The Zero Restriction Z2000 Rain Gear is the Gold Standard. But is it Worth It?

Look, I’m going to be honest with you right up front: when Zero Restriction sent me their Z2000 rain gear to test, I was skeptical. Not because I doubted the quality. Everyone in golf knows Zero Restriction makes legitimate stuff, but because $610 for a rain jacket feels absolutely bonkers when you think about how infrequently most of us actually need rain gear.

But here’s the thing about expensive golf gear: sometimes the price tag actually makes sense. Sometimes you’re not just paying for marketing hype or a cool logo. Sometimes you’re paying for legitimately superior engineering, materials that actually perform differently, and a warranty that backs up those claims.

So I’ve been taking one for the team, and heading out on the rainy days to put this (and other) rain gear to the test, and I’ve come away with some strong opinions about who this gear is for and whether it’s worth the investment.

Let’s get into it.

First Impressions of the Zero Restriction Z2000 Rain Gear

The first thing that surprised me when I pulled this jacket out of the box? How ridiculously light it is.

I know that sounds weird to lead with, but it genuinely caught me off guard. When you’re dropping over $600 on a rain jacket, there’s this part of your brain that expects it to feel substantial, you know? Like you want some heft to justify that price tag.

But that’s actually where a lot of us get it wrong with rain gear. Light doesn’t equal cheap. In fact, light is often way more expensive. Just ask any “ultralight” backpacker.

Being able to engineer a fabric that’s this waterproof, this breathable, AND this lightweight is genuinely difficult to pull off. It’s why the cheap rain jackets at big box stores feel like you’re wearing a trash bag, they can keep water out, but they do it with thick, heavy material that doesn’t breathe and feels like garbage to actually wear.

The other detail that immediately caught my attention was the cuff system. Zero Restriction uses what they call “Dot Lock” closures instead of traditional velcro, and they look legitimately cool. It’s this unique pattern of little dots that grip each other, and I’d never seen anything like it before.

Now, I’ll be honest: they’re slightly trickier to adjust on the fly compared to regular velcro. You can’t just rip them open and readjust mid-round as easily. But the upside is that these should last much longer than traditional velcro without losing their grip or getting fuzzy and worn out.

It’s one of those details that shows you where your money is going, as they’re not cutting corners on the little stuff.

Build Quality and Materials on the Z2000 Jacket and Pants

This is where the Z2000 really starts to separate itself from the pack.

The jacket uses what Zero Restriction calls their “Z2000 3-Layer Stretch Shell,” which is fully seam-sealed and has a 20,000mm waterproof rating with 15,000 G/M² breathability. If those numbers don’t mean anything to you, just know that this puts it at the absolute top tier of golf rain gear in terms of technical performance.

For context, the Sun Mountain Cirque, which I’ve used for years and genuinely love, has the exact same 20,000mm waterproof rating. They’re in the same league from a pure waterproofing standpoint. But where the Z2000 really distinguishes itself is in the overall build quality and attention to detail.

The YKK Aquaguard zippers are dual-direction, which prevents the fabric from bunching when you’re walking or setting up at the tee. The stretch shell genuinely does move with your swing without any restriction, there’s zero pulling or binding through your golf motion.

And here’s something I really appreciate: this jacket is packable enough that you can fold it up and stash it in your bag without it taking over your entire storage pocket.

The Forrester’s rain gear I tested is bulkier. The TRUE Future Staples jacket doesn’t compress down quite as small. But the Z2000? You can tuck both the jacket and pants away relatively easily, which matters when you’re trying to fit everything in your bag for a trip.

One sizing note that’s really important: this jacket runs small. Like, noticeably small. I got a large, and while it fits, it’s definitely snug. If you’re between sizes, absolutely size up. For reference, I’m 6’1″, 205lbs, and the large works but isn’t generous by any means.

How Does it Actually Work to Golf In?

Here’s where the rubber meets the road: does this jacket actually perform when you’re out there in the elements trying to play golf?

Short answer: absolutely.

The breathability on this thing is noticeably better than Forrester’s. Don’t get me wrong,  love the Forrester’s aesthetic and think it’s an awesome jacket. But it’s slightly thicker and definitely less breathable, which means if you’re walking 18 holes in humid rain conditions, you’re going to notice the difference.

The Z2000 handles moisture management better. You’re not getting soaked from the inside out by your own sweat, which is honestly just as important as keeping the rain out.

