For many, October signals the start of colder weather and, by extension, less golf. What if I told you that cold weather golf can be not just tolerable but enjoyable?
That’s the core message behind the new adidas outerwear and cold weather collection. Each and every piece was designed, from a material level up, to keep you warm and dry.
I sat down with members of the product team to discuss the new adidas Golf apparel line and what it means for fair-weather golfers everywhere.
Three Key Labels
You first need to understand the labeling structure of each piece. These labels are named for the type of environmental conditions for which they were designed. This year’s lineup includes COLD.RDY, WIND.RDY and RAIN.RDY.
“Those all have very rigorous both product and material testing standards,” said Chase Aaronson, Senior Manager Materials Development for adidas.
Each label signifies that the garment has gone through a testing process to ensure that it can live up to its named function. While COLD.RDY garments have to pass certain material warming tests, they also have great moisture management and evaporation rates.
On the other hand, a garment designated as WIND.RDY must have lower air permeability to block the wind. As the name suggests, the RAIN.RDY delineation is used when a garment is waterproof (and fully seam-sealed).
That said, earning a label is only half the battle. Above all, the garment must perform on the golf course. For adidas, this means it must stretch.
“I think all three of these are very interesting and you know the rest of the brand uses these three key stories,” Aaronson said. “But for golf, we have to make sure that the materials stretch. So that’s the added layer of complexity that we have.”
Complexity aside, my limited time with the products (so far) has shown promising results. From the COLD.RDY jogger to the Ultimate365 Tour WIND.RDY half-zip, each garment I’ve played in provides ample stretch for the golf swing.
The Name of The Game: Versatility
Understanding the nuances of adidas garment labeling gives you a bird’s eye view of what makes this new line so special. The name of the game is versatility. Whether your garment is COLD.RDY, WIND.RDY, RAIN.RDY or is a part of the new FROSTGUARD collection, you’re getting a piece that is both versatile and transcendent across use cases.
“So, number 1, it is going to function 100 percent on the golf course. But it’s also going to function if you go to a barbecue, right?” said Michelle Mulligan, Senior Product Manager for adidas Golf. “It’s all about performance first, being able to wear it when you golf and then also being able to wear it outside and just kind of look casual and comfortable.”
I’m all for versatility. It’s what’s caused me to gravitate towards this new adidas line in the first place. As I’m writing this, I’m lounging in the new COLD.RDY hoodie which, while designed for the golf course, also serves as a comfortable (and warm) hoodie for my day-to-day.
Every garment from the new FW 2023 line is more than a piece of golf apparel. The functionality and style are just as good off the course as they are on it.
adidas Golf: Worth The Hype?
Don’t let bad weather rain on your parade. The new adidas golf apparel collection of outerwear and cold weather gear is the proverbial kryptonite to the dreaded rain check. I’ll have a more focused review on some of my favorite items coming soon, but my experience with the collection so far has me hyped for my first winter here in Virginia.
When the weather won’t cooperate, make sure your outerwear does.
You can check out the full lineup of apparel and accessories now at adidas.
Nick Dunphy
3 years ago
I found the best winter wear for the Northeast is to move to Florida!