When we think about rain gear, Galvin Green is always top of mind. With its perfect blend of performance, style, and comfort, we often refer to the Swedish brand’s waterproof jackets as the Bentleys of rain gear. Galvin Green has a history of living on the cutting-edge of technology and design, and its adoption of GORE-TEX’s new SHAKEDRY™ technology is the latest example of this. In fact, with the soon-to-be-released Ashton Jacket, Galvin Green is the first golf apparel brand to bring the innovative SHAKEDRY technology from GORE-TEX to the fairways.
SHAKEDRY was one of the coolest things we saw at the PGA Show. We liked it so much, we gave the Ashton one of our Style Awards. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones who were impressed. The Ashton also took home Golf Monthly magazine’s Editor’s Choice award. (We like the way they think.)
At a time when the term ‘game-changer’ is often inappropriately used, it is not hyperbolic to say SHAKEDRY has changed the rain gear game for active sports. In creating SHAKEDRY, GORE-TEX reinvented rain protection from the inside out. Engineers eliminated the face fabric, leaving just the waterproof membrane for the outer shell. (Yes, you read that correctly! The waterproof membrane is the exterior of the jacket! Insane!) Then, a functional textile backer was added to the interior so it can be comfortably worn next to the skin.
By eliminating the face fabric, GORE-TEX was able to reduce the weight of SHAKEDRY garments. As a result, Galvin Green’s Ashton checks in at a rather svelte 174 grams (just north of 6 ounces), making it the brand’s lightest waterproof jacket ever produced. Much like modern drivers and shafts, this weight reduction translates into one thing…SPEED.
See Also: Galvin Green INSULA: Heat up the Fairways
Typically, wearing a rain jacket means a half to a full club loss of distance for me. This is not the case when zipping on the Ashton Jacket. The lack of heft combined with increased stretch and reduced friction of the membrane means no loss in clubhead speed. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather hit an 8-iron instead of a 7-iron to a tucked pin any day. SHAKEDRY is also extremely breathable, making it a perfect choice for warm Spring and Summer showers.
Check out the video below to see it in action. Somewhere lost in my poor camera work is the fact that water beads up and quickly rolls off the exposed waterproof membrane. The persistent beading prevents water from being absorbed into the fabric. In turn, there is a minimal chilling effect on the body and minimal weight added. Plus, a couple of shakes dries the surface. There is no need to wipe it down before storing it in your bag or hanging it to dry after your round. It also packs down to virtually nothing.
With all of this innovation, it is easy to overlook some of the small details with the Ashton Jacket. That being said, Galvin Green has incorporated many of the subtle features we have come to expect from the brand over the years. A zippered chest pocket is a convenient (and dry) place for storing a scorecard. The fit is on point. I even sized down thanks to the abundance of stretch. The padded collar adds an element of comfort. And the angled cuffs help to keep wrists, hands, and gloves dry without interfering with the swing.
While most rain gear on the market is heavy on functionality and light on style, the Ashton brings the unique combination of top-shelf protection and style to the course. The dark ash-colored membrane offers a sleek, minimalistic look while the lime green accents are sure to bring a surge of energy to even the dreariest of days.
The Ashton with SHAKEDRY is part of Galvin Green’s 2019 Part Two Collection, which will hit shelves in July. However, a very limited pre-launch release will take place on April 8th at TrendyGolf, Worldwide Golf Shops and the PGA Tour Superstore. (And when we say very limited, we mean very limited.) The April release will also feature the Ashton with the lime green zipper, as opposed to a (not-nearly-as-fun) grey zipper for the July release.
