Top 10 Best Golf Rain Pants for Ultimate Protection on the Course

By: Michael LoRé

May 17, 2023

The weather can be unpredictable, and so can your golf game. While you might not be able to prepare for that double bogey immediately following a confidence-boosting birdie, you can be one step ahead of whatever Mother Nature has in store with the proper rain gear.

Like coming equipped with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen on a bright, sunny summer day, having the proper waterproof and windproof gear can go a long way to ensure you don’t get washed out due to inclement weather. Honestly, who wants to be wet, soggy, and feeling heavy when they’re trying to golf? Here are our recommendations for the best golf rain pants.

Top 10 golf pants for the rain

Best every day: FootJoy HydroLite Rain Pants
Best versatility: Galvin Green Arthur Waterproof Pants
Best every day: FootJoy HydroLite Rain Pants
Best sustainability: Adidas RAIN.RDY Golf Pants
Best breathability: Sun Mountain Cirque Pant
Best no-frills: Nike Storm-FIT ADV
Best value: Under Armour Golf Rain Pants
Best chino: Galway Bay All-Weather Chino
Best premium: KJUS Men’s Gemini Pants
Best style: Peter Millar Laddie Rain Pant

How we chose the golf rain pants

To create a shortlist of the top golf rain pants, we researched manufacturer specifications, including price, durability, material, fit, and more. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best golf rain pants for each category.

Best every day: FootJoy HydroLite Rain Pants

$130.00

Benefits
— Reasonable price
— 2-year waterproof warranty
— Seam-sealed

Drawbacks
— Only 1 back pocket

Known for having the No. 1 shoe on the PGA Tour and the No. 1 glove in golf, FootJoy also makes popular apparel ranging from polos to outerwear. Made of 100% polyester, the FootJoy HydroLite Rain Pants offer seam-sealed waterproof protection, backed by a two-year waterproof warranty.

Featuring the brand’s Sta-Dry System — a waterproof shell that ensures it’s windproof, lightweight, quiet, and comfortable — these pants also have a gripper waist and an extra-long 5-inch velcro bottom for length and fit alterations.

Material: Polyester | Features: 100% waterproof, seam-sealed | Sizes available: XS – 3XL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: 2

Best versatility: Galvin Green Arthur Waterproof Pants

$299.99

Benefits
— 100% waterproof
— Lightweight and breathable

Drawbacks
— Only 1 back pocket
— Expensive

From one of the most trusted and heralded brands in golf outerwear, the Galvin Green Arthur Waterproof Pants are 100% waterproof pants made of GORE-TEX designed to keep you warm and dry during your round without inhibiting your comfort or, most importantly, your swing.

At 11 ounces, these breathable and lightweight pants fitted to be used as over pants or a base layer have adjustable leg width and an elasticated waist to help you find the ideal fit. Meanwhile, they feature front pockets with fleece lining and a zipper fly opening.

Material: GORE-TEX | Features: 100% waterproof, windproof | Sizes available: S-2XL (short, regular, long) | Pockets: 3 | Colors: 4

Best budget: Inesis Men’s Waterproof Rain Golf Pants

$79.99

Benefits
— Reasonable price
— Waterproof
— 4-hour protection

Drawbacks
— White band around pockets
— Not ideal for heavier, lengthier rains

Lightweight, slim, and effective, the Inesis RW500 Waterproof Rain Golf Pants are arguably one of the best bargains on the market. Able to be worn over pants or on their own, these golf rain pants protect you for four hours in the elements.

Offering breathability and mobility with no whooshing, thanks to stretch fabric in lamented mesh, the RW500 Waterproof Rain Golf Pants have long zip pockets and a hidden elasticated band with a velcro fastener to adjust the waist size to your liking.

Material: Polyester | Features: Waterproof | Sizes available: 38 – 52 in. (2 lengths) | Pockets: 3 | Colors: 1

Best sustainability: Adidas RAIN.RDY Golf Pants

$119.99

Benefits
— Made with 100% recycled materials
— Fully waterproof
— Zip packers

Drawbacks
— Limited color options
— Only 1 back pocket

Featuring a three-layer fabric design with a breathable membrane, the Adidas RAIN.RDY Golf Pants offer full waterproof protection on the course and are made with 100% recycled materials.

