Keeping dry on the golf course is important in many parts of the country all the time and in all parts of the country some of the time. Sure, you may have been blessed to live somewhere with very little precipitation, but the Pacific Northwest in not such a place.
They say that if you’re not prepared for the rain in Washington, well, you’ll be wet more often than dry. We’ve grown accustomed to playing golf in the rain, though not without the aid of technology. More than even Starbucks, Gore-Tex™ and other waterproof materials get us through the days.
Sun Mountain has created an excellent solution for those of us who have to deal with unavoidable wet weather: RainFlex. According to Sun Mountain, “RainFlex garments are produced through a knitting process, allowing stretch where it is needed in a golf garment. Teflon-coated shells combine with soft drop liners for quiet, breathable waterproof performance.”
I was able to run a Sun Mountain RainFlex pullover through its paces for several weeks and found that it met or exceeded my expectations.
Light weight, comfortable, and effective, RainFlex is the outerwear to have when the rain is falling.
Style
The RainFlex LS Pullover looks great. It has a serious but athletic look that will match or exceed the seriousness of your game. With eight different color schemes to choose from, RainFlex has enough options to satisfy just about any taste. Some standout options include khaki, navy, and baltic blue/black. You’ll be stylin’ in your RainFlex on any golf course in the world.
Comfort/Fit
With a 100% polyester shell and 100% nylon inner-lining the RainFlex pullover gets an “A” for comfort. Don’t worry, there is no 1965 in this polyester. It looks and feels great and sits nicely on your body without any clinging, bunching, or crinkling.
This is a perfect garment for cool-weather golf as it cuts the chill out in the early morning or on cool days. Not only is it a great in the rain, it’s great in the cold. You’ll want to wear this pullover because it is so comfortable.
The only thing I’d suggest is that you wear a collared shirt underneath. A t-shirt doesn’t prevent the firm collar from tickling your neck and I found this annoying when I wore a t-shirt. So much for that style option. This shouldn’t be a big deal because most golf courses require collared shirts, so stick within the dress code and you won’t find the collar irritating.
I typically wear a large or extra-large golf shirt. I tried the RainFlex Pullover in XL and it fit me just right. There is enough space beneath for a layer or two of additional clothing, but I can’t imagine wearing much more than a long-sleeve polo underneath as the RainFlex is quite warm on its own.
Performance
Sun Mountain makes four claims of the RainFlex: waterproof, breathable, stretchable, and windproof. Lets have a look under the, errr, zipper:
Waterproof: I grew up in a small Alaskan fishing town that averaged 165 inches of rain per year. While not exactly conducive to golf, it gave me a pretty good idea about how well clothing holds up in the rain. I can say with confidence that Sun Mountain’s RainFlex works wonderfully in wet weather. Say that five times fast!
I wore the pullover on a typical Pacific Northwest spring day and discovered that this jacket performs really well. Rain collects in tiny little beads and runs off quickly. I was telling a buddy about it on the way to a local coffee shop and he decided to pour a glass of water on my shoulder for “test purposes.” Water beaded up and fell off, yes, like water off a duck’s back. In rainy conditions all you need to do is give the RainFlex a little shake and all the water is gone which makes it easy when you’re coming inside.
Breathable: While the RainFlex is a breathable garment, don’t expect to be able to wear this if the weather heats up because it is also a very warm, well-insulated jacket that retains a fair amount of heat. I can be a pretty fast walker when I’m golfing, particularly when I’m alone, and I probably won’t use this pullover much in the summer.
For cooler weather it is perfect, combining enough breathability with its other performance features.
Stretch: RainFlex doesn’t restrict your golf swing. I found it better than a typical windbreaker or rain jacket in that it moves everywhere your body moves while maintaining a supple feel. There is no restriction or bulkiness and it does what rain gear is supposed to do – keep the rain off – without getting in the way. RainFlex allows you to move in an athletic and unhindered fashion, and that’s all I can ask of my clothes in this department.
Wind Proof: RainFlex is perfect on windy days, totally neutralizing the chilling effects of wind. Somehow it is both breathable and wind proof. Air gets out, but the wind doesn’t get in.
Conclusion
The Pacific Northwest can test the determination of any golfer. We’re well known for our overcast and drizzly days year round. I highly recommend Sun Mountain’s RainFlex outerwear for keeping the rain off while you golf.
The suggested manufacturers retail price of $149 might seem a little steep to some but I think you get what you pay for in this case. The cost is justified, particularly if you are a die-hard golfer who doesn’t want to let a little moisture keep you from hitting the course. Like me, you’ll keep watching the rain bead up and run off while you continue to enjoy your favorite game.