Understanding Waterproof Ratings for Golf Gear and Apparel

Understanding waterproof ratings for your equipment and apparel is key to ensuring you have the best experience when playing in weather.

We are going to take an in-depth look into what different weather ratings mean and how to understand what you need to ensure you & your equipment is protected.

Overview

For any golfer, playing in adverse weather conditions can be a test of skill and resilience. However, it can also be uncomfortable and distracting, taking away from the game itself.

When playing in rainy or humid conditions, electronics can become damaged, leading to inaccurate measurements and potential equipment failure.

In addition, without the right rain gear you will get wet which will affect your performance, not to mention enjoyment of the game.

That’s why understanding waterproof ratings for golf gear and apparel is essential.

By choosing a equipment & rain gear with an appropriate rating, you can ensure yourself and your equipment remains protected in inclement weather.

It can mean the difference between a memorable game and a miserable one, making it a crucial factor for any golfer who wants to play rain or shine.

Weather Resistance

Most golf equipment is rated for some level of water resistance. The most common rating is an IPX rating. However, some equipment is NOT IPX rated.

This means the manufacturer has chosen to not submit their device for testing (see below). It may still offer some level of water resistance, but expect it to be minimal.

Ingress Protection (IPX) Rating

Ingress Protection rating (IPX) is an international standard that measures resistance to dust and water. The rating system ranges from IPX0 to IPX8, with higher numbers indicating higher levels of protection.

The IPX rating is represented by two digits, with the first digit indicating the level of protection against solid particles (such as dust) and the second digit indicating the level of protection against liquids (such as water).

So if the item is rated at IPX4, that means it has no dust protection but level 4 liquid protection. The ‘X‘ means there is no rating.

IPX Levels

Here is an overview of the different IPX levels and what they mean for weather resistance:

Dust

Here are the most common IP dust intake designations:

• IP0X: No protection against dust.
• IP1X: Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm in diameter, such as a hand.
• IP2X: Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm in diameter, such as fingers.
• IP3X: Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm in diameter, such as tools and thick wires.
• IP4X: Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm in diameter, such as small wires and nails.
• IP5X: Dust-protected, with limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
• IP6X: Dust-tight, with no ingress of dust.

Liquid Rating

Here are the most common IP liquid intake designations:

• IPX0: No protection against water or dust.
• IPX1: Protection against dripping water. The device can withstand water droplets falling vertically onto the device, but not spraying water from any direction.
• IPX2: Protection against dripping water when tilted up to 15°.
• IPX3: Protection against spraying water. The device can withstand water sprayed onto it from any direction, but not immersion.
• IPX4: Protection against splashing water from any direction.
• IPX5: Protection against water jets. The device can withstand water jets from any direction, but not submersion.
• IPX6: Protection against powerful water jets. The device can withstand powerful water jets from any direction, but not submersion.
• IPX7: Protection against immersion. The device can be temporarily submerged in water up to a specified depth.
• IPX8: Protection against continuous immersion. The device can be continuously submerged in water up to a specified depth.

Premium rangefinders will have an IPX4 rating, which means they are resistant to splashing water from any direction.

If you play in very rainy or humid conditions, consider a rangefinder with an IPX7 rating. If there is not an IPX rating listed, you can assume the rangefinder has minimal water resistance.

Examples Of IPX Rated Golf Equipment

Here are a couple of examples of IPX rated golf equipment.

Rated for Liquids Only

Most golf equipment is only rated against liquids. The reason is that dust is not a major factor on a golf course & it costs more to build in dust resistance.

Rated for Dust & Liquids

How Devices Are IPX Certified

The IPX rating, or Ingress Protection rating, is a standard used to define the degree of protection provided by an electronic device against solid and liquid intrusion. The rating is typically displayed as “IP” followed by two digits, with each digit representing a different type of protection.

To to get a device IPX rated, it is sent it to a third-party testing lab that specializes in IPX testing. These labs will perform a series of tests on a device to determine its level of protection against solid and liquid intrusion.

The specific tests will depend on the rating you want to achieve (e.g., IP67, IP68, etc.), but they generally involve exposing the device to water, dust, and other materials that could potentially enter the device and cause damage.

Once the testing is complete, the lab will provide a report that details the device’s performance during testing and its final IPX rating. This rating is then used to promote the device’s durability and protection to potential customers.

It’s worth noting that the IPX rating is not something that be added to a device after it has been manufactured. The rating must be determined through testing, and it’s generally only applied to devices that have been designed and built with waterproof or dustproof features in mind.

If a device was not designed with these features, it may not be possible to achieve a high IPX rating.

What If A Device Is Not IPX Certified?

So an IPX certification is obviously a good thing. However, does that mean you should avoid any device that is not IPX certified?

The answer is not necessarily. As always it depends on how you are using it. It reminds me of a quote from Jack Ryan, “The world is gray, Jack”.

