The Best Golf Vests

When the wind starts to blow, rain starts to drizzle or temperatures drop, a vest can be the perfect antidote. The best golf vests will not only protect you from the elements but they’ll add some style to your golf wardrobe.

Vests are easy to stuff in your bag, easy to pull on and off in a pinch and thrive in a wide variety of conditions, making them one of the most essential pieces of your golf kit. It can be hard to predict when a light breeze will turn into a 20 mph crosswind but with a vest in tow, you’ll always be ready.

We’ve put a lot of golf vests through their paces over the years so we’re confident we can help you make the right choice, whether you’re prepping for a trip to blustery links courses or need something to keep you warm on early mornings at your local course.

Read on to find the best golf vests on the market right now.

Best Overall: adidas Go-To Vest

Price: $80

Buy This If: 

• You want something style-forward
  • The adidas Go-To Vest is subtle but stylish so it looks great with any golf outfit
• You’re looking for warmth
  • The vest’s recycled double-knit material will warm your core in a variety of temperatures

Don’t Buy This If: 

• You want something weatherproof
  • The Go-To Vest is made for warmth, not rain or wind protection

Bottom Line: The adidas Go-To Vest is an affordable, stylish option that perfectly suits the player who wants warmth without weight or overly technical materials.

Editor’s Choice: Manors Reversible Legacy Vest

Price: $120

Buy This If: 

• Wind and water repellency are paramount
  • Both sides of this reversible vest stave off wind and light rain
• You appreciate a versatile style piece
  • Manors does a great job pairing style with performance

Don’t Buy This If: 

• You don’t like swishy fabrics
  • The nylon is soft to the touch but the vest isn’t the coziest we’ve tried

Bottom Line: Tested in the harsh conditions that come with playing golf in the UK, the Reversible Legacy Vest is a stylish pick that outperforms some of the most technologically advanced brands.

Best Value: Dunning Player Jersey Performance Vest

Price: $88

Buy This If: 

• You like to have options
  • The Player Jersey Performance Vest comes in 12 colors
• You like to buy multiples
  • The vest’s affordability makes it easy to stock up

Don’t Buy This If: 

• You prefer a technical garment
  • The Jersey Performance Vest is not made for inclement weather

Bottom Line: Dunning’s simple, refined designs are great value and we’d definitely recommend this for someone who wants to add an easy-wearing vest to their golf wardrobe.

RLX Packable Vest

Price: $188

Buy This If: 

• You want something packable
  • This RLX vest packs into its own pocket to maximize storage potential
• You like to blend technical and timeless
  • No matter where the golf world zigs and zags, Ralph Lauren is a constant source of style and class

Don’t Buy This If: 

• Logos distract you
  • The RLX logo isn’t huge but it sticks out more than you’d expect

Bottom Line: RLX apparel can always be trusted to perform, making this a reliable pick that works with a variety of personal styles.

Malbon Championship Vest

Price: $248

Buy This If: 

• You think dress codes are silly
  • Augusta National famously made Jason Day take this sweater off but we still think it’s pretty darn stylish for those of us who won’t be playing in the Masters any time soon
• You love vintage golf style
  • Malbon knocked it out of the park with the old-school feel of the vest, pairing the classic golf design with a modern fit that separates it from vintage apparel

Don’t Buy This If: 

• You want to stay incognito
  • If you wear this vest, people will say something so prepare yourself

Bottom Line: Malbon is more than just marketing. Every Malbon piece we’ve tested feels well-made and durable, plus their numerous collabs offer a bunch of ways to rock the brand on and off the course. 

Students Recess Nylon Vest

Price: $92

Buy This If:

• You like a subtle style piece
  • Students expertly toes the line between golf and street-style which fits in well on and off the course
• You want something to stuff in your golf bag
  • The pared-back styling and lightweight nylon design makes this the ideal vest to leave in your bag for whenever the wind picks up

Don’t Buy This If:

• You need something waterproof
  • The vest is made from nylon that does well in the wind but won’t keep you from getting wet if it really starts to come down

Bottom Line: The Recess vest is the perfect go-to for golfers that love a simple design and subtle IYKYK style chops.

Peter Millar Windward Half Zip Vest

Price: $200

Buy This If:

• You like a half-zip
  • The Windward Vest perfectly blends pullover style with zippered adjustability
• You like a classic fit
  • This vest has a great fit that works in all four seasons

Don’t Buy This If:

• You want color options
  • This vest comes in only two colors 

Bottom Line: For golfers who like technical fabrics and the versatility of a half-zip vest, the Windward is a great option.

lululemon Down For It All Vest

Price: $168

Buy This If:

• You want lightweight warmth
  • The Down For It All’s goose-down fill provides warmth without the weight
• You want to wear it off the course, too
  • This simple down vest looks great on the links but easily transitions to your everyday life

Don’t Buy This If:

• You just want to block the wind
  • This vest will be too warm for much of the year

Bottom Line: lululemon started as a yoga brand but has easily found its footing in the golf world thanks to its combination of easygoing style and performance fabrics.

What to Look for in a Golf Vest

Weather Protection

This seems fairly obvious—adding a layer will always add warmth and insulation when temperatures drop but golf vests come in a wide range of styles. More traditional sweater vest styles will perform well in the cold but might not do much for you regarding wind or rain. 

Lightweight technical vests might not do much as body warmers but they excel in adverse conditions.

Keep an eye on product descriptions and make sure you understand the vest’s intended use before you buy. Be wary of the difference between “water-repellent” and “waterproof.” Most high-quality wind vests and other tech-forward garments will provide a bit of natural moisture resistance but might not stand up to a downpour unless that’s their explicit intent.

Materials

Materials and weather protection go hand-in-hand but there are a number of other fabric-based factors to consider when picking out a golf vest. Waterproof vests will keep you dry but, in order to provide adequate rain protection and durability, this will almost always mean sacrificing breathability. Conversely, lightweight windproof fabrics will let your torso breathe a bit easier but might not hold up to everyday use or trips into the woods to find a few stray Pro V1s.

Another thing we absolutely recommend checking ahead of time is how stretchy the material is. The perfect golf vest fit is essential if you want to avoid restricting your golf swing. Generally, more waterproof fabrics will not be as stretchy while some of the performance nylon options will have a looser fit with more room for movement. 

Golf vests with zippers are another feature to consider. Some players like the full-zip closure with the two-way zip, and others feel it gets in the way. Try these on before you make a purchase to see what works for you.

Style

No matter how you slice it, a golf vest makes a style statement. (Just ask Jason Day.) We’re all for expressing your own style on the course, but understanding the style and fit will go a long way in making sure you feel both physically comfortable and comfortable with your style choices. To make sure you know what you’re getting into, always check a brand’s size chart and compare the measurements to some styles you already own—not all sizes are made equal.

Also, think about how you’ll wear it on the course. Throwing a vest over a standard golf polo will result in a much different fit than layering up for an early morning tee time in November. Consider sizing up if you want to go big on layering.