There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What We Tried:
The new adidas Ultimate635 Tour Frostguard Padded Hoodie. Finding quality golf outerwear loaded with the technology demanded by PGA TOUR pros is no easy task. adidas, however, thinks it’s crafted the ultimate golf hoodie for cold days.
Who Tried It:
Will Porter. Golf apparel aficionado and self-proclaimed material nerd. To me, the phrase “Looks good on the course and off the course” is apt, albeit overused. Being able to rock my favorite golf apparel off the course is a plus but, first and foremost, I want it to perform. If it’s not comfortable from tee to green, I’m not going to wear it. Period.
The Ultimate365 Tour line from adidas is made for the pros they sponsor. It’s made to perform when money is on the line and glory is just a 10-footer away. Lucky for us normies, we can get in on the action. And it’s not just marketing speak. When I throw on my Frostguard hoodie, it’s the same one I’m likely to see Xander Schauffele rocking on a chilly Sunday at Pebble Beach. But, all of that praise aside, does it actually work on the golf course?
Ultimate365 Tour Frostguard Padded Hoodie Specs
- Torso: 83% recycled nylon, 17% elastane plain weave
- Sleeves: 100% recycled polyester fleece
- Insulated with PrimaLoft Gold Insulation
- Front zip pockets
- Half-zip with hood
A Cold-Weather Staple I Will Continue to Rely On
I just relocated from NYC to Boise, Idaho, and, for me, that means much more outdoor golf and, subsequently, much more golf when it’s cold outside. While hitting the simulator is all well and good, there’s nothing like pulling off a head cover early on a Saturday when the frost has just melted and there’s a chill in the air. I can almost feel it as I sit here at my computer. What’s required for this mind-tingling buzz of a morning, aside from a steaming cup of coffee?
Solid outerwear.
For me, the Ultimate 365 Tour Frostguard Padded Hoodie fits the bill perfectly. It’s incredibly warm on those frosty mornings but, thanks to thermo-regulating PrimaLoft Gold Insulation, it doesn’t leave me in a puddle of sweat once things warm up. It’s fitted enough to stay out of the way but isn’t uncomfortable with a couple of layers underneath and the zippered, fleece-lined pockets are big enough for your hands and an extra tee or ball marker (or set of fresh Hot Hands).
The tech specs are hard to beat
I’ve already mentioned the PrimaLoft Gold which provides the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of any PrimaLoft offering, meaning that you get the most warmth for the least weight—hence the padded, yet refined, fit of the hoodie. One of adidas’ main goals in creating its Frostguard line was keeping the player as warm as possible while still allowing for a wide range of movement and comfort. Nobody wants to look like the Michelin Man on the course and adidas has found the perfect combo to alleviate this. In addition to warmth, PrimaLoft is exceptionally breathable and, unlike down insulation, continues to work when things get wet.
Along with top-tier insulation, the hoodie utilizes raglan sleeves made from 100-percent recycled fleece which allows for greater freedom of movement and a fitted look and feel that keeps your arms free throughout your swing. The fleece is a good contrast to the nylon-elastane of the torso.
The torso is soft to the touch and incredibly quiet, not a swish, swish in sight. While it’s not waterproof, it will resist light showers and the occasional splashed beer (sometimes cart paths get a little bumpy, right?). I tested this on wet days and dry days and found that the jacket left me feeling content, comfortable and able to focus on my game.
The fit and freedom of movement are impeccable
When you first look at the hoodie, you may be wondering how you could possibly get it on and have it feel like the warm, lightweight layer adidas intended it to be. However, once you remove your cap and pull it on, you’ll see that it fits just right. The torso is wide enough to fit over a fleece or performance wool layer but not too tight that it feels restrictive.
The sleeves are form-fitting but not tight at all which not only avoids the marshmallow look but makes for easy swinging. I wore the jacket over a compression shirt and polo for one round and over a merino wool quarter-zip for another. In both cases, I pretty much forgot I was wearing them and never had any bunching up in the sleeve or the armpits.
Finally, the quarter-zip is a much better touch than I expected. I thought the hoodie, as opposed to a full-zip, would be awkward to pull on over my other clothes but the zipper, combined with the stretchy outer material, leaves plenty of room to get the hoodie over your head without getting stuck. It adds just enough ventilation if you do get warm and I never had an issue with the zipper being uncomfortable when zipped all the way up.
At 5’10” and about 185 pounds, I’m constantly somewhere in between a medium and a large but, in this case, the large fits just how I like it. Essentially, go up a size if you’re between sizes. You’ll be thankful for the bit of extra space (if there ends up being any).
Pros
- Ideal for golf in near- or below-freezing temperatures
- Lightweight and easy to stuff in the pocket of a walking bag
- Full of well-considered, expert-tested technology
Cons
- Not ideal for those who love full-zip jackets
- Could use another pocket or two
Parting Thoughts
As I said, this is a jacket I’ll rely on for a long time. I’m something of an outerwear hoarder and even though I have plenty of insulated jackets for a variety of winter activities, the golf-specific nature of this jacket will have me reaching for it every time I hit the links this winter. The freedom of movement is second to none and I’m confident in saying I’ll never be left in the cold when I’ve got the Frostguard hoodie at hand.
