Another winter riding coat thread

[Redlei44]

I am hoping to get feedback on riding-specific mid-weight winter coats. I love all of the old threads that have a lot of recommendations for Eddie Bauer, north face, etc - but this is a for a gift and the giftee wants a riding brand, so a riding brand she will get.

The request is for a winter coat that is lighter than the super-warm mountain horse parka. Mainly to be used for around the barn and riding (aka limited chores). Prefer all the usual riding-specific bells and whistles - ripstop, double back vent or short enough that it doesn’t matter, good pockets, etc. Fitted/tailored style. High hip or low hip length preferred. Water-resistant or -proof preferred but not strictly necessary.

Looking at the Dover site, it’s hard to tell which jackets are mid-weight vs heavy. But really i’d just love to hear recommendations or reviews.

[DinkyDonk]

Try ski jackets–lightweight and non-restrictive, come in a variety of weights, lengths, and materials with ususally bazillions of pockets.

[Bluey]

@DinkyDonk

Try ski jackets–lightweight and non-restrictive, come in a variety of weights, lengths, and materials with ususally bazillions of pockets.

Second that, but also consider the fabric.
Some give you shocks all the time, no fun when handling horses, that also get shocked.
Those out of nylon and down I have are bad about that.

I think that is something jackets made for riding take into consideration, using nylon/lycra/cotton blends, not strictly nylon.

I have a riding Outback jacket that may fit the bill:

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Outb…page-OTBE.html

It is a light winter jacket, but will work well in most weather.
Fits well for layering also, not super slim cut.
The dark part is the same jacket material, not knit, as some are.
Seems that they are on sale right now.

[Redlei44]

@DinkyDonk

Try ski jackets–lightweight and non-restrictive, come in a variety of weights, lengths, and materials with ususally bazillions of pockets.

For sure, and almost all of my own barn jackets are ski brands and street brands because they’re either my own retired non-barn coats or hand-me-downs. But as I mentioned, it’s for a gift, and I do have to say that my few pieces of riding-specific gear have really handy features and fit. @Bluey makes a similar point about static and non-ripstop.

Would love to hear specific suggestions (or warnings) from anyone who’s found mid-weight winter riding jackets from Kerrits, Ariat, Schockemöhle, Dover, SmartPak, Noble, Mountain Horse, Horze, etc.

[CanteringCarrot]

I have one from Horze, I’ll have to look to see if they still sell it. I bought it within the last 2 years or so. It has a side zips which are useful, a double zipper, again useful, and is a nice medium weight and overall fit. Has a super light (no fill) hood attached that I forget is there but nice to have in the rain. It’s black… I’ll take a look in a bit.

[Bluey]

Oh, I forgot to mention, the one I have has snaps on the sides to open them for riding , so it doesn’t bind when in the saddle.

[RedHorses]

I’m not sure whether you have a real winter or not, but I love my Equisafety Aspey insulated jacket. It might be too warm for barn chores if your winter isn’t cold.

[GreyDes]

I’m also in the ski/outdoor jacket camp personally, but totally get wanting an equestrian jacket.

Almost anything will be lighter than MH parka, so you’re in good shape there

Here are my impressions from seeing various jackets in tack stores and trying them on. Caveat that I haven’t bought an equestrian one in years. I keep getting tempted because they are very cute, then see how much more I can get for my money from LL Bean, etc.

Suggest looking at:

Ariat - A friend of mine has this one and it’s lovely - https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/ariat-sterling-waterproof-parka-20096#Sizing

Mountain Horse - Solid choice, good quality for the price.

AA - It’s the high end Horseware brand and very nice.
https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/AA_Horseware_Livigno_Technical_Insert_Padded_Jacket/descpage-AHLI.html

Lemieux - New to apparel and looks/feels nice.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/my-lemieux-short-winter-coat/p/X1-400691/

Suggest not looking at:

Smartpak - I would absolutely skip. Poor quality and weird fit.

Kerrits - I haven’t seen one that’s super warm.

Noble - I thought the fabric looked/felt very cheap and unlikely to hold up. I do love their socks, so would be happy to find out I’m wrong.

[sophie]

Not all Mountain Horse jackets are super warm - this one looks great and I might be tempted but for its price :eek:
https://onestopequineshop.com/produc…yABEgKYdfD_BwE

Which is why I always look for super discounted / discontinued riding apparel, or non-riding clothes. They are usually 1/2 the price if not less.
For years my winter jacket of choice for barn chores and riding was a Gore-tex ski parka I got on sale at Dick’s. It had everything I look for in a winter jacket: waterproof, breathable, 2-way zipper, lots of pocket both outside and inside. Perfect for layering. After years of good service the front zipper finally died, but I persevered using safety pins lol.

I should take it somewhere to get fixed. It’s still in perfect condition otherwise.

But I digress.

[jawa]

I second that not all Mountain Horse ones are super heavy weight/warm I was gifted the super warm one, and it has to be DOWN RIGHT FRIGID to wear it to ride or do barn chores. I have another one that has a zip out liner. It is horse specific, and is fine for damp 40’s or sunny 30’s and active.

[MMavin]

Spent the day researching this for myself. I have a Smartpak riding coat that is super comfy and warm, but the rear vent scratches my saddle. The Horze jackets with the two side zippers are where I am headed!

[friedmas]

I LOVE my kerrits riding/barn coat. Double zipper, magnetized in the back so it opens around the back of a saddle, loose in the arms for layers, form fitting, the hood can get put away into the collar if you don’t want it. It’s nice and warm and weather proof.

im not sure what model/style it is because I got it as a gift, but it is awesome

[friedmas]

I like my mountain horse for extreme weather conditions as well

[CanteringCarrot]

@MMavin

Spent the day researching this for myself. I have a Smartpak riding coat that is super comfy and warm, but the rear vent scratches my saddle. The Horze jackets with the two side zippers are where I am headed!

Yes, I love mine! Sadly they don’t make it anymore, but maybe they have a suitable replacement.

I do have a Mountain Horse Jacket… It’s nice quality but definitely for freezing or below Temps.

[lesson_junkie]

I have the oiled/waxed/treated with something quilted coat from Ariat and I am liking it. It looks nice enough to wear to the fancy barn where I trailer for lessons, and it’s holding up for barn work.