Apparel and Accessories

The Really Good DealWe live in a disposable world. Our water often comes contained in land-fill plastic, our myriad electronic gizmos and gadgets are trendy for a year or two before they too join the plastic bottles in the landfill, and that’s not even to mention the batteries and power cords that power them. And let’s not even talk about racing sails, broken boat bits, or

Looking for a dry bag that can also serve as a grocery carrier or an adventure pack? DeMar Designs’s new Cortez backpack is well worth your attention. The backpack features open-mesh construction (with some nylon paneling), a generous vertical zipper opening that allows top-to-bottom access, accessory pockets, compression straps, an internal pocket for a hydration unit (not supplied), a removable

Offshore ComfortIf you sail regularly offshore, you know the absolute importance of a good, warm, dry pair of seaboots. There are plenty on the market, most of which are very good, and — like ski boots — a lot comes down to individual fit, but if your foot is a fairly common size, you’ll go far to find a better pair than the Dubarry Ultimas. These Gore-Tex-lined leather

One of the great things about sailing is that you never quite know where your travels will take you. If you’re a cruiser, there are usually trails to be hiked in far-flung destinations, and if you’re a racer you’ve undoubtedly found yourself ashore in not-so-ideal weather conditions, waiting to see what the RC will do. Sure, you could wear your foul-weather gear, but chances are good that muddy

Having the ability to clearly discern ripples in the water from afar, or to spot a menacing rock in a glare, are boons to the racer and cruiser alike. But combining stellar optics, great sun protection, and stylish good looks is what separates good glasses from the great. Kaenon Polarized’s line of sailing-orientated glasses fit into the later category, and are sure to be a hit with anyone on

If you follow high-end ocean racing, you’ve heard about Puma’s debut entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, but what you may not know is that Puma went the full mile, designing and building all of the team’s gear, which is available to the general public. The Cruising Jacket, built from two-layer Gore-Tex will keep you dry when things get snotty. The jacket features a high collar and packable hood, and

We had the opportunity to test top-of-the-line foul weather gear from Musto and Gill HPX Ocean and Gill Atlantic gear on a Southern Ocean sailing expedition to South Georgia,” writes our man in te field, Hamish Laird, skipper of the high-latitudes charter boat Seal.. “The Musto HPX Ocean and Gill Atlantic suits have now done over 5000 miles on the boat in cold, wet

Looking for the perfect sailing/hiking/exploring sandals? Look no farther than the Chaco Z1. These kicks are equally at home on a trail, on a beach, in the surf, or on a deck—provided you buy them with the nonskid Unaweep sole. Credit the versatility to an ingenious strap-tightening system. Simply pull on the adjustment strap and you’re set; there’s no Velcro to come

By David SchmidtFinding the right ocean-going seabag isn’t easy. Buy one that’s too big, and you’ll fill it (to the annoyance of your skipper, who might send you packing to repack). Buy one that’s too small, and you’ll likely regret that too. Luckily, the new Barrel Bag, part of Puma’s sailing gear for its Volvo Ocean Race team, is