When it comes to golf waterproofs, Galvin Green have really set the benchmark for the last couple of decades in terms of quality and performance.
The Swedish brand are known for premium gear that you can trust, so when they come up with a new collection of waterproofs it's always interesting to see what new technology they're including to help protect us from the elements.
Their new Ames jacket, part of the 'Part Two' collection for 2024, features Pertex technology for the first time and the brand say that tit is the stretchiest jacket that they have ever produced.
Who Is It Aimed At?
I always think that Galvin Green jackets are reserved for the dedicated golfer who is likely to play frequently, because when you're spending more than £300 on a jacket you want to make sure you're getting good use of it.
When you wear Galvin gear you expect a certain level of quality and performance, and again this lends itself to more serious golfers who are looking to play their best golf every time they tee it up.
This particular jacket provides a combination of water and wind protection whilst still being lightweight and breathable. It's not the thickest or warmest jacket I've tested, although this also means it's more suitable for year-round use which does improve the value for money slightly.
The Tech
The Ames jacket marks the first time that Galvin Green have been able to use Pertex Shield Stretch, a highly breathable fabric in a three-layer construction.
It's designed to protect the wearer from rain and disperse surface water quickly at the same time, whilst providing a stretchy and extremely breathable fit for comfort and a full range of movement whilst playing.
The jacket is available in six different colourways and includes chest tabs to adjust chest width during the swing, elastic cuffs, a repositioned side seam for less friction during the swing, as well as a drawstring hem and adjustable cuffs.
There's also a 'slide and glide' interior which makes it easier than ever to take the jacket on and off, even whilst wearing layers underneath.
Galvin Green Ames Waterproof Jacket Review
This jacket is available in six different colourways and I tested it in the Navy/Grey colourway which looked great. It included a nice level of detailing on the zips and the chest and sides of the jacket, whilst still being simple enough to match easily with the rest of your wardrobe.
It's extremely lightweight and stretchable, and was easy to get on and off which is great if you're caught in a sudden downpour or it's one of those days when it rains intermittently. It felt more like a lightweight jacket that's built for showers rather than a full rain coat, but still provided all of the protection from the elements that you'd need.
The fit was nice, slightly shorter than you might get with some jackets on the body but I actually prefer this as it stops excess fabric getting in the way during your swing.
Adjustable cuffs is always a bonus for me as it keeps the sleeves out of the way during the swing too, whilst there are also chest tabs which can stop any extra movement too.
The lightweight, stretchable material does mean that this is more of a rain jacket than a winter jacket for me, so if it's warmth your after then you might want to look at something a little more substantial.
Having said that, layering technology has improved so much in recent years that you can still wear this jacket with a midlayer and a thermal underneath and it should keep you toasty on even the coldest days.
Galvin Green Ames Waterproof Jacket Verdict
There's a reason that Galvin Green products are so popular and so expensive - it's because the quality is so impressive and they never seem to let you down.
The Ames jacket was really impressive during my testing. It's extremely comfortable, helped by the updated seam positioning and lightweight material, and it still managed to keep me nicely protected from the elements.
This lightweight, breathable construction also has the added benefit that it means it's usable for more than just winter golf - I could happily wear this jacket on top of a polo shirt during chilly summer mornings or if there's a sudden downpour whilst you're playing.
It's also easily packable which means you can stick it in your bag and you'll forget it's there... until the time that you need it!
Would I Use It?
Absolutely. Galvin Green jackets are one of those things that every serious golfer wants to own, and I'm looking forward to using this one during the winter months.
Galvin Green Ames Waterproof Jacket Pros and Cons
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