50 Words or Less
Western Rise apparel focuses on high end basics to you can “own less, carry less, and experience more.” Versatile apparel that works in a variety of settings. High quality.
Introduction
As someone who writes about golf equipment, I see a lot of bold claims. Western Rise, however, may take the prize for stating that their goal is “to create the future of clothing.” That’s not a total abstraction: they explain that they are focused on technical fabrics, timeless styles, durable construction, and sustainable manufacturing. As someone who’s always looking to own less and better stuff, Western Rise definitely had my attention.
*The links in this review are affiliate links, meaning Plugged In Golf will receive compensation if you make purchases from Western Rise using these links.
Style
When I said that Western Rise focuses on basics, I meant it. If you need the latest colors and styles, this is not for you. Browse through Western Rise’s entire website [HERE] and you’re not going to find much that isn’t khaki, black, grey, or navy. Which isn’t a complaint. Check the average guy’s wardrobe and guess what you’ll find? Khaki, black, grey, and navy.
The styles offered by Western Rise mirror their color choices. Each piece is thoughtfully created, but the look is straightforward. You won’t find “look-at-me” embroidery or contrast stitching anywhere. These are pieces that would have looked great ten or twenty years ago, they look great now, and they’ll look great in another ten or twenty years.
Fit
Anytime I see the words “slim” in a product description, I get nervous. I don’t mind “athletic” or “tailored,” but the word “slim” and my thighs do not mix. If you feel like I do, you’ll be as pleasantly surprised as I was to find that Western Rise uses the word “slim” rather liberally.
Let’s start with the pants. I tested both the Evolution Pant and the AT Slim Pant. The AT Slim is, as expected, a trimmer cut with more taper through the leg, but there was plenty of room for my thighs. I would classify these as “tailored” rather than “slim.”
I tested the Evolution Pant in both a 34″ and 36″ waist and found that the only difference was the waist size. In many brands, the thigh in the 34″ is tiny and in the 36″ it’s huge. In the Evolution, it’s a medium, athletic cut at both sizes. There’s more room in the thigh and less taper through the calf.
In the shirts, the most notable part of the sizing is that the bodies are not very long. In the t-shirts and polo, the body is barely long enough to keep me covered when I raise my arms overhead. This gives the shirts a very neat appearance, but it doesn’t allow for the polo to be tucked in.
Beyond the body length, I found the shirts to be true to size. I’m wearing a large in these pictures at 6′, 193 pounds. The torso isn’t baggy but it’s not a skinny cut either. The sleeves sit comfortably clear of the elbow, but aren’t going to expose your entire bicep.
Western Rise is a purely online brand, but they offer free returns and exchanges in case you find that something doesn’t fit.
Performance
For me, the pants from Western Rise are the headliners because each pair can replace two or three that I currently own. If you’re like me, you have “nice” khakis, golf pants, and maybe some casual pants, too. When you think about that, it’s kind of ridiculous. Why can’t one pair of pants look nice, be comfortable, and perform on the course?
For me, the Western Rise pants, particularly the Evolution Pant, checked all the boxes. They’re light enough to wear in temps as high as the 70s, they move well enough for golf, hiking, or any other activity, and they look good dressed up or down. The AT Slim Pant is also impressive, though the heavier weight makes it a better choice for spring and fall than summer.
The Limitless Merino Polo (above) is an excellent, versatile shirt, though not the best golf shirt I’ve worn. Its virtues are numerous – it looks good dressed up and down, it has a mid-weight that works in most weather, it wicks moisture, and it’s odor resistant. The negatives are the seam across the upper back and a lack of room in the shoulders. While the material stretches nicely, I felt that horizontal seam frequently and found myself tugging at the shoulders. I am a little broader than most which may exacerbate the issue. For me, this is a shirt I’ll wear off the course more than on it.
Both the StrongCore Merino Tee and the X Cotton Everyday Tee have established themselves as regulars in my rotation. The key features in both are the heavier weight, the wonderfully soft material, the stretch, and the odor resistance. I wore the X Cotton Everyday Tee for several days while camping, and I was shocked at the how good the shirt smelled at the end of it. For those days where your schedule is packed and there’s no time for a wardrobe change, these t-shirts are tough to beat.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of having drawers full of clothes that don’t bring you joy and want to cut down to the essentials, Western Rise is a brand to consider. Their apparel works well in virtually every situation and the quality is excellent. And if you’re into brands that make you feel good, Western Rise is a 1% for the Planet member as well as being Climate Neutral Certified.
Buy Western Rise Apparel HERE
Matt Saternus
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