« Adidas Keeps Bandon Dunes Caddies Warm & Dry »

Ever since first reading of Oregon's Bandon Dunes in a golf magazine more than a few years ago, Chapeau Noir has had a desire to visit the Scotland of North America. There is something intensely alluring about playing golf in cold, rainy, windy conditions with the aid of a knowledgeable yet significantly weathered caddy that draws out the essence of golf from within you, taking your game to previously untapped heights.

While you still may be able to summon a low round in challenging conditions, the bit about the 'weathered caddy' is now highly in question with news that adidas Golf will be the official supplier of the ClimaProof® All Weather Caddy Suit to Bandon Dunes loopers.

Pro jocks won't be getting stiffed any longer, at least not by their outerwear, as adidas Golf spent two years testing and re-testing prototypes until eventually submitting a product worthy of living up to Bandon Dunes caddy demands.

"Caddies can work as much as five to seven days a week while working 365 days a year – rain or shine. These suits need to be durable, comfortable, breathable and water resistant," said Tiss Dahan, Senior Director of Global Apparel. "The challenge for our team was to build the ultimate caddy suit that not only prevented sun, wind and water penetration, but that also fit well, provided comfort and was extremely durable."

Approximately 350 Bandon Dunes caddies started wearing the adidas Golf ClimaProof Storm All Weather Caddy Suit during the week of March 22. The suit combines re-enforced construction, modern materials and industry-leading features to provide the best possible protection, the suit incorporates lightweight, reinforced double-layer shoulder inserts, 4-way mechanical stretch for easy movement and comfort, fully seam-sealed waterproof zippers, waterproof protection to 20,000mm and breathability of 26,700 g/m2/24hrs.

Chapeau Noir has no idea what 'waterproof protection to 20,000mm and breathability of 26,700 g/m2/24hrs' means in real world terms, but it sounds bloody impressive.

"Our caddies require a durable walking suit that will breathe as the sun beats off the Pacific Ocean, but also keeps them dry and comfortable with any condition that might pass through," said Josh Lesnik, president of KemperSports. "There's no doubt that golf is more enjoyable when you are properly outfitted."

A retail version of the caddy suit, geared toward benefiting the golfer, will be available for purchase separately this coming May as the ClimaProof Storm Ultimate Jacket and ClimaProof Storm Ultimate Pant. Both will be offered in one colorway, Black, feature the same performance and protection benefits of the Bandon Dunes Caddy Suit, and include a three-year waterproof warranty.

Chapeau Noir's only disappointment is that the official caddy version isn't available at retail - the hood is the bomb - though the hood may well just be tucked in the collar in the consumer version picture. Your next trip to Bandon Dunes may call for some shrewd negotiation with your jock to get your hands on an authentic number.

Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the ClimaProof Storm Ultimate Jacket is $275 USD and $225 USD for the ClimaProof Storm Ultimate Pant.

If it's good enough for the hearty souls at Bandon Dunes, it's good enough for Chapeau Noir, by far!