Rain Suits

I would love some opinions about rain gear, specifically pants. Brands/models you like. Necessary features. Advice on fit. etc...

I'm looking for my first set, and I'd like to do it right, but I'm also hoping not to kill my bank account.

thanks.

Get yourself a set of lightweight Gore-Tex pants and jacket. They breathe very well and will keep you dry in the heaviest downpour. Not cheap but worth the money!

Go to Cabelas.com they'll have what you need cheaper than a golf brand rainsuit. Cabelas brand Dri-Plus works very well also.

Their Dry-Plus ultra rainwear is on sale. For about $110 you could get a set. Packable and light weight.

I use Gore-Tex Paclite jacket and pants from Galvin Green . Being Paclite, it takes up no room in my bag, it looks great and also comes in a lot of different sizes. Like I went for "Long L" in pants. The normal Large was just slightly short for my liking.
Has kept me 100% dry for a good 3 years - The jacket still looks brand new. Great quality.

I actually picked up a softshell jacket for rain so I could wear it in cold weather as well. It's extremely waterproof and I can move in it well as it stretches like any other fabric. I do need to get a pair of waterproof slacks and those outdoor companies are definitely the way to go for a decently priced goretex pair. Goretex is the way to go as it won't rip as easily as most rain suit materials and is very water resistant to moisture as well as breathable.

These aren't the easiest on the bank account but I swear by the Zero Restriction rainwear. It is Gore-tex so a little more expensive, but I have bought all of my gear throught The Golf Warehouse on clearance and got it for as much as 50% off.

I have the older version Tour-Lite half sleeve pullover and Featherweight Travlers paints. I think ZR does a great job of making clothes for the golfer. The tops are made to move with golf swing and the pants fit over clothes but give you access to pockets. I also have ZR long sleeve wind tops and vest.

Not trying to be a salesman for ZR but I have had several cheaper rain suits, they just don't last. This is probably the last rain suit I will ever need of have.

Whatever you get, don't go 'cheap'. I have had the cheap stuff before and it works fine for a while, but then after the 6th time you wear it in the rain, it just doesn't work as well. They can be good to fold up and keep in the bag as a 'just in case', but I wouldn't depend on it when you know it will rain when you start playing.

I am not a big fan of getting the non-golf (Cabella's, Bass Pro, etc) raingear also. Not because they won't repel the rain, but more becuase they are not made to fit for golf. I was at Bass Pro one time and they had a great top of the line rain jacket on clearance. I put it on and it fit fine but it was way too restrictive for a golf swing. I even took it over to the golf section and made some swings with a club and there is no way it would have worked on the course. Pants would probably be fine, but make sure to try on a jacket and make some swings before deciding.

I have several golf specific rain gear items that I have accumulated over the years (I bought one set, my Dad gave me the others). The brands I have are Nike, DryJoy, and Mizuno, but there are many great ones out there. All of them have been very good repelling the rain. My main jacket and pants are the Mizuno. The jacket has detachable sleeves at the elbow which I highly recommend. It doesn't always rain when it is cold. Wearing a full jacket when it is 85º is not fun. Even though they make the jackets and pants slightly bigger than a regular size, I prefer to get a larger size. I wear large size in just about any style of shirt, but for me, the rain gear is better as an XL. They just have less restriction when they are a little bigger. My pants are a little bit too big if I just put them on, but if I am wearing them over other pants it sizes them up a little better. Again, you don't want them to be restrictive on movement. If you have the chance, try some on before you buy to see what feels best for you.

Check for online sales. Many places will closeout the old model when the new comes in. Rain gear is not something that you have to have the latest stuff. Although nothing you get will be very cheap. Think of it this way though, how often will you actually use it? I have probably only worn my pants 10-15 times in the 5-6 years I've had them. Point is, if you get something of good quality, if should be a one time purchase. So the cost is spread out over a number of years. You won't need to get a new set every 4-5 years so get something of good quality.

And don't forget a rain hat. I have a DryJoy bucket hat that works great and it was only about $25.

I have always used Zero Restriction, but I am now on the market for a Galvin Green suit. Comparable quality -- just a bit more stylish.