Best Golf Gilets

Abacus Men’s Grove Hybrid Vest

RRP £115

Abacus is a Swedish brand that has a strong tradition of producing stylish and weatherproof gear: so much so that they have clothed the last six European Solheim Cup teams. 

The Grove hybrid vest is the successor to last year’s Elgin vest that rated very highly. There are a lot of similarities with a seamless, quilted and padded windproof fabric to the front and back with side panels made from stretchable fleece, which is now brushed on the inside. The gilet features a full-length zipper, which works well in all positions. There are also a couple of roomy side pockets with zip closures. 

I tend to go up a size in Abacus outerwear and the large size fitted my non-athletic 74kg, 173 cm frame just right. I have loved wearing the Grove on and off the course. It is warm, comfortable to wear, looks good and layers well. 

It comes in a wide range of colours so you’re sure to find a shade to suit. 

PROS

• Warm & comfortable
• Premium construction
• Useful zippered pockets

CONS

• Slightly bulky to stow away

Sizes: S-XXXL
Colour: Sunset, White/navy, Dark cobalt/black, Navy/light grey, Black, Black/anthracite, Navy/harvest

Original Penguin Golf Insulated Mixed Media 80’s Vest 

RRP £115

Another good-looking part of the Original Penguin AW23 collection is the Insulated Mixed Media 80’s Vest.

The vest features the OPG moisture management system to keep you dry in rainy conditions, along with a water-repellent coating to provide extra protection from the elements.

The front and back also have extra padding and insulation to keep your torso warm and dry, while the side panels are jersey knit for comfort and warmth.

The jacket’s waistband is elasticated to provide some stretch if required, and it features zipped pockets on either side of the main full zip, allowing you to keep your hands warm and dry when out on the course.

The three-colour design is stylish while the inner lining has Pete the Penguin silhouettes throughout. The jacket is available in three colourways, all of which look good out on the golf course.  

PROS

• Insulated
• Comfortable
• Stylish

CONS

• None

Sizes: XS-2XL
Colour: White, Grey, Lime / Black, Grey, White / Blue, Navy, Gold

Callaway Primaloft Premium Quilted Gilet

RRP £130

You don’t always need long-sleeved jackets in the winter. Sometimes body warmers can add all the extra warmth needed.

Part of Callaway’s Weather Series, the gilet, along with several of their other products in the range, is made with Primaloft. This is insulation created from recycled plastics, to keep you warm when the temperature drops.

The gilet’s mock neck collar also offers extra protection around your throat and neck from the wind and rain. Pockets provide warmth for your hands, with zips on both.

The full-length zip allows easy access in changeable conditions. The gilet also features an adjustable toggle in the hem to pull it in at the waist if required.

Four colour options – including grey, navy and blue – offer plenty of choice, and all showing off style on the golf course.

At a retail price of £130, it is quite expensive for a gilet, but that is the only downside to the Callaway Golf Primaloft Premium Quilted Gilet. 

PROS

• Comforable
• Insulating
• Colour choices

CONS

• Expensive

Sizes: XS-2XL
Colours: Grey, Black, Lime / Navy & Light Blue / Brown & Black / Blue & Black

Ping Norse
S5 Vest  

RRP £120

In my opinion a Gilet is a must have for any golfer, wearable in all seasons and an unrestrictive additional layer. The Ping Norse S5 Vest ticks both boxes and is also lightweight, insulated, stylish and fits well. 

With PrimaLoft Silver Active insulation throughout and a quilted design it provides a level of warmth that belies its lightweight feel. I am a big fan of gilets for this very reason, they can be worn over a short sleeve shirt as additional protection from the wind or over multiple layers for additional warmth and in both circumstances the Norse S5 Vest performs exceptionally. In addition to this the material is water resistant and more than able to hold up in a light shower. 

Another aspect of the Norse S5 Vest is that it is very understated and as such could easily be worn off the course without feeling like you have just come from the course. As stated I would advise all golfers to invest in a gilet and you need not look further than the latest offering from Ping. 

PROS

• Looks great
• Excellent fit
• Lightweight

CONS

• Pockets are not lined

Sizes: S-3XL
Colour: Black, Stone Blue

FootJoy Thermoseries Fleece Back Vest 

RRP £124.99

This full-zip vest, part of the FootJoy ThermoSeries range, is constructed from a waffle fleece back fabric which offers a warmth and thermal retention. It also has a DWR finish to provide some protection in light rain. 

