If you’re in a hurry and just want to find the Best Golf Rain Gear in 2023, then we recommend the FootJoy Dry Joys Select LS.
I remember heading out to the course with my Grandfather when it looked very much like it was going to rain us out and every single time he would say the same thing, “It never rains on the golf course.” I also remember getting rained out a few times and enjoying the time spent almost as much as I would have anyway.
The point is that it does rain on the golf course, and depending on where you live it may rain pretty often. When it does, one of two things can happen. You can either have a miserable day and be soaked to the bone, or you can purchase the best golf rain gear you can find and play dry and comfortably while others struggle. Good rain gear should be comfortable, provide good coverage, and keep you dry no matter the conditions.
In this article, we’re going to review the following rain gear:
- FootJoy Dry Joys Select LS
- Under Armour Storm Proof
- Galvin Green Apollo Gore Tex
- Sun Mountain RainFlex Elite
- Abacus Pitch 37.5
- Zero Restriction Power Torque
- Adidas 3 Stripe Provisional Rain Jacket (Long Sleeve Version)
- Swisswell
How to Choose the Best Golf Rain Gear
The first thing to decide is if you are looking for a jacket or for a full rainproof ensemble. If you are planning on playing in harsh conditions where it is important to be shielded from the elements, then the latter is the choice.
For most golfers, however, if conditions are bad enough to warrant a full body waterproof outfit, you will probably just skip that round anyway.
Next, it is important to define the terms associated with rain gear:
- Waterproof: This is the most thorough designation and should be used only to describe gear that will keep your base layers completely dry no matter the circumstances.
- Rainproof: While it is not as strong of a term as “waterproof” it should provide much stronger protection than a regular golf jacket with the possibility that your base layers will get “damp.”
- Windproof: Unless otherwise noted has nothing to do with the ability to keep you dry. This is strictly describing a layer of gear that will spare you from heavy wind.
Once you decide on these first two things, you should move on to material, range of motion, and comfort. A material like Gore-Tex is going to be much more expensive but much higher quality than your normal blended fabric.
Before purchasing any piece of rain gear, take a practice swing in the dressing room. Whether it is a hat, a pair of pants, or a waterproof jacket, this practice swing will let you know whether or not your range of motion will be limited. It is not perfect, but if you can secure a golf club from somewhere else in the store, that would help as well.
For me, one of the most important aspects of rain gear is the comfort level. It can be made of the best material, allow for 100% range of motion, and be uncomfortable and I will look for something else. When you plan to be on a golf course for a few hours that day, you want to make sure that you are dry, but you want to make sure you are comfortable as well. Make sure it fits well, will not shrink, and will keep you comfortable for a few hours at a time.
How Should I Store it When Not in Use
The dilemma is that it could rain during almost any round of golf that you play so you want to make sure it is always with you. At the same time, you do not want to lug your rain gear around on a bright and sunny day or ruin it by keeping it in your golf bag all of the time.
The solution is to keep it in a dry place in your home, hanging up, but where it is easy to get to. When it is completely dry, fold it up and place it in the trunk of your car so that it is there when needed. This way, if the weather got really bad, you could head out to your car after the 9th hole, but you would also always have rain gear if the weather turned.
With that said, do not store it in your golf bag or trunk without letting it dry all of the way first. This is the quickest way to ruin your gear with mold or shrinking. Be smart when you store it, but also make sure it is accessible for use at any time.
Why Golf Specific Rain Gear Instead of Just a Rain Jacket
Golf specific rain gear takes into account the sport you are playing rather than just the gears’ ability to keep you dry. Most rain jackets found in department stores or even sporting goods stores are designed with style in mind. They keep you dry and they allow you to look nice for work or leisure activities. Most rain gear is designed to wear from the parking lot to your destination and not much else.
Golf specific rain gear, on the other hand takes other things into consideration. The fact that you are going to swing a golf club between 75 and 150 times has to be the biggest consideration. Looking the part is also important. Being comfortable on the course while also keeping wind and rain out is a final piece of the puzzle. Golf specific rain gear makes specifications to take these things into account.
The last important “golf specific” feature that rain gear should have is breathability. The majority of golf rounds happen in warm climates during the spring and summer months. Oftentimes, it is too hot for pants and long sleeves even when it is raining. Golf specific rain gear is made to keep rain out while allowing the golfer to remain a comfortable temperature on the course. While this has to do with comfort, it has a lot more to do with trying to remain cool with a jacket on in the summer and this is not an easy feat.
Best Golf Rain Gear Reviewed
The following are reviews of some of the best rain gear on the market. This list takes a sampling of different companies and different approaches to rain gear and gives you the “Pros” and “Cons” of each.
