New Smartpak apparel-quality?

[saitou_amaya]

Smartpak has their new fall stuff recently and has some new items I’m curious about. Wondering if anyone has yet bought any of the new stuff and could speak to their quality since there are no reviews yet. They have some new paddock boots, their Eliza paddock boots, that look pretty nice. And they are much cheaper than Ariat or Treadstep, which are my usual go-to. I desperately need new paddock boots and I’m trying to decide if I should try them.

They also have a new Piper Down jacket that looks pretty nice https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/piper-down-jacket-by-smartpak-20463 But i remember the previous version of this jacket had a weird fit and bad review. They also re-did the Piper schooling breeches, which I loved. has anyone tried the new version and speak to how they compare with the old ones? I feel like Smartpak’s apparel can be really hit or miss.

[EVneo]

Unless their piper’s have gotten better since May, the two pairs I bought are already pilling in the crotch. The knee patch and full seat materials also somehow absorbed stains from my 20 year old saddle. I’d shy away from breeches. I did just get a sun shirt on sale from them - it’s a cheap sunshirt shrugs I’m starting to shy away from Smartpak, which is a shame since they’ve been my go to for the last however many years

[HeyJealousy]

I, too, am interested in the paddock boots!

[skipollo]

@EVneo

Unless their piper’s have gotten better since May, the two pairs I bought are already pilling in the crotch. The knee patch and full seat materials also somehow absorbed stains from my 20 year old saddle. I’d shy away from breeches. I did just get a sun shirt on sale from them - it’s a cheap sunshirt shrugs I’m starting to shy away from Smartpak, which is a shame since they’ve been my go to for the last however many years

Same, they used to be my go-to but in the last few years they’ve really gone downhill overall.

I have many pairs of Pipers and some Hadleys. The Hadleys are much nicer but are still very inconsistent in their sizing between different colors (28R in tan is totally different from 28R in gray, for example.) The Pipers are cheap schooling breeches. My old ones from when they first released are a lot more durable than the more updated version.

I have a few other SP brand things, like a sun shirt and a saddle pad. Overall not impressed, poor stitching and cheap feeling material.

Honestly if I was looking for new boots, I wouldn’t even consider theirs. There is a reason they’re cheap, and I’d rather stick with a tried and true like Ariat.

I will say, I’m pleased with their in house blanket line. I have two Deluxe turnouts, one blanket and one sheet. The blanket lasted four years and was not very expensive. The sheet is getting to be around that age and is still in really great shape. I’d definitely re order the Deluxe sheet if I needed another one.

For human attire though, I would pass on SP brand items.

[joiedevie99]

I really like the full seat Piper tights because the pocket is big enough to fit a phone. That said, the sizing varies from color to color and they don’t seem like they’re going to hold up more than one season. The silicone on the seat is wearing down fast.

[BatCoach]

I’m still a Hadley fan, but I wish they would make their silicon FS breeches a tad bit thicker, and a bit more silicone. The piper 2.0 tights were a hard no for me. Cheap fabric and the fit just did not suit me. My journey to find a good silicone FS tight for under $70 continues!

[WBmare]

I really like their piper tights. Perfect summer schooling breeches. I was just eyeing the new Hadley Riding Jacket 2.0 today. I like that the hood is removable so I have options. But its so new there is only 1 review right now.

[Obsidian_Fire]

I’ll second the comment that while I like the Hadley FS breeches really well - sizing is inconsistent between colors!

As for the Hadley tights - NO. Hard no. I ordered the “regular” ones - they were so thin material I didn’t even put them on. Then they came out with the winter version, I thought hmm maybe, so I ordered. They might work for winter in Florida!

Needless to say they got sent back.

[saitou_amaya]

I think I might just give the Smartpak Eliza paddock boots a try. They are nearly half the price of Ariat or Treadsteps so for that price, might as well give them a try. If I get them, I will definitely report back and also post a review on Smartpak.

I think I’m going to pass on the new Piper winter down jacket though. It isn’t that much cheaper than Ariat’s down jacket, which always has great reviews and looks super warm.

[bip]

@BatCoach

I’m still a Hadley fan, but I wish they would make their silicon FS breeches a tad bit thicker, and a bit more silicone. The piper 2.0 tights were a hard no for me. Cheap fabric and the fit just did not suit me. My journey to find a good silicone FS tight for under $70 continues!

I wish the Hadley tights came in more colors! I tried on the Pipers because they have more colors and I totally agree with you.

