In the Elements with the best waterproofs I've ever worn, HLINC Golf
- thebogeymenpod
- Nov 3
- 4 min read
Winter is well and truly here and when you spend a fair bit of your time on damp, wind-whipped links courses, you quickly learn that waterproof gear isn’t just about staying dry - it has to move with you, feel right, look right, and above all: perform when the heavens open. Over the past month, I’ve been putting the HLINC Golf waterproof range through its paces, and I can honestly say it’s the best waterproof gear I’ve ever worn.
Right off the bat, the standout feature of HLINC is the fit — and not in the usual “baggy, one-size-fits-all” way that so many waterproofs adopt. I had resigned myself to the fact that wearing waterproofs meant I was going to feel and look like the Michelin Man, but thankfully that's changed and as golf fashion has generally improved, HLINC have taken the fit of waterproofs to the next level.
The full zip jacket, quarter-zip, and gilet all feature a longer tail at the back, which means when you reach into a bunker or tee up your drive, the hem stays put. It doesn’t ride up your torso when you swing, and you’re not left with a damp gap between the jacket and trousers.
The trousers I'm a big fan of, with their tapered fit around the ankles — no billowing fabric, no wind-sail effect, just a smart, tailored silhouette that doesn’t compromise movement or comfort. Despite the close fit, I’ve had full freedom of motion; the swing is unhindered, shoulders rotate naturally, and it never feels restrictive.
That balance of form and function makes a huge difference when you’re moving around the course in real weather, not just standing under the clubhouse awning. I've tried the full-zip, gilet and trousers and I'm an XL in each.
You can talk about waterproofing all you want, but sometimes you have to put it to the test. To prove just how effective the HLINC gear is, we ran a giveaway — and to show our followers what it could handle, I had my wife throw a bucket of water over me and spray me with a hose while I was wearing it. I stayed completely dry underneath.
And then, this week, myself and Michael played County Louth Golf Club, where the conditions did their very best to put the HLINC gear through the wringer. The thermometer read 9.5 degrees, but with the chilly coastal winds it felt much colder. From the first tee shot, the gear kept us both warm as well as dry. Throughout the 18 holes, two or three heavy squalls blew through — the kind that usually find their way into your sleeves, around your collar, or down your legs. But when we finally got back to the car park and peeled off the waterproofs, we were bone dry underneath. It was genuinely surprising — normally those awkward spots like the armpits or behind the knees will let a bit of water in, but not this time. It was a huge relief and a serious endorsement of how well HLINC performs when nature decides to have its say.
We actually filmed the round at County Louth, so everyone will be able to see for themselves how well the waterproofs handled the weather — even if our golf didn’t fare quite as well!
That test wasn’t just for show. It’s backed by technical quality: HLINC uses a premium waterproof and breathable membrane with a 20,000mm waterproof rating — meaning it can handle the sort of torrential downpours that would send most golfers running for the clubhouse.
On the course, it’s handled everything from sideways rain to strong winds without missing a beat. The longer back hem keeps your lower back dry when leaning into shots, pockets don’t pool water, and the material sheds moisture immediately without clinging or ballooning.
What really sets HLINC apart is the attention to detail. Every design element seems to have been considered from a golfer’s perspective:
Re-positioned pockets that stay out of your way when you swing or bend down.
Tailored trousers that look good both on and off the course.
Side zips and venting that make it easy to take layers on or off without fighting the fabric.
And a sustainability focus with recycled, PFAS-free materials that still deliver top-tier performance.
It’s premium gear, but it’s built with practicality in mind.
I recently sat down with Ian Forrester, founder of HLINC Golf, on The Bogey Men Podcast to talk about how the brand came to life. Ian explained:
“We built HLINC because we saw that waterproofs for golf had become bulky, ill-fitting, and not tuned to how a golfer actually plays. Our mission was simple: design gear that’s as mobile as your swing, as protective as the links demand, but also as smart off-the-course as on.”
He also shared a brilliant anecdote about Bill Murray — yes, that Bill Murray — who was spotted wearing HLINC gear at the Alfred Dunhill Links Pro-Am. Ian laughed.
“When Bill turned up to tee off wearing ours, we thought — well, if he trusts it, maybe we’re onto something.”
That story sums up the brand perfectly: born from the links, built for real golfers, and already finding its way onto some pretty iconic backs.
After a month in HLINC gear — through wind, rain, and the odd Irish monsoon — I’m convinced this is the best waterproof golf apparel I’ve worn. The fit is exceptional, the performance is flawless, and the attention to design details genuinely improves how you move and feel on the course.
If you play in unpredictable weather, and let’s be honest, who in Ireland doesn’t? HLINC is worth every penny.
The Bogey Men’s verdict: 9.5/10.It looks sharp, keeps you bone-dry, and performs exactly as promised. The only thing missing? Maybe a few more colour options — but when gear’s this good, black might just be all you need.
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