I’ll be honest and say that I’ve never been a massive fan of playing in a rain jacket and that I’m very much a fair weather golfer. I’ve always struggled to balance being warm on the course, staying dry and actually being able to still swing a club in a repeatable manner but when I saw how sleek the G/FORE Weather Resistant Repeller 2.0 jacket looked, I couldn’t help but want to put it to the test.
It’s worth mentioning straight away from a looks standpoint that I think this jacket's looks are pretty much unrivaled in the waterproof jacket space. The fit is slim enough to give it some real shape and not look boxy, yet loose enough and made from some premium materials so you never feel overly restricted when wearing it, even over the top of a mid layer. A silicone ‘circle G’ logo is on the chest and looks really smart against the black material of the jacket. On the rear there is a separate panel that gives this jacket a more individual and modern look. The panel itself has the G/FORE logo stamped through it just adding to the attention to detail.
The ability to move freely in this jacket was something that impressed me from the moment I slipped it on, albeit making swings in front of the mirror in my bedroom. The real test would be how it performed out on the course and in inclement weather. Luckily for me, the heavens opened just as I tee’d off at Denham golf club and the Repeller 2.0 jacket was put straight to work.
The three layer stretch woven nylon shell ensures a comfortable wear and allows for a 4-way stretch - something I find particularly beneficial around my back and leading shoulder on the back swing. The shell of this lightweight jacket is made from a waterproof fabric to withstand some pretty heavy rainfall and that’s exactly what I received on an Autumnal day at one of the finest courses in Uxbridge.
While the jacket did hold up extremely well for the first six holes or so, the rain increasingly became heavier. Initially, the rain beaded off the jacket effortlessly but as the round went on, it started to struggle with the severity of the downpour. It’s worth noting that I was carrying my bag that was at this point soaked through and the saturated straps and comfort panel were probably demanding a little too much from the Repeller 2.0 jacket. I started to feel the cold and damp seep through onto my polo shirt where my bag straps rested which did eventually make me extremely cold and things a little uncomfortable.
I have tested this jacket again since the day at Denham where I opted to use an electric trolley and it did seem to cope better without the pressure of the wet straps pinning it down. The problem I face is that I prefer to carry and cannot predict when I may get caught in a rainstorm and will need the protection of a waterproof jacket. For a light shower, I have no doubts this waterproof jacket would be absolutely perfect but if, like me, you prefer to carry your bag, there may be more practical options. While this G/FORE Repeller 2.0 jacket ticks all the boxes for looks, initial comfort and a big one for me - the ability to actually swing without being restricted, I can’t help but feel there are waterproof jackets with a stronger level of water resistance.
