# Waterproofs vs Water-Resistant: Rain Gear Explained By Fayrway Pros · Published 27 August 2026 **The short version** Waterproof gear uses a membrane and taped seams to keep you dry in sustained rain, while water-resistant gear only shrugs off light showers and wind before it wets through. - Buy waterproof for winter and wet-forecast rounds you intend to finish. - Buy water-resistant for breezy days and showers, as it is lighter and more breathable. - Check the mm rating: 10,000mm is a golf floor, 15,000mm plus for heavy rain. Waterproof gear keeps you dry in sustained rain thanks to a laminated membrane and taped seams, while water-resistant gear only shrugs off light showers and wind before it wets through. For a wet British round buy a proper waterproof like the [Callaway Stormlite II](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CFRGGHQ7/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21). For breezy, spitting or in-and-out days a lighter water-resistant layer such as the [Callaway wind jacket](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N7U9N7W/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) is comfier and cheaper. The two labels get used loosely on golf listings, and buying the wrong one means either a soaked back on the 12th or a stiff, sweaty jacket you never wear. Below is the plain-English difference, when each one is the right call, and the best in-stock picks for both sides. ### At a glance: waterproof vs water-resistant | Attribute | Waterproof | Water-resistant | | --- | --- | --- | | Rain it handles | Sustained, heavy rain all round | Light showers, drizzle, spray | | Construction | Membrane plus fully taped seams | DWR coating, often untaped | | Weight and feel | Heavier, stiffer, more coverage | Lighter, softer, packs small | | Wind protection | Excellent | Good to excellent | | Typical use | Winter and wet-forecast rounds | Breezy days, layering, transitions | ### How do waterproof and water-resistant gear actually differ? The dividing line is the membrane and the seams. A true waterproof jacket bonds a membrane to the fabric and tapes every seam, so water cannot force through the stitch holes even after an hour of rain. Water-resistant kit relies on a durable water repellent (DWR) coating that makes water bead and roll off, which works brilliantly in a shower but soaks through once the coating is overwhelmed or the rain keeps coming. You also pay in weight and breathability. Waterproofs are heavier and warmer, so they can feel clammy on a mild day. Water-resistant layers are thin, stretchy and breathable, which is why they double as wind jackets. Neither is "better", they are built for different weather. ### When should you choose waterproof? Choose waterproof when the forecast says rain and you intend to finish the round. Winter golf in Britain, coastal links in a squall, or any morning where the radar is solid green all point to a membrane jacket with taped seams. It is also the safer buy if you only want to own one wet-weather layer, because a waterproof will always cope with a shower, whereas a water-resistant top will not cope with a downpour. The trade-offs are cost, weight and a slightly stiffer feel. If you play through winter, that is a price worth paying for staying dry to the last hole. ### When should you choose water-resistant? Choose water-resistant when wind is the main enemy and rain is only a risk. Spring and autumn rounds with a stiff breeze, showery forecasts where you expect it to pass, and anyone who wants a light layer to throw on and off between holes are all served better by a thin, breathable wind jacket. It packs down into your bag, moves with your swing, and does not cook you when the sun comes out. Just be honest about the limits: once the DWR wets out you will feel it, so it is not the layer for a full day of steady rain. ### Our picks #### Callaway Stormlite II The all-round waterproof to reach for first: a breathable membrane and taped seams that keep out sustained rain without feeling like a bin bag. **Best waterproof: Callaway Stormlite II** - Waterproof membrane with taped seams - Breathable for its class - Trusted golf brand Price: £89.99. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CFRGGHQ7/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) #### Ram Golf 2-in-1 Waterproof The value waterproof, with zip-off sleeves so it converts to a gilet when the rain eases. A lot of wet-weather cover for the money. **Best value waterproof: Ram Golf 2-in-1 Waterproof** - Full waterproof protection - Zip-off sleeves convert to a gilet - Keen price for winter cover Price: £39.99. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BHSV657V/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) #### Callaway Full-Zip Wind Jacket The pick for breezy days with a shower risk: wind and water repellent, light and stretchy, and it packs into the bag when the sun returns. **Best water-resistant: Callaway Full-Zip Wind Jacket** - Wind and water repellent finish - Light, stretchy and breathable - Packs small into the bag Price: £73.04. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N7U9N7W/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) #### 33,000ft Lightweight Water-Resistant The budget water-resistant layer: windproof, water-repellent and packable, ideal as a spare jacket that lives in the boot. **Best budget water-resistant: 33,000ft Lightweight Water-Resistant** - Windproof and water-repellent - Very light and packable - Great keep-in-the-bag spare Price: £19.99. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DHVXG4Y9/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) For the full run-down of membranes, ratings and suits, see our [best golf waterproofs for 2026](https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/best-golf-waterproofs-2026). ### Frequently asked questions #### Is water-resistant the same as waterproof? No. Waterproof means a membrane and taped seams that keep out sustained rain, while water-resistant means a coating that only handles light showers and spray before wetting through. Water-resistant gear is lighter and more breathable, but it will not keep you dry in a proper downpour the way a waterproof will. #### Which do I need for golf in Britain? If you play through winter or wet forecasts, buy a waterproof so you stay dry to the last hole. If you mostly play in spring and autumn breezes with the odd shower, a water-resistant wind jacket is lighter and comfier. Many golfers own both and pick by the morning radar. #### How long does a waterproof golf jacket last? A good membrane jacket lasts several seasons if you look after it. The waterproofing comes from the membrane and taped seams, which do not wear out quickly, though the outer DWR that makes water bead will fade and needs reproofing. Wash it as directed and reproof once a year to keep it performing. #### Can I reproof a water-resistant jacket? Yes. The DWR coating that gives water-resistance can be topped up with a spray-on or wash-in proofer once the fabric stops beading. It restores the shower protection but cannot turn a water-resistant jacket into a fully waterproof one, because there is no membrane or taped seams underneath. #### What do the mm waterproof ratings mean? The mm rating measures how tall a column of water the fabric holds before leaking. Around 10,000mm is a sensible floor for golf, and 15,000mm or more copes with heavy, sustained rain. Water-resistant coatings are usually not rated this way at all, which is a quick clue you are looking at a shower layer rather than a true waterproof. #### Are waterproofs too hot for summer golf? They can be, which is why a light water-resistant or wind jacket suits milder days better. Modern waterproofs breathe far better than old rubberised suits, but they are still warmer and stiffer. For a summer shower risk, a packable water-resistant layer you can strip off keeps you comfortable without overheating. The honest verdict: own a waterproof for winter and wet forecasts, own a water-resistant layer for breezy days with a shower risk, and pick by the morning radar. Compare the best options for both in our [best golf waterproofs for 2026](https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/best-golf-waterproofs-2026). --- Canonical version: https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/waterproofs-vs-water-resistant-rain-gear-explained Fayrway, golf gear curated by pros: https://fayrway.co.uk. 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