Which sailing bib?

If you’re planning to go sailing this year and need to invest in new gear, you’ve surely asked yourself the question: Which sailing bib should I choose? In other words, what are the different types of bibs, the different brands, and the choices available to you. Most sailors own only one bib, so it’s very important to choose them well. If you sail very regularly in rather extreme conditions, we recommend having several sailing bibs to dry them and prevent them from wearing out too quickly.

Even though bib was originally workwear, they quickly found their place in sports, especially sailing. Easily adjustable thanks to their straps, bibs are now truly technical, waterproof, resistant, and wind-protective products. Adopted by sailors today, you can find sailing bib at different prices depending on their quality and technical features, ranging from 200 to 1000 euros.

Sailing Bib

The Best Sailing Bib

There’s a wide choice of bibs, but the main thing is to find the sailing bibs that suit you best and, above all, match your sailing practice and the boat you sail on. Indeed, if you sail on a small day-sailing sports boat like a J80 or Surprise, we recommend flexible and lightweight bibs. However, if you’re going for long days cruising or racing, it’s better to choose more technical and resistant bibs that will protect you more from wind and moisture.

First, you need to pay attention to the overall design of the garment, which must be comfortable and not hinder the sailor’s movements. There are also morphological criteria to respect, taking into account women’s characteristics when garments are cut: hips, chest, waist, thigh. The garment’s functionality must also be considered, with practical pockets, warmer areas, and easy-access openings for quick bathroom breaks.

The fluidity and flexibility of the textile are also points not to be overlooked. Women’s bib must remain flexible to accompany movements, but the fabric must be resistant enough to withstand abrasion.

What type of sailing bib to choose if you are a female sailor? Even though we are aware that women all have different physical characteristics, we strive to present a range that adapts to the largest number.

Choosing Your Sailing Bib

If you want to choose the right bib for sailing, we strongly recommend asking yourself several questions before making your choice.

• Which Sailing Bib to Choose Based on Your Boat?

There are many categories and types of sailboats and motorboats! And life on board each boat is very different depending on the boat you sail on. From foiling sailboats to IMOCAs on a Vendée Globe, or a small cruising boat for coastal sailing, or a travel catamaran, each boat is different and stresses the body and technical clothing in a different way.

If you are on a very sporty boat and compete, such as on foiling catamarans, J80s, or Mini 6.50s, we recommend choosing flexible and lightweight bibs that will adapt to all your movements. They should be very easy to wear, not rigid, and give you the feeling of being agile; a 2-layer material may be sufficient.

If you sail on a boat where it’s very wet: As we know, some boats get wetter than others. This is notably the case for IMOCAs, Class40s, POGO3s, or prototype Mini 6.50s. Your main concern should be to protect yourself from this moisture, which quickly causes feelings of cold and fatigue. Indeed, on some boats, when you are at the helm or moving forward to maneuver, you can quickly be covered in water from waves and spray.

In this case, your adult sailing bib and sailing jacket must be highly water-repellent, while maintaining a good degree of breathability. For this, you should opt for bib with highly technical materials, minimum 3 layers, water-resistant and with waterproof closures. You can also consider investing in a dry suit.

• Which Sailing Bib to Choose Based on Your Body Shape?

We strongly recommend trying on this type of technical clothing before purchasing or favoring brands that easily allow exchanges and returns. Not all sailing bib are cut the same way; some will suit very tall or very slender people more, while others will be more suitable for people with shorter legs.

This is also the case for sailing jackets, which can have longer or shorter sleeves. It is essential that the garment is perfectly tailored to your size; otherwise, you risk having sleeves that are too long and may hinder your movements, or water pockets at the bottom of your bib that weigh down your outfit. Also opt for adjustable garments at the wrists, ankles, straps, and waist for a perfect fit for your body shape.

• Which Sailing Bib to Choose Based on the Type of Sailing?

If you choose to sail at night or for several days, you cannot choose the same bib as someone who only sails for a few hours. Indeed, you will need to renew your gear throughout the trip, so it is preferable to take several pairs of bib and several jackets with you. We also recommend taking gear with high thermal resistance for cooler nights.

Different underlayers will also be essential to complement your sailing bib. If you wear your bib for several days, they must also be practical with different pockets, a quick system for bathroom breaks, and allow you to change easily even in rough sea conditions.

• Which Sailing Bib to Choose Based on Your Frequency of Use?

The frequency of use of your sailing bib will also play a role in your choice. Indeed, if you use your bib every day or very regularly, they are more likely to wear out easily. It is therefore preferable to choose high-end, very durable bib and not settle for entry-level bib, which are likely to tear very quickly. Make sure to choose them with reinforcements at friction points: knees, thighs, buttocks. If your bib wear out too quickly, they will lose their waterproofing and thermal properties. You can also choose to have several bib and rotate them depending on the day’s weather conditions.

