Hoping to conquer the cold climates with the warmest riding clothes. Suggestions welcome on “tried and true” warmest of coats, jods or breeches, and boots. I’m a tall person with a riding pant inseam of 36". Anyone find a comfortable pair of jods for tall people, summer or winter wear? Thanks for any help!
Well, we are talking just trail riding out, in cold conditions-right/ Thus show attire does not need to be adhered to
I ride in the mountains, including on late fall hunts with hubby, where a blizzard can move in without warning, and while you are miles from base camp
Therefore I ride in Long Johns with sweat pants over them. My boots are the Muck Boot colt winter riding boots, with warm socks
My upper body is layered. Tee shirt, sweat shirt, maybe a sweater, warm storm jacket, toque and warm gloves.
If I am just riding around home, or at my local indoor arena, I still wear long johns and sweats, plus my Muck boots, and the upper part of me dressed according to the temp
My favorite combination:
boots: Mountain Horse winter paddock boots with thicker socks
legs: thick winter breeches (Devon-aire) with full western chaps over them (can add thick pantyhose or long Johns under breeches)
top: layers of cotton turtleneck, sweaters or sweat shirts, and Mountain Horse winter jacket
head: helmet with a winter hood hat pulled over (provides great protection for ears, nose, mouth, neck, and such, although it does interfere with one’s peripheral vision a little bit)
winter gloves
The only downsize to the above mentioned outfit is that, when in my full winter gear, I bear a striking resemblance to a golem, but I’d rather look unappealing than suffer from cold.
Enjoy your winter riding! 
ETA: I prefer full western to full English chaps, because winter riding boots are bulky and full western chaps seem to accommodate bulk more easily.
Thanks for your suggestions and time, I’m looking into the Devon-Aire breech with a full leather chap. Hearing a lot about the warmth of leather over breeches.
Thank you for your suggestions!
Cycling gear is great! We have tights with a “Wind stop” front that are thin and easy to move in but keep you toasty warm I have a list of other stuff but no time right now, I’ll think about it later
I am 5’10 and my favorite riding pants are Kerrits. I just picked up a bootcut winter pair and have some for summer as well. I don’t remember the specific type but they work well for my long legs.
I’m in Northern Canada - North North. We typically ride down to -20ºC. My go to is a pair of Mountain Equipment Co-op’s thermal base layer (pant and shirt) http://www.mec.ca/product/5026-607/mec-t3-long-johns-womens/?h=10+50093+50020+50106&f=10+50093+50106+51005 I usually layer a light wool sweater and a hoodie over this, followed by a down vest.
Seriously, buy a quality down vest - mine is also from MEC. It will be your best friend. Warm enough for your core, but enough arm mobility for riding. Jackets are just far too bulky IMO.
I ride in either Mountain Horse winter insulated field boots, or half chaps and a winter paddock boot. Medium weight Smart Wool socks are a must - I always buy my winter gear 1/2 size too big to allow for extra room for layering and air circulation. Tight = Cold.
Also, in my opinion, the insulated winter breeches don’t help a whole lot unless you have a good thermal base layer underneath - but that’ll depend on where you’re at - It gets pretty stupid cold here!
Tropical Rider makes winter tights in long lengths, and they’re plenty long enough for my 35" inseam. Kerrits are also pretty long. I would DIE without my full chaps in the winter–I live in South Dakota and I ride down to about 0F or a bit lower if it’s not too windy. Chaps + fleece breeches + GOOD baselayer (I like Under Armour cold weather running tights) = I survive.
My other special trick is Horseware fleece wellie warmers as regular socks. These can generally be found on closeout at Dover for under $15. Very bulky but very warm, especially under insulated boots. I have a fleece balaclava that I can pull over the lower half of my face, and I put a cotton headband under my helmet. My upper body is usually compression-style baselayer, cotton t-shirt, hoodie or sweater, safety vest, and barn coat from an old barn. And thinsulate lined leather gloves (although my hands don’t get super cold).
I had a pair of full-seat winter riding pants from Mountain Horse that were the warmest thing ever. Basically, a riding version of snowmobiling pants. Put them on over a pair of tights and you were good for anything.
Irideon have Wind Pro breeches and long underwear.
I’m not sure how cold you’re talking, so ymmv, but I also like the smartwool socks. They make a knee high version that I just love for riding in cold weather. If necessary, long johns under breeches. And definitely a nice merino wool base layer, with however many layers over top you need. Sweater, fleece vest, down vest, etc.
For gloves I really like these SSG winter gloves, https://www.smartpakequine.com/ssg-winter-training-glove-2095p but again they might not be enough depending what kind of cold you’re talking.
Somewhere, oh somewhere I saw a long undershirt with thumb holes.Meaning you can pull it down over your hand and anchor it with your thumb hole.Now I can’t find it.
Chall, Patagonia makes shirts with thumbholes.
Starting from the feet, I wear regular boots but add silk sock liners under regular socks. For wet conditions add “Seal Skin” liners with a slightly lighter sock and silk liners.
Muck boots with similar liners can work, too.
Silk long handles with wool breeches work nicely (the silk from Cabelas and the breeches from What Price Glory; they are a recreation of 1930s era Cavlary breeches).
Cotton undershirt, silk long sleeved undershirt, and wool overshirt (again, Cabelas and WPG). If it’s windy and dry a leather jacket (lined). If it’s going to be wet either a Filson “tin cloth” jacket or have the poncho handy to go over leather.
Leather gloves (from WPG and/or Home Depot) with silk liners. I’ve got some winter riding gloves (brand unknown) that work well in wetter weather.
Helmet with some “ear warmers” my wife made up (fleece that attach to the helmet rigging). She has a helmet cover that has ear flaps on it; don’t remember where she got it.
One non-clothing way to stay warm is to dismount and walk every 45 min. or so for a few minutes. This rests the horse’s back and restores circulation to the rider’s limbs.
We don’t have temps in the single digits around here very often but our cold is often damp and penetrating.
G.
I ride with a mounted search and rescue group. We emphasize to our members to dress in wool, silk, and/or synthetics, particularly for winter riding. Cotton is a poor insulator when wet and remains wet for a long time. The temps don’t have to be frigid to develop hypothermia if you are wet. Dress smart and be prepared for a long day even if you plan on being out an hour. A short, fun trail ride can develop into something else if you get wet. If you think getting a cowgirl/cowboy to wear a helmet is difficult, try getting one not to wear jeans.
[QUOTE=Chall;7908868]
Somewhere, oh somewhere I saw a long undershirt with thumb holes.Meaning you can pull it down over your hand and anchor it with your thumb hole.Now I can’t find it.[/QUOTE]
I picked up one of those at Costco.
Having had frostbite on my toes, I’d die without Electric Socks.
