Order junior sailing clothing by your child's chest and height, not only by age: a wetsuit or smock for the water, a fleece or jacket for warmth, and gloves and boots for grip. This guide lists what young sailors need, example junior products from Musto, Helly Hansen, Zhik and Rooster, and each brand's size chart.
Junior clothing at a glance
| Need | Key pieces | Brands in our range |
|---|---|---|
| In the water | Wetsuit, rash guard, spray top | Zhik, Rooster, Musto, Helly Hansen |
| Warmth | Fleece, hoodie, mid layer, base layer | Zhik, Rooster, Helly Hansen |
| Weather protection | Jacket, drysuit | Helly Hansen, Rooster, Zhik |
| Hiking and feet | Hiking pants, boots, gloves | Zhik, Rooster |
How do I choose for a child?
Measure your child's chest and height and compare them with the chart, because ages vary between brands. Leave a little room for growth and for a layer underneath, but avoid clothing so large that it catches on lines.
What should a young sailor wear in the water?
Which jackets and layers keep juniors warm?
What do juniors wear for hiking, hands and feet?
Which brand offers what?
| Brand | Junior range in our range |
|---|---|
| Zhik | Wetsuits, drysuits, hydrophobic fleece, spandex tops and hiking pants. |
| Rooster | Wetsuits, aquafleece tops and coats, softshell jackets, hikers, gloves and boots. |
| Musto | Champ wetsuits, aqua tops and smocks. |
| Helly Hansen | Crew jackets and mid layers, rash guards, bibs and tops. |
Which size should I order?
Each brand uses its own scheme. This table shows how the age ranges compare, and the charts below give the measurements, in centimeters and inches.
| Brand | Size scheme |
|---|---|
| Musto | JS (ages 6 to 8), JM (9 to 11), JL (12 to 13) |
| Helly Hansen | Sizes 86 to 176, from 1.5 to 16 years |
| Zhik | Youth 10, 12, 14 and kids 8 to 14 |
| Rooster | Junior Small to Junior XLarge, ages 7 to 14 |
Musto junior
| Size | Age | Chest |
|---|---|---|
| JS | 6–8 | 71–76 cm / 28–30 in |
| JM | 9–11 | 79–84 cm / 31–33 in |
| JL | 12–13 | 86–91 cm / 34–36 in |
Rooster junior
| Size | Age | Chest | Waist | Inside leg | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Small | 7–8 | 61–66 / 24–26 | 56–61 / 22–24 | 59.5–63.5 / 23.5–25 | 4'2" |
| Junior Medium | 9–10 | 66–71 / 26–28 | 58.5–63.5 / 23–25 | 62–66 / 24.5–26 | 4'6" |
| Junior Large | 11–12 | 71–81 / 28–32 | 63.5–71 / 25–28 | 65–68.5 / 25.5–27 | 5' to 5'2" |
| Junior XLarge | 13–14 | 81–86.5 / 32–34 | 68.5–73.5 / 27–29 | 68.5–73.5 / 27–29 | 5'2" to 5'5" |
| Junior | 11–12 | 71–81 / 28–32 | 63.5–71 / 25–28 | 65–68.5 / 25.5–27 | 5' to 5'5" |
Helly Hansen kids
| Size | Height | Chest width | Waist width | Lower hip width | Inseam | Arm length (CB neck) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 / 1.5 yr | 84 / 2'9" | 51 / 20 | 49.5 / 19.5 | 51 / 20 | 33 / 13 | 40.5 / 16 |
| 92 / 2 yr | 91 / 3'0" | 52 / 20.5 | 51 / 20 | 53.5 / 21 | 37 / 14.5 | 43 / 17 |
| 98 / 3 yr | 97 / 3'2" | 54.5 / 21.5 | 52 / 20.5 | 56 / 22 | 40.5 / 16 | 45.5 / 18 |
| 104 / 4 yr | 102 / 3'4" | 56 / 22 | 53.5 / 21 | 58.5 / 23 | 44.5 / 17.5 | 48.5 / 19 |
| 110 / 5 yr | 109 / 3'7" | 58.5 / 23 | 54.5 / 21.5 | 61 / 24 | 48.5 / 19 | 51 / 20 |
| 116 / 6 yr | 114 / 3'9" | 61 / 24 | 56 / 22 | 63.5 / 25 | 52 / 20.5 | 53.5 / 21 |
| 122 / 7 yr | 122 / 4'0" | 62 / 24.5 | 58.5 / 23 | 66 / 26 | 56 / 22 | 57 / 22.5 |
| 128 / 8 yr | 127 / 4'2" | 66 / 26 | 61 / 24 | 70 / 27.5 | 59.5 / 23.5 | 59.5 / 23.5 |
Helly Hansen boys
| Size | Height | Chest width | Waist width | Lower hip width | Inseam | Arm length (CB neck) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 134 / 9 yr | 132 / 4'4" | 68.5 / 27 | 63.5 / 25 | 72.5 / 28.5 | 62 / 24.5 | 62 / 24.5 |
| 140 / 10 yr | 140 / 4'7" | 72.5 / 28.5 | 66 / 26 | 75 / 29.5 | 65 / 25.5 | 65 / 25.5 |
| 146 / 11 yr | 145 / 4'9" | 75 / 29.5 | 68.5 / 27 | 77.5 / 30.5 | 68.5 / 27 | 67.5 / 26.5 |
| 152 / 12 yr | 150 / 4'11" | 77.5 / 30.5 | 71 / 28 | 81.5 / 32 | 71 / 28 | 70 / 27.5 |