Two zipped pockets on the sides, and one in the back keep your belongings and golf accessories dry, while ankle zips make slipping them on over your pants and golf shoes easy. With the Adidas RAIN.RDY Golf Pants, you’ll be “RDY” no matter what Mother Nature surprises you with.

Material: Recycled polyester interlock | Features: Waterproof | Sizes available: S – 2XL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: 1

Best breathability: Sun Mountain Cirque Pant

$279.99

Benefits
— 2-year waterproof guarantee
— 50k breathability rating
— Snap system at hem shortens pants 2.5 in.

Drawbacks
— Limited color options

Priding itself on making “the most playable rainwear on the market” since introducing its RainFlex in 2006, Sun Mountain has done it again with its Cirque Pant — a lightweight, waterproof, windproof, breathable, and quiet golf rain pant that’s part of the brand’s top rain collection.

With a 20k waterproof rating and 50k breathability rating, these four-way stretch fabric pants are as comfortable as they are effective. Featuring deep lower-leg zippers to slip these pants on and off with ease, as well as four pockets to ensure your valuables remain dry, the Cirque Pant will withstand the elements and hold up over time.

Material: Stretch woven nylon | Features: Waterproof, windproof, 4 pockets, deep lower-leg zippers | Sizes available: S – 3XL | Pockets: 4 | Colors: 2

Best no-frills: Nike Storm-FIT ADV

$199.99

Benefits
— Waterproof and windproof
— Zip pockets
— Seam-sealed

Drawbacks
— Run a bit large

A combination of waterproof and windproof seam-sealed fabric to keep you dry and warm on the course, the no-frills Nike Storm-FIT ADV also features a relaxed, easy feel so you stay comfortable without inhibiting your swing.

These pants are equipped with a drawstring elastic waistband, water-repellent zippers, ankle zips, two side pockets, and one in the back, giving you one less thing to worry about on the golf course, especially when inclement weather rolls in.

Material: Polyester | Features: Waterproof, windproof | Sizes available: XS – 4XL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: 1

Best value: Under Armour Golf Rain Pants

$110.00

Benefits
— Wide range of sizes
— Fleece inside
— 100% waterproof and breathable

Drawbacks
— Limited color options
— Only 1 back pocket

If you’re looking for additional warmth while playing in the elements, the Under Armour Golf Rain Pants aren’t just 100% waterproof with fully taped seams, repelling water, thanks to UA Storm technology. But, they also have soft brushed fleece on the inside.

A two-and-a-half-layer bonded fabric featuring a smooth-yet-durable exterior is surprisingly lightweight, while zip hand pockets and a reverse entry back pocket keep your valuables safe and secure in the elements.

Material: Polyester | Features: 100% waterproof, fleece interior | Sizes available: 2XS – 5XL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: 1

Best chino: Galway Bay All-Weather Chino

$199.00

Benefits
— Proprietary Hydro-Flex 32 fabric
— Waterproof
— Versatile

Drawbacks
— More fitted, so it’s difficult to wear over other clothing

Featuring the brand’s proprietary Hydro-Flex 32 fabric, Galway Bay’s All-Weather Chino is a breathable, waterproof, and windproof unlined option that looks and feels like traditional golf pants but is 100% waterproof.

These pants are designed to be worn during inclement weather or temperatures between 45 and 75 degrees F. They release excess body heat and sweat to keep you cool while staying dry. With waterproof sealed seams and deep pockets, Galway Bay’s All-Weather Chino can be worn as regular pants on and off the course.

Material: Hydro-Flex 32 | Features: Waterproof, waterproof sealed seams, deep pockets | Sizes available: 30 x 30 – 42 x 34 | Pockets: 4 | Colors: 1

Best premium: KJUS Men’s Gemini Pants

$499.00

Benefits
— Waterproof, windproof
— Absorbs heat to keep you warm
— Fully seam-taped

Drawbacks
— Premium price

Started by Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup champion Norwegian alpine skier Lasse Kjus, KJUS offers high-quality sportswear at a premium cost. The Gemini Pants are no exception, but they’re worth every penny. Waterproof, windproof, lightweight, soft, and breathable, these pants have it all.

