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Review: Galvin Green’s Aron jacket

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Pros: Incredibly light, waterproof and fitted. It doesn’t inhibit the golf swing in any way, and it’s stylish and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your golf bag.

Cons: There’s no way around it: $460 is a lot of money for a rain jacket.

Bottom Line: If you’re comfortable with the price point, there’s probably no better rain jacket on the market. And if you’re as obsessive about your apparel as you are about your equipment, it’s time to examine Galvin Green’s “Multi-Layer Concept” in general, and the Aron rain jacket in particular.

Overview

In the world of premium golf apparel, Galvin Green distinguishes itself by two firm commitments: never compromising and dedication to the multi-layer golf outfit.

Regarding the latter point, the Swedish company makes everything from base layers to outerwear.

We’re long removed from the days of dress shirts and ties on the golf course. As technology has come to permeate every aspect of the game, it’s no surprise that brands like Galvin Green are filling the niche of performance golf wear where form follows function.

Fortunately, from a form standpoint, the company’s polos, pants, and jackets are on-point, as you can see on its website.

Looking at the company’s branding, it’s clear that that have the mudder in mind: the serious golfer who is obsessed with the details of his equipment, apparel and the subtleties of the game he loves. A glance at the company’s price point and the quality of its materials reveals Galvin Green endeavors to put a top-shelf product on the market.

Galvin-Green-Shell-Layer-Catalog-Image-451x600

Galvin Green’s entire 2014 Collection is paired with matching accessories and has passed the company’s rigorous quality control test, which includes exposure to a huge volume of water, numerous wash cycles and intense on-course testing.

Regarding the layer concept, here’s how Galvin Green believes a golfer ought to get dressed for the conditions and the essential function of each layer.

  • Base: Dry comfort
  • Cool: Thermal regulation
  • Warm: Thermal regulation
  • Shell: Outer protection

At each layer, the company has developed key technologies to contribute to the layer in question’s primary function. For example, the “Cool” layer features VENTIL8 technology for maximum breathability and lightness, and the shell layer features GORE-TEX Paclite technology.

Galvin Green SS14 - Aron Jacket Front (731471)

“Throughout the design process, our sole focus is on creating premium technical clothing that helps players optimize performance,” says Mats Lundqvist, chief designer for Galvin Green. “When it comes to our rain jackets and pants, we’ve incorporated Gore-Tex Paclite Technology into a number of pieces. This results in golf-specific garments that are incredibly lightweight and functional, 100 percent waterproof and extraordinarily easy to care for.

“Our clothes are totally engineered to suit the movements of the golf swing. That’s something we’ve never compromised in the nearly 25 years since the company was founded. It’s what led us to pioneer the Multi-Layer Concept more than a decade ago. This uses leading-edge fabric technologies that work in concert to help players move freely while feeling and playing their best in the broadest possible range of weather conditions.

“Because Aron features Gore-Tex Paclite technology, it’s so thin, lightweight and soft that you can hardly feel it when the jacket is on. But, importantly, you still have maximum protection. It’s one of the best jackets we’ve ever designed.

Looks and Feel

To examine Lundqvist’s claims, I had the chance to review one of these layers: the Aron jacket ($460).

The Aron jacket is, obviously, a shell layer, intended to be worn over a polo, which is worn over a base layer, depending on the conditions. It’s available in sizes S-to-XXXL and is touted as being “totally waterproof.” Further, the jacket is designed to be lightweight and allow for maximum range of motion.

The jacket’s cuffs feature a touch and close fastener and integrated “rain channel” to lead water away from front of hands, as well as a drawstring at the bottom of the jacket and an angled side seam. The jacket is also equipped with a tab on each side of the back with touch and close fastener for chest width adjustment.

Regarding the key Gore-Tex Paclite technology, Galvin Green states that Paclite is composed of “the lightest, most packable fabrics. It’s durably waterproof, windproof and extremely breathable. The Gore-Tex membrane contains over 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square centimeter. These pores are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but 700 times larger than a water vapour molecule, which makes the Gore-Tex membrane completely water­proof from the outside, while allowing perspiration to escape from the inside.”

