Show Coat Recommendations

[Moonboots]

I’m looking at buying a new show coat when Black Friday deals start popping up in about a month, and want to pick the COTH hive mind for suggestions since I’m looking for something very specific.

For reference, I am a hunter rider and I cureently own an RJ Classics Harmony Mesh and a Treadstep Symphony.

The RJ looked lovely when I first got it, but the interfacing between the jersey and mesh hasn’t held up well and the whole thing is sort of saggy and wrinkled all the time. Combined with the lack of shoulder structure, I don’t really like how it looks on me. I continue to wear it because I don’t get as hot as in the Tredstep. I got a long size and the arm length needed to be let out slightly.

The Tredstep is beautiful and structured. It washes well and seems very well made. Unfortunately, the fabric doesn’t have much stretch, and I get unbearably hot when I ride in it. The sleeves are also slightly too short on me (and don’t have enough seam allowance to be let out to the proper length).

What I’m looking for is something that is a bit of a hybrid between the two - something with a little more structure (shoulder pads, please!) and holds up to washing, but that still has stretch and doesn’t get unreasonably hot (the closer to mesh breathability, the better). I also need ridiculously long sleeves.

I tried on a Samshield jacket that fit like a glove, but I don’t remember the style name. It was so terribly hot that I couldn’t see myself enjoying wearing it. Does anyone have recommendations on a Samshield model that is meant for warm weather? Can you comment on the sleeve length and how hot you get wearing it?

I have some Ariat long sleeve show shirts, and the sleeves on those are usually long enough for me. Does anyone have experience with any of their show coats?

Or, is there another brand with long long sleeves that would fit that middle ground of structure and breathability that you would recommend?

I love a deal, but I don’t need to penny pinch since I’m hoping to find something that will last for several seasons. I am not interested in spending $$$ on something that will look sad and worn by the end of one show season though. I need a conservative color that will be appropriate for the hunters at rated shows.

So… shoot your suggestions my way!

[PNWjumper]

My newest obsession show-coat-wise are the Equestrian Stockholm show coats. They’re not terribly expensive and I absolutely love the fit and the feel. They have sales often enough that I would imagine there’s a black friday one coming. They’re cool enough for hot weather, though not quite as “not there” as the full mesh show coats. I have one in teal and one in the red/maroon color and they are my absolute favorites. For true hot weather I still stick to the AA/Horseware mesh coats, but for everything but the hottest days I go for the Equestrian Stockholm ones.

I do have a couple of Samshield coats and I really like those as well. I think mine are the Alix coats? I can’t recall, but they both have mesh-y air venting all over the back of the coat, so they’re cooler than a coat without it. I also have a Horse Pilot mesh coat that has a bit more structure than my AA coats, and is really lovely, but it’s a size too big, so I haven’t worn it as much - the sleeves seem a bit longer than most of my other coats, for what’s that worth. I love my regular Horse Pilot coats as well, and have always found them to ride way cooler than you would expect considering the material feels a bit heavier. But with mesh options out there, they wouldn’t be my first choice now on the hottest days.

[Demerara_Stables]

I picked up an Equiline a few years ago at 50% off the retail price of $800() and I love it. Light weight, just enough stretch to be comfy and fitted but also be structured. I’ll try to get the style number.

[Rumorhasit93]

I have and love my Equiline coat but they run SHORT in the torso and arm department. I borrowed my friend’s Animo coat and LOVED it - nice and lengthy, and very light. Highly recommend.

[Moonboots]

Thanks for letting me know about the arm length. I tried on an Animo and the arms were way too short on me.

Sizing is tough. I just measured my RJ and the sleeves are 20" from armpit to cuff. It’s a 0L and I had to let the sleeves out. The body is almost too long on me because I have a short torso for my height.

The sleeves on the AA were actually the right length on me when I tried one on, but the cut is just not flattering for my body shape.

[Ponyplusaninch]

If you can find them, the Samshield alix air is fantastic. Good shoulder structure and vented very tastefully. I have three of them that I’ve bought either in Europe or on super sale because $800 a coat is just not in the cards for me. So do take a look around because sales are out there.

[IPEsq]

If you need a tall, I’d suggest one of the RJs without mesh.

[RojoValentine]

I have an Ariat Artico Pro that I love. It’s lightweight even though it’s not mesh. It’s stretchy but I feel like it’s got some structure to the shoulders (no shoulder pads). I have broad shoulders and long arms and an 8 long has perfect length sleeves for me. Also, I got it for $35 and it had only been worn once!