Sola Wetsuits & Watersports Gear at Sailboats.co.uk
Discover high-quality, affordable protection for the whole family with our range of Sola Sports clothing and accessories. For over 20 years, Sola has been a go-to brand for British watersports enthusiasts, offering durable wetsuits, changing robes, and thermal accessories that deliver exceptional value. At Sailboats.co.uk, we stock Sola as the perfect solution for entry-level sailors, junior fleets, and multi-sport water lovers who need reliable gear without the premium price tag of high-performance racing brands.
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Why Choose Sola Clothing & Accessories?
Sola strikes the perfect balance between performance and affordability, making it the ideal choice for recreational sailing and beach days.
- Exceptional Value for Money: Sola is renowned for offering high-quality neoprene and thermal engineering at an accessible price point. This makes it the perfect brand for growing children who cycle through sizes quickly, or for adults getting into sailing for the first time who want reliable gear on a budget.
- Market-Leading Changing Robes: Sola has revolutionised the pre- and post-sail experience with their waterproof changing coats. These oversized, fleece-lined robes are essential for dinghy sailors, keeping you warm and dry while rigging up or de-rigging in cold, windy boat parks.
- Versatile Multi-Sport Design: unlike ultra-specialised dinghy racing gear, Sola products are designed for versatility. Their wetsuits and boots are equally at home on a sailboat, a paddleboard (SUP), or a surfboard, giving you a single piece of kit that covers all your watersports activities.
- Durability and Warmth: Sola gear is built to last. Utilising construction techniques like blind-stitched seams and super-stretch neoprene, their wetsuits provide excellent thermal retention and flexibility, ensuring you stay warm in UK waters throughout the spring, summer, and autumn seasons.
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Why Buy Sola from Sailboats.co.uk?
We select our Sola range to specifically cater to the needs of the dinghy sailing community, ensuring you get the right kit for the job.
- Family & Junior Specialists: We understand the challenge of outfitting a family. We maintain a strong stock of Sola’s junior and kids' ranges, ensuring that young sailors have access to safe, warm, and properly fitting gear for their first sailing courses or club racing.
- Honest, Practical Advice: We won't oversell you. Our team can honestly explain the difference between a Sola entry-level suit and a high-end racing suit, helping you decide when Sola is the perfect choice and when you might need to upgrade for competitive racing.
- Curated Sailing Selection: While Sola makes gear for surfing, we cherry-pick the items best suited for sailing. We stock the boots with the right grip for hiking and the wetsuits with the right flexibility for moving under a boom, saving you from wading through irrelevant products.
- Easy Returns for Sizing: Buying wetsuits online can be tricky regarding fit. We offer a hassle-free returns policy, allowing you to try on your Sola boots or changing robe at home and easily exchange sizes if the fit isn't quite right, ensuring total comfort on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Sola changing robes fully waterproof?
Yes, the Sola waterproof changing coats feature a waterproof and windproof outer shell with taped seams. They are designed to withstand heavy rain and spray, keeping the fleece lining inside dry and warm, making them perfect for waiting on the shore or rigging in bad weather.
How do Sola wetsuit sizes compare to other brands?
Sola sizing is generally true to standard UK clothing sizes. However, neoprene is designed to fit snugly to work effectively. For children, we often recommend looking at the height measurement in the size chart rather than just the age range, as growth spurts can vary significantly.
Can I use Sola surf boots for dinghy sailing?
Absolutely. Sola boots are popular among sailors because they offer good warmth and grip. While they may not have the specific hiking reinforcements of expensive racing boots, they provide excellent traction on wet decks and protection against cold water at a very competitive price.
What thickness wetsuit do I need for UK sailing?
For summer sailing (June-September), a Sola 3/2mm wetsuit is usually sufficient for Spring and Autumn, or cooler days, a 5/4mm steamer is recommended to ensure you stay warm. Sola offers options in both thicknesses to suit your season.
How should I wash my Sola changing robe?
To preserve the waterproof coating, you should not machine wash your changing robe frequently. We recommend wiping down the outer shell with a damp cloth or rinsing with fresh water. If it must be washed, turn it inside out and use a cool, gentle cycle with non-biological detergent, and never tumble dry.
