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The story of Gill Marine begins in 1975, in a factory corner of Nottingham, when a young sailor.., Nick Gill decided to design clothing adapted to the real-life needs of sailors. Fifty years later, the brand is still on the same course: to develop its technical fabrics in-house, to test beyond the norm, and to offer durable, high-performance equipment for all nautical practices.
The textile engineering approach: from pattern-making to the laboratory
Gill doesn't buy its fabrics from a catalog: it designs them. The R&D team develops exclusive materials such as three-layer XPLORE+, tested to 35,000 mm water column, or two-layer XPLORE, tested to 30,000 mm. Each fiber receives a SHIELD PFC/PFAS-free treatment, guaranteeing long-lasting water repellency even in salt water. Prototypes undergo a battery of tests: Martindale abrasion for up to 33 hours on reinforced zones, hydrostatic tests down to the first drop, breathability evaluation, UV resistance (UPF 50+).
Half a century of technical milestones
In 1989, Gill launched the first dinghy suit two-piece system, which has become a world reference. In 2001, collaboration with the Illbruck crew of the Volvo Ocean Race led to a three-layer system combining lightness and waterproofing. The 2006 Pro Glove boasts three times the resistance of competing models. In 2020, the OS2 Offshore jacket celebrates its twentieth anniversary: today, its anniversary version incorporates 98% recycled materials, without compromising on durability.
Field validation under extreme conditions
The brand equips demanding programs: America's Cup, Vendée Globe, Sail GP. These partnerships enable us to gather direct feedback from athletes like Conrad Colman: " Basically, I was warm, dry and comfortable. I knew the equipment wouldn't let me down." Each collection is fine-tuned according to feedback from the field, whether to improve ergonomics, reinforce wear zones or optimize thermal management.
Sustainability and product life cycles
Gill integrates sustainability right from the design stage: recycling materials, reducing chemical treatments, but above all equipment longevity. Recycled OS2s are designed to withstand years of intensive use. Each heat-welded seam is individually inspected before shipping, a process that is rare in the industry, but which guarantees the garment's reliability.
A culture of continuous improvement
According to Matt Clark, Product Development Manager, the motto is Engineered for the Elements implies a rigorous selection of fabrics: " We reject more textiles than we validate" . The team designs each garment by anticipating weak points: water intrusion through zips, heat loss through compression, abrasion from maneuvering. The aim is to exceed standards, while maintaining comfort and freedom of movement.
