My barn coat died on me last week. :eek: The zipper won’t zip any more, and for a $30 coat I don’t think it is worth getting repaired. Any suggestions on a good brand of coat that will hold up to the rigors of the barn? I was thinking of looking at Carhartt, but I don’t think I want that heavy. I prefer to be able to layer and strip as needed. Are coats made for riding (like Kerrits) worth the extra cost?
Carharrt actually makes varying weight coats. I have one with a wool lining that is much lighter than the traditional blanket lining one my husband has.
Might be worth looking into.
I’ve had several coats over the years but Carhartts are my favorite for barn work. I don’t think the riding coats are as warm. Mountain Horse Original coat is really nice too, warm and sturdy for barn work and easier to ride in than my Carhartt coat. I usually take my thick coat off and use a thinner coat like an LL Bean parka or even a fleece to ride.
Do you mean for working around the barn, or riding, or both? I love my Mountain Horse coat. It’s for riding, but I even wear it outside of the farm. 
It’s this one: http://www.doversaddlery.com/the-original-mountain-horse-winter-jacket/p/w1-c40198a/?eid=X18A00U1000&utm_source=google&utm_medium=PLA&adpos=1o1&creative=75877010887&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&utm_campaign=NB_PLA_MountainHorse_GOOG
And you can almost always find coupons and sales at Dover. That jacket is always on sale.
I have a couple coats of varying weight that I picked up cheap at Goodwill. My light-weight coat is from Eddie Bauer and cost $6.99 and has worn like iron. The heavier coat is from LL Bean and likewise cheap and durable. I’m hard on clothes, so not feeling guilty when I eventually destroy them is a good thing.
StG
I have a hand me down carhartt from DH that I love but it is rather hot. I wear it to and from the barn and on the tractor but I layer it over a sweater or fleece so I can strip down for mucking, riding or grooming.
I had a removeable lining LL Bean field coat for years that was a bit lighter weight but I found the buttons fiddly and sometimes the lining didn’t quite settle right without some adjusting.
No oilskins ever! I’ve had two now, a slicker and an insulated barn coat and they were a real pain to clean so were super smelly.
My now 10 yr old, zipper replaced Mountain Horse youth size large winter coat gave up this winter.
'm using bulky heavier Legendary Whitetails Coat - black with hot pink. It’s sassy but heavy.
Carharts are breaking in nightmares . Painful on joints
I usually pick up Berne or CE Schmidt coats. Fraction of the price of Carhartt, same function. They, too, come in varying weights.
Wouldn’t it be nice if people winter coats had a system like winter blankets, so we’d know how heavy they were?
I have this jacket in navy: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/personalized-fleece-lined-nylon-jacket-6685 It is medium weight, but keeps me warm in single digit temps with layering. This is my second winter with it, and it still looks great. I also have an older puffy Riding Sport coat from Dover. It has a hood and a high neck, and I love it. It is only really good for colder temps though.
http://mountainhorseusa.com/jackets/mountain-horse-adventure-parka-302160
This is my hands down favorite, I prefer longer coats for winter barn work and this one is also very warm.
Do you need warm or not warm? Waterproof or not waterproof? Will you be riding in the rain or just needing to keep warm?
I have two - a lighter weight “barn coat” (I remember that being on the tag) similar to what LL Bean sells, but mine was loads cheaper several years ago on the clearance rack of a big box sporting goods store.
My other is a Carhartt. I got last season’s color (which I love) a couple years ago. After freezing my butt off in subzero Indiana over Christmas one too many times, I decided I needed a really warm coat and I could justify the $$ for it.
I did laugh to myself a couple weeks ago when I was down at the barn, at the rainbow of Carhartt or Carhartt knock-offs around the table when we went out to lunch. They’ve come a long way from the yellow-tan duck jackets.
For barn and farm work in winter I wear a one piece ski suit. Easy on, easy off, not all bundled up in layers, pants and coats – just a nice, warm ski suit over my fleece long underwear.
Another Carhartt fan here!
I wear this coat when it’s really cold: http://www.carhartt.com/products/carhartt-men-outerwear/Sandstone-Traditional-Coat-Arctic-Quilt-Lined-C26
But I wear this sweatshirt underneath, and it’s often more than enough solo: http://www.carhartt.com/products/carhartt-men-hoodies-sweatshirts/Rutland-Thermal-Lined-Hooded-Zip-Front-Sweatshirt-100632
I have this Mountain horse coat and it is awesome, warmth without too much bulk, perfect for chores and riding in during bitter cold temperatures. Bonus, it’s on sale right now. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/mountain-horse-adventure-parka-13311
I’ve had my Carhartt for about 10 years and it is still going strong. Not that it looks that great lol!
I want warm and waterproof or at least water resistant since I have to trek to bring my mare in. Not so warm that I can’t wear a sweatshirt under it, and it has to come in plus sizes (so that rules out SmartPak, their stuff runs small).
This is what I’m wearing.
https://blog.duluthtrading.com/winter-clothes-for-women/womens-duluthflex-fire-hose-parka-coat/
As someone else said, it depends on what features you want. I wanted something longer, with a drawstring waist, hood, handwarmer pockets, cargo pockets, inside pockets, water resistant, tougher than thin nylon but softer than stiff Carhart fabric… with a soft lining and insulation.
I got this coat last fall and love it.
https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16174759_10154063155687273_233718067642416745_n.jpg?oh=006f39f90c067d1322cf72e7e409c48d&oe=590F0545
here is the link to the thread that I started about it there is a link to buy the coat.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?503019-Winter-barn-walking-coat
I’m in northern Illinois. I bought this Carhartt in the fall at Farm and Fleet http://www.carhartt.com/products/carhartt-women-outerwear/Amoret-Quilted-Coat-102336 Roomy enough to get a turtleneck and fleece vest under. Double zipper so can unzip from the bottom. Longer in back to covers my butt. Very lightweight, but warm to temps around 15. Under 15 and windy and I break out the heavy Land’s End.
