The best golf wind jackets to wear this fall
Say goodbye to technical quarter-zips and say hello to the return of wind jackets.
The winds of autumn are blowing through the fairways, bringing with them a different yet familiar way to layer. As we transition into fall, style-conscious players are ditching the quarter-zips and reaching for new takes on old-school wind jackets.
Over the past decade, athletic quarter-zips dominated golf fashion’s layering game. They became the default cool-weather golf uniform, so much so that they started to feel a little too familiar. Every brand made one, and every golfer owned several. Most shared similar fabrics, designs and silhouettes. And all told the same story. They were functional, but style and sophistication often took a back seat.
David Cannon
Wind jackets bring a stronger fashion point of view to the course. They borrow from vintage sportswear, outdoor gear and streetwear, which gives them a defined sense of style. In fact, wind jackets have the personality to become the centerpiece of a fit. Details like color blocking, oversized pockets and drawcord hems give them more visual impact from across the fairway than their quarter-zip counterparts.
Another reason quarter-zips have begun to feel repetitive is that most are made from smooth jersey performance fabrics. On the other hand, wind jackets bring elements of texture through ripstop nylon, woven shells and crinkled fabrics. That texture gives an outfit a more elevated and considered feel without relying on loud graphics or bright colors.
JEFF HAYNES
At the same time, golf fashion has returned to relaxed proportions. Pants are wider, polos are roomier and players are embracing more expressive fits. Wind jackets fit naturally into that shift. A quarter-zip usually hugs the body, while the structured fabric of a wind jacket creates more volume around the shoulders and chest. Those oversized, slightly baggy silhouettes make wind jackets a symbol of where golf fashion is heading.
Most of all, wind jackets tap into golf nostalgia. Although the current generation of players didn’t experience the golden age of ‘90s golf style, they remain obsessed with the decade’s layering pieces, and wind jackets were everywhere. I’ve even reached into my personal archive and salvaged a couple of vintage Ashworth and FootJoy jackets from the era that are now back in my rotation.
Andrew Redington
New versions capture those same throwback feels without looking like a costume. Brands are updating the classic silhouettes with innovative fabrics that stretch, repel moisture and even breathe unlike those muggy old numbers. This new crop of wind jackets also packs down to nearly nothing, making them easy to stash in the side pocket of your golf bag.
While the quarter-zip had a great run, the wind jacket is taking its place as the stylish way to layer. Here are six jackets that show how designers are playing with silhouette, texture, nostalgia, color and attitude while maintaining the performance needed for the course and beyond.
Manors Gailes Windbreaker
The Manors Gailes Windbreaker might be the best example of where the modern wind jacket is headed. Its generous fit, adjustable hem and concealed pockets give it the shape and details of a proper piece of outerwear. The overall silhouette has considerably more personality than the typical performance layer. Manors also designed the Gailes with coastal golf in mind, which feels fitting for a jacket entering your new fall wardrobe.
Students Golf Denzel Track Popover
The Denzel Track Popover from Students Golf pulls from the ‘90s trackwear revival. The stretch nylon, contrast piping, and color-blocked panels give it the look of something you might have seen on a soccer pitch three decades ago. This is why the wind jackets are such an interesting part of the golf fashion landscape right now. They bring a freshness to the fairways while pulling directly from an era that made the silhouette cool in the first place.
Maejer Elements Windbreaker
This windbreaker from new brand Maejer, which was recently founded by Manchester United’s Mason Mount and English rugby union player Owen Farrell, makes a strong case for texture. The black grid pattern gives this jacket visual interest while keeping the overall look understated, and the relaxed fit, rib collar and elastic cuffs give it a distinctly sportswear feel. It has the tech side covered with four-way stretch, breathability and a mesh-lined vent. Pair this jacket with solid black, grey or khaki pants because this layer that can carry an outfit on its own.
Malbon Ridge Anorak
The Malbon Ridge Anorak shows how wind jackets have evolved into something far more than traditional golf outerwear. The hood, drawcord waist and elastic cuffs blend the worlds of streetwear and hiking. Even the quarter-zip front feels new and different because it is part of a more relaxed silhouette.
Bad Birdie Kinetic Wind Pullover
This Kinetic Wind Pullover shows that the wind jacket comeback still has plenty of room for performance. This lightweight layer uses four-way stretch, a water-resistant finish, UPF 50 protection and an open back vent to give it all the technical cred needed for fall’s changing conditions. The design details make it interesting from a style perspective, too. The custom jacquard collar and cuffs add texture, while the “Bad” script running across the back gives it that dose of Bad Birdie personality that we’ve come to expect from the brand.
Forrester’s Windblocker Vest
Forrester’s has been making golf outerwear since 1951, so seeing the brand bring that heritage into a more contemporary silhouette feels especially relevant these days. The Windblocker Vest takes the wind jacket trend in another direction and gives players another way to layer. Not to mention, the crinkle nylon adds the kind of texture that makes lightweight outerwear feel more substantial. Underneath the style is plenty of performance with four-way stretch, a water-resistant finish and a brushed mesh lining.