“The OS1 is Gill’s toughest off shore jacket yet…”
The Gill OS1 jacket is a heavy duty Gill foul weather sailing jacket designed to withstand the rigors of extended offshore sailing. The OS1 jacket will be replacing the Gill OS4 which has been phased out. According to the folks at Gill, the OS1 is a ‘greatly improved’ jacket which comes as great news to offshore sailors who will find the OS1 to be a tough, comfortable and functional foul weather jacket.
The OS1 jacket and trousers are made using Gill’s top of the range 5 Dot four-layer laminated fabric, the OS1 jacket along with the OS1 trousers is the most comprehensive offshore combo developed by Gill to in its 40 year history. The OS1 jacket is the result of extensive on the water usability and design work with professional sailors and has yielded an extremely durable, waterproof and breathable off shore sailing jacket.
The jacket is both wind and water proof with a double storm flap with full velcro and adjustable wrist flaps that can be easily worked even with sailing gloves. In addition, the OS1 has big beefy zippers that can also be easily used with gloves in cold weather.
The OS1 jacket/trouser combo features 12 pockets, each with practical uses. In the OS1 jacket you will find roomy cargo pockets with attachment points for your handheld VHF radio or GPS. It also includes internal zippered and waterproof pockets. It also includes 2 sets of hand-warmer pockets in both the OS1 jacket and trousers.
A key area of off-shore foul weather jacket design is the collar, it’s what keeps your face warm and dry…the OS1 doesn’t disappoint. The Gill OS1 has one of the best and highest off shore collars you will find with an innovative closure system around the chin, and a comfortable micro-fleece internal lining that is very soft against the skin. The collar has a wrap around faceguard with fold-down option for when when you need to communicate. An active-fit rollaway hood is tucked into the collar and has a 2-way adjustment and fleece-lined trim which sits against the forehead for extra comfort. Between the height of the collar and the protection of the hood, you are very well covered and protected from the elements when the weather gets nasty.
In addition to comfort and protection, safety is a prime consideration for Gill in the design of their foul weather gear. The Gill OS1 has SOLAS approved prismatic reflectors on the chest, shoulders, cuffs and hood, and reflective piping all the way around the upper body section. This provides outstanding visibility at night which can be critical.
Last but not least, the OS1 Jacket is available in the high safety colors of yellow and red – both designed to match with the graphite Trousers.
Marine Product Reviews expects that the Gill OS1 jacket will be one of the best open water sailing jackets that you can buy. If you plan to take on the elements at their worst, the OS1 foul weather jacket is one you should seriously consider. The Gill OS1 is a high end jacket for the hardcore sailor as the price of >$450 would suggest. However, if you are going to be off-shore sailing, you will be living in your foul weather jacket and it’s not an area that you will want to skimp on. It is definitely Gill’s top of the line jacket designed to protect you from the toughest conditions.
Gill OS1 Jacket Features
• 5 Dot™ waterproof and breathable 3-layer fabric
• Ocean height collar with high, wrap-around face guard. Fold down face flap positioned over mouth
• Gridded thermal inner collar and chin guard
• Double front storm flap
• Rollaway hood with 2 way volume adjustment and fleece lined channel for comfort.
• Adjustable cuffs with PU inner seals for watertight comfort
• Adjustable shock cord hem with adjustors that tuck up into the seam
• Two sets of chest hand warmer pockets
• Cargo pockets for storing bulky objects
• Internal chest pocket protected by a WR zipper
• Solas approved prismatic reflectors on chest, shoulders, cuffs and hood with 360 degree reflective piping