It comes in a ‘regular fit’ which has enabled me to use this as a second or third layer. It’s also easy to wear beneath a waterproof layer if required. I tested the version in navy, which is one of two colours available. It looks really smart, with contrasting detailing at the shoulders and zip. 

On the course it’s a delight to wear. It’s comfortable, warm and practical. It comes with a couple of open hand pockets, and although I tend to prefer zip pockets, these work well. There is a useful high collar which is comfortable and snug when zipped up. 

It is a little on the pricy side but is such a useful piece of apparel that I’m sure it will represent strong value.  

PROS

• Premium feel & construction
• Smart look & design
• Useful layering piece

CONS

• Not cheap

Sizes: S-2XL  
Colour: Navy, Seaglass

Oscar Jacobson
Quinn Padded Gilet

RRP £99.99

The Oscar Jacobson Quinn gilet was a delight to wear. Lightweight, water-repellent fabric, and extremely comfortable. It is a great cross-over garment to use on a cooler day or for those brave enough to take on winter golf on those particularly chilly occasions.

The padded upper body is both a stylish and practical to keep nice and warm whilst looking great on the course. It is also ideal as an addition for in and around the clubhouse or just day to day use.

We tested the product on a cool day with a slight breeze which was ideal for the Quinn gilet.

As expected, playing shots was no problem, plenty of mobility across the arms and chest as well as large storage pockets to look after your personal belongings.

Additionally, it wrapped up nice and easily to fit into the main pocket of my golf bag when it did get a little warmer.  

PROS

• Extremely comfortable & warm
• Great looking product for on & off the course
• Zipped pockets to look after your valuables

CONS

• Personally, would prefer an inside pocket

Sizes: S-2XL
Colours: Navy, Black, Lunar Grey

 Puma Frost Quilted Vest

RRP £119

This stylish Puma gilet will fit the bill for many golfers. It is tight fit, but too oppressive and you will no doubt make you look good and feel good on the golf course.

Some gilets can strangle your body, but this isn’t the case with the Frost Quilted Vest, as it is extremely comfortable. The Primaloft Gold Insulation is complete with water-resistant protection in light rain and this product also features additional Cloudspun fabric at the sides and the back which ensures maximum freedom when you swing the club.

The full zip design straps you in for action and this feature also gives you the option to relieve any tightness at the top of your chest.

My favourite part of this product is the double zip hand pocket design which allows you to tuck your hands in during testing conditions, but is also useful for storage.

The weather-resistant shell on the outside of the vest increases durability when you play in tough conditions, and this just adds to the quality of the product. 

PROS

• A performance fit & very comfortable 
• The double zip hand pockets are great for insulation and storage
• Black-Slate Sky colour is very smart 

CONS

• Perhaps a bit thin which could reduce warmth 

Sizes: S-2XL
Colour: Black-Slate Sky / Blazer-Slate Sky

Adidas Ultimate365 Tour Frostguard full zip padded vest

RRP £150

A good gilet can be the difference between a good day out in the cold and a bad one. They are versatile enough to be worn under a bigger waterproof jacket, but also warm enough to be worn as a top layer when the sun comes out and a jacket is too much.

The Adidas Ultimate365 Frostguard full zip padded vest is as good as it gets. The colour options go with any outfit, it has super lightweight insulation between the layers which keep the heat in and the wind out, and it also is slightly water repellent so when you get the more than likely showers we know are coming you don’t have to fight your jacket on and off throughout the round.

This is a really good winter gilet. 

PROS

• Lightweight
• Packs in bag nicely
• Warm

CONS

• Expensive 

Sizes: XS-2XL
Colour: Collegiate navy / black / olive strata

 Under Armour Storm Session Golf Vest 

RRP £100

A gilet is a must-have item throughout the colder months, whether you wear one on the course or off it, so if you can find one tat ticks both boxes then you’re on to a winner. 

The Under Armour Storm Session Golf Vest combines comfort, style and warmth to give you the ultimate gilet for the winter months ahead. 

With the help of strategic synthetic insulation creates a warm, comfortable feel without feeling over bulky around your upper body. 

The full-zip design allows for great practicality, particularly in winter when you are forever adding or removing layers and the fit of the gilet is great, but not too tight to prevent you from being unable to add layers underneath it. 

