Gill OS3 Coastal
Jacket £175 Salopettes £130
Designed as the entry point to Gill’s technical offshore waterproofs, the OS3 range uses many of the features developed for the more highend oilskins, but in a package that is less bulky and more affordable. The styling has been updated for 2018 but you won’t look ostentatious in these understated waterproofs. They are made with Gill’s OS3 two-layer fabric.
Jacket
Men’s and women’s jackets were virtually the same, just with slight differences in fit and in the colours on offer. A double storm flap protects the zip with a wider patch to cover the chin and seal the collar. The highcut collar is fleece lined, into which the hood rolls. This is hi-vis and lined with nylon and is adjustable at the sides and on the top for volume. Outer cuffs protect adjustable inner rubberised cuffs. Inside, the jacket is nylon lined but with some patches of mesh for ventilation, and there is one zipped internal pocket. While the jacket has no external chest pockets, it does have large cargo pockets and fleecy handwarmer pockets behind. These don’t have zips or Velcro, which means you can’t store anything in them, but we liked the fact that there’s nothing to chafe cold and wet hands when using them. There is no waist adjustment but there is an adjustable elastic hem.
Salopettes
The salopettes are the same for men and women, with no dropseat option – you’ll need the next model up – but have different fits. The trousers are reinforced on the knees and seat but not at the heel, and the ankle closures have a buckle to give some purchase for the Velcro strap. It’s a shame these didn’t have pockets. The waist is elasticated at the back but not adjustable.
test verdict
These felt very well made and the jacket offered all of the features we would expect. The salopettes were disappointing in their simplicity but it does make them less bulky. We found the fit to be slightly short in the women’s sizes which limited movement a little, so perhaps take a size up. In the water test, a little water got in through the collar and cuffs but performed relatively well.