The freedom of movement is excellent. The stretch shell really does what it promises, as I never felt restricted through my swing, never felt like I was fighting the jacket to make a full turn. Some rain jackets feel like you’re wearing a suit of armor. This one disappears once you put it on.

And while I mentioned the Dot Lock cuffs are slightly less convenient to adjust on the fly, they work well once you’ve got them dialed in. They seal properly around your wrists, they don’t gap, and they genuinely do feel like they’re going to hold up better over time than traditional velcro.

The pants have a long zipper on the bottom, as they should, to make them very easy to get on and off over your shoes and while out on the course.

But here’s what really stands out to me after testing this alongside other jackets: the Z2000 feels similar to the Sun Mountain Cirque in terms of performance. Similar waterproofness, similar sizing challenges (both run on the smaller side), and similar comfort level while actually playing golf.

Which brings us to the big question…

Is it Worth Buying?

This is where things get interesting, because the answer really depends on who you are and how you use your rain gear.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the Sun Mountain Cirque costs $319. The Z2000 costs $610 at full retail (but you can get 20% off with the Zero Restriction coupon code BREAKING). That’s nearly double the price for what is, in practical day-to-day use, very similar performance.

So why the massive price difference?

One word: warranty.

Zero Restriction offers a lifetime waterproof warranty on the Z2000. Not two years like Sun Mountain. Not five years like TRUE Linkswear. Lifetime.

If you’re the kind of golfer who plays in the rain regularly…

If you’re traveling to places like Bandon or Scotland multiple times a year…

If you’re not the type to reschedule when there’s moisture in the forecast…

That lifetime warranty is genuinely valuable. Rain gear breaks down over time. Waterproof coatings degrade. Seams start to leak. Knowing you can get your jacket serviced or replaced years down the line is real peace of mind.

But if you’re like most golfers and you only wear your rain gear a handful of times per year? That lifetime warranty is harder to justify. The Sun Mountain Cirque will probably last you a decade before you have any issues, and you’ll have saved nearly $300.

Now, here’s where the math gets more interesting: you can use the code BREAKING to knock 20% off the Z2000, which brings it down to $488. That’s still expensive, but now it’s much more competitive with other premium options like the Forrester’s at $398.

And if you’re reading this in November, Zero Restriction is doing a sitewide 30% sale, which would bring the jacket down to $427. At that price, especially with the lifetime warranty? It starts to look like a pretty solid deal.

Related: Best Golf Rain Gear: Which is Right for You?

Final Thoughts on Zero Restriction Rain Gear

Here’s my honest assessment after multiple rounds of testing: the Zero Restriction Z2000 is legitimately one of the best pieces of golf rain gear on the market. There’s a reason so many people call it the gold standard.

It’s light. It’s breathable. It’s waterproof. It moves with your swing. The build quality is excellent. And that lifetime warranty is genuinely valuable for the right person.

But it’s not the automatic choice for everyone.

If you’re price-conscious and only need rain gear occasionally, the Sun Mountain Cirque gives you 90% of the performance for half the cost. I

f you want something trendy and don’t mind trading a bit of breathability, the Forrester’s gear is awesome. If you want versatility to wear off the course, the TRUE jacket makes more sense.

But if you want the absolute best rain gear available, if you play in wet conditions regularly, if you want that peace of mind that comes with a lifetime warranty, and if you can catch it during a sale with the BREAKING code or during Black Friday? The Z2000 is worth the investment.

I think there’s a misconception that expensive equals unnecessary. But with rain gear specifically, this is one of those categories where spending more often means getting legitimately better performance. The engineering required to make something this light, this breathable, and this waterproof is genuinely difficult and expensive to execute.

Zero Restriction has been making high-end rain gear for decades, and they’ve earned their reputation. The Z2000 lives up to the hype.

Just make sure you size up.

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It's not cheap, but it will definitely keep you dry and comfortable.

9.2 Excellent

The Zero Restriction Z2000 golf rain gear is expensive. But you can typically find it at least 20% off, you're getting world class build quality, and there's a lifetime warranty. Put all of that together, and this becomes a worthy investment for the diehard golfer.

The Good

1. Fully taped, 3L constructions means it is seriously waterproof
2. Very lightweight and breathable
3. Lifetime warranty

The Bad

1. Will run a little small for some people
2. It's very expensive
3. Dot lock velcro can be slightly tricky to get just right

• Presentation 9
• Quality and Materials 10
• Performance 10
• Price 8
• Personal Affinity 9