Finally, the Aron jacket can be machine washed and dried, in contrast to a lot of golf rain/outerwear.

Galvin Green SS14 - Aron GORE-TEX Jacket (front)

Performance

Lightweight:In comparing the weight of the jacket to brands I’m familiar with, it was perceptibly lighter and it felt more tailored to the body without seeming in any way restrictive.

Superior range of motion: The jacket allowed maximum freedom of motion on full swings. Even when maxing out shoulder turn or backswing length, the jacket stretched slightly to accomodate. Wearing a jacket will always feel like wearing a jacket and can never be comparable to merely wearing a polo, but this jacket is as close to that sensation as any I’ve worn on the course.

Rain protection: I didn’t wear the jacket in the shower to test whether it was indeed “totally waterproof,” but in wearing it twice on lengthy walks in significant rain, it kept me surprisingly dry, seeming to deny all water permission to come aboard.

Packability: Simply put, you should have no problem finding space for this jacket in your golf bag, and your side pocket won’t look like you stuffed it with a bed sheet.

The Takeaway

The bottom line about this jacket: It’s priced well north of most other companies’ offerings. Still, if the best is what you’re after, go with Galvin Green.

With respect to each of the key claims above, I believe the Aron jacket excels beyond competitors. Whether it excels to the point that it’s worth spending several hundred extra dollars more than one would spend on competitor models is the only question, and that can only be answered by individual consumers.

Regardless, with the Aron jacket, Galvin Green has created the Ferrari of rain jackets.

Galvin Green SS14 - Aron Jacket Front (731412)

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6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Mark

    Apr 30, 2014 at 1:16 am

    Is there a lining in this jacket?

  2. Regis

    Apr 28, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    6 or 7 years ago I went on my dream vacation to Ireland. Guess the weather. I noticed that all the top caddies and amateurs were wearing Galvin Green. All of them. So I made arrangements to purchase one and have it shipped home. Never regretted it. Only caveat- Like a lot of products they’re cut for Europeans so if you are a big guy choose your size carefully.

  3. ParHunter

    Apr 26, 2014 at 11:07 am

    If it hardly ever rains or when it rains it is just a short shower, then I would agree Galvin Green is too expensive. If you however live in the UK it is well worth the money. I got my Galvin Green jacket 8 years ago and I haven’t gotten wet yet! You need to spray it once a year and throw it in the tumble dryer from time to time but then it won’t let you down even after years.

  4. DC

    Apr 25, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    Couldn’t agree more Ben, I picked up the Axl jacket earlier in the year and it was worth every single penny. It is bulletproof and cost me $320 from GolfPoser. They were great guys to deal with and super helpful with the order. Even shipping from Scotland I had it in under two weeks. Looks like they have the Aron in that price range as well – for $329 or so – so significantly under the $460 price listed here.

    For those that think $320 is still too pricey – check out the high end offerings from FootJoy, Sunice, ZR or really any other high end jackets. These prices are right inline if not under other manufacturers – plus its GoreTex, fully waterproof and unbelievably well made.

    I wore mine – along with the Alf pants – in high thirties weather in Myrtle Beach this year, rain and wind. Even in that weather I wore just a polo shirt under the jacket.

  5. john

    Apr 25, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    Couldnt you just get Sunice for half the price, with the same basic look and material. I really like the jacket, but that price point is more than a new TP driver.

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Accessory Reviews

Insider photos from Tiger Woods’ launch event for his new “Sun Day Red” apparel line

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On Monday evening, inside the swanky, second-story “Coach House” event center in the Palisades Village, just minutes down the road from the 2024 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, Tiger Woods and TaylorMade officially announced their new apparel/footwear/accessory line, called “Sun Day Red.”

The Sun Day Red website officially launched on Monday night during the event, and the products are set to go on sale starting May 1.

