Galway Bay Rain Gear - 2023 Forum Review

[WaffleHouseTour]

It was a four layer kind of morning.  The GB rain jacket was on and off, on and off.  For me, this jacket is so light it doesn’t do much for warmth. Great for summer but not warm enough at 48*.

An upside to being so light weight is that it easily packs and fits in the side pocket of my bag.  Not the big one but the small one.
  

I wish GalwayBay made a waterproof beanie - something to keep my head and ears both warm and dry.  Any chance?

 

[Josh Parker]

3 minutes ago, WaffleHouseTour said:

It was a four layer kind of morning.  The GB rain jacket was on and off, on and off.  For me, this jacket is so light it doesn’t do much for warmth. Great for summer but not warm enough at 48*.

An upside to being so light weight is that it easily packs and fits in the side pocket of my bag.  Not the big one but the small one.
  

I wish GalwayBay made a waterproof beanie - something to keep my head and ears both warm and dry.  Any chance?

 

I agree.  I wore mine today and although it isn't cold here it was in the low 60's and windy.  I wanted to see how warm it was and it did a good job of cutting the wind but not warmth.  Luckily for me we don't get very cold and it's more about breathability for me.  

[rkj427]

One thing the testers need to consider is that even the most expensive rain gear available for purchase always recommends "layering" below if it is both cold and rainy.

Typically, if it is below 50 degrees F, and rainy or potential rain when I start, I always have layers on below, with the rain jacket the outermost to prevent getting wet.

 

[Josh Parker]

28 minutes ago, rkj427 said:

One thing the testers need to consider is that even the most expensive rain gear available for purchase always recommends "layering" below if it is both cold and rainy.

Typically, if it is below 50 degrees F, and rainy or potential rain when I start, I always have layers on below, with the rain jacket the outermost to prevent getting wet.

 

100%  I don't get much cold so for me it's more about does it keep some of the wind out.  

[Alan Scalzi]

On 10/14/2023 at 7:19 AM, Alan Scalzi said:

Going out today to play around. 55° and cloudy 3% chance of rain! Went out on Thursday windy but in the upper 70° wore the jacket for 5 holes, was very comfortable.  Today will be pants and jacket day!

The 3% turned into rain! Stayed dried during the round with 100 % comfortable inside and out! Gloves need to be a little wet for me to have a good feel on the grips!

[Alan Scalzi]

On 10/6/2023 at 4:05 AM, Getoffmylawn said:

@WaffleHouseTour this is great stuff.  That “chest poof” is exactly one of the things I’d be concerned with in buying rain gear; I’ll be really interested in your upcoming chipping and putting feedback.

I guess my only comment on any impacts to clubhead speed is that driver would probably show the greatest disparity…it’s the one club you’re trying to hit as far as possible rather than a specific distance, so you’re very likely to have a longer range of motion, greater intent, etc.  What you’ve done here is great, don’t get me wrong, but I’ll be interested if you perceive any lost distance from the tee box when you get on course.

I didn't have any distance lost off the box with the driver yesterday with the rain ( drizzle all day) when wearing the rain gear, I actually hit it better avg 220, hit 230 avg yesterday ( using golf pad app)!

[EugeGall]

Played 18 again today, still no rain, although colder 2C/35F. Jacket worn over base layer and polo with just pants (no layering). Comfortable warmth, with the setup keeping the cold breeze at (Galway) bay. No restrictions noted on any shots and could easily swing through my driver. Happy so far . 

[GolferXY]

Still waiting for rain, but got a couple of short vids. Fit is excellent and no poofiness for me.

Showing my good side here....

 I've played five rounds and a couple of range sessions, and can't find fault with the fit or comfort.

Laundered 5 times and waterproofing still holding up. Sunday should give it a workout since we're expecting rain.

I'm hitting the range today, and will give an update on whether the gear reduces swing speed. From my experience on the course I expect to see a bit of a difference, especially in my irons, although the cooler weather may be having an impact on distance.

 

[GolferXY]

 Well, sunny skies again today, but wanted to post a few. The jacket and pants allow a huge degree of freedom of movement.  This driver was a full swing with arms away from the body.  The iron shot has hands closer to my body but again, great freedom of movement. My shoulders, legs and hips all move without any hindrance at all, though at my current swung speed that's shouldn't ever be a problem.  Putting is comfortable and no poofiness.  My gut takes up a lot of room though, so there's that...

