2 min read · Updated 26 June 2026
Foul weather gear is the waterproof outer shell that keeps sailors dry — the "foulies", "oilies" or oilskins you pull on when the spray starts flying. It is the outer layer of the sailing layering system: a waterproof, breathable jacket and trousers worn over your insulating layers, blocking wind and water while letting sweat escape.
Why "oilskins"?
The name is a hangover from the age of sail, when waterproofs were canvas treated with linseed oil or wax to shed water — an "oiled skin". Modern gear is nothing like it, using coated or laminated synthetic fabrics with breathable membranes, but the old names — oilies, oilskins — have stuck.
Jacket and trousers
A full set is two pieces:
- A waterproof jacket — with a high collar, storm hood, sealed cuffs and a spray-proof front, to keep water out at the neck, wrists and zip.
- Trousers, usually salopettes — high-waisted, with a bib and braces so spray coming over the deck can't run down inside, and no tight waistband to dig in.
Together they seal you in from the weather, over the top of your base and mid layers.
Inshore, coastal, offshore
Foul weather gear comes in three broad grades, matched to how far out and how long you sail:
- Inshore — the lightest, for day sailing and racing close to shore in milder weather. Less bulk, lower cost.
- Coastal — a mid-weight step up for longer days and rougher conditions.
- Offshore / ocean — the heaviest and most protective: high collars, reinforced seat and knees, extra-secure closures, built for sustained exposure on long passages.
Heavier grades are warmer and tougher but bulkier and more expensive, so sailors match the grade to the sailing they actually do.
Breathability
The mark of good foulies is that they are breathable. A membrane blocks water and wind from outside while letting water vapour — your sweat — escape from inside, so you don't end up soaked from the inside out during hard, physical sailing. Breathability and durability are largely what separate budget waterproofs from premium offshore kit.
Part of the bigger picture
Foul weather gear is the outer layer of a system — it works because there are wicking and insulating layers beneath it (see what to wear sailing). For dinghy sailors who expect to be immersed, a wetsuit or drysuit does the job instead. And on serious passages, foulies sit alongside the rest of the offshore safety equipment that keeps a crew safe. For the vocabulary, see the sailing terms glossary.
Frequently asked questions
- What is foul weather gear?
- Foul weather gear — also called foulies, wet weather gear or oilskins — is the waterproof, breathable outer clothing sailors wear to keep dry from spray, rain and wind. It is the outer layer of the sailing layering system: typically a waterproof jacket and matching trousers (often high-waisted salopettes), worn over insulating layers. Modern foulies use breathable membranes so sweat can escape while water stays out.
- Why is it called oilskins?
- Because the earliest waterproof sailing clothing was made from canvas or cloth treated with linseed oil or wax to make it shed water — literally an 'oiled skin'. The name stuck even though modern foul weather gear is made from coated or laminated synthetic fabrics with breathable membranes rather than oiled cloth. Sailors still often call their waterproofs 'oilies' or 'oilskins' out of tradition.
- What are the different grades of foul weather gear?
- Foul weather gear is generally sold in three grades. Inshore gear is the lightest, for day sailing and racing close to shore in milder conditions. Coastal gear is a mid-weight step up for longer days and rougher weather. Offshore or ocean gear is the heaviest and most protective — high collars, reinforced seats and knees, extra-secure closures — built for sustained exposure on long passages. Heavier grades are warmer and tougher but bulkier and dearer.
- What are salopettes in sailing?
- Salopettes are high-waisted waterproof trousers with a bib and shoulder braces, worn as the lower half of foul weather gear. The high waist and bib keep water from running down into the trousers when spray comes over the deck, and the braces hold them up without a tight waistband. They are paired with a waterproof jacket to form a complete foul weather suit.
- Is foul weather gear breathable?
- Good modern foul weather gear is breathable: it uses a laminated or coated membrane that blocks water and wind from the outside while letting water vapour — your sweat — escape from the inside. This stops you getting wet from the inside out during hard physical sailing. Breathability and durability are what largely separate cheaper waterproofs from premium offshore gear.