Not only that but the pants are constructed from reversible material — the waterproof dark side traps heat and pushes it through the fabric, while the windproof light side rejects heat, pushing it to the dark side for a temperature variation difference of up to 10 degrees.

Material: Polyamide, elastane | Features: Waterproof, windproof, belt loops, absorbs heat | Sizes available: 46 – 58 | Pockets: 3 | Colors: 2

Best style: Peter Millar Laddie Rain Pant

$200.00

Benefits
— Waterproof, windproof
— 5-pocket design
— Designed as an alternative to classic pull-ons

Drawbacks
— Sizes run small

If you don’t want to pull on a pair of waterproof rain pants over the khakis you’re already wearing when inclement weather rolls in, be one step ahead of whatever weather may come your way with the Peter Millar Laddie Rain Pant.

Designed as an alternative option to classic pull-on rain gear, these khaki — not black or navy — pants are waterproof, windproof, and fully seam-sealed for added protection. Boasting five pockets and two-way stretch, these versatile pants can be worn on or off the course, not just when it’s raining.

Material: Nylon, polyester | Features: Waterproof, windproof | Sizes available: 30 – 44 | Pockets: 5 | Colors: 1

Gotta stay dry

Nobody wants inclement weather to ruin a round, so being adequately equipped with the best golf rain pants to deal with whatever weather comes your way can be the difference between a great day and a soggy one. Unfortunately, you can’t showcase much of your personality and style with golf rain pants as most of them are either black or navy, but they’re engineered to keep you dry, not stylish, so as long as you don’t walk away wet, they’ve done their job.

How to pick the right golf rain pants for you

Like anything in golf, there are a number of factors to keep in mind when purchasing the right golf rain pants including, but not limited to, price, material, weight, and more.

Price

Premium golf rain pants can be very expensive, but if you’re playing somewhere it rains a lot, paying a higher price would certainly be money well spent. Obviously, spending within your budget is the top priority, but spending upwards of $500 on rain pants doesn’t make sense if you live and play in Arizona.

Waterproof

The whole point of golf rain pants is to keep you dry, so ensuring a certain product is 100% waterproof is an obvious factor before making a purchase. There are plenty of waterproof options not only on this list but throughout the industry, as well as water-resistant pants, so choose wisely based on your wet weather needs.

Material

Going hand-in-hand with a product’s waterproof abilities is its material. While many of these golf rain pants are made of polyester, GORE-TEX, or nylon, understanding the weight, breathability, and movement restrictions due to these materials can affect your purchase and your golf game.

Weight

You decided to purchase golf rain paints to avoid extra weight during a round due to soggy, water-logged clothing. Good thinking. While these pants won’t be as heavy as those drenched dockers, understanding how many extra ounces you add to your frame, especially for pull-on rain pants, can determine your purchase.

FAQ

Do I need golf rain pants?

Rain pants are highly suggested unless you’re wearing your bathing suit to play golf during the rain. Like a rain jacket or a waterproof outerwear top, you want to keep warm and comfortable on the golf course rather than being wet, cold, and soggy. Golf rain pants protect you from the wind and rain when you’re on the course, so don’t let Mother Nature dampen your day.

How should golf rain gear fit?

Think of how a rain jacket fits when walking down the street. It isn’t necessarily skin tight because it’s an additional layer atop whatever you wear underneath it, but you don’t want it to feel super baggy. The same fit applies to golf rain gear — it’s a balance of feeling protected and comfortable without inhibiting your swing if it’s too constricting or loose.

What do golfers wear in the rain?

Whether playing on the PGA Tour or at your local muni, golfers of all skill levels want to protect themselves from the elements. That means hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen on really hot days and waterproof — or at least water-resistant — outerwear when it’s raining.

whether a pullover or full zip, a rain jacket will keep your top dry when playing, while waterproof rain pants keep your base equally warm and dry. Coupled with waterproof shoes — and rain gloves for some — you can weather any storm on the golf course.

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Michael LoRé

Golf.com Contributor

Currently a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney, Michael has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor, having worked for daily newspapers, pro sports teams/leagues, and online media startups. His bylines include: Vice Sports, Yahoo Sports, PGATour.com, NHL.com, PGA Tour Essential Guide to Golf, Boardroom, Robb Report, and Muscle & Fitness.