Meaning, there is no black and white rule to follow here, only what your individual needs are.

If you play in rain, or humid conditions, your should make sure your equipment is IPX rated.

If you only play in sunny conditions, and maybe an occasional rain shower, you will probably be fine with equipment that the manufacturer states is water resistant.

Overview of Golf Rain Gear

Staying Dry While Playing Golf

There are many reasons why it is important to stay dry while playing golf. For one, if you are wet, you will be more likely to get cold. This leads to discomfort and will affect your ability to focus on your game. Plus it just not fun to be in bad conditions without the right equipment.

When choosing rain gear for golf, it is important to find something that fits well and is comfortable to wear. You’ll want to make sure that you can swing freely and that the clothing doesn’t restrict your movement.

It is also important to find gear that is durable and will stand up to repeated use. After all, you don’t want your rain gear to fall apart after just a few rounds.

Waterproof vs Water-Repellant vs Water-Resistant

You can be excused for being utterly confused over these terms. Part of the problem is that there is not an industry standard that governs these classifications. So, you will often see lesser manufacturers use a term loosely.

With premium & luxury brands, you get the best materials and can be sure what you buy will work. To help out, here is a definition of each category.

Waterproof

Waterproof gear typically does not allow any water to enter or exit the garment, which can make it difficult to breathe. However, high-end materials such as GORE-TEX are breathable. These make the best choice for activity-based rain gear.

What is GORE-TEX?

GORE-TEX is a waterproof, breathable fabric created by W. L. Gore & Associates. It can repel liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through it (breathable).

Water-repellant

Water-repellant gear is less protective, as it allows a certain level of water to enter the garment. It can allow for a bit more flexibility in movement.

Water-resistant

Water-resistant gear is the least protective, as it only blocks out a small amount of water. It allows the most water to enter and exit the garment, which can help improve ventilation

For most people, waterproof is the only option to choose. Water-repellant can work if you are in an area that is warmer and just has infrequent showers.

Water-resistant is not worth your money for golf rain gear.

Windproof

Windproof jackets are a great option for those who need protection from the wind. They are typically made from waterproof and breathable materials, which allow you to stay dry while still being able to move freely.

The windproof jacket also features thermal insulation, which helps keep you warm in cold weather conditions. It is available in a variety of different styles and designs, so you can find the perfect one to suit your needs.

Can Waterproof also be Breathable?

Yes! There is a misconception that if a jacket is waterproof it cannot be breathable. It used to be that way (and there certainly are non-breathable waterproof jackets). Modern materials are advanced enough to give you waterproof jackets that can also breathe.

Materials such as GORE-TEX are fully-waterproof and are also breathable.

What Are Waterproof & Breathable Ratings (such as 15K/15K)?

You may have seen ratings on waterproof apparel such as 10K/10K or 15K/15K and been slightly confused. Those numbers are used to designate how much water is kept out and how much a garment can breathe.

Think of it this way. Plastic is 100% waterproof but does not breathe. Cotton breathes, but is not waterproof. You want golf rain gear that has a combo of both. Luckily technology is advanced enough that you do not have to compromise.

Here is a high-level explanation of what these numbers mean. Let’s assume you are looking at a golf rain jacket rated at 15K/15K.

Water Resistance (15K/15K)

The first number is the water resistance rating in millimeters (mm). For golf you need something 10K or higher. Here is a rough estimate of ratings:

• <10K – can handle light rain for a short period of time
• 10K-15K – can handle moderate rain for a long period of time
• >15K – can handle extreme conditions for a long time

Breathability (15K/15K)

The second number is the breathability rating in grams (g). For golf you need something 10K or higher. Here is a rough estimate of ratings:

• <10K – will work if you only have light use and don’t sweat
• 10K-15K – great for activities such as golf as it will move moisture away
• >15K – once again the rating for extreme activities where you break a big sweat

The Best Water Resistance/Breathability Ratings for Golf Rain Gear

You need a minimum of 10K/10K or you will get wet (inside and out). 15K/15K is your best bet if you do any sort of golf in rainy conditions.

See our post on the Best Golf Rain Gear for some great options for golf jackets and pants.

Will Any Breathable Waterproof Jacket Work for a Golf Rain Jacket?

Not really. The key for a golf jacket is that it needs to have 3 features in order for it to work properly:

1. Waterproof
2. Breathable
3. Flexible

You need a coat that has all 3 of these features and golf rain jackets offer the fit and flexibility to make a golf swing. If you try making a swing in your winter coat, you will see how tough it is. That’s why you have to purchase a specialty golf rain jacket for the best experience.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article was helpful in explaining the different levels of water protection for golf equipment and apparel.

To put this knowledge to use, here are a couple of articles on equipment and rain gear that benefit from water protection: