Rain gear?

[Cynical25]

My North Texas property is essentially a lake right now, with nothing but more rain in the forecast. Does anyone have recommendations for rain gear? Most of what I’m finding is insulated for cold climates, when I’m most likely to need it between 40-90°F.

My $25 Tractor Supply muck boots have sprung a leak, 3rd pair in 3 years. I’m prepared to invest a bit if there are a trusted brand with known longevity. These are for general horse/property management, not riding.

Is there such as thing as a breathable rain jacket? My Columbia rain jacket (marketed for hiking) makes me sweat so much I might as well be in the rain.

[Guilherme]

IIRC Goretex is advertised as a breathable fabric. Can’t say how much it really is as I’ve never worn any.

We, too, get lots of warm rain in East TN. I sometimes use a standard “Fish” slicker. Here is what my wife and I both use: http://www.cowboyshop.com/old-time-pommel-slicker-p-358.html No rain gear that works is really comfortable if it’s hot and humid but these do the job with reasonable comfort and value.

I also have a reproduction of a 1912 Marine Corps poncho. It’s a pretty heavy rubberized canvas and is warm on warm days. The company that made it is no longer in business. I don’t know of any other source.

For colder weather I have a reproduction of the M1908 Mounted Coat. http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/6688-US-M1908-Mounted-Pattern-Raincoat-for-Cavalry/ It is an excellent product but it is heavy. And it was designed to be worn over the soldier and his equipment and protect the cantle roll (with bedding, etc.). So it was designed by Fashions by Omar (the Tentmaker). It is HUGE. I’d recommend a poncho before I’d recommend this in a very warm climate but it is an alternative.

I’ve tried rainsuits before (separate trousers and jacket) and for ground work they are OK but are not suited to mounted work as they are not cut to allow for the position you must assume in the saddle. If you go a couple of sizes larger than you’d otherwise need they can work, but now you’ve got a bunch of extra material where you don’t really need it (or even want it). The legs also tend to be short due to the trousers “riding up” and that reduces protection of your legs and boots.

I’m sorry to hear of your problems with Muck Boots. I’ve always found them to be of good quality. Presently my wet weather boots (and we get 50" of rain, more or less, per year here in East TN) are from Noble Outfitters. https://www.nobleoutfitters.com/products/muds-cold-front-womens-high I put up the woman’s version as I think that’s what you will be looking for!!! Mine are now three years old and show virtually NO signs of wear and they get worn quite a bit. You can find cheaper options, but you do get what you pay for.

I’m sure others can give you additional options.

Good luck in your search and I hope your rain abates soon.

G.

[sophie]

Look for breathable unlined, longish rain jacket (preferably with 2-way zip) that also has pit zips (underarm zippers) for ventilation. I have one like that but it’s on its last legs and I haven’t been able to find the exact same one (of course!).

For barn chores etc. I have Bogs boots, very comfy to walk in, totally waterproof and I can even ride in them, but they might be too warm for your climate.

For riding treks I have a poncho, and with my Ariat Terrain H20 + leather chaps I stayed dry even in downpours.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sentier-adult-poncho-dark-grey-id_8277825.html

[clanter]

I am in Ft Worth, over 35 inches of rain in less than six weeks… I just have accepted I will get wet much like dealing with a monsoon in Asia… at least our land has a few degrees of slope so no standing water.

As a note friends of daughter have horses standing in water over their ankles (the video is really disheartening to me) yet they refuse the offer of dry stalls that we have in excess

This is becoming a slow motion disaster

[Cynical25]

@clanter I’m just east of Dallas, with that horrible “black gumbo” clay I know Texans aren’t supposed to complain about rain, but roads and bridges are being destroyed from this excess. Hard to believe just 2 months the ground was so dry I had to water my home’s foundation, yet today my house and barn appear to be islands in a lake…

[clanter]

@Cynical25

Hard to believe just 2 months the ground was so dry I had to water my home’s foundation, …

yes two months ago at the end of August we had just ended five months of not a drop of rain… our water bill was so high the city came out to see if we had a bad water meter

We are not on the pure gumbo but sort of a mix, what is most helpful for us our land has a gradual sloped from the northeast corner to the southwest corner… just looking it appears level

Even our horses are pretty much accepting the doom. They were out yesterday for the first time in a week. I was fully expecting them to just tear the place up, but they trotted some then just stood to look

[Bluey]

We have used for years a raincoat and pants from Walmart, in their sports section.
We bought two for an emergency, they are really cheap, but well made.
They are light and fine in hot weather, can put it over winter clothes.
We thought we would buy better ones later, but these refuse to die.
Since then, years ago, we have used them regularly and for long time in the rainy stretches and they are still like new.

I tried Muckboots a few years ago and didn’t like them, too thin soles for me.
This year tried a new pair, with an extra insole and I am really liking them.
They were on sale somewhere, don’t remember where:

https://www.muckbootcompany.com/coll…12625606180958

Sure feel sorry for those flooding, that looks awful in the news.

[clanter]

maybe this can put what is occurring into some perspective, and note Austin is the 11th largest city in the United States

[h=1]Lake Travis Has Taken On More Water In One Week Than Austin Uses In Four Years[/h] http://www.kut.org/post/lake-travis-has-taken-more-water-one-week-austin-uses-four-years

[Jarpur]

I have an ancient Goretex (authentic Goretex, the real deal) that works for me if I have to be out in a downpour. In lesser rain, I get by with a very lightweight water-resistant windbreaker that was a conference giveaway. Always wear a big-brimmed hat, but a water-resistant Tilley hat if it’s really pouring.

During the summer, when they were on sale at TSC, I bought a pair of the Western Chief Neoprene Ditsy Dot Rain Boots (retail $29.99) and they’ve been fine. Went up a size so that they’d be very easy to slip on and off without pulling at my socks.

But, if it’s not pouring, just wettish, I prefer an old pair of Ariat zip-up paddock boots.