Is there such a thing as a warm (i.e. almost too warm for riding in even on the coldest days) coat that isn’t bulky and huge? I am so sick of looking like a marshmallow at the barn. Has anyone found this magical unicorn of a coat out there?
Since fluff gives best insulation, there is little that can replace it.
Best embrace the Michelin Man look.
Just think, if you fall off, you will bounce better. 
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In general down or hollowfil of some kind are light and easy to move in if they fit correctly. They look fluffy but don’t feel bulky. Coats with reflective linings are warmer. Thin layers underneath help.
But nothing will keep you warm if you don’t have your head, hands, and feet protected too.
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I find that thermal underwear enables me to wear just a light jacket and be plenty warm in 15 degrees. It adds no bulk and I wear it under my sweatshirt . With flannel lined jeans I can move easily even when I need a bit heavier coat. I detest being bound up by heavy clothes.
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I bought Amazon’s own brand of puffer jacket this winter and have been quite pleased so far. (Caveats: I wear it with a thermal shirt + fleece and ride in Northern Virginia, where it hasn’t yet gottten ridiculously cold. There have been several times when I’ve wound up taking it off because it was too hot.) Very lightweight, washable, and a great price point.
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LL Bean primaloft packable jacket. They advertise it as having the best warmth-to-weight ratio available.
I have a similar jacket, no longer sold, and it is amazingly light and warm all on it’s own. If it’s really cold, I put a fleece vest under it, but that’s overkill if I’m at all active.
I ordered an Eddie Bauer CirrusLite down jacket because it comes in plus sizes, but it’s taking forever to arrive. I ordered it right after Thanksgiving and it’s still not here! I realize that shipping is slow due to COVID-19 and also, now, due to shipment of the vaccine, but still, that’s quite a while.
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i just returned one of those because they run super short. It was a beautiful copper color, but it fit like a bomber jacket and when I lifted my arms it looked like 3/4 sleeves.
Thanks for the tip. I’ll definitely hang onto the packing slip!
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Do you want to ride in it or only wear it around the barn? I have an Oros jacket, it uses a NASA aerogel insulation technology. Honestly I really like it. It wears differently than other coats, in that down/fluffy insulation creates a pocket of warmth around you so you feel like you’re in a warm “hug” when it’s workign properly. This coat, you can feel the cold on the outside and in the beginning I would be like “oh goodness…it’s creeping in, this is the beginning of the end”, but then it never comes in. You just stay at the right temperature almost no matter what (like even if I start working up a sweat – although I’ve never actually exercised in the coat so don’t know how it would handle that).
I don’t ride in it as it’s not cut for it, but it’s an awesome barn jacket. Also fully waterproof which is nice.
ETA: I have the Orion Parka - link here: https://www.orosapparel.com/products/2020-womens-orion-parka …I have an older model that doesn’t have a rear flap like this new one, so maybe you could ride in this new model?
2ETA: WOW the price went up! When I bought this it was $150…now it’s $440!! Although they do have the original model for $290 in the “last call” section
I bought a motorcycle jacket - technical fabric. Warm without bulk. Water- and wind-proof. And…teeth proof (if it can survive road rash, it can survive gelding nips). Also, built for riding - a little longer in back. Has vents you can open to avoid sweating.
I like the sound of a motorcycle jacket.
I hate bulky coats. My winter wear everywhere even riding and around the barn (and I’ve gone to work in it smelling like horse because I was too lazy to do laundry…) is a Northface Osito fleece coat. Well technically I guess it would be a jacket but that thing keeps me warm even when its 15- 20 F out. Though I wear thermal underwear and a sweatshirt or two under it and fleece lined jeans or leggings under jeans. Also those hot hands hand and feet warmers for when it’s really cold.
I was going to suggest my Duluth Trading Company parka but I can’t find it on their website anymore. 
It’s Thinsulate so… thinner than a puffy coat.
Paired with a Milwaukee battery powered heated vest underneath, I stay warm!
So if you find a thinner coat that you like, consider adding a heated layer. Here is the one I have:
The LL Bean jacket I mentioned above is made with “A fusion of NASA-developed Aerogel - the world’s lightest material - with PrimaLoft Gold insulation” $169.