 

 

 

 

 

[Josh Parker]

Fit update and video:  Personally I am liking the jacket and that says alot for me because most of the jackets I own restrict the swing to a certain degree.  This jacket fits great but also allows you to have your normal swing and not lose speed. 

I do have a slight puff in the chest area but it didn't affect swinging or putting.  

The jacket is super lightweight and not meant to keep you warm, but it does break the wind which is nice in Texas where we get plenty of wind with the rain.  

 

 

[Preeway]

Pretty good looking swing too. Even if you are doing it backwards . 

[Josh Parker]

11 minutes ago, Preeway said:

Pretty good looking swing too. Even if you are doing it backwards . 

Ha.... I have to pick my times/spots at the driving range carefully because they don't ever set it up for us lefties.

[Preeway]

Nothing more unnerving than facing a lefty, and he facing me, while hitting in the range. Just wondering who is gonna shank it first and hit their neighbor.  

[Josh Parker]

Haha. Yeah, if there are people at the range I always try to get all the way to the left or furthest right. 

[GolfSpy AFG]

Okay, so being very much in the rain gear market I have to say, the poofiness thing is a big deal…if a garment is going to interfere with a swing or a putting stroke then it’s game over, right?

So, some of you seem to be experience some poofiness and others not so much.  What do you think is behind that?  Your own build?  Are you confident you are in the right size?

I’ve spent a lot of time in a weight room so I tend to need L/XL around the chest/shoulders but that’s too much room at the waist; seems like a formula for poofiness as well.

[Josh Parker]

7 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Okay, so being very much in the rain gear market I have to say, the poofiness thing is a big deal…if a garment is going to interfere with a swing or a putting stroke then it’s game over, right?

So, some of you seem to be experience some poofiness and others not so much.  What do you think is behind that?  Your own build?  Are you confident you are in the right size?

I’ve spent a lot of time in a weight room so I tend to need L/XL around the chest/shoulders but that’s too much room at the waist; seems like a formula for poofiness as well.

I would say I'm a little more broad shoulders and if you look at my video above you can see right at the elbows the little poof.  It is minimal on mine and doesn't/didn't affect my swing or putting.  I don't think I could have gone to a medium as it would have been too tight.  I did the online sizing and it was dead on for me.  

I am not a huge jacket guy just because being in TX it's so hot all the time that I actually prefer a short sleeve rain jacket but I have been impressed with the fit and breathability on this jacket.  I haven't gotten to test it in actual rain yet but am patiently waiting for that opportunity.

[GolferXY]

In my case it's probably my large belly taking up space. Like any piece of clothing, trying it on is the key, right?

So I bought a vest from Galway Bay after this test started because I'm impressed by the clothing. I ordered a size too small. They sent me a label for return on their dime. I'm waiting for the replacement. Free returns are great if buying online...in fact I won't buy clothing online without it.

[Alan Scalzi]

So after wearing my Galway bay rain gear over the weekend and yes it did rain ( not pouring but drizzle for the last 5 holes), it was time to wash it! So I followed the recommendations on the gear, but didn't have the heart to put it in the dryer, so I put in on the line in the laundry room to dry! I just feel better as I didn't want to ruin it! All good and fresh and clean if needing it for this weekend!

[GolferXY]

I did the same with jacket and pants after the first washing. Second time around decided to dry it with a load of other laundry on low heat setting. Still waiting for rain, though.

The lightweight fabric make both jacket and pants stowage, but I've been wearing them as my go-to gear because they're so comfortable.  I'd have a hard time leaving this gear in my bag as a just-in-case rain solution.  If I need a jacket, tbis is the one that comes off the hangar. And the pants are my go-to unless it's warm enough for shorts. Hence, they get washed a couple.times a week (see above).

[WaffleHouseTour]

For washing all my waterproofs I use Grangers -  here in the states Grangers can be found on Amazon - 

 

[GolferXY]

So do you use the Grangers with every wash?

[WaffleHouseTour]

On 10/19/2023 at 3:49 PM, GolferXY said:

So do you use the Grangers with every wash?

Yes, but until now I haven't needed to wash every time I've worn them.  All my pants were pull overs.  So they'd get washed just a few times a season.  I guess time will tell. 

[Josh Parker]

Ok so we still haven't had any rain for me to really test out the gear.  Other than a water hose of course. 

Today during my round I decided to play with one of the GB rain gloves as it was 95 outside.  We had someone on another post mention using the rain gloves in hot weather and the durability being better with those gloves. It got me thinking I should try it out. I played the front 9 with just that glove and I was pleasantly surprised.  I didn't think I would have much grip but it did its job and stayed comfortable for the entire 9.  I didn't have quite the same grip but it was close enough.  

