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The weather has taken a turn for the worse so we took the best new jackets out in the rain so you don’t have to
The weather has taken a turn for the worse so we decided to take a look at the best golf waterproofs 2019 has to offer to help you make an informed decision. For reference throughout, I am 6-foot-3 and normal build, and tried each jacket in large…
Best golf waterproofs 2019: Abacus Pitch 37.5
I hadn’t had any experience of Abacus apparel before and I was particularly keen given the Solheim Cup connection. The Pitch 37.5 rain jacket has no straps on the cuffs but the sleeves are elasticated and even have extra elastic on the forearm to keep it in place throughout your swing. It’s comfortable and I really like the style – I tried it in blue and black. It’s lightweight and the fit is slim which I like. It made it more comfortable and allowed me to swing without feeling restricted. It also gives the option to adjust on both sides so there will be a fit for everyone. In what I would call the middle price range, it’s definitely one I’d recommend.
Although it’s not the lightest of the waterproofs I tried, it’s not so heavy that it impacts performance. It kept me dry throughout the rounds I played and the slight extra weight kept me nice and snug. The length was good although it was a little big around the chest and waist. However, the adjustable elastic waist did make up for this to an extent. It has two nicely sized pockets at the front which I like and comes in an array of colours. Overall, it’s a solid offering from Adidas. It ticks all the boxes you’d need from a waterproof and won’t break the bank. The fit wasn’t ideal but that’s fairly common for me sadly.
When I think of Callaway, I think of great clubs. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I took the Stormguard out on a rainy day in Leeds. Normally I struggle to find a waterproof that is long enough without being too loose in the chest but this jacket delivered. If anything it was almost too long. It’s not as light as some of the others I tested but it boasts a nice wool lining on the inside of the neck and a stretchy fabric on the cuff making it one of the more comfortable and definitely one of the warmest. If you want to make sure you stay warm as well as dry over winter, you could do worse than pick up one of these.
I love this from FootJoy. The material and cuffs feel so comfortable as soon as you put it on, it fits very well and it’s waterproof. Since I’ve had the HydroKnit, it’s become my go-to jacket. There is also a good amount of stretch in the fabric which further adds to what is already superb performance. And unlike the Hydrolite, I love the style. Although I have both in navy blue and green, the green is much less prominent and in my opinion, looks far better. The only downside for me is the lack of pockets. I do like front pockets but it’s a small price to pay for what is a great jacket. Well worth the money.
Can anything match the HydroKnit for style, comfort and performance? Our best golf waterproofs 2019 rundown continues on the next page…
Best golf waterproofs 2019: FootJoy Hydrolite v2
Totally waterproof – not even a downpour in Troon could penetrate it – and extremely lightweight. It honestly feels like you’re wearing no more than a long-sleeved t-shirt. I was astonished by the lightweight vs. waterproof ratio. Two big front pockets and adjustable cuffs are also a plus point for me although that is where the adjustability ends so be sure to try before you buy. The price is also very reasonable compared to its competition. The only downside for me is the colour. While I like my Hydroknit in blue and green, the bright green in the jacket is a little too much. However, it does come in a nice black and grey colour.
Galvin Green continue to excel on this front. I tested the Anthony jacket in black, white and red and found it ticked all the boxes. Not only did it keep me completely dry despite battling through 18 holes in the rain, but I found it very comfortable. On top of this, I didn’t feel like it had any impact on performance. I tend to find most waterproofs hinder the movement in my swing but this model is very light so I had no concerns about putting it on when the time called for it. Finally, Galvin Green offer great adjustability with straps on the cuffs and chest as well as elastic in the waist so these areas can be altered to each individual’s preferences. The one drawback for me is that I found the length to be on the small side and I’d be lying if I said it was a perfect fit.
