2 sailors on a boat

Feel the speed with the Foil Shell Jacket 2.0

In a sport with predominantly male athletes, female sailors have often had to perform at the highest levels with gear that is not adapted to their specific needs. Our team of female designers took the lead on designing a foil shell jacket together with professional sailors, Pip Hare, Team Wings, and Olympic sailors on Norwegian Sailing Team to cater to the best inshore sailors.

Flying through big swells at unprecedented speeds demands waterproof gear. Where the wind goes, coordinated and agile footwork follows. The Foil Shell Jacket 2.0 makes no compromise on functionality. Its neon detailing, two-way stretch fabric and soft feel make it a good choice for every inshore sailor.

Not just a copy: made for women, by women

High performance inshore sailors can be a niche/small audience to design for, and men's design options are more widely available. Women’s designs are often just variations of a men’s jacket (often with a slim silhouette or smaller size). In an attempt to truly cater to female sailors, this collection was built by a different team than the Men’s HP Collection.

Leading this project were two dedicated specialists with their own expertise on the water. Monica Rodal, Product and Partnership Manager Sailing, connected the feedback from current professional sailors and Ida Gulllhav, Senior Designer Product and Development led the design process. Beyond their expertise in apparel, both Monica and Ida enjoy sailing, making them especially skilled at understanding the needs of the professionals. The result is that the women’s designs are completely original, not copies of the men’s.

Sailors and designers discussing the development of the jacket
The W Foil Shell Jacket 2.0 was developed with professional female sailors. Team Wings seen here in collaboration with the Helly Team

Feedback from professionals

The feedback on designs came from several several professional sailors, including solo sailors Pip Hare and Joan Mulloy  Norwegian Sailing Team members Helene Næss and Marie Rønningen, and  Team Wings. The sailors requested room for extra layers, often not possible in the slim-cut women's designs of the past that favored aesthetics over performance. Made with 2-way mechanical stretch fabric, the jacket allows for layers while maintaining freedom of movement. The PU seal in the sleeve opening also received positive feedback thanks to its waterproof and adjustable features, alongside the added bonus of being more comfortable than latex. They also pointed out that packable hoods can lead to extra bulk, so we made the hood detachable.

"We are fortunate to work closely with female professional sailors from all over the world who help us to develop gear that specifically meets their needs. With the new women’s Foil Shell Jacket 2.0, we listened to their feedback to design a performance-driven jacket that suits the modern aesthetic and fit they were looking for without compromising on function.”

    — Ida Gullhav, Senior Designer for Sailing at Helly Hansen

The W Foil Shell Jacket 2.0 features a lightweight, packable hood so you can stay focused

Feature-packed for high speed sailing

HELLY TECH® Professional 3-ply construction guarantees waterproof, windproof and breathable performance. These qualities are especially valued by inshore sailors like Marie Rønningen and Helene Næss who sail in a 49er FX (a two-handed skiff-type dinghy). Equipped with a trapeze while hanging over the dinghy’s edge, contact with water is part and parcel of the game.

With a shorter and modern silhouette, the Foil Shell Jacket 2.0 is specifically designed to cater to the vast range of women's figures and hip sizes, enabling optimal flexibility and mobility throughout every maneuver.

Adding to the jacket’s aerodynamic design, fully sealed seams also provide the highest level of waterproof/breathable protection. Additional features of the jacket include a high protective, technical brushed tricot collar; water-sealed inner cuffs for added protection; and adjustable outer cuffs and hem for a customized fit.

The W Foil Shell Jacket 2.0 is feature-packed with guaranteed waterproof and breathable performance along with neon detailing for visibility on the water

Explore the Hydropower collection

Built with decades of insights from working with professional sailors, the Hydropower collection aims to bring aerodynamic performance to the water, allowing for good experiences no matter the conditions. Constantly learning from our professionals, the collection features technical designs with smart details, all constructed with HELLY TECH® waterproof and breathable constructions.

Explore more blogs