Mizuno ImpermaLite Rain Shell and Pant - REVIEW

[GolfSpy Dave]

Mizuno ImpermaLite Performance Rain Gear – REVIEW

An Official MyGolfSpy.com Review

 

 

“Everyone Loves the First Year of a Drought”

I had a neighbor say that statement to me back in January when it was 70° and sunny here in NorCal. Golf in shorts was the call of the day, with the use of raingear being blissfully forgotten. I am not a fan of the rain. Blah Blah, we need the water, Blah Blah Blah. Whatever. Long stretches of rainy weather make me mental. More than once my darling wife has kicked me out of the house, telling me to “suck it up, buttercup”. Sigh...

 

“Get Some Quality Raingear”

This quote came from my friend Pete when he was telling me about his trip to Bandon Dunes. Windy, wet, and wonderful. Since then, I have had my eye out for the ultimate rain set. It's not a tall order of expectations. I just want the raingear to be warm, comfortable, unbinding, and dry. Today we have the latest entrant in my raingear quest, Mizuno ImpermaLite Performance Shell and Pant. Having reviewed, and loved, the Mizuno ImpermaLite Rain top last summer (HERE) I went into this review with high expectations and anticipation.

 

STYLE (20 Points)

Mizuno definitely takes style into consideration when designing their apparel. While they do offer the shell in an all black configuration, there is also a blue/black and a white/black option. This trend seems consistent throughout their clothing line. There offer very conservative choices, but along with them, more colorful options for the golfer who wants them. Nothing neon and crazy. Classy colors. It would be nice to see a few more color options though. Maybe a red or a deep green.

 

 

I like the looks of the tested white and black shell and black pants. I find the cut of the various sections visually appealing, with the red on the chest pocket adding a nice accent point. The white is not blinding, but it is a bright and clean white. You are not going to blend into the crowd with this jacket...

 

Style Score: 19/20

 

FIT AND CONSTRUCTION (20 Points)

The ImpermaLite line is made from waterproof, did you guess it, ImpermaLite fabric. According to Mizuno, the ImpermaLite offers “10,000 mm waterproof protection along with superior breathability and comfort”. It keeps you dry and feels good is how I translate that claim.

 

 

The fit is excellent. The size large jacket that I reviewed was true to size and was not tight in any areas or excessively loose in any others. Sleeve length is right on, as is the range of adjustment available at the cuff. The bottom of the jacket can be cinched in via two elastic drawstrings found in the pockets. I wish that the adjustment cords were actually a bit higher in the jacket, more toward the waist. This would allow the jacket to snug in more to the torso, rather than the waist that moves more during the golf swing.

 

 

The pants are a wonder of adjustment. First, they have a drawstring at the waist to go along with the zipper, snap, and elastic. Sometimes the material of raingear makes the pants prone to slipping, especially if you are wearing synthetic thermals under them. The ImpermaLite pants stay in place at the waist, and were again true to size. I really applaud the designers for their length adjustment system. There is a cuff on each leg just below the knee. Below the cuff, there are two snap systems that can raise or lower the bottom portion of the leg a couple of inches. What a great idea. You can adjust the length without having to roll up the bottoms. This lets the ample zipper at the cuff work as it should, allowing for easy on/off without taking off your spikes.

 

 

 

 

Construction is great. Seams are all taped. The zippers are strong and easy to use. The snaps included at the top and the bottom of the main zipper also allow for some adjustment to fit and ventilation. The material is light, but feels very strong. I didn't try to poke anything through it, but it seems like it will survive searching through bushes for errant balls.

 

 

Fit and Construction: 19/20 Points

 

PERFORMANCE (40 Points)

For simplicity's sake I'll list the highs and lows.

HIGHS

• The gear is comfortable on the course. The jacket is light and does not get in the way of the swing. I did not even notice any poor interaction between the cuff and glove, as some jackets are prone to have.

• The adjustments to the fit of the pants really made their use ideal on the course. As someone with short legs, there are many times when I realize that my rear spikes are actually digging into the pants and not the turf. No so with these.

• It's really, really waterproof. This is the big one. You stay TOTALLY dry while cocooned in ImpermaLite. The water just beads up on the material. Most of the water comes off with a shake, and the jacket dries very quickly.

 

Since I like my camera, I did not take any photos during actually play. Instead, I set up an artificial rain system, much to the sadistic glee of my daughter.

 

If you stay dry through 15 minutes of a nine-year-old with a hose, you should stay dry on the course. If not, it is likely raining too hard to be playing in anyway.

 

LOWS

• This raingear is warm. Now that could be a plus if you play in colder climates, but it was about 55-60° the last time I played in it and I got very warm. Although it would compromise the seal a bit, I wish that there were zippers in the pits to promote optional ventilation.

