Equipment: We review the best golf waterproofs for 2016/17

In our bid to find the best golf waterproofs for 2016/17 we called in samples from all the biggest brands.

We only called in full suits where both the jacket and the trousers came with a waterproof guarantee.

The testers to find the best golf waterproofs for 2016/17 were equipment editor James Savage and staff writer Steve Carroll  who are both the same size and could each test all of the suits.

The test largely took place at Moor Allerton Golf Club in Leeds with both testers wearing each of the suits for at least two holes.

Whenever it rained we ran out from our office to the golf course over the road to play some holes. Thankfully there’s always plenty of rain in Leeds in November and December.

We also used the power hose to soak the suits to test how they coped in extreme conditions.

To review the best golf waterproofs for 2016/17 we considered how easy the suit was to get on and off over the top of our existing clothes and shoes.

We also looked at how easily we were able to swing the golf club? How the rain ran off or soaked into the material? Were there any added features? How light and stretchy was the suit?

Finally we were also passing comment on the looks and style of the suit and whether or not we’d be happy wearing the jacket to the pub afterwards.

To see which suits were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals CLICK HERE

See below for our comments on each individual suit.

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – Benross Hydro Pro

Tester comments:

JS: The fit was excellent with no excess material on the jacket or trouser. There’s a bit of added lining in the sleeves for warmth and there’s even fleece material on the inside of the pockets which is a really nice touch.

The water tends to sit on the jacket at little rather than bouncing off like on a Gore-Tex suit but for the price, the performance and feel was superb.

From a looks point of view, this is a huge leap forward from Benross compared to previous suits. It’s very stylish and can more than compete with its more expensive counterparts.

SC: After a single hole, I’d forgotten I was wearing this suit and I can think of no higher compliment. Both jacket and trousers were an excellent fit and were snug without being too tight.

I’d have preferred the jacket cuffs to be adjustable, as I found myself lifting up the sleeves in order to separate them from my grip but this is a personal foible.

I’d be interested to see just how it performed during a saturated round as water does tend to hang rather than deflect off the jacket. But it was remarkably quick to dry and, for the price, it’s a winner.

SRPs: Jacket £69.99, Trouser £49.99

For more visit the Benross website here

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – Sunice Ultimate V7 Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket, Narooma Gore-Tex Paclite Trouser

Tester comments:

JS: The jacket looks really cool and you can instantly feel the quality of the Gore-Tex material as soon as you put it on.

There are adjustable cuffs which are always handy and there’s even a ball cleaner in one of the pockets. I’m not sure the headphone socket will be needed in the pouring rain and I think this comes from the brand’s expertise in Ski wear.

This is a super-premium suit and really feels like it will withstand the elements. It is a tad on the heavy side so not ideal for keeping in your bag.

SC: You know you are wearing a premium jacket as soon as you put your arms through the sleeves and rain is barely an irritant to the Gore-Tex fabric. It is a little heavier than some of the competitors on test but I’d feel happy swinging in a storm in this jacket.

I’d have liked the trousers to be a more stylish fit – I like a lean cut on the leg rather than a bit more material – but this is otherwise a high-performing suit.

SRPs: Jacket £349.99, Trouser £174.99

For more visit the Sunice website here

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – Galvin Green Aston Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket, August Gore-Tex Paclite Trouser

Tester comments

JS: As I have come to expect, a Galvin Green suit just feels superb. It seems to have stretch and give in all the right places.

Even if you can’t play like a proper golfer, you can certainly look like one with this Gavin Green suit on.

It’s really nice and light so although it would be a shame to do so, it can be left in your bag all year round without adding any weight.

I’m not a huge fan of the jacket pocket which is around the back but it does make a lot of sense to keep any accessories properly out of the way.

The trouser pockets keep your hands warm and the zips are plenty long enough to help you get them on and off over your shoes.

SC: I’ve always considered Galvin Green the gold standard in waterproofs and once again they’ve delivered with this combination. A suit cannot be too light, as far as I am concerned, and this made no impact in my bag at all.

I tested this in a weekend storm and it’s incredible to see the way water is just deflected off the surface of the jacket – as if you’re wearing a forcefield. It is exceptionally tailored and I’d wear this off the course as well.

I understand the thinking behind the pocket – keeping it out of the way of the swing – but you have to put one arm behind your back to retrieve any accessories and that cannot be ideal.

You must be precise with the velcro strips on the trousers to avoid leaving a gap to your shoes but that’s a very minor point on a garment that otherwise fits beautifully.

