So after living in a dry climate (with an indoor), I’m now back in the land of humidity and rain (believe me, I am NOT complaining- love the rain and love our outdoor!)
But I’m now in the market for some new rain gear and looking for some advice-
what is your favorite waterproof fitted or semi-fitted jacket to ride in?
what is your go-to waterproof lightweight rain gear for barn work?
(a bit of a different topic, sort of) what is your favorite brand of softshell for a barn logo jacket?
Well, I mostly get my jackets in outdoors stores, not tack stores. The exception is my outback outfitters long waterproof breathable shell. Ankle length with a split back
It works for about an hour.
Other than that I have various parkas and shells by North Face, Columbia, Storm Tech, etc. Since I’m going to destroy them at the barn I wait for sales.
It’s important to have multiples so you can change out of them and have you something the next day in case you don’t get it dried.
You have to play around with what works for you at each rain and temperature point.
I find base layers really influence how damp you feel. A good wicking base layer plus wool sweater plus synthetic fleece hoody plus rain jacket or parka, and the sweat will wick out towards the surface. And wool or microfibre tights under breeches.
I tried a rubberized poncho for barn work but I ended getting too wet, it doesn’t cover your arms.
My favorite around the barn rain coat is the Kerrits Coach’s Coat. That + baseball cap + tall muck boots, and I can stay dry in any weather.
I have never been able to stay truly dry in PNW rain. It’s cool enough that you have to bundle up and then you sweat under your breathable membrane goretex type gear and it eventually gives up and lets in the rain.
For riding in the rain I love my Asmar coat and my Kerrit’s coach’s coat. Both keep me dry through at least two rides (though not more than that in a real deluge, and I need to swap out every couple of rides).
If I was looking for a short coat I would probably go for one of the Asmars.
This might be helpful: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-everyday-rain-jacket/
For coats, I try to stay away from riding-specific things. I think the outdoor companies do a better job at waterproof and breathable, and are often more affordable, too.
When rain is light, I usually let my legs get wet. But I will wear rain pants when it’s truly dreadful out.
I like unlined gore-tex parkas. Then I can put underneath it a wool sweater or fleece vest if I need warmth. The problem for PNW is that often it is raining and also quite warm - so all those insulated ones just suck for barn chores or riding.
My favorite one of all time was from Land’s End 30 years ago. Alas, I do not know how to purchase its equal today. I still use it, though it is no longer waterproof, and the zippers have failed, after I added some snaps to the front. It has been the perfect mix of breathable and waterproof.
I always buy my coats in large or extra large so I can layer under them and so the air is a little more comfortable, hot or cold. (I’m normally a medium.)
I also have a long Gore-Tex coat from LL Bean that is the same, but I save it for city use.
Most of the other waterproofing I’ve tried wears off the sleeves as soon as I abrade them with a bucket handle and many get clammy and wet inside even if they are technically keeping me dry. Those are fine if I can wear the wool sweater under but not so nice if it’s 50 degrees and pouring.
Having a couple to rotate among is nice so you can wash and allow them to dry if you have to use it twice a day, thus my various experiments. Still the Gore-tex even at it’s very not nice price has been the winner. Buying in January is often a successful way to get something more affordably. February is almost too late because LOL we all know it’s not going to rain again until the coats come back in in August, and selection gets scarce (unless you can rock an extra small).
So you mean Goretex specifically not just the various knockoffs used by North Face, etc? Or are you using Goretex generically as “breathable membrane”? I have lots of the latter, none of the former, but maybe I should be looking for real Goretext?
The Asmar riding coat–I love it
Thank you everyone for the suggestions- I’ll be checking them out!!!
I have a lightweight rain jacket from Noble Outfitters I really like.
Love my Kerrits Coaches coat!
Yeah, I specifically have never found anything I like as well as real brand-name Gore-tex.
For example, it is pouring here and my Patagonia Torrentshell, which is only on its second season, was completely wet inside after an hour, so wet that when I rubbed against something below my waist, my jeans and underwear soaked through. :o It’s certainly way better than not wearing a rain jacket, and it doesn’t absorb the water, but it just hasn’t held up to any kind of abrasion. It’s behaved like this since the third or fourth wearing, and I only wear it in the rain.
This is a highly rated jacket and I’m sure it’s fine for hiking where the most abrasive thing you do is wear it in a car.
I experimented a lot last year to try to find something that would work really well, be breathable, waterproof, and not precious, and I’m still looking.
I think for equestrian use we really need the waterproofing to be on the inside so that there’s an outer layer that can take some abrasion and then a really lightweight lining to keep moisture off your skin and protect the waterproofing from body oils etc. And I really need just a shell with no insulation.
REI is having some jackets on clearance right now. I’m going to take a flyer on one of their leftover house brand Gore-tex jackets in a nice ugly color. 
I bought an Ovation Ladies Topaz jacket (from Dover) to replace a North Face jacket that I’d had for almost 25 years. It was only $60 and I had exhausted the North Face Outlet ($300 really?) and other similar vendors. I have to say — wow! this little jacket is warmer, trimmer, and fits my broad shoulders and is awesome. I was initially skeptical but wow. I’m totally won over.
Hmmm interesting. The various big name brands all have their own proprietary waterproof membranes. And no they don’t hold up to rain quite as well as I would like. Maybe I will indeed look for Goretex next time out.
I have an Outback Trading Pack-a-roo rain parka that I love. The hood is big enough to put over your helmet and the sides have snaps to allow for leg position in the saddle. My hunt has approved black ones with the hunt logo for wear during both informal and formal season and I’ve stayed dry in mine for hours. (Exception being the left chest where the logo is stitched.)
I have very long thigh bones, so mine does not cover me to the knee in the saddle, but it works that way for shorter members of the hunt. And mine covers me to about mid-thigh or so. Unisex sizes and mine (XL) fits over my Melton comfortably.
I liked it so much, I bought a second in blue to wear while hacking at home in the rain.
I just got a Noble Cheval waterproof jacket for work. I like it but haven’t really tested it yet.
I also love Gore Tex . The true Gore Tex and it seems to last for years. I love Mountain Equipment Co op jackets.
And i I love my Australian dry as a bone slicker. More western but has kept me dry through many down pours or snow. Paired with chaps and you stay nice and toasty.
P.
I’ve had really good luck with Helly Hansen jackets being fairly waterproof while being a cut in a way that is also flattering in the saddle and on the ground.
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