However, if you sail infrequently or occasionally, you are not obliged to make the same investment, but your bib should still be versatile and durable enough to adapt to different types of boats and conditions.

Whether you sail only during the summer season or all year round also influences your equipment choice.

• Which Sailing Bib to Choose Based on Your Sailing Area?

Your sailing area can also influence the choice of your bib, especially regarding humidity and warmth. It’s impossible to perform well if you’re freezing for several hours. Your body expends a lot of energy at sea and gets tired very quickly. Once you’re tired, the cold can set in and won’t leave you until the end of your trip. For this reason, it’s preferable to choose sailing bibs that will perfectly suit your sailing area.

If you sail in Brittany or the English Channel, or in winter on the west coast, we recommend having robust and very waterproof winter bibs to protect you from cold, wind, rain, and spray.

However, if you sail in a sunny but sometimes rainy area with milder temperatures, you can choose lightweight but very waterproof bib. These will protect you from rain and various bad weather conditions without providing a major source of warmth.

• Which Sailing Bib to Choose Based on Your Budget?

Beyond your technical needs, we are aware that financial resources are not unlimited. Even if your bib must first match your practice and needs, they must also fit your budget.

Sailing bib between 200 and 300 euros: Entry-level bibs can perfectly suit occasional users who sail a few times a year and don’t want to invest in an overly expensive product. These bib generally have low technical and thermal properties. They can also get damaged very easily and are difficult to repair.

Sailing bib between 300 and 500 euros: These bib suit most sailors. Durable over time, with strong technical and thermal properties and good waterproofing, they can perfectly meet your expectations for regular sailing. Be sure to check the breathability and waterproofing ratings of the products and opt for a 3-layer material that will be more insulating and more resistant. Sailing bib between 500 and 1000 euros: These bib are extremely technical: in terms of thermal performance, waterproofing, and breathability. They are suitable for experienced sailors who go on very demanding boats for long voyages or circumnavigations.

Our New SAILIZ Sailing Bib Collection

Environmentally Responsible Sailing Bib

The textile industry is particularly polluting, which is why at SAILIZ, we are committed to creating bib that respect the environment as much as possible. By choosing raw materials that respect the ocean as much as possible and then prioritizing local players. Even if, for economic and expertise reasons, our sailing bib are not entirely produced in France, we have made sure to produce with near-sourcing using exclusively European materials.

In other words, we have sought to minimize our environmental impact as much as possible throughout the production process. We first sourced materials that are both technical and environmentally friendly. Thanks to innovative technology, our material is both breathable and waterproof without any perfluorinated treatment, so the fabric remains fully waterproof without releasing PFC microparticles into the environment during use or washing. This membrane is also 100% Polyester, making it fully recyclable.

We have chosen to work with local partners. Unlike most bib on the market, our SAILIZ bib are made from European raw materials. Their development is 100% French and draws on the technical textile expertise we have in the Rhône-Alpes region. The bibs can be repaired at any time thanks to repair service providers in France.

Like all sailors, we are ocean lovers and quickly became committed to protecting this ecosystem as much as possible.

Accessible and Technical Bib

At Sailiz, we have chosen technicality, but not at any cost!

While most bib on the market feature only 2-layer technical material, we believed you deserved the best. We therefore decided to offer you 3-layer technical bib. Our fabric is extremely breathable > 10 RET; most bib have a lower breathability rating between 10 and 20 RET. The lower the RET, the higher the fabric’s breathability. The waterproofing rating of this 3-layer material is also very high: > 30000 mm; equipment on the market ranges between 15000 mm and 35000 mm.

We have chosen to work with a leading company in the innovative textile market and to opt for seamless thermofusion assembly. This will guarantee maximum waterproofing for the product and avoid any excess thickness at the junction points. The bib will therefore be both flexible and comfortable.

Sailing Bib Designed for Women

Our SAILIZ brand now offers a range of technical clothing for women that will continue to grow. Our sailing bib are now ready to be worn, and our sailing jacket is currently being created. We are also starting to complete our range with beanies, t-shirts, and sweatshirts for underlayers. Of course, the range of sailing clothing for women is not limited to the SAILIZ offering, and other brands are now starting to design bib or dry suits for women. SAILIZ, however, is the first brand of nautical clothing for women to offer outfits created for female sailors by female sailors.

Indeed, we have implemented a co-creation system with female sailors that allowed us to get maximum feedback. We have taken into account feedback, opinions, and frustrations to create THE sailing bib that best meet the expectations of women in sailing.

With specific thermal needs, specific openings for bathroom breaks, and cuts adapted to the body shape of as many women as possible. Everything has been designed to offer sailing bibs with an attractive design that meet very specific needs. Before being commercialized, our bib were also tested by several female sailors on different boats to best adapt the product to the real expectations of women in this sport.

As you have understood, sailing bib are a crucial aspect of sailing for female sailors.