• Not really a low, but the jacket it a bit prone to riding up during the swing if you have not zipped up the pockets. If it is raining, you have likely already done this. I think that zipping them up allows the jacket to hug the torso a bit more and stay in place.

 

Performance Score: 38/40

 

VALUE (20 Points)

Total investment in the ImpermaLite raingear comes to about $310 (Shell is $170, Pants are $140). This is a great price point with some raingear coming in closer to a $400 price. What is nice too is that you can buy one piece or the other, or both. The jacket is also just a nice light jacket to wear on non-rainy days as well. It doesn't scream “rain jacket” at all. Should it rain later, you are all set. Great quality with a competitive price. Nice.

 

Value: 20/20

 

Total Score: 96/100

 

This is a great set of comfortable raingear that Mizuno has put together here. If wet rounds are part of your season, you need to take a look at this gear. Stay dry out there...

[Matt Saternus]

Love the testing photo. Nice review, Dave.

[RoverRick]

Nice review, damned good thing it does not claim to be bullet proof. Might find a different test method if it does.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Nice review, damned good thing it does not claim to be bullet proof. Might find a different test method if it does.

 

My daughter would likely go for head shots anyway...

[GolfSpy Dave]

Dave, excellent review..The shot with your daughter is priceless!!..lol..I would agree with the warmth comment..I found it much warmer than it's Foot Joy counterpart..I guess that's the trade-off for "water proof"...Overall, an excellent product, and as you noted, it's extremely $$ competitive..I have a question that is OT, though I'm not sure where I would put this question, so I might as well ask it here..I would like to do a review on the Sun Mountain H2NO(waterproof) stand bag..It's a great looking/functional bag..If I take the pics with my iPhone, how do I get them to this site & in the format like you & all the others use?..I'm not too good with computers..ThanxFairways & Greens 4ever...

 

Here's what I do with the photos:

 

• import all of my photos into iphoto
  
• then crop them to 5x7
  
• export from iphoto as medium size and quality jpgs
  
• attach to post via full post editor
  
• put cursor where I want the photo and click "insert into post"
  

[sai-jin]

Hi Dave,

 

I know the post is 1 year old, but if you don't mind me asking...

 

1. What is the material of the jacket?

2. Is it "noisy" when you move in it? As in it sounds like a paper bag?

3. Is it warm enough for say 25* weather?

 

Thanks!

[Hula Rock]

Great lab testing facility !!!!!!

 

Need something to replace last years StormFit.....

[GolfSpy Dave]

Hi Dave,

 

I know the post is 1 year old, but if you don't mind me asking...

 

1. What is the material of the jacket?

2. Is it "noisy" when you move in it? As in it sounds like a paper bag?

3. Is it warm enough for say 25* weather?

 

Thanks!

1. The fabric is the proprietary Impermalite blend. I'll try to run down the exact fabric in a bit.

2. No paper bag in the jacket at all. Pants do make a bit of whisp noise when you walk in them. Nothing so loud that it that should alarm any wildlife though.

3. If you are saying 25 *C then I think you are good to go, you may even be a bit warm. At 25 *F you may need some more layers underneath and also take a moment to ask yourself why you are playing golf at 25 *F.

[sai-jin]

Thanks, Dave!

 

So the jacket (not getting the pants) is not noisy nor stiff, correct?

 

hehehe about the 25*F weather, some times I like going to the range, but I plan to wear the jacket in the winter when I go

to the gym. This way I don't have to wear my dress shoes / nice clothes.

 

But yes, I plan to wear my gym sleveless shirt and a thicker long sleeve underneath

[GolfSpy Dave]

Thanks, Dave!

 

So the jacket (not getting the pants) is not noisy nor stiff, correct?

 

hehehe about the 25*F weather, some times I like going to the range, but I plan to wear the jacket in the winter when I go

to the gym. This way I don't have to wear my dress shoes / nice clothes.

 

But yes, I plan to wear my gym sleveless shirt and a thicker long sleeve underneath

I wore the jacket a lot this winter. It's very comfortable. It's not fleece soft, but it's not waterproof cardboard by a long shot.

[sai-jin]

Thank you, Dave, I'll go order one up then.

[hckymeyer]

Bringing this one back.  I was looking for a new rain jacket and Budget Golf has these for $60.  Seems like a great deal so picked one up.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Bringing this one back.  I was looking for a new rain jacket and Budget Golf has these for $60.  Seems like a great deal so picked one up.

It's a great jacket. I may go get another one. Thanks for the heads up.

[hckymeyer]

It's a great jacket. I may go get another one. Thanks for the heads up.

Plus it comes in blue, so I pretty much had to order it