[streamline]

Hadley all the way! Those riding tights are amazing I bought some when I was pregnant so I had breeches that fit. I’ve continued to wear them, outside of riding. The breeches are great as well.

following to see a review on the boots. I stay away from anything piper.

[skipollo]

@saitou_amaya

I think I might just give the Smartpak Eliza paddock boots a try. They are nearly half the price of Ariat or Treadsteps so for that price, might as well give them a try. If I get them, I will definitely report back and also post a review on Smartpak.

I think I’m going to pass on the new Piper winter down jacket though. It isn’t that much cheaper than Ariat’s down jacket, which always has great reviews and looks super warm.

I have the Ariat down jacket, and it’s A+. Very durable, washes well, really warm (not dead of winter warm, but it’s great for fall and spring in PA.) It also has a flattering fit and is comfortable to ride in. Pockets are big enough for your phone easily. Def worth the $!

[TWH_Girl]

@saitou_amaya

I think I might just give the Smartpak Eliza paddock boots a try. They are nearly half the price of Ariat or Treadsteps so for that price, might as well give them a try. If I get them, I will definitely report back and also post a review on Smartpak.

I think I’m going to pass on the new Piper winter down jacket though. It isn’t that much cheaper than Ariat’s down jacket, which always has great reviews and looks super warm.

Except that the Piper jacket has a hood. I may try it for the price and I love the wine color. I have the Ariat Ideal jacket as well and it is a great jacket, but I like a hood for walks and such.

[tikihorse2]

I’ll be the dissenting voice about their horse blankets. I bought one of their Rockin’ SP Ultimate Waterproof Turnout Blankets a couple of years ago for my guy. Measured him carefully to make sure I got the right size. He absolutely destroyed it within a week. :no:

[js]

Regarding the blankets, I bought the Rockin SP sheets, knew specifically what sizes my horses needed, the sheets were so cut so small they were unusable, I would have had to order several sizes up to get something that fit with that kind of sizing.

Same was true for their Piper jacket, was sized small. If you are at the top end of their sizing then I’d consider something else; however, if you wear smaller sizes and can go up that’s fine. Reviews seem to be all over the place on sizing so maybe it’s hit and miss???

[skipollo]

^^I agree with the Rockin SP blankets. The blankets I like are the regular Deluxe line. I got a Rockin SP on mega sale for my QH, and that blanket is a joke. It fits him like a mini skirt, the material is cheap, the neck cut is awful and gapes even though it’s designed specifically for stock breeds, and the sizing is very off. He’s worn the same size since we bought him…in like 2001…but somehow that size in the Rockin SP is short.

[saitou_amaya]

Well since this got bumped back up to the top, I got the Eliza paddock boots delivered. Overall the quality seems just okay. They are lace in the front and zip in the back and the back is just the zipper. No snap or anything to protect the back of your ankle and prevent the zipper from rubbing or sliding down like other boots. The leather quality seems nice but a little stiff. I haven’t been able to ride in them yet because I’ve been sick but I’m hoping they will break is easier than they look like they will.

[trubandloki]

Since we are discussing the Rockin SP Blankets - My round mare has a problem with her belly sticking out the bottom of some brands. That is not the case with the Rocking SP ultimate turn out sheet/blanket. I buy the size she takes in everything else and it fits just perfect. Even with rough play it has held up well. We did break one front buckle that they replaced.

@saitou_amaya

They are lace in the front and zip in the back and the back is just the zipper. No snap or anything to protect the back of your ankle and prevent the zipper from rubbing or sliding down like other boots.

Is a snap typical on paddock boots?
My paddock boots zip up the back and there is no snap or tab. Just the zipper.

[MissAriel]

I got a pair of Hadley silicone fs this summer as a low-cost alternative to my favorite Romfh Sarafinas. Out of the box I liked them a lot - especially the back pocket for my phone, silicone not too grippy - very similar to a traditional fs, while being more breathable during summer. The pair I got fit ok, but not great. That said, they don’t wear as well as the Sarafinas, getting stretched out already in the knee area, and it is disappointing to hear that the sizing between colors is wonky.

[saitou_amaya]

Well I’m going to just send the Smartpak Eliza paddock boots back and get Ariat instead. The plan today was to wear the boots to Target and other errands then go to the barn but they didn’t even make it to the barn before I had to take them off. The fit is just all wrong. They are very hard to zip which initially I told myself they just need to break in. And they are very narrow in the foot. I have pretty small feet, size 6.5, and never have had to buy wide before. But these feel like they are squeezing my feet. Maybe others will have better luck but these are a no for me,