FootJoy Dry Joys Select LS
FootJoy has been around for over 150 years, so when they put out a product and say it is the best they have made, we listen. The FootJoy Dry Joys Select LS has plenty of features that make it stand out in a crowded market. It is waterproof and windproof, but it is also very breathable.
You also get 3 layers of bonded material that gives you the flexibility that you need to have full range of motion during your swing. It is a tighter fitting jacket, but it works because of the breathability and flexibility of the material. You may want to go up a size from your normal jacket, but even then it will not be baggy. A great feature that all rain gear should have is the interior pockets found in the Select LS. These interior pockets allow you to keep cell phones, scorecards, and other electronics dry even in the rain and this feature only continues to grow in importance.
Pros
- It is a narrow, but not tight fitting jacket so that you get comfort and quality together.
- FootJoy has been around for a long time, and their products are high quality.
- The pants have a velcro leg closure for easy “on and off.”
- Multiple color and size options from which to choose.
- Very lightweight and breathable but also waterproof.
- You have the comfort and flexibility in the fabric to get full range of motion on any swing thanks to the 3-layered fabric.
- Interior pockets to keep valuables dry and safe.
Cons
- You are going to pay close to $700 for the set.
- A waterproof shell, but no insulation for colder days.
Under Armour Storm Proof
Under Armour is one of the simplest and stylish brands out there, and the Storm Proof rain gear is no exception. It is 100% wind and waterproof but it is also very lightweight. Under Armour fits a little larger than most of the other brands on this list, but in general outerwear should be a little bigger to fit over your clothes.
You also get excellent breathability in gear that is completely windproof. While this does not make sense logically, it is true, and it is the perfect gear to wear in warmer, rainy climates. The lightweight material is easy to fold up and store in your bag when not in use, and it does not add much carry weight either. In general, the Under Armour Storm Proof looks great and performs just as well.
Pros
- High end features and style for a great price.
- An affordable price point.
- Stylish without sacrificing performance and function.
- You get great range of motion without affecting your swing.
- Can be worn in warmer, rainier climates, but it also can protect you from the wind in cooler weather.
- Great breathability while being 100% waterproof.
- Full zip front with Storm flap on the upper zip enclosure with a snap closure collar.
Cons
- Only 2 color choices.
- It can be a noisy jacket when swinging.
Galvin Green Apollo Gore Tex
Galvin Green continues to make strides in the golf apparel market, and the Apollo Gore Tex is a great product for windy and rainy days. Gore Tex is still one of the best waterproofing materials out there, as it is lightweight and can maintain good flexibility.
This jacket is great for maintaining freedom in your swing, but it also does a great job of protecting you from the elements. It is not as lightweight as the 2 products above it on the list, but for cooler climates, this Apollo would be our top choice. Not to mention, it looks great. A very modern and stylish design really sets this jacket apart from the competition, especially for players who like their clothes to stand out just a little.
Pros
- Supreme performance and quality combined with supreme style and looks.
- It is as comfortable and freeing during your swing as any other golf apparel you will find on the market, outerwear or not.
- Completely windproof and 100% waterproof protects you in almost any environment and any conditions.
- Good color options, and most come with a pop of brightness that sets this gear apart.
- The fit may be the best thing about this jacket. It fits like a glove, but it is not too tight and you get terrific range of motion.
- Even though it is on the warmer side of golf jackets, it is also really lightweight with a small profile.
Cons
- You will pay a premium price, comparable to the FootJoy at the top of the list.
- Not great for warmer climates as it is somewhat heavier than the other options.
Sun Mountain RainFlex Elite
Sun Mountain has long been known for their high quality golf bags, but they have other products as well. Sun Mountain’s priority in creating the RainFlex Elite line was to keep golfers dry and comfortable no matter the weather.
To that end, they use a 4-way stretch material for range of motion, created a fully seamed jacket so that water could not sneak in, and have a full-zip enclosure with stand-up comfort collar for more coverage. The jacket uses 37.5 technology which is the Celsius equivalent of the average body temperature. This technology keeps you drier on the outside while maintaining perfect interior body temperature. If you are looking to keep dry and cool but also protected from wind, this is a great option. You also get good flexibility and a lightweight product.
Pros
- Sun Mountain has taken their golf bag expertise and created a line of very high performing raingear.
- Features “37.5” technology that works to keep your body temperature consistent and cool.
- 2-year waterproof guarantee, but with the quality and durability to last even longer.
- Not as expensive as some of the other options on this list.
- Fully seamed seal keeps it waterproof and breathable.
- The 4-way stretch fabric gives you the flexibility to make a full swing.
Cons
- Not as flexible as some of the other options.
