Piper Softshell Show Coat

[KandC]

I’d like a basic navy softshell coat at a price point that doesn’t hurt my vet student soul. Used softshells in my size are hard to find, so I’m looking for a low price point coat for occasional use.

It does have 4 buttons and a double vent. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/piper-softshell-show-coat-by-smartpak--12671

Appropriate for B circuit Hunters or just save for an RJ Classics? Anyone tried it firsthand? Fit?

[PNWjumper]

I haven’t seen them in person, but it looks nice enough in the pics.

I bought myself a purple Horseware coat for $100 (this one: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/horseware-competition-jacket-11008) and absolutely love it! I wish that the plainer colors had a little more flash to them (like colored collar/piping options) and I’d buy the navy and green too. I have quite a few nicer (Animo, Horse Pilot, Pikeur, etc.) coats and honestly, I prefer my cheap Horseware coat to quite a few of my nicer ones. I doubt it will last as long, but it’s super lightweight, washes up beautifully, and hangs nicely on me (I think).

Here it is in action:
http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/PNWjumper/media/Facebook/2016%20Horseshows/13558653_10154359614103408_8938820457993855521_o_zpsq7ssro4g.jpg.html?o=15
http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/PNWjumper/media/Facebook/2016%20Horseshows/13603235_10154359613848408_294557672358760792_o_zpsw5l47sc3.jpg.html?o=24

I think it’s awesome that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a nice softshell coat now! IOW, I think you have quite a few options and it’s probably worth a trip to a tack store to try on a few and see which fits you best.

[AmmyByNature]

[QUOTE=PNWjumper;8824020]
I haven’t seen them in person, but it looks nice enough in the pics.

I bought myself a purple Horseware coat for $100 (this one: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/horseware-competition-jacket-11008) and absolutely love it! I wish that the plainer colors had a little more flash to them (like colored collar/piping options) and I’d buy the navy and green too. I have quite a few nicer (Animo, Horse Pilot, Pikeur, etc.) coats and honestly, I prefer my cheap Horseware coat to quite a few of my nicer ones. I doubt it will last as long, but it’s super lightweight, washes up beautifully, and hangs nicely on me (I think).

Here it is in action:
http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/PNWjumper/media/Facebook/2016%20Horseshows/13558653_10154359614103408_8938820457993855521_o_zpsq7ssro4g.jpg.html?o=15
http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/PNWjumper/media/Facebook/2016%20Horseshows/13603235_10154359613848408_294557672358760792_o_zpsw5l47sc3.jpg.html?o=24

I think it’s awesome that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a nice softshell coat now! IOW, I think you have quite a few options and it’s probably worth a trip to a tack store to try on a few and see which fits you best.[/QUOTE]

I actually have both the Piper in question and the Horseware “Berry” jacket that PNWJumper is talking about. Both of them are very nice coats for the money. I’m a size smaller in the Piper than in the Horseware.

I also have Animo and Spooks coats, but these are lovely and about 1/5 the price.

Both of them have very long arms - and I thought that I had very long arms, and I think I’ll eventually shorten the arms a little bit. They have very nice touches found in expensive coats.

I’d buy one of each and try them on and send one back. If you time it right with the closing date on your credit card you shouldn’t even have to pay for them both before you get refunded for one!

[LucilleBluth]

S/O - Are there any cheaper soft shell coats that don’t have zipper pockets? My traditional side can’t handle the zipper pockets.

[AmmyByNature]

[QUOTE=LucilleBluth;8825218]
S/O - Are there any cheaper soft shell coats that don’t have zipper pockets? My traditional side can’t handle the zipper pockets.[/QUOTE]

There are some RJ’s in the $250-range that have flap pockets.

[Dubarry]

[QUOTE=KandC;8823840]
I’d like a basic navy softshell coat at a price point that doesn’t hurt my vet student soul. Used softshells in my size are hard to find, so I’m looking for a low price point coat for occasional use.

It does have 4 buttons and a double vent. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/piper-softshell-show-coat-by-smartpak--12671

Appropriate for B circuit Hunters or just save for an RJ Classics? Anyone tried it firsthand? Fit?[/QUOTE]

I purchased it during one of their 20% off sales - which made it very reasonable for a softshell. I am a coat snob and I was actually somewhat pleased. However, it was not meant to be for me. I originally ordered a medium but I was swimming in that. I exchanged for a small. The length was great, the material was flattering. However, I am very pear shaped. The small did not taper to accommodate the fluffiness in my hips and created a crease/fabric pulled along the back and it was not pretty. The coat comes with nice hanger and bag so its ready to show when you get it - Kudos Smartpak! I think its a nice coat for the money, it just did not work out for me. FWIW, I typically wear a 8 in RJ Classics and 14 in GP.

[inca]

I don’t know whether to thank PNWjumper or be mad at her! I love my inexpensive Horseware soft shell coats. I have the blue and the black. I had no idea they now come in hunter green! Saw this thread yesterday and ordered one from Dover. Had a $10 rewards gift certificate that expires tomorrow so used it too. Can’t wait for the coat to get here!

I actually prefer my Horseware coats over my Pikeur and my RJ Classics. Especially the black one. I wish the blue was a true navy. It’s too light to wear at the big AA shows. Fine for the local shows and the smaller As.

[PNWjumper]

[QUOTE=inca;8827362]
I don’t know whether to thank PNWjumper or be mad at her! I love my inexpensive Horseware soft shell coats. I have the blue and the black. I had no idea they now come in hunter green! Saw this thread yesterday and ordered one from Dover.[/QUOTE]

Lol! I’m jealous! I really want to order the green one.

But I bought myself the berry Horseware coat and then a new Horse Pilot show coat this year (if this helps enable anyone else, here’s the link to a Horse Pilot custom configurator where you can pick from a handful of base colors, a boatload of collar/cuff/pocket/elbow patch/martingale colors, and in a bunch of different configurations, and at the end of the day the coat cost me around $400 with shipping: http://custom.mon-cheval.com/configurator-riding-jacket-Horse-Pilot-customize-59-p.htm), and I can’t justify another at the end of the show season.

Would love to see pictures of your blue coat, inca. I love the idea of the not-quite-navy blue and would love to see it “in real life” since it’s tough to gauge the color on the tack shop sites.

[inca]

I think the new ones might be a little darker than mine. I’ve been wanting to see a new one in person before I order ANOTHER blue Horseware jacket - LOL

Hopefully you can see this picture.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202124839474650&l=07e190c595

[inca]

[QUOTE=LucilleBluth;8825218]
S/O - Are there any cheaper soft shell coats that don’t have zipper pockets? My traditional side can’t handle the zipper pockets.[/QUOTE]

Keep an eye out on Dover clearance. I actually got my RJ Classics soft shell (with flap pockets) on clearance for $99. It is a very, very dark grey.