SRPs: Jacket £300, Trouser £250

For more visit the Galvin Green website here

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – Mizuno Pro Rain Jacket and Trouser

Tester comments:

JS: I’m a big fan of the blue and white jacket. Nothing to do with my football allegiances. Much.

The fit was nice and snug but there was enough stretch so it didn’t restrict movement. The velco pads over the main zip is a welcome addition and the cuffs were easily adjustable.

The trousers were a little bit noisy due to a bit of excess material around the crotch but they were nicely fitted at the bottom of the leg with good adjustability.

SC: The blue and white jacket stood out immediately. It looks incredibly fashionable and it was such a great fit I’d wear it off the course. The velcro buttons, which protect the zip, are a nice touch. Lightweight fabric meant it sat easily in the bag without any undue lifting.

The trouser was an excellent fit, looked very hardwearing, and I was a particular fan of the adjustable velcro strap at the hem. You get these on all, of course, but the strip seemed to be much longer and allowed me to adjust the fit to my particular taste.

SRPs: Jacket £165, Trouser £149.99

For more visit the Mizuno website HERE

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – ProQuip StormForce PX5

JS: The fabric is soft and silky-smooth which adds a premium feel.

Despite being very lightweight, the jacket adds a bit of warmth thanks to fleeced collar-lining.

The trousers have a really long zip at the bottom of the leg which makes them very easy to get on and off.

SC: Extensive inner lining made the PX5 stormFORCE jacket warm – a huge plus in winter conditions – and the velcro straps on both sides that allow you to tighten the fit around the midriff are a very nice touch. 

SRPs: Jacket £175, Trouser £120

For more visit the ProQuip website HERE

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – Ping Tour Eye

JS: I love the material on the jacket and the trousers, it’s soft, smooth and stretchy.

The jacket does feel a bit snug but doesn’t restrict movement. It just doesn’t really feel like a waterproof suit, which is a good thing, but it offers super protection as the rain just bounces off.

For me, the Tour Eye trousers are as good as it gets because they actually feel like a nice tailored fit. They are one of the only models I’d wear on their own from the outset.

SC: The tighter fit is just what I’m looking for. I hate excess material getting in the way of my swing and this jacket is outstanding in that regard. The cuffs are very adjustable, which is a big plus, and I’d wear this as a winter jacket as well as a waterproof.

I’d echo James’s comments on the trousers. The hem is almost a boot cut but there is plenty of room to slip your shoes through if you are caught short in a storm.

SRPs: Jacket £200, Trouser £150

For more visit the Ping website HERE

To see which suits were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals CLICK HERE

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – FootJoy DryJoys Tour XP

JS: The Tour XP jacket is one of FootJoy’s most stylish to date and I think will appeal to a younger audience. It feels super-premium and like it’s built for golf.

It’s really stretchy and offers a bit of added warmth. It’s the sort of jacket I’d wear off the course.

The trousers are nicely fitted with no excess material and are very easy to whip on and off if caught in a downpour.

There’s a bonus zip inside the trouser pocket which means you can access things in the pocket of your first pair of trousers. Nice touch.

SC: You could see the rain bouncing off the jacket and deflecting away and it not only looks very cool but it is exceptionally high performing as well.

With the prospect of a lot of rain, I want to be wearing fewer rather than more layers. That’s a worry in winter but the Tour XP jacket traps the heat and keeps you very snug. I love both the fit and the feel and it’s a very fashionable golf garment.

SRPs: Jacket £210, Trouser £155

For more visit the FootJoy website HERE

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – Under Armour Gore-Tex Paclite

JS: Under Armour made a huge statement with their first Gore-Tex suit last year. It was nicely fitted but still allowed movement.

It felt it could withstand a hurricane. If anything it was possibly just a bit too warm to wear in the summer.

The new Paclite model has all the good things about the original Storm suit but feels lighter and more breathable.

You still get the feeling it can withstand the toughest conditions but you can barely notice you’ve got it on. It looks super-cool too.

SC: One of the best fitting jackets on test, the lightweight fabric was a big plus. The pocket zips were on the stiff side but the Gore-Tex material provided an impenetrable barrier.

SRPs: Jacket £240, Trouser £190

For more visit the Under Armour website HERE

Best golf waterproofs 2016/17 – Callaway Tour 3.0

JS: This is one of my favourite-looking jackets. It’s simple and classy. It’s also nice and light so a great shell to keep in the golf bag.

There’s a ball cleaner in the jacket pocket which I think is a great addition for when playing winter golf with lift, clean and place rules in play.