Original Penguin Full Zip 90s Sweater review

The Full Zip 90s Golf Sweater from Original Penguin is designed to be a fashionable and functional golf jacket. So how does it perform?

Original Penguin Full Zip 90s Golf Sweater review: NCG Summary

NCG SUMMARY

The Full Zip 90s Golf Sweater is a very modern-looking sweater and a great addition to your golfing wardrobe.

PROS

• Looks great both on and off the golf course
• Plenty of pocket space but still has a slimmer fit
• Can swing without any restriction on movement

CONS

• Cuffs hang a little longer on the wrists than ideal

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Original Penguin Full Zip 90s Golf Sweater

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First impressions

What do you remember about the 1990s? For me, it was a period of passing out at festivals, donning Parkas, and growing out my locks in a way even my barber thought was unfathomable.

I don’t remember seeing any colour-blocking schemes that resembled what we’ve got on this Original Penguin Golf Sweater – a garment that wants to send me back to my youth. But that’s what this winter warmer is promising.

If you’re getting the whiff of a marketing campaign – all I can remember from golf course fashion in those days was trousers that were way too long and wide and Tiger Woods’ roll neck – then that’s on you.

But don’t let that colour (see what I did there?) your view of what is a fantastic piece of winter kit. The Original Penguin Full Zip 90s Sweater is the Oasis of golf outerwear.

Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. The single-knit fabric is Polyester and the fit is on the slimmer side – which I really like. There’s nothing worse than fabric hanging everywhere and this top clings rather than sways. You can even toggle close it at the waist if you desire an even snugger experience.

The fabric is water resistant but I suspect there will be limits to that given the knit. I’d be wary about going out in anything other than a shower without something a little more rigorously designed for the task.

Two front pockets are well sized and there’s a front chest pocket too for any extra required storage. The full zip is bulky and that’s a good thing. Who wants to be fiddling about?

Did I mention that it also looks great? The Iris Blue Heather is, to my mind, the most visually appealing but there’s also a striking Blueberry and Cherry model.

On-course testing

It looks great out of the packaging and it looks even better on your back too. This is a very well made golf sweater – smart but also extremely functional for golf.

I’d quite happily wear this off course too, but it does the job admirably when it matters. It keeps in the heat and I’d go so far to say that with the right combination underneath you wouldn’t even need a jacket on top when conditions suit.

The fit is slim without being tight around the chest and is still flexible enough to easily perform a swing. It’s a little looser in the arms but, even so, nothing catches and nothing is impeded. It’s a free flowing movement – exactly as you need when moving an object at 100mph.

This is a particular foible of mine, but I’m not a fan of cuffs that slightly overhang the wrists – as these do. I like my hands to be clear and these cuffs do get in my way slightly at the bottom of my thumbs. That leads me to lifting them up and holding them at my forearm.

The problem is that they simply fall down again as you’re swinging the club. You might find it a very different experience – medium is a pretty arbitrary sizing and my arms are on the shorter side – but it is an irritation.

As a left-hander, I’d also prefer the zip to be the other way round but this is a very minor quibble to what is an otherwise exceptional product.

The 19th hole

This Original Penguin Sweater is a very smart garment. It performs really well, keeps you warm and dry, but fits really nicely and doesn’t impede at all in your efforts to swing the club. The block pattern is an attractive design and it’s another great addition for a company that just continues to offer great looking golf clothing.

Fit: True to Size/Small/Large
Comfort: 9/10
Value for Money: 7/10
Sizes: S through XXXL
Colour options: Blue Iris Heather, Blueberry Pancake, Dark Caviar Heather

Original Penguin Full Zip 90s Golf Sweater

Now: £79.99

Check out the best deals on the Original Penguin Full Zip 90s Golf Sweater…

Original Penguin Full Zip 90s Golf Sweater review: The Details

Available: Now
RRP: £79.99
More info: Original Penguin website

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