Stretchiest Rain Jacket???

[golfday]

On 5/20/2023 at 8:14 PM, Uncle Lefty said:

The Sun Mountain Rainflex suits that failed at the 2010 Ryder Cup were rated 8k waterproof. They have definitely upgraded their fabrics since then.  The Rainflex Elite on sale now is 15k. The Cirque and Stratus are rated at 20k. So all of them should be much better. The Cirque is also rated 50k for breathability which is the highest I have seen advertised by anyone. On paper, the Cirque looks like a good less expensive alternative for the the Kjus Pro. Both are 20k rated, stretchy, breathable and 3 layer material. The Kjus pro is $950 for pants and jacket. The Sun Mountain Cirque is $600. I am going to Ireland next month. If I pull the trigger on the Cirque, I will write a review on here.

Wow! Only an 8k rating? That explains so much, no wonder those things wetted out. Sun Mountain has always been known for making good rain gear, even in 2010 I bet they had a 20k product. Seems like a big mistake to have used those. It's kind of odd that they'd even make a full rain suit like that with only an 8k rating. 

[MattyO1984]

Kjus 2.5 has changed my life when it comes to a waterproof top that is easy to swing in. Tried and liked FootJoy and Galvin Green before now, tried and hated (and by hated, I mean absolutely despised) RLX but having picked up a Kjus a month or so ago and having used it multiple times in the Scottish rain, my only regret is that I didn't have a Kjus jacket before now. Fantastic bit of kit! 

[Dan13]

7 hours ago, MattyO1984 said:

Kjus 2.5 has changed my life when it comes to a waterproof top that is easy to swing in. Tried and liked FootJoy and Galvin Green before now, tried and hated (and by hated, I mean absolutely despised) RLX but having picked up a Kjus a month or so ago and having used it multiple times in the Scottish rain, my only regret is that I didn't have a Kjus jacket before now. Fantastic bit of kit! 

I almost picked up a Dexter half sleeve on sale but decided against it due to the style. At half price could justify it. 

[MattyO1984]

13 hours ago, Dan13 said:

I almost picked up a Dexter half sleeve on sale but decided against it due to the style. At half price could justify it. 

 

I was back and forth given the price but given the usual Scottish weather I figured that I would get the use of it and I had just gotten to the point of being truly done with the RLX suit which is truly the worst waterproof I have ever owned. Sure it kept you dry enough from the outside but when you end up soaked from the inside it turns out it is pretty pointless.

[Linkkingx]

I don't play that much in the rain but I got the TGW rain jacket and it has some decent stretch to it. It's only $40 on sale right now if you're not looking for top of the line.

 

 

[Dan13]

57 minutes ago, Linkkingx said:

I don't play that much in the rain but I got the TGW rain jacket and it has some decent stretch to it. It's only $40 on sale right now if you're not looking for top of the line.

 

 

I saw that. It is a good deal. The waterproof rating on that will be fine for getting caught in some rain occasionally. The sizing seemed big for me though.  Medium chest dimension of like 43-44 inches. I’m a 40. 
 

Besides, it would not be fine to play 18 holes with in moderate to heavy rain with an 10,000 k rating. All depends on what you need. 

[chinaski]

I bought a 3L Peter Millar jacket that has nice stretch. Haven't used in rain, but definitely no problems with mobility and has a nice slimmer fit compared to most rain gear. 

[dekez]

On 5/24/2023 at 6:30 AM, MattyO1984 said:

Kjus 2.5 has changed my life when it comes to a waterproof top that is easy to swing in. Tried and liked FootJoy and Galvin Green before now, tried and hated (and by hated, I mean absolutely despised) RLX but having picked up a Kjus a month or so ago and having used it multiple times in the Scottish rain, my only regret is that I didn't have a Kjus jacket before now. Fantastic bit of kit! 

 

Are they "European cut", i.e. very tight?

[MattyO1984]

2 minutes ago, dekez said:

Are they "European cut", i.e. very tight?

 

A little - not massively but likely worth sizing up if you are used to US sizing. 