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More Info
General Brand & Wetsuits
1. Is Sola a good brand for beginners and families?
Absolutely. Sola is based in Cornwall and has been designing wetsuits for British waters for decades. They are renowned for offering excellent quality at an accessible price point. Unlike some high-end surf brands where you pay a premium for the logo, Sola focuses on durability and warmth, making them the perfect choice for families, club sailors, and anyone starting their watersports journey.
2. What do the numbers '3/2' and '5/4' mean on Sola wetsuits?
These refer to the thickness of the neoprene in millimeters.
- 3/2mm (Summer): 3mm on the chest/back for warmth, 2mm on the arms/legs for flexibility. Best for UK summer (June to September).
- 5/4mm (Winter): 5mm on the core, 4mm on the limbs. Essential for sailing between November and April, or if you feel the cold easily.
3. Should I buy a 'Flatlock' or 'Blindstitched' wetsuit?
This depends on when you sail.
- Flatlock Seams: The stitching goes through the neoprene, creating small pinholes. Water can trickle in. Great for summer suits as it is breathable and cheaper.
- Blindstitched (GBS): The seam is glued and stitched only halfway through. It is watertight. Essential for winter suits to keep the cold water out and your body heat in.
4. How should a Sola wetsuit fit?
A wetsuit needs to be tight to work. If it is baggy, cold water will flush through the suit, washing away the layer of warm water trapped against your skin. It should feel like a second skin without restricting your breathing or arm movement. Sola sizes are generally true-to-size for the UK market.
Changing Robes & Accessories
5. How do I size a Sola Changing Coat/Robe?
Sola changing coats are designed to be oversized so you can pull your arms inside to get changed underneath them.
- If you want to use it for changing: Buy your normal size (or even size up if you are broad).
- If you want to wear it just as a coat for walking the dog or watching sailing: Consider sizing down, as they are very roomy!
6. Are Sola changing robes fully waterproof?
Yes. The outer shell is windproof and waterproof to protect you from the elements while rigging your boat or standing on the shore. The inner lining is a synthetic Sherpa fleece which wicks moisture away from your skin to dry you off and warm you up quickly.
7. Do I need Sola wetsuit boots for dinghy sailing?
In the UK, yes. Boots provide two things: warmth and grip. Sola boots usually feature reinforced toes and heels, which is vital for hiking out on a dinghy where deck fittings can bruise your feet. We recommend a 5mm boot for year-round sailing.
Care & Maintenance
8. How do I wash my Sola wetsuit or changing robe?
Wetsuits: Rinse with cold, fresh water after every use. Drip dry out of direct sunlight. Never put a wetsuit in the washing machine or dryer.
Changing Robes: You can wipe the outer shell clean with a damp sponge. If it needs a full wash, turn it inside out and wash on a cool, delicate cycle with non-bio detergent. Hang dry only.
9. Why has my rash vest got 'bobbles' on it?
Rash vests are made of Lycra and are designed to prevent chafing under a wetsuit. If you wear them as an outer layer on a boat, Velcro from your buoyancy aid or rough non-slip decks can snag the fabric, causing "pilling" or bobbles. This is cosmetic and doesn't affect the UV protection, but to avoid it, wear a tougher "spray top" over your gear.
10. Can I repair a tear in my Sola wetsuit?
Small fingernail tears or nicks can be easily fixed with a tube of Black Witch neoprene glue (or similar).
- Clean the area.
- Apply glue to both edges of the tear.
- Wait 2 minutes for it to get tacky.
- Press the edges together firmly.
