Buyer's Guides

MGS Tested: Golf Rain Gear of 2020

BY MyGolfSpy
Sep 14th 2020
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2020 RAIN GEAR BUYER’S GUIDE

The best golf rain gear continues to advance and improve in all facets: better flexibility, better waterproofing and, most importantly, better comfort. As a result, this is the toughest test we’ve had in the rain gear department to date. That said, there are a few secrets that made the best rain gear rise to the top.

Golf rain gear is expensive but if you buy the right one, you have it for life, as long as you take care of it. However, if you’re a baller on a budget, some offerings in this year’s test have you covered. Literally.

With all the choices, finding the best golf rain gear can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We tested the top rain suits to ensure you have the best information available when it comes time to buy.

Whether you’re looking to buy golf rain gear today, buying advice to get started or just want a closer look at what’s on the market, this guide will help you find the right golf rain gear to fit your needs.

FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU

Breathability

There’s golf rain gear for every climate. Those made for cooler climates trap body heat to keep you warm while others employ vents to keep it breezy. It’s personal preference but keep your climate in mind. Do you find yourself in humidity or freezing rain? That distinction can make a difference when it comes to choosing the right golf rain gear.

If you want a rain jacket with half sleeves, the KJUS Dexter 2.5L Troyer provides ultimate breathability. Golfers who want a full rain jacket should consider linksoul Polartec and KJUS Dexter 2.5L Half Zip.

Fit

Golfers come in all shapes and sizes. Fit preferences and sizing differ from region to region. Some companies cater to golfers who like the tailored or European fit. Other brands provide a more generous fit. It’s a fine line between a suit that gives you a little extra room to move and one that crosses into baggy territory.

Cross-Sportswear Hurricane is the best for those who like the a tailored fit. Those who like it narrow but don’t want to show your dinner belly should look into KJUS Pro 3L 2.0.

Comfort

Unrestricted movement is critical to the golf swing and that can be a fatal flaw with some designs. Our favorites are fitted (almost tailored) while providing enough stretch to create a second-skin feel while, at the same time, keeping you dry and warm. If a rain suit doesn’t allow you to swing normally, no matter how good the weather protection, it’s doing more harm than good.

During your swing, your back flexes along with your shoulders. Linksoul Polatec, KJUS Pro 3l 2.0 and KJUS Dexter 2.5L Half Zip all allow the right amount of feel during the swing.

Weather/Waterproofing

Staying dry when playing golf in wet conditions is pretty much the entire point of owning rain gear. For the most part, all of the rain suits we tested are water-resistant but only a few are truly waterproof. Others absorb water, allowing the underlayers (your clothes) to get wet. It should go without saying that the best rain suits are 100-percent waterproof.

There are rain suits that the water just beads off and that dry in seconds. Galvin Green ShakeDry, KJUS Pro 3L 2.0 and Cross-Sportswear M Edge are examples of rain suits that performed well in the waterproofing category.

EXPERT TIP - Washing Your Rain Gear Makes A Difference

It's essential to wash your rain gear after a-round in the rain. Over time, the membrane that keeps the water out will begin to break down, and your rain suit will start taking on water. Regularly wash will help ensure 100% waterproof protection and extend the life of your gear.

The Best Rain Gear 2020 - Features

Product	Material	Sizes	Color	Fit
Callaway Storm Guard Check Price	Polyester	S-XXL	3	Medium
Cross-Sportswear Hurricane Check Price	Polyester + polyurethane	S-XXXL	4	Narrow
Cross-Sportswear M Edge Check Price	Polyester + polyurethane	S-XXL	2	Narrow
Footjoy Dryjoys Tour LTS Check Price	Polyester	M-XXL	8	Narrow
Galvin Green Laurent Check Price	Polyester	S-XXXL	4	Narrow
Galvin Green APOLLO Check Price	GORE-TEX	S-XXXL	9	Narrow
Galvin Green Ashton Check Price	GORE-TEX ShakeDry	S-XXXL	2	Narrow
Galway Bay All Weather Check Price	Hydro-Flex 32	S-XXXL	2	Narrow
Inesis Waterproof Check Price	Polyester Cationic	S-XXL	1	Medium
KJUS Dexter 2.5L Half Zip Check Price	Polyamide	S-XXL	6	Medium
KJUS Dexter 2.5L Troyer Check Price	Polyamide	S-XXL	4	Medium
KJUS Gemini Check Price	Polyamide + Elastane	S-XXL	2	Narrow
KJUS Pro 3L 2.0 Check Price	Polyamide	S-XXL	3	Medium
LinkSoul Polartec Check Price	Polyester + Nylon + Polyurethane	S-XXL	2	Medium
Proquip PX6 Stormforce Check Price	Polyester	S-XXXL	3	Medium
Sun Mountain Elite Check Price	Ulitmate Knit	M-XXL	3	Medium
Under Armour Storm Full Zip Check Price	Polyester	S-XXL	2	Narrow