The “Sun Day Red,” or “SDR” name will be self-explanatory for most golf fans, since he’s been wearing a victory-red shirt on Sunday’s for his entire professional career, but Woods explained the meaning of Sun Day Red at the launch event:

“It started with mom. Mom thought – being a Capricorn – that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments. Lo and behold, I go to a university that is red; Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

The Sunday Red outfit has worked to perfection for his 82 PGA Tour victories, including 15 majors, so why not make an entire apparel line based on the career-long superstition?

As I learned at Monday’s launch event, the new Sun Day Red line includes much more than just clothing. To go along with a slew of different golf shirt designs and colorways, there were also windbreakers, hoodies, shoes, hats, headcovers, ball markers and gloves on display.

The upscale event was hosted by sports media personality Erin Andrews, with special guests David Abeles (CEO of TaylorMade) and Tiger Woods himself.

As explained by Abeles, the Sun Day Red brand is an independently-run business under the TaylorMade umbrella, and is based in San Clemente, California (rather than Carlsbad, where TaylorMade headquarters is located), and it’s run by a newly-formed, independent group. Brad Blackinship, formerly of Quiksilver and RVCA, is the appointed president of the new brand.

As for the logo itself, obviously, it’s made to look like a Tiger (the animal), and is comprised of 15 tiger stripes, which correspond with Woods’ 15 major championships. While the logo may need a 16th stripe if Woods adds a major trophy to his collection, it makes perfect sense for the time being.

The golf/lifestyle line is meant to combine premium precision and athletic comfort, while still having plenty of wearability and style off the course. Like Woods said on stage at the event, he wants to be able to go right from the course to dinner wearing Sun Day Red, and that was exactly the aesthetic on display at the event on Monday.

Following the official announcement from Woods and Abeles, they revealed multiple pieces of clothing, accessories and footwear for the event-goers to ogle (and photograph). Check out a selection of product/event photos below, or head over to our @GolfWRX Instagram page for video coverage…OR, head into our GolfWRX Forums for even more photos and member discussion.

Enjoy this exclusive look at Tiger Woods’ new Sun Day Red apparel lineup below.

See more photos from the Sun Day Red launch event here

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Apparel Reviews

Apparel review: Justin Rose Collection @ Bonobos

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Bonobos? Bonnaroo? What do they have in common, besides being fun words to pronounce that belong to today’s generations? That’s a question for another story. We’re here to tell you about the latest addition to our curated polo collection, the Performance Golf Polo from the Justin Rose collection. It comes from Bonobos, so kick back to this 2020 Bonnaroo mixtape and read up on white anchors.

Professional golfer, Justin Rose, photographed for his Spring 2021 Bonobos capsule collection.

Bonobos has been working to reinvigorate its golf category that launched in 2011 and bring a fresh face and new thinking to their golf mix. The brand has been eyeing pro-golfer Justin Rose for some time, especially as he’s risen in the game and his style on and off course aligned with the brand’s aesthetic, it was a natural fit. Bonobos made the official partnership in 2019 and since then, Justin has worn Bonobos on the course during his tours, and in his everyday life, by choice.

In March 2021, the brand launched the Justin Rose Golf Collection, its first co-designed golf line with Justin consisting of an assortment of printed performance polos, pants, and shorts that are versatile for casual days on the course, to playing 18-holes and to the clubhouse afterward.

My fit arrived promptly, and I couldn’t help but throw it over my head and shoulders, and strut around the house. No matter the time of year nor the weather outside, a golf polo always works in the indoor arena. I had considered the slim fit, but opted for the standard. It was reassuring to realize that either one would have draped well over my torso. Plenty of room from shoulders to ribs to belly, both static and active. First box, checked.

The next task was no less arduous: wear the shirt in the out-and-about. A brisk day arrived, so I tucked a long-sleeved shirt beneath my polo, and went about my daily business, aka teaching. My students perked up when I entered the hall, and asked immediately about the anchors. “Ya know, just a new polo,” I replied. The company logo was apparent on my sleeve, so no need to ask about its origin. I’ve worn polos in the past that did not interface well with a shirt beneath. When you play golf in the wee morning hours or the evening gloaming, or the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, you often need to trick out your fit with another layer. The Bonobos Performance Golf Polo was comfortable beyond words on this day, and the collaboration with the long sleeve was a success. Second box, checked.

