The open water is what we crave and enjoy as water sports enthusiasts. It provides challenges that we thrive on, and we relish the opportunity to do so.

Creating the best marine apparel is not so much about wrapping up against the cold or wet weather as it is about finding the best fabrics to deal with the conditions. This way, your body can stay at optimal temperature so you can feel comfortable, whatever the weather.

At Gill, we have a rich history of designing and engineering products that keep your body warm, protected and safe whilst out on the water. We do this with a dedication to finding and utilising the very best fabric technology. Our latest blog explains the approach we take.

Continuous Innovation

We often hear questions regarding why we do not choose to partner with one specific branded fabric supplier. We do this because of one thing – our commitment to innovation and the need to continuously diversify our range.

Our freedom of an open supply chain means we are working without restriction or limitation. It also gives us the opportunity to continuously search for the best technology out there; if we see a fabric better suited to our needs, we want to use it!

XPLORE® and XPLORE+®

Our commitment to innovation leading us to development is thanks to our desire to deliver the very best for our customers. Our XPLORE® and XPLORE+® fabric technologies have been carefully developed to offer wearers the very best protection and comfort while out on the water.

“XPLORE® fabrics are 2-layer systems that offer weight reduction, comfort and high levels of breathability. XPLORE+® fabrics are 3-layer constructions that don’t require a separate lining and are incredibly waterproof and durable. Each garment now comes with an easy-to-understand rating that shows the level of waterproof, breathability and durability provided.”

Matt Clark, Gill Product Development Director, February 2021.

XPLORE® is our a two-layer fabric created with breathability, durability and waterproofness in mind. These fabrics are ideal for when you need reliable levels of performance in a wide variety of conditions where weight and breathability take priority.

You can shop our garments featuring XPLORE fabric here.

XPLORE+® is our three-layer fabric, giving it an extra robustness in even the most challenging conditions. Similar to XPLORE where breathability, durability and waterproofness are key components, it also features a lightweight mesh for added protection and comfort, while its increased durability means it can stand the test of time. XPLORE+® fabrics are ideal for those needing enhanced levels of protection where protection in extreme conditions has to be guaranteed.

You can shop our garments featuring XPLORE+® fabric here.

Our fabric technology and performance page outlines our quick reference tool to help you better understand the waterproofness, breathability and durability levels of our gear, so you can easily find which garment best fits your needs.

XPEL®

“XPEL® is a high-performance fabric finish using a combination of plant based, PFOA-Free and PFOS-Free Chemistry with all of its ingredients classified as Non-Polyfluorinated compounds (Non-PFC)… The chemicals are Bluesign approved, as well as REACH and ZDHC compliant.

Beyond its environmental credentials, there is a long list of direct benefits for the Gill consumer. Durable water repellence, oil and stain resistance, improved abrasion resistance, odour resistance and mildew resistance are just a few of XPEL® ’s unique features.”

Matt Clark, Gill Product Development Director, February 2021.

Our newest and most exclusive fabric technology XPEL® features on a select few of our 2021 styles. It is a plant-based finish applied to the surface of the fabric, making the garments resistant to water, mildew, stains and odour.

This is a revolutionary plant-based, PFOA-Free finish that is REACH compliant (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and has passed third party perfluorinated compound toxicology tests, meaning it holds established environmental credentials.

At present, the XPEL® finish is available globally on our new OS3 Coastal Jacket and Trouser , but keep an eye out for more styles to come as we increase its use across the collection!

Embracing sustainability

Our deep love and respect for the natural world means our path to sustainability is an ever-changing one where we are constantly looking for new ways to protect our environment. As highlighted above, our collection contains a range of exciting fabrics and technologies.

Existing already, we have products made from recycled PET plastic bottles such as the Holcombe Crew, North Hill and Whitesand Down Jackets. Additionally, this year we have launched our new Eco Pro Rash Vest made from 13 recycled bottles, helping to stop plastic bottles polluting our beautiful coastlines. This initiative is ever evolving and from 2022 onwards, our intention is to use ocean-sourced plastic bottles for our products.

We realise that this is just the beginning of our journey and this long-term commitment needs to be continuous to help protect our environment. You can learn more about our sustainability commitments here as well as finding out more about our initiatives, including our partnership with Plastic Oceans to create the OS2 Offcuts Jacket in 2020.

Shop with Gill for Water Sports Apparel

So why do we think our fabrics are the best? Our constant flow of new developments being put through their paces either in the lab or out on the water at any given time. Our fabric technology is a key part of the quality we strive to achieve across the Gill collection. Be sure to browse through our full range to find the ideal garments to fit your needs.

Take a look at our delivery information, and if you have any questions, simply get in touch with the Gill team.