Most Comfortable Rain Suit - KJUS Dexter 2.5L Troyer

The KJUS Dexter 2.5L Troyer has a super lightweight half sleeve for those who want to feel as much freedom as possible. The suit is adequately waterproof and can fold down small enough to take up minimal space in your bag.

EXPERT TIP - Avoid Material Bunching Up

When considering your new rain suit, make sure the jacket doesn't bunch up with excess material as it can interfere with your putting grip/stroke.

More Tips

Golf rain gear sizing varies from brand to brand. We recommend trying on the product before buying to get the fit you want. If shopping online, look for retailers that offer free returns.
Look for products that offer a waterproof warranty. This could save you money in the long run.
The best golf rain gear offers pockets similar to what you’d find in regular pants. Look for golf rain gear with a sensible number of pockets.
If you play in conditions that are both wet and cold, consider rain gear that’s lined with Gore-Tex or similar material that will keep you warm as well as dry.
Those who play in warm and wet conditions should look for a lightweight and well-vented rain suit with plenty of ventilation to keep you cool.

How We Test

We're here to help you find the perfect rain suit to fit your needs.

To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no detail unchecked, and no stone unturned.

Our Metrics

Rain suits are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.

The metrics we consider when rating Rain Gear include Waterproofing, Comfort, Fit, and Breathability.

The Best Rain Gear of 2020 - Results

Product	Waterproofing	Comfort	Breathability	Fit	Total
KJUS Pro 3L 2.0 Check Price	1st	4th	4th	2nd	95
Cross-Sportswear M Edge Check Price	2nd	4th	4th	3rd	94
KJUS Dexter 2.5L Half Zip Check Price	8th	1st	2nd	3rd	93.5
KJUS Gemini Check Price	14th	4th	1st	3rd	93
Galway Bay All Weather Check Price	2nd	9th	4th	10th	92.5
Cross Hurricane Check Price	14th	4th	7th	1st	92
Galvin Green Laurent Check Price	5th	9th	7th	7th	92
Proquip PX6 Stormforce Check Price	7th	4th	9th	7th	91.5
Galvin Green Ashton Check Price	2nd	9th	12th	10th	90.5
Galvin Green APOLLO Check Price	5th	14th	9th	14th	90
Sun Mountain Elite Check Price	12th	14th	11th	3rd	89.5
KJUS Dexter 2.5L Troyer Check Price	8th	1st	2nd	17th	89
Under Armour Storm Full Zip Check Price	8th	9th	14th	10th	88
Inesis Waterproof Check Price	14th	9th	13th	7th	88
LinkSoul Polartec Check Price	12th	1st	14th	15th	87
Footjoy Dryjoys Tour LTS Check Price	8th	22nd	16th	10th	86
Callaway Storm Guard Check Price	17th	17th	16th	16th	80.5

Most Waterproof Rain Suit - KJUS Pro 3L 2.0

Nothing is getting through this bad boy. Not only is the material of the KJUS Pro 3L 2.0 extremely waterproof, but the structure of the jacket works to maneuver water away from your hands in a rain storm. The pants have two zippers on each side if you'd like a bit of a breeze from the knee down. The jacket doesn't bunch and doesn't interfere with your swing.

What do I need to know about rain gear?

Q: How do I wash my rain gear?

A: Materials vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, which means washing instructions can differ as well. Most quality rain gear aren’t cheap so take the time to read the label to ensure you’re properly caring for your suit.

Q: Can I wear different layers underneath the rain gear?

A: Most golfers wear their rain gear as an additional layer. To keep your swing as free as possible, minimal layering is best. Galway Bay’s offerings are designed to be worn as standalone pants, eliminating the need for more layers. If you are the golfer who can’t stand the cold and relies on layers to stay warm, consider moving up a size or purchasing a suit that runs a bit large.