| 158 / 13 yr | 157 / 5'2" | 82.5 / 32.5 | 72.5 / 28.5 | 85 / 33.5 | 73.5 / 29 | 73.5 / 29 |
| 164 / 14 yr | 163 / 5'4" | 86.5 / 34 | 73.5 / 29 | 89 / 35 | 77.5 / 30.5 | 76 / 30 |
| 176 / 16 yr | 175 / 5'9" | 91.5 / 36 | 77.5 / 30.5 | 94 / 37 | 82.5 / 32.5 | 84 / 33 |
Helly Hansen girls
| Size | Height | Chest width | Waist width | Lower hip width | Inseam | Arm length (CB neck) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 134 / 9 yr | 132 / 4'4" | 70 / 27.5 | 61 / 24 | 72.5 / 28.5 | 62 / 24.5 | 61 / 24 |
| 140 / 10 yr | 140 / 4'7" | 72.5 / 28.5 | 63.5 / 25 | 76 / 30 | 65 / 25.5 | 63.5 / 25 |
| 146 / 11 yr | 145 / 4'9" | 76 / 30 | 66 / 26 | 80 / 31.5 | 68.5 / 27 | 67.5 / 26.5 |
| 152 / 12 yr | 150 / 4'11" | 78.5 / 31 | 67.5 / 26.5 | 84 / 33 | 71 / 28 | 70 / 27.5 |
| 158 / 13 yr | 157 / 5'2" | 81.5 / 32 | 70 / 27.5 | 86.5 / 34 | 73.5 / 29 | 72.5 / 28.5 |
| 164 / 14 yr | 163 / 5'4" | 85 / 33.5 | 71 / 28 | 90 / 35.5 | 76 / 30 | 75 / 29.5 |
Zhik youth
| Measure | 10 (S) | 12 (M) | 14 (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neck base | 31 / 12.2 | 32.5 / 12.8 | 34 / 13.4 |
| Across shoulders | 32.8 / 12.9 | 34 / 13.4 | 35.2 / 13.9 |
| Chest | 73 / 28.8 | 78 / 30.7 | 83 / 32.3 |
| Bicep | 23.3 / 9.2 | 24.5 / 9.6 | 25.7 / 10.1 |
Zhik youth bottoms
| Measure | 10 (S) | 12 (M) | 14 (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waist | 61 / 24 | 66 / 26 | 71 / 28 |
| Low hip | 75 / 29.5 | 80 / 31.5 | 85 / 33.5 |
| Inseam | 68 / 26.8 | 71 / 28 | 74 / 29 |
| Thigh | 45.5 / 18 | 48 / 18.9 | 50.5 / 19.9 |
Zhik youth wetsuits
| Measure | 10 (S) | 12 (M) | 14 (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 73 / 29.2 | 78 / 31.2 | 83 / 33.2 |
| Waist | 61 / 24.4 | 66 / 26.4 | 71 / 28.4 |
| Hip | 75 / 30 | 80 / 32 | 85 / 34 |
| Inseam | 68 / 27.2 | 71 / 28.4 | 74 / 29.6 |
Zhik kids tops and jackets
| Size | Chest | Waist | Hips | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 68 / 26.8 | 56 / 22 | 70 / 27.6 | 133 / 52.4 |
| 10 | 73 / 28.7 | 61 / 24 | 75 / 29.5 | 140 / 55.1 |
| 12 | 78 / 30.7 | 66 / 26 | 80 / 31.5 | 147 / 57.9 |
| 14 | 83 / 32.7 | 71 / 28 | 85 / 33.5 | 154 / 60.6 |
Helly Hansen publishes its apparel charts in inches, and the centimeters shown are converted. Full charts for every garment type are in the size guides for Musto, Helly Hansen, Zhik, Rooster and Henri-Lloyd.
Frequently asked questions
What size for a 10-year-old?
It depends on the brand: Musto JM, Rooster Junior Medium, Helly Hansen 140, or Zhik youth 10. Compare your child's chest and height with the chart.
How do I measure a child?
Use a soft tape over thin clothing. Measure the chest at its fullest point, the waist at the natural waistline and the inside leg from crotch to ankle, plus height.
Should I buy a size up for growth?
A little room is fine, but oversized clothing can snag on lines and fittings. Choose the size that fits now with a layer underneath.
What does a young dinghy sailor need?
A wetsuit or rash guard, a spray top or jacket, a warm layer, gloves and boots with grip.
Do juniors need a drysuit?
A drysuit keeps water out and suits cold water. Zhik offers a junior drysuit for that use.
Which wetsuits are available for juniors?
Zhik, Rooster and Musto all make junior wetsuits.
Do sizes match between brands?
No. Ages and measurements differ, so check each brand's chart before ordering.
What footwear suits juniors?
Rooster makes a junior all-purpose boot, and Helly Hansen lists kids' shoe sizes up to Y6.
Are there junior gloves?
Yes. Rooster offers junior sailing gloves, and its glove chart covers adult and junior sizes.
Which brand should I pick?
Zhik and Rooster focus on dinghy gear for young racers. Helly Hansen offers junior jackets and mid layers, and Musto offers junior wetsuits and smocks.
If you have additional inquiries or need help with anything sailing related, don't hesitate to contact our experts! We'll be glad to help.
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Last updated: November 11, 2026.