Rain gear is one of those areas you get what you pay for. Ask any serious golfer, and they’ll have at least one story about a gale force storm that came out of no where and dumped buckets of rain on them. The ones who have rain gear can keep playing, those who don’t run for the club house. There are really only two requirements for any piece of rain gear - it must be waterproof and windproof. Sun Mountain claims to have done these two things and more with their new RainFlex series.
Sun Mountain has had a long history of producing useful and effective accesories for golfers. Whether they are bags, speed carts, or apparell, go to any golf course and you’ll likely see Sun Mountain well represented in a variety of equipment categories. Their previous offerings in the rainwear categories have been extremely popular for their performance and outstanding value. Yet the company believes RainFlex will be the next big step in the evolution of rain gear.
The Fabric
What differentiates RainFlex from the other products on the market is its construction. RainFlex fabric is a knit nylon garmet rather than a woven nylon that is laminated to a waterproof membrane. While the fact that it is waterproof and windproof are pretty much given, the fact that it is a knit fabric gives it other advantages traditional laminated rain gear does not have. First is breathability, Sun Mountain claims that independent lab testing shows a vapor transmission rate seven times the minimum requirement. Secondly the material is quiet. Everyone knows the standard "swishing" sound that people make when they swing and walk in a nylon jacket. Since RainFlex is knit, it feels and sounds just like cotton. The most unique aspect of RainFlex is its ability to stretch and move with you as you swing. The knit fabric can stretch 100% across the shoulders and 30% from top to bottom, so there’s no need to buy a larger size to maintain range of motion throughout your swing. No matter how flexible you may be, RainFlex will not hinder any of your moves.
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Options
RainFlex garments come in a variety of styles and options, there is one to fit every golfer and climate. There is a fully lined full zip jacket with insulation for cold weather golfers, a long sleeve half zip jacket for golfers who encounter heavy rains but want less insulation, and short sleeve options for golfers in warmer weather climates. Being from Houston, Texas the short sleeve shirt was the only option for me to combat the heat and humidity I play my rounds in. Sun Mountain has been very proactive with the the number of colors options they provide in the RainFlex line. Whether your tastes are wild or tame, Sun Mountain has a color for you. Bright, modern colors and combinations with contrasting color blocks will help you stand out if you desire, but the basics of black and navy are still there for those who prefer a more subdued look. There are two types of pants, the standard RainFlex pant, and the more relaxed fit Sport Pant.
Performance
I recently went on a trip to Scotland, and took the Rainflex with me, knowing full well that I could likely experience every possible weather condition in the same trip. Sure enough, landing early in the morning in Glasgow, I found the skies sunny, calm, and clear. By the time my 3 o’clock tee time came around, the wind was blowing 30 miles an hour and strong bands of rain were coming off the Irish Sea. RainFlex did exactly what it promised, it was windproof and very waterproof. Despite heavy rains I had no problems with leakage anywhere. The collar is very well designed, it has some structure so it fits snugly around your neck and does a great job keeping water out without being overly constrictive or uncomfortable. The front pocket is the perfect size to hold a wallet, score card, and pencil and keeps things dry. The inside lining is a very soft brushed nylon which feels just like a t-shirt. It’s a very comfortable jacket to wear, even for long periods of time if necessary. The stretch is really where the fabric impressed me, it makes the garment absolutely unrestrictive. Making full swings is no problem, once you put the jacket on, you can really forget it’s there. It seems to dissapear since you don’t hear it, or even feel it on you.
Another great design feature are the waterproof zippers. Traditionally zippers have been an achilles heel of waterproof garments. Most manufacturers use large flaps of fabric over to cover the zippers and keep water out. Sun Mountian has gone to waterproof zippers with an outer covering on the zipper itself, just zip it closed and it’s sealed itself without any extra fabric or velcro closures. The zipper system works, and I had no problems with water seeping in through the zippers at any time. Breathability is quite good as well, I have yet to notice any excessive sweat or condensation. However, it’s diffiicult to know whether to attribute that to the RainFlex material or the wide open sleeves of the short sleeve shirt I chose.
The one problem I did have with the fabric is related to its knit nature. In light rains or the very first part of a storm, the fabric does a great job beading and keeping water off you. Water beads up and just falls right off. However, in heavy storms or prolonged rains, the fabric eventually stops beading and water soaks right into the fabric. This isn’t to say the fabric isn’t waterproof, the water never gets beyond the fabric and onto you. However, this does raise a rather unique problem. When the fabric gets wet and the wind starts blowing, or the air is cold, you can feel very cold. While this isn’t an issue where I live, in Scotland with the air temperature hovering in the 52 degree range, I quickly noticed it and went back to a traditional gore tex laminate with a durabile water resistant coating that continuously beads. However, in warm climates this is a non issue and actually helps keep you a bit cooler. If you play in cooler climates or are looking for a winter golf jacket, RainFlex may not be the best option for you.
I chose a Medium size on my jacket and was very pleased. I’m 5′7" and average in build and the rain shirt fit me perfectly. However, this is a slightly tighter fitting garment than other products on the market. People with larger frames or those who simply want more room may need to go up a size. People who walk will also be glad to know that the material is also very lightweight and packable. I have no trouble fitting the jacket into my ultra-light carry bag. That’s great news since rain gear does you no good sitting at home if it’s too bulky or heavy to carry.
Conclusion
Rainflex does what is says and then some. It is completley waterproof and breathable, but more than that, it is the most flexible and comfortable rain gear on the market. It is well designed throughout and Sun Mountain has done a great job incorporating a fair amount of style into it for those who want it. Although people who constantly play in cold weather, this may not be your first choice, for summer and spring golf, this may well be the best rain gear on the market.