grow, and the easier this will get. In the meantime, the alternatives are available and the options are growing. Whether it’s a casual daysail or a world championship, the right clothing is key. For all you amazing sailing ladies out there, keep on being amazing. I’ll see you on the water!
Gill Men’s Long Sleeve UV Tec Tee
→ High UPF, full coverage, no unnecessary neckline
✔ Directly supports your “I wear men’s shirts” point
Helly Hansen Men’s LIFA Active Solen Hoodie
→ Sun hoodie, breathable, full coverage
✔ Perfect for your “boxy but protected” reality
→ UPF 50+ sun protection + cooling, breathable fabric
✔ Essential for protecting neck and face during long days on the water
Peppers Nolita Polarized Sunglasses
→ Polarized lenses reduce glare + improve visibility on the water
✔ Essential for protecting your eyes and spotting detail in bright, reflective conditions
About the Author
Grace P. Lockhart is a lifelong sailor, licensed USCG captain, and experienced race crew based in the Midwest. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a background in environmental policy and nonprofit work, she brings both grit and storytelling flair to life on the water. Grace has raced in dozens of Mackinac events, worked in maritime education, and volunteers as a mentor to aspiring women sailors.
Shop More Women’s Gear
Women’s Long Finger Sailing Gloves
→ Reinforced grip + full-finger protection against rope burns
✔ Must-have for handling lines comfortably and protecting hands during long days
Women’s Crew Hooded 2.0 Jacket
→ Waterproof, windproof shell + lightweight layering
✔ Reliable outer layer for staying dry, protected, and comfortable on the water
ClearStart™ 50mm Sailing Watch
→ Large display + race countdown timer with start sequence alerts
✔ Essential for timing starts and staying dialed in during competitive sailing
Join The Discussion
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Best gear for women in sailing?
What is everyones favorite gear to wear sailing and why. Do you prefer mens gear over womens? What sailing gear do you rely on the most?
https://americansailing.com/articles/sailing-gear-for-women/
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