At this point, a little transparency will help matters. I looked good in this shirt, but when I read the added description about the model 40-inch chest, six feet two inches tall, size medium slim fit), I couldn’t help but feel a bit…inadequate? Then I looked in the mirror again, smiled, and winked, and I still looked good.

The final checkpoint was my new, Bryson-esque golf swing pitted against the Bonobos PGP. Having played golf with a gentle, consistent, non-violent swing since I picked up a club, I made the decision that 2021 would be the year that I would tear the cover off the ball. Why wait for a better time than the present, am I right? Swing after swing at the dome produced a variety of shot traces (Bryson wasn’t built in a day, after all), and my body still loved my second skin. Box three, checked.

In addition to the White Anchor pattern, something I would call the small-repeat, Bonobos offers five other patterns for purchase in this shirt model. Two floral patterns (Red Tropical and Teal & Pink) fall under the large-repeat style. The Green Sailboat Geo fills the entire top with a small-repeat, making it hard on the eyes for me. The Blue Lighthouses pattern is a medium-repeat; not as large as the Florals, but more sizable than the anchors, sailboats, and the last pattern (on a dark-blue shirt) the Navy Golf Bags small-repeat. Three white backgrounds, one blue, one red, one teal. That’s a pretty nice lineup from which to select a few new coller-poppers.

End of the day: Two happy shoulders (out of two) for the affordable ($69 retail) Bonobos Performance Golf Polo. If you’ll excuse me, I’m off to check out the rest of their virtual Guideshop. Peace!

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Apparel Reviews

WRX Spotlight: Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa Golf Shoe

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The Product

The new Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa, available in North America now, selling for $250 at adidas.com (only available on Adidas’ website, this shoe will not be at retail).

The Pitch

From Adidas: “The adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa® is the epitome of performance golf footwear, designed to offer micro-adjustability in two separate zones. The first is the independent main dial with high strength Boa lace that when combined with the forged 360 wrap creates unparalleled power for your swing by locking the area between your midfoot and forefoot. The second provides micro-adjustability from the middle to bottom instep for a customized fit, feel, and support. The Boa Fit System activates both zones to deliver the ultimate in power, stability, and performance.”

Our take on Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa

BOA technology, a ratcheting cable system that replaces laces for securing the shoe, has been around for a while now. It was a radical departure when it first hit the market and traditionalists viewed it with some skepticism, but those who tried shoes using the system became hooked on the ease of use, secure feel, and reliability of the system. I have had to replace shoelaces, but I have never had a cable fail in a pair of shoes with Boa technology.

With the TOUR360 XT Twin Boa, Adidas has introduced the next step on Boa technology (pun intended). The shoe has a sleek, technology-forward look that is associated with Adidas products. It even looks good in the size 13 that I sport. The color selection is limited, to say the least. You can choose from white with green trim or white without green trim. But the star of the show is the Boa technology, which is implemented in two dials located on the outside of each shoe, replacing the one dial on previous iterations.

Each dial controls the fit for a different part of the shoe, and the ratcheting dial gives the wearer the most precise fit available. The real advantage over laces is that the Boa system stays secure longer and is easier to tighten than re-tying shoelaces. It’s so easy to reach down and give a couple of clicks that it became routine for me to check on each tee box to make sure I had a good fit before teeing off. Equally pleasing is the quick release on each dial that gets you out of your shoes at the end of a round without the terror of facing a wet double-knot.

The shoe is waterproof leather, and it is light and comfortable enough to walk 18 on hilly tracks. I personally would have preferred a slightly wider toe box, but that is nit-picking.

Overall, the Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa is a performance shoe that promises, fit, comfort and stability, and it delivers on all fronts. Not everyone has $250 to drop on a pair of golf shoes, but if you want the tech on your feet to match the tech in your bag, then the Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa is perfect for you.

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