REVIEWED AND TESTED
BZ Optics bi-focal sunglasses
I picked these up at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show earlier this year, where BZ Optics was keenly promoting them to sailors like me, who need quality sunglasses with lenses writes Rob Peake They are billed as the ‘world’s first bifocal photochromic sunglasses’, which means that their high impact UV-activated lenses transition from clear (Cat 0) in low or no light, to dark (Cat 2) in full sun. The bifocal magnification is moulded into the bottom of the lens, available in +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50. They’re designed partly with cyclists and motorcyclists in mind, so the lightweight hybrid frame (flexible around the ears) fits well under open and full-face helmets. For sailing, they’re useful for reading charts on deck in the sun, or reading sailing apps on your phone, reading sailing instructions and so on. Meanwhile I’ve found many other times when outside glare means they’re invaluable – while driving, so I can read the satnav, or running so I can see my watch, or simply reading a book outside at home in the sun. If the pink and grey is too garish for you, there’s a choice of other colours. Highly recommended – they’ve transformed my summer.
£119.99, bzoptics.co.uk
Helly Hansen Women’s Half-zip Fleece Jacket
For a good all-round, midlayer, lightweight high-neck fleece, you really can’t go wrong with Helly Hansen’s Women’s Daybreaker Half-zip Fleece Jacket writes Sue Pelling. Manufactured using Polartec – 100 per cent recycled polyester – it is super-lightweight breathable, and nonbulky yet exceptionally warm and cosy, which makes it the ideal companion not only for sailing/watersports adventures, but also for other sports such as skiing. There is a choice of six di erent colours to choose from. I have Jade, which is light green. I must confess it has been my go-to piece of kit over the winter and has been used constantly. Thankfully it still looks good as new. The other plus point about this Daybreaker Half-zip Fleece Jacket is the fact it’s so easy to care for. Just pop in the washing machine at 40 degrees and it comes out almost dry, which means, in a heated environment, you can generally wear it the next day.
£50 hellyhansen.com
Gill 30L Voyager Du el Bag
If you are looking for a totally waterproof bag for a range of water-based activities, Gill’s 30L Voyager Du el Bag is one to consider writes Sue Pelling.
I was fed up with arriving onboard after a somewhat wet, tender transfer and finding the contents of my kit bag sodden. Thanks to Gill’s practical yet snazzy Voyager Du el Bag, I no longer su er the perils of wet kit. Because I generally just need to take a few items onboard such as phone, spare dry top, sun protection cream and a selection of tools, I decided to go for the 30L option (middle of the range) which measures H 45cm W 49cm D 30cm. It’s a useful size and it’s possible to put a lot more in than you first imagine.
The bag is constructed using a puncture resistant, PVC tarpaulin fabric with stitch-free, welded seams to give that all-important fully waterproof finish. It has a wide open mouth, which make access easy and enables you to see the entire contents of the bag when open. When I first used the bag, I was sceptical about how a Velcro top fastening would keep the water out. However, follow Gill’s recommendation of securing the Velcro, and rolling it down three times, and there you have it, a watertight seal. In an ideal world I would like to have an exterior pocket for non-precious items such as lip balm, but on reflection I can understand that more seams and pockets would totally compromise its watertight qualities.
The ruggedness of the bag is endorsed by its six external D-ring attachment points for strapping down on the boat or in the back of a car. As well as the main carrying handles, It also has reinforced haul-handles at either end, and non-slip, detachable shoulder strap and grab handle.
The bag comes in special edition Bluejay, Black or Sulphur. I went for the Sulphur, which is almost neon, because I wanted a bag that I could find easily in the poorly lit depths of the cabin. Also, when I gave it the full immersion test in the river, it proved to be a good colour for visibility.
£60 gb.gillmarine.com