Clothing: Decathlon has developed new professional oilskin with Vendée Globe winner

Decathlon offers sporting goods for everyone. Whether it's ski boots for winter holidays, camping mats for camping or a new saddle for your mountain bike - the motto is: large selection at low prices. This also applies to oilskins and sailing clothing, which the company has had in its range for several years. This concept is particularly popular with beginners and leisure sailors.

Now the French company seems to be taking a new direction. Together with Yannick Bestaven, the winner of the last Vendée Globe, the Decathlon brand Tribord launches a professional series was developed. This is surprising, as products for the professional sector were not previously part of the brand's core business.

Offshore Pro Series: A Decathlon oiler by and for professional skippers

They worked on it for three years and tested the first prototypes under real-life conditions. Bestaven wore one of the ten prototypes during the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021, while another was used during the Route du Rhum. The special feature of the oilskin is that it is tailored for the professional offshore sector and, according to the manufacturer, is particularly waterproof and hard-wearing. Together with Bestaven, ten other professional skippers from various offshore boat classes - including Class 40, Figaro and Mini 6.50 - worked on the development. The company states that around 43,000 nautical miles have been travelled with the oilskins so far. A further 24,000 nautical miles will soon be added, as Yannick Bestaven will exclusively wear the Offshore Pro Series for the next Vendée.

A bulwark against bad weather

In mid-October, the company presented the Offshore Pro series to journalists and invited them to the Sailing Lab in La Rochelle. Products for sailing have been developed and tested there, in the heart of one of Europe's largest marinas, since 2021. The new Offshore Pro series was also put to the test there. It consists of a total of five products: from a smock as the outermost layer to bib and brace trousers, a lighter, highly flexible spray top and an underjacket and trousers (>> available here). Everything is included that serves as a bulwark against bad weather.

The Smock - ready for all waters

The Smock consists of three layers. The outer layer is a robust and water-repellent fabric. In the centre is a waterproof and breathable membrane, which is protected by a woven gauze - a light, wide-meshed cotton fabric - and is comfortable against the skin. The seams are sealed on the inside with waterproof tape, which is pressed on at 530 degrees Celsius and four bars.

Neoprene from Japan as a solution

Great attention was paid to the cuffs on the neck and arms to keep them dry and comfortable. Special neoprene was used for this purpose. The aim was to prevent water from penetrating the oilskin. In addition, the skin on the neck is particularly thin and sensitive. The solution was Yamamoto neoprene, a new, very flexible and lightweight neoprene variant from Japan. It is made from high-quality, limestone-based neoprene and is designed to fulfil these requirements.

The neoprene cuff at the neck seals the top of the smock. A high collar that reaches up to the ears encloses this cuff. This collar can be folded away in front of the face and fastened to the back of the head with a Velcro fastener. If water gets into the collar, the neoprene cuff underneath prevents it from getting inside. Three small drainage holes on the chest ensure that the water can run off. This combination of high collar and neo-cuff makes it almost impossible for water to penetrate over the head area.

A special feature - the hood

In addition to the combination of collar and neck cuff, the hood is a special feature of the oilskin. It is a mixture of a sun cap and a southwester, which is connected by a flexible fabric to form a hood. This design is stylistically special, but has its advantages. It sits firmly on the head, offers sun protection and moves with the head - so you don't look into the hood.

The smock also has no zips, which should contribute to its durability. It also has a full-length, fleece-lined pocket for the hands at the waist.

The Smock costs 550 euros and is available at Decathlon.

More about oilskins:

• Clothing test: Ten current oilskin sets - a comparison of strengths and weaknesses
• Thermal underwear - how 10 products perform in the test

The Bib - with special abrasion protection

The bib, i.e. the matching dungarees, are made from the same waterproof and robust materials as the smock. The upper body area is an exception. Just above the hips, an elastic and flexible fabric similar to that of a Lycra shirt has been used. This ensures a high degree of mobility in the upper body, which is advantageous when working on the winches.

Additional protective layers, which are lightly padded, are sewn onto the bib and the back of the smock in areas of the body that are subject to heavy wear - buttocks, knees and thighs. These are intended to protect the material from excessive abrasion, for example when crawling and sliding over the grip deck. This is particularly important for the latest generation of Imocas. Instead of sailing through the wave, they fly over and crash into the next one. Walking upright quickly becomes a challenge. However, the protectors make the affected areas stiffer than the rest of the fabric. Although this is effective, it also takes some getting used to.

More about the IMOCA class:

• Vendée Globe: 50 per cent increase in performance - the incredible development of the Imocas
• Open 60: What makes the Imocas class so special

There is also a wide pocket on the right thigh with a smaller, elasticated inner pocket. Another practical feature is a small loop on the lower back that can be used to hang the trousers up. You can tell that thought has been put into the design. Practical use was obviously the main focus.