Hands down the lightest jacket I’ve ever worn on the golf course. And despite the weight, it is Gore-Tex and therefore, completely waterproof. At first glance, this looks so different from anything I’ve seen before from Galvin Green but it does look better when it’s on. And although the style is not exactly to my liking, the fit is great and I didn’t have to make any adjustments to it which is nice. Adjustments to the waist are possible on both sides though. The performance is phenomenal. It is so lightweight it genuinely felt like I wasn’t wearing a jacket at all.
A classic looking waterproof and performance to match. I’ve had it out for a number of rounds now and have enjoyed wearing it. It seems to be in that middle ground of not too light but not too bulky and still performs well even though you know you’re wearing a jacket. It was a little wide but after adjusting the straps on the chest, I found a fit that was good for me. It looks like a Galvin Green jacket which is in its favour as they rarely design a poor looking jacket and I can’t complain with the comfort. The Andres doesn’t have front pockets which I prefer to have but other than that it ticks all the boxes. It’s in the higher price bracket but with Galvin Green you know you’re getting quality.
Our best golf waterproofs 2019 rundown continues on the next page, including a contender for top billing…
Best golf waterproofs 2019: J Lindeberg Shino-bonded Knit Softshell
Although not fully waterproof, it is water repellent and lightweight so a very versatile option. In conditions that were changeable I found it to be pretty handy. There’s no adjustability but there is elastic in the cuffs and waist so I found no issues with loose material during my swing. However, the fit was a slight issue for me. The length is a little short and the chest is a bit wide so is perhaps more suited to people who are smaller. The style is something I wasn’t sure of at first but it did grow on me. Overall, if you can get a size that fits you, it’s a comfortable jacket that’s good when you’re not sure what the weather is going to do.
Extremely lightweight while offering complete protection from the elements – performance will be no issue with this on. It’s extremely breathable which I found when playing on one of those wet but humid days. The jacket lets any excess heat escape so it’s perfect if you’re worried about working up a sweat. It has great adjustability on the cuffs as well as having adjustable elastic at both sides of the waist so sizing should not be a problem. I found to be a good fit. The jacket is also quite stylish, I like the blue, and two big front pockets for me are a win. In the middle in terms of price point but a worthy investment should you decide to go for it.
Best golf waterproofs 2019: ProQuip StormForce PX6 Pro
The stormFORCE PX6 Pro jacket from ProQuip is a very light and comfortable offering. For me, the style lets it down slightly – there’s a little too much going on – but if you put a premium on comfort and performance, then you could certainly do far worse than investing in one of these. Furthermore, sizing should not be a problem as there are plenty of options available with good adjustability provided on each. It’s a full-zip which is always nice and comes with front pockets as well as a a chest pocket. The jacket will keep you warm and dry – which is the main thing really – and ProQuip offer a lifetime guarantee in case there are any exceptions.
Best golf waterproofs 2019: Under Armour Inclement Rain Jacket
Straight away the style is right up my street. The jacket comes in a range of colours but for me, the black and grey offering is the one I’d go for. Under Armour have also delivered in other crucial performance areas. First and most importantly, it kept me 100% protected from the elements – both wind and rain. As well as this, the straps on the cuffs and chest allowed me to fasten it slightly as the large was a little on the big side. Additionally, it’s light enough that I felt no issue with performance whatsoever. I look forward to seeing what they’ve got to come in 2020. Incredible value for money.
Best golf waterproofs 2019: Under Armour Storm Gore-Tex Paclite
Save the best for last (even though I’ve been going in alphabetical order). This is pushing the HydroKnit close for top billing. It’s made with Gore-Tex Paclite material so you know it’s going to be 100% waterproof, and it was a great fit with very little adjustment required. The inside lining is smooth so it was very easy to take on and off – although minor I prefer this to mesh. The neck is elastic which again isn’t much but it gave me that added feeling of comfort and it’s very lightweight so easy to swing the club in which is obviously important. It comes with the option to adjust the waist at both sides which I didn’t need to use but I did use the straps on the cuffs to make sure there was no loose fabric. Finally, I loved the style. I think this is something Under Armour do very well and this jacket in blue didn’t disappoint.
