TESTED: FOOTJOY HYDROTOUR JACKET
Cost: $449.95. Tested by: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy Editor (GA Handicap 9.4).
Jimmy Emanuel braves Sydney’s big wet and stays dry and warm.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The new HydroTour jacket from FootJoy is certainly a good-looking piece of wet weather gear, part of an industry wide move to make the functional items of clothing a far more appealing purchase. Even being wearable away from the course.
Giving the jacket a detailed once over, the quality of the jacket and craftsmanship stood out, with the sealed seams durable and well made, while the double collar interested me as someone who has had water get inside their jacket far too often in a heavy rain.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Like probably most golfers, playing in the rain isn’t high on my list of favourite things about the game. In fact it is something I generally avoid. But sometimes it is unavoidable, so too walking courses during tournament coverage, so a good rain jacket is always important for me.
The new HydroTour got an immediate trial by fire once arriving during Sydney’s recent deluge of wet weather. And it proved its worth instantly.
Having been told by FootJoy in the leadup to the test that I could basically wear the jacket in the shower and not get wet, I didn’t intend something so dramatic, but constant heavy rains was essentially the same thing.
The jacket performed its most basic function brilliantly. No water got in, and taking it off each time I was dry as I could possibly be no matter the amount of rain, or lack of an umbrella.
The double collar mentioned earlier uses an internal collar that is pulled tight around the neck and stops water getting in the top of the jacket and inside, a common and highly annoying issue on the course. This system works very well and is a really nice touch for those heavy downpours.
Beyond the waterproof qualities of the HydroTour that were excellent as one would expect of FootJoy, I was very happy with the fit and comfort of the jacket and the other small features that bring it to the next level of performance.
Too many rain jackets I have owned in the past have been either perfect in the body with sleeves that were too long and billowed, or short and tight. And some bulky in the middle around the zipper.
The HydroTour’s longer back of the body means you’re not sitting on wet surfaces, while the more tailored front doesn’t get in the way when swinging the club, and looks far better.
The arms are neither too long nor short, while the Velcro tightening system around the wrists allow for a custom fit of sorts.
Another key area of comfort is created by the materials used and is in the form of breathability, which meant the jacket provides a little warmth that can be heightened with layering, but on a more humid rainy day does not create that uncomfortable heavy and hot feeling. The wind is kept out by the HydroTour as well.
The stretch of the material also meaning that swinging the club was unhindered.
Pockets are as waterproof as they can be to keep all the essentials dry, which was yet another small aspect that makes this the best rain jacket I have worn consistently.
A good waterproof jacket is no small investment, but every keen golfer should have something in their bag for those dreary days, and after its performance in the recent weather and the new look, I will certainly be keeping the HydroTour ready for wet days both on and off the course. FOOTJOY SAYS: Built to protect you from the most extreme weather conditions using a unique 3-panel construction to reduce bulk, improve mobility, and maximise waterproof protection.
FJ’s all-new patent pending ‘DrySeal Collar’ protects the back of your neck from rain and channels water out through two grommets in the collar.
THE JACKET PERFORMED ITS MOST BASIC FUNCTION BRILLIANTLY. NO WATER GOT IN, AND TAKING IT OFF EACH TIME I WAS DRY ...