Q: Why does my golf rain gear absorb water after a year of use?

A: As most golfers are probably aware, over time, most golf rain gear will stop repelling water and start absorbing it. That pretty much defeats the point of wearing it. In some cases, the rain gear just needs to be washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If that does not work, check the warranty on the product. When all else fails, it’s time for a new rain suit.

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comments

Join The Discussion

Eric Granata

3 years ago

How versatile is the kjus half zip? Is it heavy enough to withstand heavy rain. I like half zips a lot more than full zips but they always are lighter weight and don’t seem to hold up in heavier rain

Kenny

4 years ago

Great review! MGS is read and viewed worldwide, not just in Sunny California and a lot of us in colder and wetter climes play a lot of golf in wet, cold & windy conditions.
A good set of waterproofs will last for years, especially if you look after them. My Galvin Green jacket is nearly 15 years old and still keeps me bone dry. Cost over the period is less than £18/$20 per year. I play well over 100 rounds, many in the rain
If you don’t want to pay those prices then there are plenty of alternatives. However if you want something that has numerous options on size and features specific to playing golf then those are the prices you have to pay

Deon

They could offer a 90% off coupon for the Most Wanted jacket… and I STILL would not buy it. Good luck to that company catering to the 1%’ers. Hope they find enough suckers to stay afloat. Although at that price…. they are probably made to order by someone sitting in their Hamptons sewing room overlooking the ocean.

Llew James

I’ve always found that waterproof gear is expensive if it’s “golf” waterproof gear. I live in the wettest city in Wales and play golf all year round in my inov8 waterproof running jacket. Always dry at the end of my round. Cost £150.

Gerry S

More power to you Llew, you rather focused on an alternative to the “somewhat” pricey first choice option, rather than just being aggressively negative. I must also give credit to the fact that the inclusion of a Best Value option shows that the researchers acknowledge that many of us are budget buyers..

Dave R

I’m also disappointed to see that cost wasn’t a CON. I’ve got some Sunice gear that I purchased from one of those “last year’s gear budget/discount golf sites” for less than $125 an item that’s breathable and waterproof. The vast majority of us play a handful of times a year in rainy weather and get much more use out of a $500 driver than a $500 jacket.

Alex

While I am sure this stuff is good– it might be a good idea to compare these against say, waterproof running gear– which is a lot cheaper. Living in Seattle, we have all sorts of waterproof options with jogging stores, REI, etc. .

Steve C

How come no Zero Restriction models were included? I’ve worn their products for many years and they work well. Plus they are guaranteed for life. I see too many products with only a two year warranty. I don’t mind spending good money on quality but I then expect that company to stand behind their product.

Harry Nodwell

Check previous Buyers Guides to see how Zero Restriction performed.

saveva

love it, great work!
I enjoy playing in the rain, why? because you aren’t.
Stay hard.

Robert

While there are any number of very high quality rain jackets out there, the problem remains with the fact there are no options for fitted rain pants. They are either dragging on the ground soaking up the water or they are too tight when worn over pants or shorts, to heavy and clumsy. So who’s got custom fitted lightweight rain pants that don’t come at a kings ransom.?.

Check out Galway Bay. They cater to your personal needs and have lined and unlined options.

Max R.

Thank you for the update on Sunderland. Their prices (albeit in US$) seem reasonable for the quality and you can get previous models on sale. An excellent jacket is $126. and pants $70.. BTW, I really enjoy your reviews.

Bri

You guys are lucky you live in areas where playing in nice conditions is the norm!

I play 100+ rds a year and for most I will have to wear a jacket – mixture to keep warm and block wind but also contend with showers and occasional downpour. I spent $400 on a Galvin Green jacket in 2003 and it’s still 100% waterproof. Best golfing purchase I ever made by a mile.

Justin Wheeler

Maybe cost should be a consideration. $1,000 for the. OST wanted rainsuit is absurd!

Those individuals with $$$$ to burn….no problem! However, for the rest of us mere mortals….big issue! I’m surprised MGS, didn’t include the Sunderland of Scotland product line. They outfitted the Ryder Cup (European Team)..

We did include them in last years test
http://mygolfspy.com/the-best-rain-gear-2019/

Ernest

My thoughts exactly. Apparently every employee at MyGolfSpy is loaded, and can toss $1000 for a jacket and pants. These are the same people who support the idea of new equipment ($600 drivers, $1500 irons, $400 putters, etc…) every couple years.