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Sola Adults 5mm Zip Boots
Regular price £34.99Sale price £34.99 Regular priceUnit price / per£45.00Sale -
Sola Active Shoe Navy
Regular price £14.95Sale price £14.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£23.50Sale -
Sola Frenzy 50n Front Zip Buoyancy Aid Blue
Regular price £29.95Sale price £29.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£39.95Sale -
Sola Adults Charge Taped Spray Top
Regular price £45.00Sale price £45.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£50.00Sale -
Sola Adult Waterproof Changing Coat - Black/Blue
Regular price £64.95Sale price £64.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£100.00Sale -
Sola Active Sole Shoes Black
Regular price £7.99Sale price £7.99 Regular priceUnit price / per£15.00Sale -
Sola Active Shoe Black
Regular price £14.95Sale price £14.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£23.50Sale -
Sola 3mm Superstretch Gloves
Regular price £23.40Sale price £23.40 Regular priceUnit price / per£26.00Sale -
Sola Ladies Ignite BZ 3/2 Fullsuit Black
Regular price £54.95Sale price £54.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£100.00Sale -
Sola Frenzy 50n Front Zip Buoyancy Aid Red
Regular price £29.95Sale price £29.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£39.95Sale -
Sola Mens Short Sleeve Rash Vest Black
Regular price £24.30Sale price £24.30 Regular priceUnit price / per£27.00Sale -
Sola Inflatable Swim Buoy Single Chamber drybag 25cm x 60cm
Regular price £15.30Sale price £15.30 Regular priceUnit price / per£17.00Sale -
Sola Ignite FZ 2mm Ladies Wetsuit Jacket Black
Regular price £55.00Sale price £55.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£55.00 -
Sola Adult Waterproof Changing Coat - Navy/Orange
Regular price £64.95Sale price £64.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£100.00Sale -
Sola Active Sole Shoes Pink
Regular price £7.99Sale price £7.99 Regular priceUnit price / per£15.00Sale -
Sola Roof Rack Straps (Pair) 3m
Regular price £18.00Sale price £18.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£20.00Sale -
Sola Open Water 3mm Swimming Cap - Black
Regular price £11.90Sale price £11.90 Regular priceUnit price / per£30.00Sale -
Sola Mens Short Sleeve Rash Vest Navy
Regular price £15.40Sale price £15.40 Regular priceUnit price / per£27.00Sold out -
Sola Mens Long Sleeve Rash Vest
Regular price £24.30Sale price £24.30 Regular priceUnit price / per£27.00Sale -
Sola Mens Blaze BZ 5/4mm Fullsuit Grey
Regular price £135.00Sale price £135.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£150.00Sale -
Sola Ladies Neoprene Shorts Black
Regular price £25.95Sale price £25.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£25.95 -
Sola Inflatable Swim Buoy 28 Litre Large
Regular price £22.50Sale price £22.50 Regular priceUnit price / per£25.00Sale -
Sola Double Chamber Backpack
Regular price £45.00Sale price £45.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£50.00Sale -
Sola Collapsible Wetty Bucket 60 litres
Regular price £31.50Sale price £31.50 Regular priceUnit price / per£35.00Sale -
SaleSola Changing Mat
Regular price £28.80Sale price £28.80 Regular priceUnit price / per£32.00Sale -
Sola Active Sole Shoes Blue
Regular price £7.99Sale price £7.99 Regular priceUnit price / per£15.00Sale -
Sola Open Water 3mm Swimming Cap - Orange
Regular price £27.00Sale price £27.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£30.00Sale -
Sola Neoprene Trousers Black
Regular price £55.00Sale price £55.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£55.00 -
Sola Neoprene Car Seat Cover
Regular price £31.50Sale price £31.50 Regular priceUnit price / per£35.00Sale -
Sola Mens Fusion BZ 3/2 Fullsuit Navy
Regular price £90.00Sale price £90.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£100.00Sale -
Sola Mens Fusion BZ 3/2 Fullsuit Black
Regular price £90.00Sale price £90.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£100.00Sale -
Sola Mens Blaze BZ 5/4mm Fullsuit Black
Regular price £135.00Sale price £135.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£150.00Sale -
Sola Ladies Short Sleeve Rash Vest
Regular price £22.50Sale price £22.50 Regular priceUnit price / per£25.00Sale -
Sola Ladies Ignite BZ 3/2 Fullsuit Grey
Regular price £90.00Sale price £90.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£100.00Sale -
Sola Adult Waterproof Changing Coat - Navy/Pink
Regular price £64.95Sale price £64.95 Regular priceUnit price / per£100.00Sale -
Sola Adult Long John Black
Regular price £63.00Sale price £63.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£70.00Sale -
Sola 50L Dry Bag Black/Green
Regular price £35.00Sale price £35.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£35.00 -
Sola 25L Dry Bag Black/Blue
Regular price £22.00Sale price £22.00 Regular priceUnit price / per£22.00 -
Sola 15L Dry Bag Black/Red
Regular price £14.40Sale price £14.40 Regular priceUnit price / per£16.00Sale