Ping has a strong reputation for technical innovation. Here we test the Ping Elemental Polo, which is new for AW22 and is engineered with Graphene. So how does it perform?
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Looking to update your winter wardrobe? Jonathan Taylor has put the Ping Elemental Polo to the test.
Ping has a strong reputation for technical innovation. Here we test the Ping Elemental Polo, which is new for AW22 and is engineered with Graphene. So how does it perform?
The Elemental Polo is a rather wonderful hybrid of a base layer and a polo shirt. The Elemental long sleeve golf polo shirt is engineered with graphene for thermal conductivity when worn. It comes highly recommended.
PROS
CONS
The Elemental Polo has a really stretchy and soft feel out of the box. It has a smart and unfussy long sleeve polo shirt style. I really liked the one-colour look with a subtle Ping logo on the right shoulder and a hexagonal print on the upper back, which makes a visual reference to the Graphene technology in the garment.
Graphene (as also featured in the Ping Sensordry waterproof jacket and trousers) is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, and it is the lightest, strongest and toughest material ever discovered. It was isolated in 2004 by researchers at Manchester University.
Ping has incorporated a graphene print to the inside of the shirt to help absorb and retain heat when worn next to skin to aid comfort during play. The material features Sensorwarm technology, this is a knitted stretch fabric made from recycled polyester.
I am about 173cm tall and weigh about 74kg with an average (ie non-athletic) shape. I found the medium size fitted just right. The stretchiness of the material means that there is a bit of leeway here if you are in between sizes. But overall I would say that this garment fits true to size.
The sleeves were a nice length – again, just right. Often long-sleeve garments can have sleeves that are excessively long, but that wasn’t the case with this at all. The seams were comfortable next to the skin with no rubbing, and the shirt was long enough to tuck easily into my trousers.
This garment comes in three colours. I tested the black option. It also comes in blue (which Ping calls North Sea) and orange (Flame). As this is something that is most likely to be layered over, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose a brighter colour to lift the winter gloom.
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I’ve worn the Ping Elemental long-sleeve polo a dozen times or more over the last month or so and quickly recognised that this is a cross between a base layer and a polo shirt. Although not as close fitting as a typical base layer, the fabric (with graphene technology) provided a really warm feel – much more than you’d expect at first glance.
Even in cool conditions, the combination of this with a mid-layer on top worked really well, and the stretchiness of the fabric meant that there was plenty of freedom to swing in with no sense of restriction.
The button closure at the top is more polo shirt than base layer and when all three buttons are done up, it sits snugly and comfortably around the neck.
Graphene fabric technology is also said to help regulate body temperature, and I have to say that on the multiple occasions I’ve worn this, I have never experienced any moisture build-up or stickiness.
The beauty of this garment is that when you come in off the course for a post-round warming drink in the clubhouse, you can take off any layers over the Elemental Polo and look entirely appropriately dressed. This is not the case with most base layers. So I do regard this an absolutely first-rate piece of kit which will be suitable for all seasons apart from high summer.
It’s been through the washing machine on a number of occasions, doesn’t need ironing and has retained it shape & performance admirably. So for the flexibility of use allied to the quality of the product, this gets five stars and I regard it as excellent value.
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Overall the Elemental Polo is a rather wonderful hybrid of a base layer and a polo shirt. It comes highly recommended and will be getting lots of use from me out on the golf course this season.
Fit: True to Size/Small/Large
Comfort: 10/10
Value for Money: 9.5/10
Sizes: S-XXXL
Colours: Black, North Sea (blue) or Flame (orange).
Available: Now
RRP: £65
More info:Â Ping website
Buy now: Here
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