Let’s hope that the arrival of the 2021 Galway Bay Raingear Line to HOG World Headquarters signals a change in the weather for the better here in northern Utah. We are in a severe drought. We are breaking high temp records faster than Bryson DeChambeau’s ball speed. Some rain, and lots of it, would be welcomed and is sorely needed here. And now I have some gear to test out, so it is even more important!
All-Weather Unlined Pant
Front
I have a gray pair of the 2020 version of these pants and they are fantastic. In the spring, when the snow was melting and temps not super high, I used these as mountain biking pants. They were awesome until I caught them in the chain and sliced off a chunk of them.
Back
These pants use a proprietary “Hydro-Flex 32” fabric – a breathable stretch fabric that’s waterproof and windproof.
All-Weather Long Sleeve Jacket
Front
The All-Weather Long Sleeve Jacket also features the Hydro-Flex 32 fabric, which keeps the rain and wind out, but allows the golfer to move freely and comfortably.
Back
The collar of the jacket is smartly designed with a high back to keep rain out, and lower in the front where it isn’t needed as much.
Stay Tuned and Pray for Rain
I’ll be testing these items out as soon as we get some rain! Hopefully that’s very soon. I’ll post my full review following testing.
To prevent rain, bring your rain gear… (or live in Salt Lake)
I’ve had a couple of really awesome pieces of rain gear from Columbia Sportswear tucked in my golf bag just waiting to be worn. The problem is that here in Salt Lake we’re in a desert. Yes we’re associated with “the greatest snow on earth (thanks to my uncle for coining that phrase by the way), but down here in the valley it hasn’t rained for months. The old golf adage has reigned true: “The best way to prevent rain while golfing is bring your rain gear.” I guess I should have had Columbia send me a snow suit too. That way maybe there wouldn’t be snow on the ground right now and I’d be golfing.
I used my new Columbia Sportswear “Match Play” shell this last month or so as a wind breaker though. This piece is so comfortable. Even though it is waterproof, the fabric is so soft I catch myself rubbing the sleeves going “ooooohhhh.” For fun I spilled a water on myself to see how waterproof it was. Sure enough the water beaded up perfectly and none got through. The water just rolled off the jacket like little marbles.
Looks
For a plain old black jacket this thing is good looking. How an apparel designer can make one black item look better than another is beyond my brain’s capacity, but they did it. Must have something to do with the stitching… 🙂
I can swing a club with it on!
One reason I hate wearing too many layers and/or long sleeves, is the restriction I feel during my golf swing. I’m happy to say that I didn’t feel any restriction with the Columbia Match Play shell on. My hack “granny over the top cross the line steep epileptic seizure on crack” swing is free to do what it wants to!
Nice touches
There are some nice little touches in the Match Play shell:
1. Velcro on the sleeves to tighten them up. This is nice to keep the rain out, or keep the sleeve from creeping down too far over your hand. That really helped with my putting, keeping the sleeve out of the way.
2. The waist tie is very nice to tighten up the waist and keep the rain and wind out. Nothing worse than a cold or cold & wet draft.
3. Vented pockets. You put your tees and divot tool in your pocket and they often have dirt on them. The vents keep you “fresh” (so to speak) and they also allow dirt and debris to fall back to where it came from (provided the waist tie isn’t too tight, haha).
Availability
This unit is coming out soon. You can’t really find it on Columbia’s web site, but you will soon. Oh and it is a mere $23 retail! What a deal! Never mind. Typo! Didn’t mean to get you too excited.
Related links
HOG Columbia Sportswear image gallery
Columbia Sportswear’s web site
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