[ode]

On 5/9/2023 at 10:31 PM, thezinfan said:

I have the Sunice Jay and agree its quite stretchy. Does a good job in all but the worst rain. I also have the Sunice Orion which is Goretex Paclite Stretch for when its colder or super rainy.

 

The FJ Hydroknit jackets are veeeeeery stretchy.

I have a sunice tornado with flexvent and it is money. looks/styled like a track jacket.  It is $ and does not let water in and I have played in a lot of rainy weather since I've had it.  It's too hot for summer but fabulous in all other seasons and has a lot of stretch!

[wolverine_man]

Getting the Pro 3L 2.0 jacket for Christmas to go with the pants that I already owned. I still like the Gemini jacket (definitely stretchier), but the 3L is a bit lighter, and is a color perfect match for the pants (Gemini blue was a bit off).  One thing I noticed is that the 3L is ever so slightly slimmer in fit, cut a bit shorter, and the sleeves are a tad longer.  I am still a 52 in both, though. 5'9" 195 lbs, if that helps anyone. 

Edited December 10, 2023 by wolverine_man

[hooperpsu]

Mountain Hardware has a pretty good "stretchy" jacket - https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/mens-stretch-ozonic-jacket-1985741.html

 

They're not super waterproof like Goretex for a downpour, but good in light rain. Arcteryx Beta AR for the heavy stuff!

[Dan13]

Galway Bay has a new jacket and pants out both with a 30,000 waterproof rating. That is the highest I’ve ever seen. 20,000 is the rating on KJus 3L and other top of the line waterproofs. Might be overkill but that is some serious waterproofing. 

[Cwing]

Great thread. 

[Shogs]

On 12/10/2023 at 6:59 AM, wolverine_man said:

Getting the Pro 3L 2.0 jacket for Christmas to go with the pants that I already owned. I still like the Gemini jacket (definitely stretchier), but the 3L is a bit lighter, and is a color perfect match for the pants (Gemini blue was a bit off).  One thing I noticed is that the 3L is ever so slightly slimmer in fit, cut a bit shorter, and the sleeves are a tad longer.  I am still a 52 in both, though. 5'9" 195 lbs, if that helps anyone. 

 

Any update? What do you think of it? Worth the price of admission?

[ranesy]

I prefer having multi use items, don't see the point in having 'golf' only rain jackets (FWIW, rain gear that is 'tuned' for right hand or left hand swings seems quite gimmicky..... Instead, I just use both rain and cold weather gear from one of the reputed outdoor gear companies. All the reputable companies have rain gear that has stretch (either mechanical stretch) or selectively located stretch fabrics. The climbing versions of jackets have a great close to body fit & specific designs on how the arms attach to the shoulder panels to give additional non-restrictive swing fit.

[wolverine_man]

On 2/22/2024 at 11:44 AM, Shogs said:

 

Any update? What do you think of it? Worth the price of admission?

 

The fit is great.  I have not worn it yet. I ordered mine from Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland (we have a trip there in May).  With the exchange rate and listed price, it was actually less than buying one here in the U.S., plus I have the club logo to boot! If it keeps me dry in a downpour then it is worth it. The fit is really nice, although I could use a tad shorter arms.

 

If you want the stretchiest Kjus jacket, you should select the Gemini. I have that jacket as well.  If you are going for an ultra lightweight option and packability, you should be considering GALVIN GREEN with Gore-Tex PacLite. I have one of their short sleeve full zip jackets, and it weighs virtually nothing. I will update my opinion, after wearing it in the rain.    

Edited February 26 by wolverine_man

[Flip4000]

On 4/27/2023 at 11:10 AM, Warrick said:

There was one made by TNF several years back, 100% waterproof soft shell, don’t recall the name of it, was like $4/$500, own it , amazing, great stretch.

 

I am not sure why this is not a staple.

I have TNF city future light parka and that jacket is extremely light, stretchy and waterproof. It is made out of their "future light" material. Which is similar to gortex but very light and soft vs ridgid. They were like $450 back in the day, but now they are around $250 or less. I picked mine up for like $175 off Northfaces Renewed website 

 

Edited February 26 by Flip4000