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Looking to stay dry this winter? Jonathan Taylor has put the new Abacus Bounce rain trousers to the test
Abacus is the Swedish golf apparel brand, trusted by numerous Solheim Cup teams to keep them dry and comfortable. The Bounce series is the latest addition to their rainwear collection , designed with the active golfer in mind, combining function, quality and design.
Abacus Bounce rain trouser review: First Impressions
The waterproof trouser tends to be a bit of an afterthought, especially when compared to its relative, the generally more interesting jacket.
Out of the box, these felt just as soft and stretchy as the accompanying jacket, which is hardly surprising as it is constructed from the same StretchDry 15,000 fabric. We tested the navy colour, one of three choices available, which looks smart, durable and practical.
Just as with the jacket, it is a three-layer build with a waterproof membrane sandwiched between two identical soft and stretchable layers of fabric.
The fabric is described as a 4-way stretch – it stretches crossways as well as lengthways, and it is certainly stretchy. These trousers are also waterproof to 15,000mm (waterproof in all but the heaviest rain) and breathable to 15,000g/sq metre (breathable for high-energy activities). They come with an impressive 3-year waterproof guarantee. All seams are fully sealed with soft and flexible tape.
Abacus Bounce rain trouser review: On The Course
In trouser fittings I am generally a pretty consistent 32inch waist, 29 inch inside leg. Following previous experience with the Abacus Pitch range, I opted for a medium waist (34 inch) and short length trouser and this fitted really well.
There is a press stud and velcro closure at the top of the zippered fly. There is decent adjustability at the waist due to the stretchy material and also some velcro fastenings on both sides. There are also belt loops at the waist. There are zip leg openings which open all the way up to the knee. The garment also has a velcro adjustable closure around the bottom of the trouser which I feel is a useful feature.
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Testing was carried out over several days, both on and off course, in wet conditions and in variable temperatures. I generally wear waterproof trousers over a standard pair of trousers, and this was the case during testing. They were comfortable to wear and were an ideal fit. There was no interference with swinging and they remained quiet at all times.
As far as pockets are concerned, there are three and they are all fitted with high quality zips. The rear pocket and the two side pockets are all reasonably sized but are made from a stretchy mesh material which is slightly at odds with the otherwise quality construction. There is a slit access, with velcro closure, to the trouser pocket worn beneath but only on the right side. I would prefer this feature to be bilateral but that’s a minor point.
Overall these waterproof trousers are really comfortable to wear, and they are also easy to get on and off, due to the length of the zip on the legs. In addition, the fabric feels substantial enough for me not to be too fearful to venture into the undergrowth to hunt for my playing partner’s golf ball.
Abacus Bounce rain trouser review: The 19th hole
I have worn these trousers on a number of occasions, including in some very heavy rain, and I have stayed dry and comfortable throughout. Breathability appears to be good in the conditions tested, although I think milder weather might challenge the technical features of this excellent bit of kit.
There is little in the way of branding here, just an Abacus logo on the left waistband, and ‘StretchDry 15,000’ on the rear pocket flap, but I regard these trousers as something for the golf course rather than for any other activities.
So we have another hit from Abacus that certainly does combine function, quality and design. I think this is a garment that is well suited to most conditions, perhaps apart from the height of summer. It will certainly be a go-to waterproof trouser over the cooler months, due to its excellent all-round performance and comfort.
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Fit: True to Size/Small/Large Comfort: 9.5/10 Value for Money: 9/10 Sizes: Waist S-XXL. Inside leg Short, Medium Colour: Navy, Black, Grey.
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