- Very few color choices and the style is not as high end as what you will find in some of the other rain gear.
Abacus Pitch 37.5
With a very sleek and simple approach to rain gear, there are a lot of golfers who are going to like the performance and style of the Abacus Pitch 37.5. As mentioned in another product, the 37.5 is a reference to the last body temperature on the Celsius scale that is not considered a fever.
The Abacus Pitch does this with a combination of water wicking material, lightweight and breathable fabric, and just enough insulation to keep weather in and your interior body temperature stable. The all black contoured look is very sleek and it fits slim, but it is also very flexible so that your range of motion is not affected at all. It has a small profile and lightweight so that you can easily keep it in your bag just in case rain comes unexpectedly. You do not have a lot of color options, but the fit is great and the sleek style will definitely set you apart on the course.
Pros
- High breathability but also will keep your body temperature steady.
- 100% waterproof and windproof.
- The 2-layer lamination membrane technology makes it possible to wear close to the skin without a separate lining.
- You get great range of motion and freedom of movement.
- A 2-year guarantee.
- Looks great and performs just as well.
Cons
- Not a lot of style or color options.
- You will most likely spend over $600 for the set.
Zero Restriction Power Torque
The Zero Restriction Power Torque is true to its name in its attempt to create the most flexible rain gear on the market so that you get full range of motion in your swing. They use different fabrics throughout the jacket that are designed to give optimal give and comfort.
They use a body mapping technique that allows them to see which parts of the body need the most freedom and then use it to get the right fabric in the right spot for ultimate flexibility and give. The bottom line is that you get a waterproof and wind proof jacket with very little restriction, no matter how hard you swing. It also looks great. You do not have a lot of color options, but the jacket has both a smaller profile and a bigger fit so that it looks snug but fits like you are not even wearing a jacket.
Pros
- The primary goal of this rain gear is freedom of movement, and they do a great job not interfering with your swing.
- The body mapping technique makes sure that the right, stretchable fabric is in the zones of your body that need it the most.
- All seams are sealed for complete waterproof protection.
- Simple, modern aesthetics give you great style and a trim looking fit.
- An interior wind flap and anti-chafe chin guard.
Cons
- While not as expensive as some of the other gear, it is still out of reach for some golfers.
- Not many color options and not as stylish as some of the other pieces on the list.
- Could use a little extra length for taller players.
Adidas 3 Stripe Provisional Rain Jacket (Long Sleeve Version)
We love the fit and style of the Adidas 3 Stripe Provisional rain jacket. It fits a little bigger than even the Under Armour, but it is really comfortable. It repels water, and although it is not waterproof, it does push water away.
It is also wind resistant which means, though it is not “windproof,” it can still take the bite out of the wind and keep you warm on a cooler day. If there is going to be a torrential downpour, stay off the course. But if you are worried about a quick rain catching you unprepared, this rain gear fits in your bag perfectly and can keep you out of the elements.
Pros
- A great product for a really good price.
- It looks great. The colors are understated, but the finished product looks modern and stylish.
- Adidas is a great brand.
- Fits great and leaves you plenty of room to swing, and then some.
- Breathable and lightweight fabric, it fits in your bag with ease.
Cons
- Not waterproof, so a hard rain could saturate it.
- More looks and style than performance.
Swisswell
If your only aim is to stay clear of the elements, the Swisswell rain suit is a great choice. It is made of polyester and nylon so that it is windproof and waterproof. It is also easily the least expensive option on this list.
It was created more for sports like running and cycling where everything is “north to south,” but the price is unmatched for a waterproof suit. The thin layer of mesh gives it some breathability and its lightweight construction makes it easy to pack up in your golf bag without taking too much space or weight. It also dries very quickly so if you get caught in a flash rain, chances are that you will be dry before the rest of your group. It is not made specifically for golf, but some of its qualities and features make it a strong option.
Pros
- Easily the least expensive option on the list.
- Windproof and waterproof.
- The nylon construction dries quickly.
- The layer of mesh gives it some breathability.
- It is very lightweight so that you can get it in your golf bag easily.
Cons
- In terms of quality and durability, in this case, you get what you pay for.
- It is not overly breathable.
- It is restrictive on the golf course.
Final Thoughts On The Best Golf Rain Gear in 2023
Best Overall: FootJoy Dry Joys Select LS
FootJoy is pretty much a legend in the golf gear market, and this is the best rain gear they have created. It is extremely lightweight, looks great, and gives you full range of motion on your swing.
Even with those great features, this gear will also keep you warm and dry even in the worst of conditions.
Most Affordable: Swisswell
The Swisswell rain suit is easily the least expensive option and it is not even close. Even at the price, it is still windproof and water proof.
