Best Thermal Golf Jackets 2023
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A good quality thermal golf jacket or windbreaker is one of the most important pieces of kit to keep you warm when playing winter golf.
Wearing your best jacket to keep warm, while still being able to freely swing the club can be an issue when you’re playing golf in very cold weather. Luckily, the technological advancements in this area have been substantial and there is a huge range of jackets out there to keep you warm throughout winter without having to wear 14 jumpers.
To really keep warm, you can pair your thermal golf jacket with one of the best golf base layers and one of the best golf mid-layers.
Ranging from £40 to £260, our selection of the best thermal golf jackets includes market leaders like Ping, Galvin Green, FootJoy, Callaway, Adidas, Nike, Oscar Jacobson, and Puma, alongside other top brands.
We have also highlighted the best waterproof golf jackets as winter golf can also mean rain as well as cold.
But let’s start with the best thermal golf jackets.
Best Thermal Golf Jackets
www.awin1.com
This fully insulated jacket is made with Thermo Plume fabric - which is 100% synthetic and 100% recycled - to mimic the lightweight warmth, loft, and softness you find in Down.
It features an incredibly lofty fabric on top for increased insulation efficiency while being 100% water-resistant, thanks to its special finishing process.
Excellent breathability keeps you aired in the harshest temperatures, and a permanent, water-resistant coating ensures performance even when wet.
This Norse Primaloft S5 Thermal Golf Wind Jacket features SensorWarm, which is Wind Resistant, Water Resistant, and Thermal. The thermal layers trap warm air and resist wind chill, keeping you warm with minimal weight. Small microfibers that capture more air result in better thermal performance and a softer feel, so you can feel the performance.
The jacket is 86% polyamide and 14% elastane to offer good stretch levels to ensure you're able to swing freely.
The design and branding are understated so this can easily be worn off the golf course, too.
| Colours | Black or Quarry |
www.galvingreen.com
Aesthetically it does give off a bit of a superhero vibe and also pulls off the trick of making you look more of a golf athlete than you probably really are! The padded quilting targets the chest and shoulders to keep key areas warm. Also as a Bluesign-approved product, the use of recycled polyester can only be good news as sustainability becomes a huge issue for clothing manufacturers.
Impressively breathable and quick drying, it’s difficult to imagine how a thermal golf jacket can get much better than this.
www.awin1.com
FootJoy are shoe specialists, but they are getting so much right with their golf jackets and this thermal option just feels made to measure. Whether it’s the padded collar (but it’s not too bulky) or the cut of the arms, it just works. It will also keep you dry in light rain and from a price perspective won’t break the bank, especially when you could wear it away from the course as well.
It’s got a full-length zip for added practicality and the pockets are very accessible despite being well hidden.
Some serious thought has gone into this from Footjoy and it’s undoubtedly one of the best-padded golf jackets out there.
www.awin1.com
As it’s 100% nylon woven fabric and nylon/spandex knit fabric, it does feel different from some of its better-known rivals but we are splitting hairs really.
Callaway’s Swing-Tech paneling system provides all the room you will need to swing the club without added resistance and the adjustable hem provides extra comfort.
A really solid quilted golf jacket at a very good value.
www.adidas.co.uk
Overall you have a substantial piece of kit that is actually a lot lighter than it looks. The protection is front and back so a great option when it’s really cold. It’s got marginally less than give than other outer layers but most golfers won’t notice that.
It also does a pretty good of keeping you dry in light rain so 95% of the time this will fulfill your winter golfing needs.
www.americangolf.co.uk
The Reactor hybrid is one of the more versatile winter golf jackets and can be worn under layers or as your outermost layer. It also looks great on or off the golf course.
The fleece side panels and back stretch panels mean you can swing without restriction, while the clever tech means the jacket’s insulation adapts to your activity level while allowing air to flow to ensure you stay warm but never get too hot.
As well as protecting you from the cold, Under Armour’s Storm Technology provides a decent level of water resistance if you’re caught in a shower.
The tapered neck offers extra protection from the elements but never gets in the way.
www.golfgeardirect.co.uk
The lightly-padded body is made from a water-repellent and windproof material, which has been horizontally and vertically quilted across the chest to give this jacket a great contemporary look.
The extended high collar and Oscar Jacobson branded water-resistant full-length front zip, in contrast, colors, provide additional wind and wintry weather protection as well as complete the overall look of this performance garment. Ribbed hem and cuffs help keep the cold out, too.
emea.mizuno.com
The hem and cuffs have elasticated binding to keep out the cold and there’s even a chin guard.
www.glenmuir.com
Some might think it’s a bit tight around the cuffs and the waist but the snug fit is great for keeping out the cold.
www.awin1.com
The low-profile collar makes it extra versatile if you’re wearing a few different layers for maximum warmth, and the jacket offers good freedom of movement.
The 100% nylon jacket is UV and water-resistant.
www.fruugo.co.uk
It’s pretty roomy and gives you plenty of options in terms of base and mid-layers. The inner pocket is just ideally located so you can slide in cards, ball markers, and tees with the minimum of fuss.
Even the collar feels nice and while there is a lot of protection, there is no sense of being weighed down.
www.awin1.com
Protection wise there is a lot going on and it all comes together in a pretty stylish package. It might be a bit too Michelin Man-looking for some but it is very lightweight and still allows you to swing without feeling too restricted.
Given the padding, it really does need to be the outermost layer. It’s showerproof but you’ll want a proper waterproof jacket in heavy rain.
How we test golf apparel at Today’s Golfer
Here at TG, we believe all golf equipment should be tested thoroughly and, in the case of apparel, in real-world situations, so that we can bring you in-depth guides to help you make better buying decisions. While we can’t put a golf jacket or trousers on a launch monitor and bring you the data as we would with clubs, we can wear it out on the course to check how it performs in situations all golfer will face.
We test how comfortable the product is, how easy it is to get on and off, whether it lives up to all of its promises, like warmth, breathability and waterproofing, and whether it is durable.
We’ll also wear golf apparel, such as gilets and vests, away from the course to find out just how versatile they are and whether certain models offer better value for money than others.
Every product that features in our apparel guides has been chosen by Today’s Golfer. This is not an advertising feature, none of the brands have paid to feature and no manufacturer can buy their way into our tests and guides.
READ NEXT: Best Golf Mid Layers
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Best Thermal Golf Jackets.
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Galvin Green Damian thermal jacket.
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Ping Norse S5 Jacket
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Puma Primaloft Scotia Quilted Golf Wind Jacket
