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The Rooster® Water Sports Layering Guide
Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, wearing the right kit for the conditions and being comfortable on the water can affect your enjoyment, safety and personal results. This article forms an honest and rigorously tested guide on the best practices for what to wear on the water whilst taking part in the majority of watersports activities. Cultivated by a huge team of enthusiasts, professional athletes and customers. We model and continue to develop our kit on this layering system but it works in conjunction with whatever kit you may already have, so even if you feel you only need a boost in some areas of your kit you might find something here very helpful...
The Rooster® layering concept involves selecting a base layer, mid-layer and top layer that are interchangeable and can be worn all year round – and this is where you get your value for money. Choose pieces that can be layered up or down depending on the temperature and conditions, this is particularly important for athletes who can experience four seasons in one day on the water, something a lot of us have experienced
Thanks to advances in fabric technology and the way these are applied to the design and fit of sailing kit, you can find that you can get away with a “less is more” approach to your kit bag. Our kit is specifically designed and tested by all of us at Rooster® as well as our sponsored athletes and customer feedback, to give the wearer maximum comfort, safety and functionality whilst maintaining quality and durability - it won’t break the bank either, our fundamental aim is to make getting on the water safely and enjoying it fully as accessible as possible.
FIRST UP: BASE LAYERS
Understand PolyPro
COOLING BASE LAYERS
UV RASH AND SPANDEX
Your go-to rash tops or any UV Rash and Lycra you wear, are designed to protect you for UV rays and keep you cool under the sun. The fabric that Rash Tops are made from allows moisture to be spread through the garment and around your body in order to cool you down while you're working hard in the sun as well as providing UV protection SPF50+. If you like the science behind the products read our blog on 'What have molecular forces got to do with watersports?'
Common Misconception: Underneath wetsuits people often like to wear rash vests or lycra tops to keep warm, these kinds of tops are not ideal for this purpose, they are designed to absorb and spread as much water as possible around the garment in order to cool you down. They are an excellent UV resistant cooling top to wear under the hot sun but if you are aiming to keep warm then you need a base layer with moisture-wicking, thermal properties like PolyPro.
The mid-layer is your neoprene or wetsuit layer. We recommend choosing a Longjohn and Top as they can be worn as separates depending on the conditions. We offer these products in a range of thickness to suit the climate the athlete is in predominately and whether they tend to feel the cold or not. The most popular with our year-round athletes is the SuperTherm® 4mm Longjohn. For those in warmer waters, the ThermaFlex® 1.5mm Longjohn would be more suitable. These can be paired up with a top of the same neoprene thickness, however many opt for a thinner layer combining a 4mm Longjohn with a 1.5mm top.
TOP LAYERS: WIND AND SPRAY PROTECTION
AND THE REST...
Once you’ve added your accessories – Gloves, Boots, Buoyancy Aid, Hat – you’re ready to go and will be warm, comfortable and moving around the boat like a ninja! Best of all, you’ll have a wardrobe of interchangeable kit that will see you through all seasons.
For advice on layering and which products might work best with your existing kit for the season you're about to hit the water in, just give us a call, we’re more than happy to help.
Race Armour Buoyancy Aid
