“Your adventure is our challenge” says team Musto.
With this bold opening statement we would like to tell you a little bit about one of our best-selling brands who offer innovative outdoor apparel to everyone with a passion for pursuits out in the big wide open.

Who Are They?

Musto is the world’s leading offshore sailing brand and a British leader in shooting and equestrian apparel. Their clothing is engineered with high-performance, technically innovative fabric that helps you perform your best. With over 50 years of experience in producing hard-wearing, cutting-edge performance apparel they are at the top of their game and know a thing or two about kitting you, your team and your family out ready for your adventure.

How It All Started

Musto is the brainchild of Keith Musto, who, with his team, won silver for the British Olympic sailing squad in Tokyo in 1964 with their boat the Flying Dutchman. “We sailed in Guernsey sweaters and old flannel trousers for years. You got wet and you accepted it.” Says Keith, as he recalls the event vividly. It was after this that he knew something had to be done to keep sailors a little dryer and more comfortable.

Keith started out with Edward Hyde making sails in an old WWII prisoner of war hut in Essex, which is where Musto & Hyde Sails was born, but he quickly moved his ideas to technical sailing clothing. He taught himself the basics of manufacturing clothes with the help of his wife as money was tight.

In 1980 Musto & Hyde disbanded giving Keith the time he needed to concentrate on producing what was becoming the manufacturer of the best kit available. The clothing was being worn and endorsed by the world’s most celebrated sailors. The silhouette of the Flying Dutchman boat, became the brands logo and was easily recognised as a mark of excellence. Musto was born.

Innovation

The story may start with sailing, but that’s just the beginning. Realising that the technology in the fabrics used for sailing could be utilised for other sports – riding and shooting, which are both sports in which Keith’s children have a passion for. So, by fusing technical fabrics with traditional country style forward-thinking, British country sporting apparel was coming alive.

With a dedicated team of designers, possessing a passion for detail and style, working with the world’s best technical fabric manufacturers several partnerships developed over the years with the likes of GORE-TEX® being a forerunner, and still a major contributor to the manufacturing in a lot of their technical garments.

The 3-layer system, which took thin layers being layered for optimum warmth, protection and freedom of movement, took off when adventurous sailor Cornelis van Rietschoten used it to wick away sweat whilst competing in a Whitbread Round the World Race (now the Volvo Ocean Race). This created astounding word of mouth which made the concept of layering standard across all outdoor pursuits.

Musto continue to create innovative fabrics and garments that work hard for you, whatever your pursuit.

Musto Today

Today Musto remains one of the world’s leading brands of sailing, equestrian and shooting clothing that has been endorsed with two royal warrants and is the kit of choice for the RNLI.

Musto continue to work with sporting professionals such as Skip Novak, Ellen McArthur, Zara Phillips and William Fox-Pitt developing ranges that drive innovation through passion.