I would personally say that the only downside to the Storm Session Golf Vest is its price, especially when you can pick up one of Under Armour’s SweaterFleece’s or similar jackets for a similar price or less. 

PROS

• Nice design 
• Warm 
• Lightweight 

CONS

• Pricey

Sizes: S – XXL
Colours: Midnight Navy/Pitch Grey 

Under Armour Storm Daytona Vest

RRP £75

Looking for stylish gilet this winter? Look no further than the Under Armour Storm Daytona Vest which offers a thinner alternative to the Under Armour’s Storm Session Vest. 

The two hand-zipped pockets are a great addition and allow you to store smaller items such as ball marker and pitch repairs, which can often be an issue when out on the course when you’re too busy faffing around trying to find where you put them. 

I would say the only downside to the Under Armour Storm Daytona Vest would be the fitting felt slightly longer and slightly baggier than other gilets, therefore, I didn’t get the full impact unless I had multiple layers on underneath. 

Despite this, you could still feel the benefits enough from the ArmourFleece technology which created an overall warm and comfortable gilet which would be a great addition to your apparel wardrobe. 

PROS

• Lightweight 
• Internal and external pockets 
• Great design 

CONS

• Slightly long body

Sizes: S – XXL
Colour: Castlerock/White 

G/Fore Repeller Gilet

RRP £225

I’ve never been much of a gilet man, but the G/Fore Repeller has absolutely changed that.

I love how light it is, and I’m amazed at how much protection from the elements it offers. It has GFore’s DryTex technology and a sealed zipper so that you stay dry when wearing it, and it also has a front chest pocket with heat-bonded waterproof seams to keep anything valuable dry.

I’ve worn this on both hot and cold days, where it’s been the perfect garment, just mixing up the different layers I have on underneath. It folds down really small, making it the perfect layer to carry in my pencil bag, and the magnetic side pockets are a nice touch as they are easily accessible, but also, nothing falls out.

It might be a tad on the expensive side, but you will not regret buying it.  

PROS

• Lightweight
• Warm
• Weatherproof

CONS

• Logo is quite big

Sizes: S-2XL
Colour: Twilight/Stone/Onyx 

Peter Millar Fuse Elite Hybrid Gilet

RRP £175

The Fuse Elite Gilet is a terrific addition to the Peter Millar Autumn/Winter offering.  

It is not an overly heavy/bulky garment which means it layers well when worn with the Forge Performance Quarter Zip midlayer. It is not an item to look too though if you were looking for a heavily insulated gilet for the bitter cold months. 

The lightweight nature of the gilet means it does not impede the swing at all when playing a shot and would easily roll up to fit in a carry bag if you wished to remove it during the round. 

There is a slide in pocket on each side of the gilet and interestingly there is a concealed zip pocket but only on the right-hand side. A nice touch though was when you unzipped the conceal pocket there was a small envelope inside which had a Peter Millar ball marker in. 

I am 5ft 10 and did find it felt slightly short in length and would have preferred it to be slightly longer but overall another quality Peter Millar item.

It has their trademark stretch comfort fit which is perfect as a layering piece for the colder months.

The pricing is punchy compared to other gilets but the quality and comfort is there. 

PROS

• Does not impede swing
• Stretch comfort
• Easily fits into a carry bag

CONS

• Slightly short in length

Sizes: S – XXL
Colour: Navy, British Grey, Navy/British Grey 

Castore Fitted Hybrid Gilet

NOW £125

The Castore hybrid jacket is probably one of my favourite items from Castore this year.

It looks great, lightweight and a great option to stay warm in the fall season of golf.

Castore have designed this for optimal range in mobility, they have done so excellently. Despite it being slim fitting, it doesn’t hamper your ability to swing all your clubs at all, in fact you barely notice you are wearing it and still reap the benefits of staying warm in the colder days.  

It also bodes well for a light shower, designed with a weatherproof woven panel and water-resistant trims, ideal for the unexpected shower.  

Overall, I really like this garment. A secured staple in my wardrobe for the autumnal golf ahead.

My only drawback would be that if you prefer a slightly longer fitted gilet, I would recommend getting a size up. I am 6ft 1, and the XL sits just on my waistline which I personally don’t mind.

PROS

• Lightweight  
• Stylish  
• Comfortable

CONS

• Only available in 1 colour

Sizes: S – 2XL
Colour: Midnight navy