So far the gear has been exactly as I had hoped. 

[Josh Parker]

I may finally get to test out my GB gear this week in "ACTUAL" rain....  It is currently raining today (and the course is closed on Mondays) but the forecast calls for rain for the next few days.  

[Golf2Much]

It's funny reading some of the testers comments.   I can't remember too many golfers praying for bad weather.   

I guess if we want the best reviews, we all should be crossing our fingers for poor weather for each of you!   Just make sure you let us know when your testing is done so we can stop our collective efforts and you can get back to nicer weather.

You're welcome!

[Josh Parker]

2 minutes ago, Golf2Much said:

It's funny reading some of the testers comments.   I can't remember too many golfers praying for bad weather.   

I guess if we want the best reviews, we all should be crossing our fingers for poor weather for each of you!   Just make sure you let us know when your testing is done so we can stop our collective efforts and you can get back to nicer weather.

You're welcome!

Haha. I know!  I hate wishing for poor golf weather but I am also tired of giving my kids and wife the excuse of spraying me with a water hose in order to test this gear out.  Of course they are happy to help out and have no problem asking if I have done my testing for the week...  

[Josh Parker]

Have a round planned for tomorrow and the chance of rain is sitting at 50%.  I plan on wearing the pants to start if it's not raining and full on Dr. Evil costume if it is. (I would have chose black pants)

Here is what I want to test. Pants being Grey in wet weather means mud and muck, how dirty will I look and will I stay dry.  

Jacket - do I stay dry the entire round. 

Gloves - will the grip remain even when soaked.

[Josh Parker]

Update after todays round.

I wore the pants out for the round because they are meant to be the primary and not throw over.  (They will fit over shorts)  It started off dry and I had about a 20% chance of some rain.  After the first 9 holes, I start to feel what I think could be rain drops and sure enough a light misty rain starts.  Finally a chance to put this gear into action.  Never have I wanted it to rain during a round more...

I apologize for the lack of actual photos of me in the gear but the wife refused to go out to the course with me to be my photographer.

The pants are quiet and as I have mentioned before, nice enough to wear out.  I got the grey pants and would probably select the black if I had a choice and only because when its raining and the course is muddy, the grey shows every spec of dirt.  I did manage to stay relatively clean though and was surprised.  They breathe better than I thought after 18 holes.  I stayed dry which was great.

Jacket - This also performed well.  I stayed completely dry and I didn't feel like it restricted my swing at all.  I know a couple of the guys have mentioned the puff and while mine does have a slight puff about mid chest, it didn't interfere with my swing or putting.

Gloves - The gloves worked great and held grip very well in the moist misty rain.  I started off wearing both gloves but felt like they kept me from really fealing the club face and were a little bulky for my liking.  I switched to just one and played the rest of the round and it performed as I would expect a glove to perform.

Overall, I am absolutely impressed with the quality and fit of the Galway Bay rain gear so far.  It has not hindered my swing and has kept me dryer than I originally thought it would when I was first selected to test.

 

[GolferXY]

Nice review, wafflehousetour.  I tried to post a reaction but it only shows me who has already reacted.  Your review was so complete it needs to be noted!  Well done, great pics and the areas of review were right on.

I haven't had a chance yet to really give my gear a workout in the rain.  The last couple of outings were of the close-but-no-cigar variety, overcast and muggy and a bit cooler in the 60's - threatening but not producing rain.  However, I wear the gear twice or three times a week and have found that it is consistently comfortable.  The only real questions I have at this point are whether the waterproofing lasts, and if the straight-leg pants will allow water to dribble into my shoe.  One other issue I have is with the gloves, which deserve a separate review.  spoiler alert...I'm not impressed by them.

The hose testing I've done points to staying dry, but the real test will be when I have to slog/golf for realz.

[WaffleHouseTour]

Had the jacket on course again today - no rain - but trying to see if I can reduce the "puffiness" of the jacket by tightening the draw strings or something.

     

Not much luck. Couple shots with the putter while on the green to try and better show what I'm dealing with.  In my stance, bend at the waist.  Big difference between the rain jacket and just wearing a hoodie.  Tried to get two shots of each the same. 

Again, I ordered a medium because everything I have is a medium.  But I'm wishing I would have gotten a small to see if that would have eliminated that.  Trying to decide how much weight that carries on the final review.