#LossOf Credibility

Jeff

Can you please review rain suits/jackets that are priced for everyday golfers? You know…the stuff we find at the local pro shop or sporting goods store and which doesn’t require a loan to pay for? $500 is crazy and I’d never spend that much regardless of that situation for a rain jacket. You need to consider price in the review as I’d bet 99% of us reading this don’t have unlimited budgets and price plays a major factor in what we get.

George

Title should be “$1000 rain gear for dummies”.

Ben Hoganblades

It never fails. You guys provide a comprehensive, FREE, evaluation of raingear and someone is already b*itching.. Thank you guys for putting so many models through the test and providing insight. And, did I mention it was FREE! Harry, you are 100% correct. I base my decision on cost per wearing and since I play 130+ rounds a year and perhaps 25-30 of those in moist to rainy conditions , the overall price isn’t what I base my decision on. Obviously, if I only played 1 or 2 rounds a year in those conditions, I might not lean toward the upper end of those choices.

Thanks to MYGOLFSPY for sharing!

Mark M

Sorry, did you say 130+ rounds per year? Wow! I thought 50 was alot given my location in Toronto Canada.

Mike

I don’t think people are complaining about rain gear itself. It’s the absurd prices that seems to be the general complaint. Many people, for the amount of times they play in the rain, consider this a useless and incredibly overpriced expenditure. I’ve been rained once this season, and in the Summers here, when there’s rain, there’s usually lightning. Are those rain suits lightning-proof? It would be nice to look at some lesser-priced options, look at all the suggestions from the commenters.

Ed

Are you kidding with this review? $500 for a rain jacket and an additional $500 for the pants? Why would anyone want to spend $1000 on a full rain suit when no one likes playing in the rain? If someone wants to be vain enough and tell their playing partners they spent $1000 on a rain suit then go ahead. I’ll stay home and wait for another day. Besides, most decent golf clubs close down if it’s raing really hard. Nice review but probably not applicable to most readers.

ht

some people got it like that and want the best available. I’m grateful that they list best value options as well

Job

Well, I guess it’s a matter of perspective. After all, last time I checked, golf was still considered an outdoor sport….
In Norway there’s a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather – however, there IS such a thing as bad clothing…”. I am from the Netherlands – if I wouldn’t play in the rain, I would be playing up to 20% less. And there’s really no need for very expensive raingear – please spend whatever you like on raingear, but I do own an Inesis rainjacket, and it works just fine, doesn’t restrict my movement and keeps me well dry enough. And I don’t use an umbrella, since walking with a standbag there’s just no point as it gets clumsy quite rapidly. A goterex rainhat keeps my glasses and my neck dry, and I can still enjoy playing. To each his own, I guess.

Chris

Hilarious. “I don’t play in the rain but I read a review about the best rain gear available and have strong opinions, including harshly judging anyone who would actually purchase these products.”

Kevin Burke

Several times they mention rain suits but only review Jackets. What good is a jacket without rain pants? And for $500 just for a jacket, it would be cheaper to fly where the sun is shining and play a round there.

Danny

I agree with Mike and Springbok. At $500 for a jacket, and between $330 and $450 for pants, that’s just too much. Seems like EXPENSIVE should have qualified as a Con.

Andrew

Maybe next year you can review firesuits…

Cory O

As a Southern Californian, I have to ask, what is this “rain” stuff you speak of.

Funny side story…..was playing in San Diego once on vacation (from Ohio). Out spilled my pair of winter golf gloves.. I told my playing partners who lived in San Diego – “want to see something you’ve never seen?” They took the bait and I showed them my winter golf gloves AND my rain gloves.. They couldn’t believe it. ;-)

Win…..ter?

I’m a transplant here myself from places that tended to either be way too cold or way too hot, humid, and rainy. Yes, the whole state seems on fire at the moment which is a shame, but I can still comfortably golf 365 days a year without anything more special than long sleeves on occasion so it’s still paradise to me.

Gary

Only one of these south of $300, and none of them list price as a con? For the $500 price on many of these, I’m a quarter of the way to buying that Skytrak so I can play indoors… and we haven’t even added in the pants, umbrella, extra glove(s). No regrets about my $80 jacket. If it’s raining too hard for that, I can wait!

