Amelie's Top 5 Rooster Items

At Sailing Chandlery, we know that the right gear can be the difference between a frustrating day on the water and a flawless performance. While high-end hardware is vital, the technical clothing and accessories you choose are what keep you comfortable, focused, and shielded from the elements. To give you some inspiration for the 2026 season, we’ve asked competitive sailor Amelie Ballantyne to share her personal favourites from the Rooster range.

Rooster has long been a staple in the dinghy park, known for blending distinct style with functional, sailor-led design. Because they develop their kit in collaboration with active racers, every seam and material choice is purposeful.

When I first started sailing, I was initially drawn to the Rooster sailing clothing because of their bold colours and great designs. Rooster works closely with sailors, so they know what sailors need and how their kit should perform on the water. I’ve built up quite a collection of their gear over time, and it’s all been excellent. 

If you’re looking to add something a bit different to your sailing kit this year, here are my top five sailing items that I use, all of which can be bought through Sailing Chandlery.

I love bags (especially sailing bags), and my Rooster 50L Semi Dry bag is great. It can be worn as a backpack or as a holdall. It’s of great quality and folds down, so it can be stored easily. I use my bag for sailing, but also for other trips, as it’s so practical.

A versatile gear bag is a must-have for any sailor travelling to events. The 50L capacity is the "Goldilocks" size- large enough to fit a full change of clothes and a towel, but compact enough to carry comfortably. The ability to switch between backpack straps and a traditional holdall handle makes it ideal for navigating crowded boat parks or hopping on a RIB.

I am a big fan of Rooster Polarised race sunglasses. They are a great fit for me, the lenses are good quality, and the lens colour looks cool too. Being on the water so much, I realise how important it is to protect your eyes from UV glare, so these are a great option to add to your kit list. Unlike regular sunglasses, these have anti-saltwater protection. They even come with a Rooster hard case, too.

In 2026, eye protection is more than just a fashion statement; it's a performance requirement. Polarised lenses are essential for "reading" the water, helping you spot wind shifts and gusts by cutting through the surface glare. The anti-saltwater coating is a game-changer, ensuring that dried salt spray doesn't permanently pit or damage the lens surface during a long week of coastal racing.

I do get cold feet sometimes, especially in the winter when I am out for a long time. To help with this, I have started wearing Rooster SuperTherm 4mm wet socks, which are a dream to wear. They are soft neoprene and feel like wearing cosy socks. They also make wearing wetsuit boots a lot more comfortable.

Cold extremities are the fastest way to lose concentration during a race. The SuperTherm line uses a heat-reflecting lining that mimics the warmth of a much thicker material without the bulk. These socks act as a crucial thermal barrier, and by reducing friction inside your boots, they also help prevent the blisters that often plague sailors during high-intensity hiking.

In cold weather, I use Rooster’s AquaPro sailing gloves as they cover my whole hand. These gloves have padding where you need it for pulling ropes, and velcro straps to keep them secure.

Full-finger protection is vital for cold-weather sailing or when handling thin, high-load control lines that can easily cause rope burn. The Rooster AquaPro gloves are designed to offer a "second skin" feel, ensuring you don't lose the tactile feedback needed for fine adjustments to your outhaul or Cunningham. The strategic padding of these Rooster gloves ensures longevity in high-wear areas like the palms and fingers.

To go alongside my gloves, I also have my Rooster Hot Hands sailing glove liners as an extra layer against the elements.

The "Hot Hands" liners are the ultimate secret weapon for winter sailing. Made from a thin, titanium-layered fabric, they reflect body heat back toward your skin. Because they are so low-profile, they can be layered under almost any glove without restricting finger movement, providing a massive boost in warmth for those bitter early-season sessions.

When you shop with us, you’re dealing with sailors who actually get it. Sailing Chandlery was started in 2012 by Andrew Dowley because he was tired of waiting weeks for basic parts to arrive. We’ve all been there - your boat breaks on a Sunday, and you need it fixed by next weekend’s race. That’s why we do things differently. We don't guess at stock; our website shows you exactly what is sitting on our shelves in our Essex warehouse right now.

We’ve sent out over 50,000 orders since we started, but we still treat every customer like a fellow club member. Whether you’re calling us for a bit of technical advice on a tricky repair or just grabbing a new pair of gloves, our goal is to get you back on the water fast. We’re incredibly proud of our 4.9/5-star rating, and yes - we really do put a pack of Love Hearts in every box. It’s our way of saying thanks for trusting a local business that loves the sport as much as you do.