Riding in the Rain — What Gear Do You Swear By?

[TightHairnet]

This feels like the rainiest spring/summer we’ve had in forever, and I’m officially out of excuses not to ride. I’m starting to think this weather might never end… so I need to figure out a setup that keeps both me and my saddle reasonably dry.

I know riding in drizzle (or worse) is basically an open invitation for my horse to test her bucking skills, but here we are.

So, fellow soggy riders — what’s your go-to rain gear?
• Saddle slickers?
• Nylon quarter sheets?
• Equestrian-specific ponchos?
• Just a regular rain poncho from the camping section?

Any brands or setups that actually work without flapping around or making your horse hate life?

Bonus points for anything that doesn’t make me feel like I’m riding in a crinkly garbage bag.

Thanks in advance from me and my mildly offended mare

[LilRanger]

Having just spent 10 days in Iceland where I’d you don’t go out in the train, you stay in all day, iwent riding or hiking most days. I suggest a well fitting rain jacket, and warm breeches. I rode in rain pants over my tights, which was fine. I wore hiking boots, and the sales were all just plain old leather saddles, none looked damaged by rain. So yeah, don’t let that rain stop you!

[cbg]

I like the Lemieux RideOn saddle cover - it has silicone on the outside so it’s not slick. I’ve showed in the jumpers with it on and didn’t feel like I was taking my life in my hands.

[Foxglove]

I ride in all weather --except sleet which might cause ice on the ground. When I rode the MI Shore to Shore (250 miles, 14 days) there was only one day of rain. To the last, all the riders rode in “Muddy Creek” rain gear. As a fox hunter (just retired after 58 seasons), Muddy Creek seems to be the gear of choice on the hunt field too. FYI the woman who started the company was a Shore To Shore rider at one point, or so I am told.

As to the flapping, that’s a training issue. None of my horses react to my rain coat or my Winter Riding Skirt (canvas lined with wool). I ONCE tried riding in waterproof pants —felt like I was riding in a diaper. True, the rain was kept out, but all body sweat was kept in!

The Long Rain Coat

[Rel6]

What are the temps? For a wet, but warm ride I find that really thin breeches (like the Free Ride lux) dry so fast that I don’t worry about getting soaked. I just wear a very thin raincoat and keep my saddle covered.

I have this raincoat (I got it used, so didn’t pay this price - just posting for an example of how thin they come): https://www.amazon.com/Pikeur-Ultra-Light-Jacket-SAFIR/dp/B0999JK3PS?th=1&psc=1

If your climate is going to be cool and wet, that advice changes

[pnwstomp]

It depends on temps, but if it’s not too warm I like a polyurethane rain jacket that hits mid thigh and provides a poncho like effect without being too billowy. Rains makes some nice ones you can find for a good price on poshmark. Some have hoods big enough to go over a helmet.

I found a pair of grand prix waterproof pants on eBay for $20 that are nice when it’s super wet. They go over your breeches and you can take them off without getting off your horse. Otherwise just thin breeches that dry quickly.

[MorganMaresVT]

I will be the naysayer on Muddy Creek - I heard all the rave reviews and was thrilled to get a steal of a deal on a mid-thigh length riding coat at Equine Affaire a couple of years ago. Sadly, the waterproofing on the coat gave up within 6-8 months, and this was mostly using it for chores and not even really riding in much rain. In anything more than a drizzle, it left me soaked through.

If you order from them without trying in person, just know the sizing is not typical; I often will buy a large in riding apparel because I have a large chest on a short but broad frame, but in Muddy Creek a small was swimming on me.

[BAC]

@pnwstomp

I found a pair of grand prix waterproof pants on eBay for $20 that are nice when it’s super wet. They go over your breeches and you can take them off without getting off your horse.

A pair of Grand Prix rain breeches was one of our Christmas gifts to our trainer one year and she came back from a winter in Ocala and said they were priceless. Apparently it was a wet winter that year and she said she wore them frequently, I think they snapped down the sides to take them off while riding? Anyway it was one of her favorite gifts.

[CuriosoJorge]

A Barbour, appropriately rewaxed at intervals.

[Astride]

Saw some incredible rain pants from Horse Pilot at Horsemen’s Outlet in NJ over the weekend. I would have tried them on if I was riding more than once a week only at home.

[risuenaVT]

I find rain coats of any type to be hot and sweaty when it’s a hot humid, rainy day. I would rather deal with getting wet. I do have a vented noble equestrian rain coat with a hood that I will wear for going to and from fields. Once I’m in the saddle though? It’s a no.

I have some bogs mid calf rain boots that I adore for muddy days. On my more casual riding days when it’s only a little muddy, I have a pair of lace up knee high country boots from smartpak (sadly discontinued) that I absolutely adore. They keep my feet and calves dry and well, I definitely have a thing for lace up riding boots (they’ve got a back zipper for ease of use). And they do fit in my stirrups easily.

But also, I mostly just don’t ride when it rains. Or I go straight into the woods, so I haven’t needed that much real rain gear for riding.

[EmilyM]

For my horse:

Rambo Mack in a Sack 0g

Helly Hansen raincoat for me. Mack in a sack pants also

[Bogey2]

https://www.uhipwear.com/en/regular-sport-rainwind-skirt-navy

Uhip has some great rain gear