Without a doubt, the best-kept secret in golf apparel these days is Kjus. This Swiss brand, which got its start in ski wear, has effortlessly slid down the slopes and landed on the fairways in style.
If you are a fan of the PGA Tour, you’ve likely seen Zach Johnson sporting Kjus’ high tech threads and its signature ‘swoopy K’ logo. Not to mention, the crew here at GolfThreads has dropped a few Fashion Dimes on ZJ. He has taken his style game to new heights since he started repping the brand’s gear at the beginning of the year. Sure, Zach looks sharp, but it’s the guys who aren’t getting paid to rock Kjus’ apparel that first put the brand on our radar.
When Phil Mickelson rolled into the 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge, everyone’s eyes were on his new “Jumping Phil” logo. What many didn’t realize was the logo was on a Kjus technical vest and the brand’s top-shelf Pro 3L rain jacket. Branden Grace went low during the final round of the 2017 Open Championship while sporting Kjus’ insulated Retention Vest. Most recently, Marc Leishman turned to Kjus’ waterproofs when Carnoustie got nasty during the second round of this year’s Open Championship. The point is, Mickelson, Grace, and Leishman can wear whatever gear they choose. We wouldn’t begrudge them from taking a payday to slip on any company’s outerwear. It is professional golf, after all. But, the fact they chose Kjus validates the craftsmanship, innovation, and playability built into the brand’s products.
The History of Kjus
Launched in 2000 by a Norwegian Olympic skiing champion, Lasse Kjus, and a Swiss apparel industry entrepreneur, Didi Serena, Kjus set out to disrupt the ski industry with highly technical garments that allowed for freedom of movement and comfort. Ironically, the two conceived the idea for the company while on the golf course. Both lamented the fact that ski wear didn’t possess the same performance and comfort qualities as the golf apparel they were wearing. Soon the partners were sourcing bleeding-edge fabrics and crafting innovative pieces for the slopes.
Although the brand started in the ski industry, a crossover to golf was always in the plans. In 2012, this became a reality as Kjus introduced its first golf collection. Since then, it has made strong inroads into the game. Those in the know, know that Kjus creates innovative apparel from luxurious, high-performance fabrics. Plus, its straightforward designs, clean fits, and minimalistic approach to branding bring an air of sophistication to the fairways.
Kjus Pro 3L Rain Jacket
While Kjus’ golf collection is filled with functional and fashionable pieces, the Pro 3L Rain Jacket showcases the brand’s DNA. All of us have experienced that feeling when we come across a product that is truly extraordinary. This is the feeling you get when you first touch the smooth outer shell and the silky liner of the Pro 3L jacket. It is only surpassed by the feeling of slipping on the jacket to realize it fits like a glove and stretches in four directions. Say goodbye to those baggy, ill-fitting waterproof jackets in your closet. The Pro 3L is a rain jacket you actually want to wear, even when it isn’t raining.
The Pro 3L spent three years in development. During that time, designers worked through 20 prototypes of the jacket and hundreds of prototypes of the features. Using motion analysis, designers were able to see how a rain jacket needs to perform during the golf swing. As a result, designers strategically placed fabric panels across the shoulders, engineered the stretch direction, and sealed the seams to match the movements of the body during the swing.
Wear the Pro 3L and this attention to detail is immediately evident. It has so many well-thought-out features, you’ll want to take a few minutes to get acquainted with all of them. The collar has a unique shape. It is low in front for comfort but high in the back to protect against the elements. The water repellent front zipper has a softness and suppleness to it that is unlike the zippers found on other rain jackets. This allows it to stay close to your body and away from your hands and arms while you swing. Two bungee cords (one hidden in the front pockets, the other hidden at the waist) allow for custom fits and further allow the jacket to lay flat against the body.
The coolest feature, though, is the adjustable Velcro cuff. Not only does it ensure a perfect fit and keeps excess material away from your wrist, but it also forms a gutter. This allows water to drain away from your hands and helps to keep your grips dry. Brilliant!
The best compliment we can give the Pro 3L is you’ll hardly know you are wearing it. The amazing thing is it is constructed with three layers and is still feathery light. The tricot backing acts much like your favorite golf polo. It wicks moisture and is highly breathable to help regulate body temperature. A middle layer features a cutting-edge membrane from Toray that is flexible, water resistant, breathable and resists condensation. Finally, the outer shell is constructed from a high tech fabric that stretches, breathes, and repels water and dirt.
Kjus Pro 3L Rain Pants
The craftsmanship and innovation built in the Pro 3L Rain Jacket are matched by the qualities of the Pro 3L Rain Pants. These three-layer trousers include all the performance and comfort features of the jacket.
Fighting to slip rain pants over your shoes is no longer an issue with the Pro 3L. Extra-long side zippers run past the knees making it easy to take the pants on and off during a round. A zippered rear pocket with a magnetic closure prevents scorecards from turning into mush during a downpour. Waterproof front zippers keep rain from seeping in, while a set of secondary front zippers provide reach-through access to golf pants layered underneath. An adjustable waistband allows for a custom fit as do Velcro adjustments at the leg openings.
From a style standpoint, these are the slimmest, best-fitting rain pants we’ve found. They are certainly an upgrade over many of the baggy waterproof pants on the market. Looking and feeling good in the rain has never been easier than slipping on Kjus’ Pro 3L Rain Jacket and Pants.
Stay tuned! We’ll be giving away a Pro 3L Rain Jacket next week on Instagram!
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