I need a heavy jacket for riding on cold days. I prefer one that is a bit longer to cover the tops of my thighs and bum. I tried the Kerrits Warm Wrap Insulated Parka and was disappointed by the boxy fit.
Any suggestions?
I like my Eddie Bauer parkas for barn work! But I just bought a winter riding skirt off of Etsy and like that SO much more for riding. I find the parka typically ends up bunched under my butt while riding and certainly doesn’t keep my legs as warm as the skirt does.
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I made my own riding skirt out of polar fleece and when riding tonight in 31F I was comfy in a Nike thermal long sleeve, a vest, regular breeches, and that - no jacket layer. The downside is if you have a horse that is sensitive to static, you need to make sure you can draw it up (I have snaps on mine to bustle it) - otherwise you better be able to ride crow hops (like I had tonight… I think she was also annoyed that I was making her carry her butt underneath her)
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I have the Horze Brooke parka and love it. It’s warm, comfy to ride in, and holds up to the wear-and-tear of barn chores. Plus it has an absurd number of pockets to hold all the crap I wind up carrying around at the barn 
Well, I have a Dover parka, I don’t remember the make, but it’s got a lot of the qualities of this one:
https://www.doversaddlery.com/ds-franconia-parka/p/X1-401067/
I like it well enough, though the bulk of winter riding gear is just infuriating to me in general so there’s nothing I’m going to “love”.
I love the Asmar all weather riding coat. Its roomy enough to layer under, has a rear zipper to fit over saddles, and I think it looks super stylish.
I have the Le Mieux Loire. It’s super comfy and I love it, except the hood is huge if you’re not wearing a helmet (eta: i.e. when you’re not riding).
I did that too! The Ukrainian one. I haven’t used it yet although I regretted that on the trail yesterday. It was above freezing but the wind chill was ferocious.
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A Canadian company called Leveza makes riding clothes, including long winter coats designed to be ridden in. I’ve never tried one of their coats, but the breeches I have from them are very thoughtfully designed.
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I use an oilskin (waxed cotton canvas) duster for barn chores, and for riding on cold/windy days. The one I have is from Kakadu Traders, and I’ve had it for years.
The coat is wind-proof, water-proof, long enough to protect your butt and upper legs, and made for work in the saddle. And it is tough; the fabric isn’t prone to snagging/tearing, and there are no zippers to blow out.
I layer this over a mid-layer depending on how cold it is; a light fleece jacket for moderate cold, a lightweight down jacket for dry cold, and my favorite; a heavy wool turtleneck sweater for severe cold/blizzard conditions.
Give one a try sometime.
(edit to add): My problem is my fingers freezing, and I haven’t found a real good solution. I do have a rechargeable hand warmer that is useful, but you have to stop what your are doing while using it. I will also mention that if your critters are blanketed, there is a nice, friendly hand warmer to be had by putting your frozen digits under the blanket, either along the withers, or above their rump. If it ain’t toasty under the blanket, you need to go shopping . . .
Not a “long” jacket but bought a heated jacket off Amazon. Total game changer!
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SmartPak and Horseware have some.
I just ordered this one - I know several people who have them and love them; I’m only afraid I’ll get too hot riding in the indoor with it on.
I’m returning this one - it’s lighter than I wanted and doesn’t have a hood but I know someone who absolutely loves hers.
I have this Horseware one - I do really like it but it runs a little bit small and there are a few things with the liner that I don’t love.
I have had one of these for several years. Expensive but worth it. Rain, snow, wind proof, washable and looks great.
I found a Mountain Horse I really like. It looks like one they call Mountain Rider. I thought it was way too huge until I rode and it covered my thighs.
I also got some 3-finger riding mittens which I think are Mountain Horse… They were around $35-40 and warm up my pinkey and thumb.
Zippo has a rechargeable handwarmer you can keep in you pocket. It works.
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I ordered a LeMieux riding coat from the UK, and it’s really comfortable and warm, and with the exchange rate, was less than the Dover or Smartpak store brands.
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I have an old Harry Hall that is the best, but my Asmar is also quite nice.
Would you mind sharing a picture and or basic instructions? I sew so dimensions and a hint or two should get me going.
thank you.
Sure! It’s really easy, especially if you have a serger or overlocker to finish the edges. (note: you can just use a circle skirt calculator if you want like the one from By Hand London https://byhandlondon.com/pages/circle-skirt-app) Really what you’re making is a wrap skirt that can bustle, if you’re comfortable with that, you can skip to like step 4. Mine is a full circle because it looks pretty but a 3/4 would probably be fine. I’ve gotten a silly number of compliments on it (also comments like “are you riding in a dress?!” from people who should really know better).
- Measure your waist (OVER your riding layers, I like mine over my puffer vest), add a few inches if you want overlap (I recommend a few inches) and your drop (mine falls to mid-shin ish, which is fine since my mare’s blanket is a 72" so the skirt reaches to her dock)
- Calculate the radius and circumference of your waist using the measurement above. Your waist band piece(s) (I baglined mine in a stable poplin because I didn’t want to deal with interfacing) will be your circumference plus 3-4" for the attaching tab
- Ideally using 60" wide yardage of your chosen fabric (I used a polar fleece from Rockywoods Fabric), trace out your waist circle (I folded it in quarters to only have one cut edge or your can piece) and then measure out your drop from the waistline. Cut and if nessicary, piece.
- Trim in desired ribbon, I used a reflective one but couldn’t tell you where I found it at this point.
- Attach waistband. The overlap should go entirely on one end like you’re sewing a trouser waistband. You can do buttons or hook/bar or velcro. I did velcro because I was feeling lazy. 6 years later it still holds up.
- To bustle: add snaps or buttons at the very back and then 4" to either side and then at three equal points directly below the waistband. Don’t be like me and use delicate snaps, use the big ones.
- If you want to add leg loops: I measured out 1 1/2 times my calf circumference (in my boots) in elastic. I firmly sewed one end near the hem, roughly 10" in from the center and then put a snap at the other end. The matching end of the snap went along the center hem maybe 8" up from the bottom hem. Play around with placement, it just helps keep it from flapping around in the wind or at speed.
Hope that helps!
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I found a very lightly used North Face ski parka on eBay that is great for riding.
It checks all the requirements I need in a winter riding jacket:
- it covers my bum and upper thighs when I am riding.
- it has a 2-way zipper with a flap that snaps shut.
- it’s waterproof and wind-proof, insulated and warm but not bulky, somewhat fitted, with a removable hood.
- It has lots of pockets outside and inside.
- It’s perfect for riding outdoors or warming up in the indoor.
I love it and I only paid about $30 for it. Score!
I also have a very warm, very long, hooded riding coat made in Switzerland that was a gift from my sister. I love it for walking the dog in frigid weather, but it’s way too nice to wear at the barn and way too warm to ride in anyway.
Anyone else missing the original Mountain Horse coats. I wish they were still made, mine are getting very worn and I would love to replace them
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