A simple cut, but purposeful

The cut of the oilskin garment is designed with freedom of movement in mind. Especially in the crotch area and under the armpits, the design provides sufficient air so that you can move freely. At the same time, there are various adjustment options to ensure that the oilskin sits loosely, but does not protrude too far from the body and therefore offers no surface for wind and waves to attack.

It was a simple but targeted cut, says Product Manager Néhémie Westphal. Step one was to guarantee water resistance; step two was again about the right balance between fabric and shape, says Westphal. Over 150 individual parts are sewn together for one garment.

Decathlon develops spray top and underwear

The oilskin is replaced by a lighter and more flexible Spray top, which is an effective alternative, especially at higher temperatures. Although it is slightly less water-resistant, it weighs only 600 grams and is made of very flexible material. The cuffs on the arms and neck are identical to those of the oilskin. The hem is also made of neoprene, can be adjusted using Velcro fasteners and closes tightly around the hips. As it is based on the same solutions as the oilskin, the development time for this product was significantly shorter, explains Product Manager Westphal.

Merino wool, warm and cosy

In addition to the outer layer, Decathlon offers a second skin in the form of a thin jacket and one Dungarees to wear underneath. This clothing is designed to keep you warm, wick away moisture and at the same time be comfortable against the skin. The key to this is New Zealand sheep's wool. A layer of merino wool is incorporated into the inside of both the jacket and the trousers. This provides warmth, absorbs odours better and retains heat for as long as possible. A breathable fabric is used instead of merino in areas of the body that sweat a lot, such as the spine and armpits.

The jacket has a low collar so that it fits easily under the oilskin. The underwear bib has a vertical zip at the chest and a horizontal one at hip height. This means you can quickly strip off for business without having to take off all your layers.

Conclusion: Decathlon oil products - convincing and well thought-out

All in all, the Offshore Pro oilskins make a solid, well-made and robust impression. Further practical tests will have to show how waterproof and stable the material ultimately is. Nevertheless, the product impresses with its many well thought-out and practical details. For example, the knee pads, the "double collar" and the flexible hood are cleverly designed and ideal for use in extreme conditions. Overall, the oilskin should fully fulfil most of the requirements of professional offshore sailors. For the average Baltic sailor, the Offshore Pro series is probably oversized. But even for them, the spray top or undergarments are a cost-effective choice.

The Decathlon brand also has high expectations of the new oilskin range: Product Manager Néhémie Westphal commented as follows:

"It's about the image for the brand, but it's also about continuing to research the water resistance of our materials. Once we have succeeded in the Pro sector, we can transfer this to other areas."

The developers involved will probably follow Bestaven's round-the-world trip all the more closely and keep an eye on the clothing in particular - and how it has withstood the rigours.

Try on on site, order online

The Decathlon Offshore Pro series products have been available since the beginning of October. However, only certain shops carry these items for viewing. Test products are available to try on in these shops. If you want to buy the products, you have to order them online - either directly in the shop or from home.

This is what the Offshore Pro series costs:

• Smock: 550 Euro >> available here
• Bib: 450 Euro
• Spray top: 200 Euro >> available here
• Underjacket: 90 Euro >> available here
• Underpants: 110 Euro >> available here

Interview: Bestaven on the collaboration with Decathlon

Before his departure, we met the experienced skipper in Les Sables-D'Olonne and talked to him about his co-operation with Decathlon and the Offshore Pro Series.

YACHT: Yannick, how did the collaboration with Decathlon come about?

Bestaven: "Well, that came about a bit by itself. Shortly after I returned from the previous Vendée, Decathlon opened the Sailing Lab in La Rochelle. It was very close to where I lived; we were practically neighbours. I wanted to work with a French brand and they were interested in developing a product for offshore racing. It was just the right fit."

You worked together for three years. Is the result a success?

"I can only say that when I return. But I have a lot of faith in the collaboration and the products we have developed. That's why I only have this oilskin on board, for example."

How would you describe the collaboration?

"It was really good. I criticised a lot and they always found solutions. They have a lot of expertise - and the Raining Room (a rain and wave simulator the size of a car wash, editor's note.). They have what it takes to develop equipment like this."

Can the oilskin keep up with the renowned brands?

"There are certainly brands that have more experience. But I think Decathlon has reached a point where they are on a par with the well-known brands. I'm sure that more and more skippers will use their products. Decathlon has professional products at interesting prices. That's a big plus."

Where do you feel the Bestaven influence the most?

"The hood is certainly a special feature. It is designed in such a way that it follows the movement of the head and therefore does not restrict the view. The trousers are also special. The material is very light and at the same time very durable. These are solutions that are also used in alpine sports."

YACHT: Thank you very much for the interview.