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Looking to stay dry this winter? Jonathan Taylor has put the new Abacus Bounce rain jacket to the test
Abacus is the Swedish golf apparel brand, trusted by numerous Solheim Cup teams to keep them dry and comfortable. The Bounce jacket is the latest addition to their rainwear collection, designed with the active golfer in mind, combining function, quality and design.
Abacus Bounce rain jacket review: NCG Summary
This is an high quality and robust rain jacket that is particularly suitable for cooler weather.
Abacus Bounce rain jacket review: First Impressions
This jacket looked and felt extremely well-constructed, soft and stretchy straight out of the box.
I tested the navy/grey version which is navy with contrasting grey detailing on the sleeves, pockets and collar. It is quite an understated but smart colour way and is just one of several colour options.
This jacket is of a three-layer construction with a waterproof membrane sandwiched between two identical soft and stretchable layers of fabric. The absence of any liner contributes to the comfort of the garment. All the seams are sealed with a soft and flexible tape.
There is a full-length waterproof zip to the front of the jacket, two zippered side pockets and a zippered chest pocket. Some waterproof zips can be a bit fiddly. This is definitely not the case here with all zips running very smoothly.
The fabric of the jacket is described as 4-way stretch which means that it stretches lengthways and crossways. It is also waterproof to 15,000mm (waterproof in all but the heaviest rain) and breathable to 15,000g/sq. metre (breathable for high-energy activities). They come with an impressive 3-year waterproof guarantee.
Ok, that’s the facts and figures dealt with. Let’s see how it performed on the course?
Abacus Bounce rain jacket review: On The Course
I am about 173cm tall and weigh about 74kg with an average (ie non-athletic) shape. Following previous experience with the Abacus Pitch range, I opted for a large (chest 41-43) jacket and this fitted very nicely.
Testing was carried out over several days, both on and off the golf course in wet conditions but with variable temperatures. I was able to wear this jacket with anything from just a single layer underneath to three layers on colder days and the fit worked well in all situations. I put this down to the excellent stretchiness of the fabric and also the two adjustable hem drawcords.
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As well as being waterproof, the jacket also felt warm enough to just have two layers beneath even though there was space for another.
The zippered pockets are all roomy and useful – for tees, ball marker and scorecard. The sleeves feature elastic cuffs which are simple, effective and unfussy.
And although the three-layer construction certainly gives a sense of robustness, I could swing fully and freely with no restriction to movement, and the material also stayed quiet during and between shots.
The stand-up collar worked well with a soft chin guard at the top of the zip and a drawcord closure to stop rain trickling down the back of the neck.
Considering the construction of the jacket, it folded up reasonably compactly but is a little more bulky than its stablemate, the Abacus Pitch
Abacus Bounce rain jacket review: The 19th hole
I have worn this jacket on several occasions, including in some very heavy rain. It remained waterproof throughout with no hint of water ingress. It also felt to be breathable such that after each occasion, I felt entirely comfortable with no build-up of sweat.
I have also worn this jacket during testing for walking the dog in the rain. The zippered pockets make this very practical for other uses and the three bits of the Abacus logo, on the back collar, next to the chest pocket and just behind the right front pocket, all combine to make this a fashionable piece of kit, both on and off the course. However, I don’t think I’ll be taking it on a night out, purely because I’d hate to lose it!
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So we have another hit from Abacus that certainly does combine function, quality and design. I think this is a jacket that is well suited to most conditions, perhaps apart from the height of summer. It certainly will be a go-to waterproof jacket over the cooler months, due to its excellent all-round performance and comfort.
Fit: True to Size/Small/Large Comfort: 10/10 Value for Money: 9/10 Sizes: S-XXL Colours: Navy, Black, Orange, Navy/Grey, Navy/Orange or Light Grey/Black.
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