Getting ready to wrap up for winter golf? The new FootJoy Hydroseries range has got you covered with an extensive waterproof line-up.
FootJoy Hydroseries: First impressions
My colleague Alex Perry was lucky enough to visit the stunning Archerfield complex near Edinburgh to see the new range and test it out on the course.
“You never really know what else you can say about a jacket,” Alex tells me. “It’s a jacket.
“Style-wise, FJ rarely miss and this new line-up is no exception. Straight out of the bag I was really impressed by the quality – but you already knew that, because they’re pretty good on that front too.
“I’ll leave you to tell the readers a bit more and I’ll come back with my verdict later.”
FootJoy Hydroseries: The line-up
The HydroTour heads up the Hydroseries range. This is designed to deal with the worst conditions perfect for all you golfers who play no matter the weather.
It features DrySeal technology which is a double collar system with a cinch cord to keep the rain out as well as an inbuilt drainage system to keep rain off your neck.
It features a three-panel construction meaning fewer seams. The fabric also offers multi-directional stretch so you can keep your swing loose on the course.
The HydroLite is a more lightweight offering better suited for warmer conditions. It comes in five different colourways and I especially like the patterned options.
The lighter nature of this also means it folds down to a compact size making it easy to store.
Finally the HydroKnit is back and better than ever. The four-way stretch fabric and lightweight construction make this feel like a midlayer yet perform like a rain jacket.
This year we see the addition of hand pockets for added comfort.
All three jackets come with matching waterproof trousers redesigned to have a better fit and more tapered feel.
In the women’s range the popular HLV2 is back, its lightweight in nature but still gives you 100% waterproof protection.
New this year is the HydroKnit which gives you outerwear protection in the feel of a mid layer. It is lightweight and very breathable.
All the jackets in the Hydroseries range come with a three year limited waterproof warranty.
FootJoy Hydroseries: NCG Verdict
Back to Alex…
“It turns out FJ couldn’t have picked a better day for it. We had a bit of sunshine, a bit of breeze, some light showers and one particularly heavy one.
“I started out in the HydroLite as there was the threat of some rain in the air and – as is often the case with FJ gear – I was immediately impressed by the comfort levels.
“The HydroLite is easy to swing in, light as a feather, and – most importantly – made little work of keeping me dry in the lighter rainfall.
“When it started really coming down I slipped the HydroTour out of my bag and put it in play.
“Wow. It’s so much lighter than I imaged a full-on storm jacket could be and it provides just about as much defence as you could ever imagine.
“And the pockets. Oh the pockets! As far more people than I care to remember have sang: You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
“Absolutely exceptional all round.”
FootJoy Hydroseries: The details
RRP: £225/£170 (HydroTour jacket/trousers); £170/£120 (HydroLite jacket/trousers); £150/150 (HydroKnit jacket/trousers)
Colours: Black/Charcoal/Lime, Navy/Black/Red, Black/Grey/Lime (Men’s HydroTour); Royal Blue/Black/Silver, Navy/Red/White, Black Marble, Navy Marble (HydroLite); Black/Grey/Lime, Navy/Denim, Charcoal/Red/White (Men’s HydroKnit); Black/Silver, Navy/Silver, Grey/White (Women’s HLV2); Grey/Hot Pink, Navy/Aquamarine (Women’s HydroKnit)
Want more?
You can view the full range on the FootJoy website.