Gill Dinghy Sailing Clothing FAQs
What is Gill best known for in dinghy sailing?
Boots, and that is where we would start too. Gill makes laced and zip boots in adult and junior sizes with soles stiff enough for toestraps, and they are the boots we see most often at club level. After boots, their gloves and neoprene socks are the items we would put in a kit bag without thinking twice.
Does Gill sailing kit come up big or small?
Gill sizing is close to UK high street sizing, so most sailors take their usual size. Boots are the exception: Gill uses European sizes, and the product page has a chart that maps them to UK sizes, so use that rather than guessing. If you are between sizes on a boot and sail through winter, go up to leave room for a sock.
Which Gill long john is right for me?
Pick by the coldest month you sail, not the warmest. The lighter long john is enough for spring to autumn club sailing, and the warmer one earns its place in a frostbite series. Both are sleeveless, so you add warmth with a thermal top and spray top on the day. See the full choice in our dinghy sailing wetsuits.
Is Gill good for junior sailors?
Yes, and the junior boots are the thing to look at first. Gill makes junior versions of its zip and laced boots and a youth buoyancy aid, all sized for children rather than scaled down from adult patterns. We keep the junior kit together in kids dinghy sailing clothing.
How long should Gill boots last?
Two to three seasons of weekly sailing is a fair expectation, with the sole usually going before the neoprene. Rinse them in fresh water after every sail and let them dry out of direct sun, because salt and UV are what kill the glue. When the sole wears smooth, replace them: a slipping boot costs you more than a new pair.
