60 Years of Musto: The Journey of an Iconic Sailing Brand

The Journey of Musto, 60th Birthday Edition

In 1962, Keith Musto found himself in a familiar predicament, battling the elements on the choppy waters off the coast of Essex. Cold, soaked through, and weighed down by waterlogged clothing, he asked himself a recurring question: How could he tackle the relentless discomfort in his sailing endeavors?

Fast forward to the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, where Keith and his partner, Tony Morgan, defied expectations to secure a place on the British Olympic Sailing Team. Despite their strategies and competitive spirit, they narrowly missed the gold, edged out by New Zealand in a heart-stopping finale, settling for silver.

The sting of defeat lingered, accompanied by a nagging realization: their attire had been a crucial factor. Reflecting on their journey, Keith recalled the days of sailing in makeshift gear, accepting the inevitable drenching as part of the sport. This pivotal moment spurred him to action.

"I didn’t like being cold and wet," Keith Musto said, encapsulating the driving force behind his venture. With determination to conquer this, Musto embarked on a mission to revolutionize sailing apparel. A brand was born, setting new standards and making waves in the industry.

Humble Beginnings

With a passion for sailing, Keith Musto started making sails alongside Edward Hyde under the banner of Musto & Hyde Sails. However, Keith's aspirations soon shifted from sails to technical sailing clothing. His early days were marked by a relentless quest for knowledge, teaching himself the art of manufacturing clothes. Such was his dedication that he compensated his wife with a Mars bar a day for handling the machinery and typing work.

The Birth of Musto

The pivotal moment came in 1980 when Keith decided to part ways with Musto & Hyde. With determination and a vision, he formed a new team focused on creating the best sailing kit available. This team swiftly established itself as the leading manufacturer and wholesaler of specialist sailing clothing, earning endorsements from some of the world's most celebrated sailors. Thus, Musto was born.

Key Milestones in Musto's History

1964: Keith Musto wins a Silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the Flying Dutchman Class. This achievement is reflected in Musto's red boat logo, a direct descendant of this moment.
1983: Musto designs the first viable two-piece drysuit.
1985: Musto wins the Prestigious Design Award for the ocean hood and collar system.
1988: Musto Snugs are launched, introducing the first fleece products to the UK.
1994: Musto collaborates with WL GORE & Associates to develop HPX Breathable Technology. Team New Zealand wins the America's Cup wearing Musto.
2005: Ellen MacArthur breaks the Solo Round the World record aboard Kingfisher wearing Musto.
2006: ABN Amro One wins the Volvo Ocean Race wearing Musto clothing.
2009: Musto signs a four-year deal to sponsor Skandia Team GBR and the WPNSA, venue for the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
2012: Skandia Team GBR wins one Gold and four Silver medals wearing Musto.
2015: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing wins the Volvo Ocean Race wearing Musto.
2017: Musto becomes the Official Apparel, Luggage, Accessories, and Footwear Supplier to the British Sailing Team.
2021: The British Sailing Team dominates the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics wearing Musto.

A Legacy of Innovation

Musto transformed the sailing industry with its innovative clothing lines. From world-leading offshore garments to revolutionary dinghy suits, Musto's collections have consistently set new standards in comfort and performance for athletes competing in the most challenging conditions.

Timeless Icon

Today, Musto's iconic and much-loved garments remain as integral to its story as they were in the beginning. The brand's unwavering commitment to quality and innovation has ensured its products stand the test of time, continuing to shape the future of sailing apparel.

Our Top Picks from Musto

The Musto Mens 64 Sherpa Fleece Jacket

Designed as part of a capsule collection that celebrates Musto's original pieces in the treasured Musto archive, this 64 Sherpa Fleece Midlayer Jacket is a versatile heavyweight fleece jacket, that can be worn as both an outerwear piece and a layering piece depending on the conditions.

Shop here.

The Musto Mens 1964 UV Short Sleeve Polo Shirt

Featuring a raised, silicone print of the Musto logo and iconic Red Boat, this short-sleeve, button up polo shirt for men is more than just a stylish top. Its quick dry Nilit® Breeze fabric promotes excellent moisture management, preventing sweat from building up during outdoor adventures away from the water.

Shop here.