Pete S

Which jacket do you have?

Some of the rain gear brands such as KJUS & Galvin Green’s prices are out of control. The quality of the products are good and I’m sure this will be a one time purchase that will last for years but the reality is unless you’re a pro playing for millions or in some type of league/touney most golfers don’t play in the rain. There are plenty of other options for the very rare times that your average golfer plays in the rain.

Springboks

$500 for a rain jacket!!!!! Are they completely NUTS!!!!!!!

Completely understandable. The only thing I would say is the best rain jackets would last for a lifetime in some cases. It’s an investment and if you average it out monthly, you’re only paying $8 a month based on 5 years. Just a thought

Kansas King

It’s a limited market that doesn’t require many sales to make money. This seems to be the trend in golf the last few years. Come out with a product and call it a luxury or ultra-luxury item, charge 5x the going rate for similar item, and attempt to make a quick buck. Footjoy tried this a while back but I’m guessing it wasn’t successful. Zero Restriction has also had a few excessively priced items as well.

I’ll be curious to see if the golf industry wears out their target market because on the public courses I play it is a rare occurrence to see a new OEM driver (SIM, Mavrik, etc.) or a set of PXGs. I would be curious what the data looks like in TM or Callaway’s marketing department in regards to where the sales are going because I don’t see many average joes walking into Golf Galaxy and dropping $550 on a new SIM driver when the M6 is selling for under $300 right next to it. It would seem most sales are to serious golfers and country club types who rack up $1500 in pro shop credit over a year for just showing up.

JasonA

I got my Zero Restriction Gore Tex packlite rainsuit for about 500$ on sale. So far it’s now cost me only 50$/year and is still going strong. Some of my fellow golfers buy a new jacket at 100$ every year AND continue to get soaked while I am dry.

Yes, I do look after my gear, but on the other hand I play in Ireland so it gets plenty of use :-)

Let me get this straight. I’m going to pay $500 for clothes so I can continue to be miserable? I play in below-freezing temperatures but if it’s raining before I tee off & supposed to continue rainng all day, I’ll come back tomorrow. In fact, I continually recommend that they close the course when it’s raining hard.
Nothing’s worse than seeing idiots taking two or three practice swings and taking huge divots in the fairway that they won’t put back or sand down.

Serenity Now

Great review and thanks for the hard work!

I play 150-180 rounds a year, and rarely play in the rain when I am at home. But, 2-3 trips to Bandon and a trip to Ireland or Scotland each year means I have top of the line Galvin Green Gore Tex rain gear. Is it expensive? Certainly but it lasts and lasts.. If you shop and are willing to buy last years stuff, you an save 40%. In 20 years, I will spend 3 grand on drivers and 1000.00 on rain gear. Seen too many guys with cheap rain gear that ruins their trip of a lifetime. Pay top dollar and sleep at night.

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Driver Ping G30	Hybrids PXG 0317
3/4 IRON PXG 0311XF	5-GW Srixon Z 565
SW PXG 0317	LW PXG 0311
Putter EVNROLL

Buyer's Guides

MGS Tested: Golf Rain Gear of 2020

2020 RAIN GEAR BUYER’S GUIDE

FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU

Breathability

Fit

Comfort

Weather/Waterproofing

EXPERT TIP - Washing Your Rain Gear Makes A Difference

The Best Rain Gear 2020 - Features

Most Comfortable Rain Suit - KJUS Dexter 2.5L Troyer

EXPERT TIP - Avoid Material Bunching Up

More Tips

GET FIT FOR YOUR GAME WITH TRUEGOLFFIT™

How We Test

Our Metrics

The Best Rain Gear of 2020 - Results

Most Waterproof Rain Suit - KJUS Pro 3L 2.0

What do I need to know about rain gear?

Support Unbiased Testing.

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comments

Eric Granata

Kenny

Deon

Llew James

Gerry S

Dave R

Alex

Steve C

Harry Nodwell

saveva

Robert

Harry Nodwell

Max R.

Bri

Justin Wheeler

Max R.

Harry Nodwell

Ernest

Jeff

George

Ben Hoganblades

Mark M

Max R.

Mike

Ed

ht

Job

Chris

Kevin Burke

Danny

Andrew

Cory O

Jeff

Cory O

Gary

Pete S

Mike

Springboks

Harry Nodwell