A New Go-To Rain Jacket from Galvin Green

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised. 

What We Tried:

The Galvin Green Amos rain jacket. This new jacket from Galvin Green aims to provide versatility for use on and off the course.

Who Tried It:

Connor. Director of Soft Goods Testing and resident sneakerhead. I’m not much of a rainy day golfer, but I’ve started to find some joy getting after it in the rain. The Amos jacket might just be the perfect piece for my closet.

Not For the Wallet Watchers

Before we go any further, I’ve got to let you know that the Amos jacket is $530. I’ve reviewed expensive raingear in the past and been flamed for it. For every person unwilling to spend that much on raingear, there’s someone who plays in the rain every day who wants the best money can buy.

My job is not to tell you how to spend your money. My job is to tell you what performs, price be damned. Understood? Let’s get into the review.

The Tech Specs

Like most rainwear, the Amos jacket is a very technical garment. At its core, it’s a simple waterproof jacket, seam-sealed to lock out moisture. But a deeper dive into the garment shows the technical prowess of Galvin Green.

Let’s start with the fabric. Constructed primarily of GORE-TEX C-knit, the Amos is exceptionally stretchy and and lightweight. The C-knit fabric is windproof and breathable without being bulky, making it very packable.

In summation, the Amos has everything that a good rain jacket should have.

Besides the highly technical fabric, it also features a hood (too many rain jackets lack this crucial feature), adjustable cuffs and an adjustable hem around the waist.

Galvin Green Amos: My Experience

It’s no secret that I don’t love playing in the rain. It’s also common knowledge among those who know me that I run fairly “hot.” So wearing a rain jacket isn’t always my first choice. However, I figured I’d give the Amos a fair shot.

I spent ample time in the Amos jacket, both on the course, at the range, and to run some daily errands. In each and every use case, the Amos jacket has a few standout features.

Stretch

First and foremost, the stretch is apparent. Where some rainwear or outwear can be restrictive, the Amos has remarkable stretch. This, of course, is paramount for comfort. I already don’t love wearing jackets …. if the jacket isn’t stretchy and flexible, you won’t catch me in it for more than a few minutes.

I especially noticed the stretch around the shoulders and back. Of course, some “give” in these areas is necessary to make an unrestricted golf swing.

Waterproofness

No surprise here, but throughout my time in the Amos jacket I didn’t once have any water penetrate the jacket. While the construction, membrane and seam-sealing play a role here, the actual cut and fit of the jacket matters, too. The adjustable sleeves and high collar/hood combo did just as much to keep water out as the GORE-TEX technology.

Fit

I have good and bad things to say about the fit of the Amos jacket. While I loved the adjustable sleeves, adjustable hood and waist, I wish the mid-section was able to be “taken in” a bit. Perhaps I’ve just lost a few pounds but my typical XL just fit a little too baggy around my sternum.

This caused some of the excess material to hang down near my hand when putting or chipping. Again, this could have been remedied with some Velcro straps, similar to what Galvin Green does on other jackets.

Breathability

If there was one big knock I have on the Amos, it was the overall breathability. While I don’t have the capacity to perform a strict breathability test, all I can share is my experience. In my time with the Amos, I got pretty hot.

Again, I give a precursor: I do run hot. But, even still, even in 45-degree F. weather, I found myself ready to take it off in order to cool down.

My Take

Would I wear the Amos jacket to the golf course? There aren’t many jackets in my closet that I’d choose instead of reaching for it. I’d still prefer, though, to golf without a jacket than with one. But perhaps my favorite things about the Amos is that it doesn’t look like typical golf rainwear.

Besides working pretty well on the course, it’s just as easy to wear to the store on a rainy day or, in my case, give to my wife for her walk from the car to her office.

The one pain point? Price. Luckily, Galvin Green has other solid rainwear options if you don’t want to shell out the $530 for the Amos jacket. I’d suggest the Armstrong if you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly.

All in all, Galvin Green’s Amos jacket is a solid option for someone who often finds themselves in the rain, both on and off the course.