Soft Shell Show Jackets

[Rumor_Has_It]

With Christmas approaching and my desperate need for a properly fitting show coat, I have decided to treat myself to a new soft shell. Only one problem… WHICH ONE?!?
There are four or five that I really like and that are inside my price range ($400 being the high mark.)

First, we have the Tailored Sportsman Competition Coat
(Don’t have a lot of info on this one… Haven’t been able to find reviews so I’m very skeptical but like the look.)
http://www.doversaddlery.com/ts-competition-coat/p/X1-40780/

Next, the Ariat Heritage Show Jacket
(Again, not much info on this one… but I LOVED my previous Ariat wool jacket and all of my other Ariat products!)
Dover link: http://www.doversaddlery.com/ariat-heritage-show-coat/p/X1-40750/
Another link: http://www.victorycanter.com/Ariat-Ladies-Heritage-Show-Coat.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA74qkBRCdrM-6or7U73QSJABCDL9pWoNc49IrbHEhfmCFAXa52g06nDXtGZgJzFiTxM5EkxoC8S3w_wcB

Then, there’s the Grand Prix Quinn
(I have seen reviews go both ways on this one… Tried a friend’s on at a show and it looked very nice, maybe a little short but I think that’s how these coats run?)
http://www.doversaddlery.com/grand-prix-quinn-tl-show-coat/p/X1-40635/

Finally, the RJ Classics Soft Shell Hunt Coat
(LOVE the look. What is the quality difference between this and the Xtreme?)
https://www.smartpakequine.com/rj-classics-soft-shell-hunt-coat-11575p

Also, for the hunter ring would you recommend Navy or Black in the softshell? I have heard and seen of both but I’m not sure which is more traditional/correct for the ring. Another thing (yes, I’m very high maintenance, :lol: ) I noticed that some have three buttons and some have four. I figure four is maybe more jumper ring based? Which do you recommend for the hunter ring?
**Any reviews/feedback on jackets or any of the questions is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[cabby773]

I would recommend the RJ in navy with three buttons for the hunters. Black is also nice but you might be able to hide a little dust with the navy compared to the black. While four buttons is seen in the hunter ring, the three buttons would be considered more appropriate. I have the RJ soft shell and I love it! I don’t have any experience with the others so I can’t give you a comparison.

[pacific_jumper]

I have the rj extreme jacket… The one with four buttons and zipper pockets, in navy. I’m not usually in the hunter ring, but it is deffinitly conservative enough for the occational time I venture over. If I was showing hunters regularly, I would have gone with the more hunterish styled extreme coat. The navy is sooo dark that it almost looks black, very classy color and style. I love the jacket, it fits well and is very comfortable. I bought a size 10. I’m usually a size 8 or 10 in street clothes, and wear 30L in TS breeches if that’s any help… I haven’t seen the less expensive rj coat

Eta… I saw the Grand Prix and rj coats next to eachother, and personally thought the gp jacket didn’t feel, wear, or look as nice as the rj.

[adcurtiss]

I haven;t had experience with any, but I think the Tailored Sportsman and Ariat jackets look the most clean-cut and classy.

[BAC]

I don’t have any experience either but based on all the pictures I like the TS best. I also looked at the RJ Extreme picture and it looked awful on the model, it was very puckered all over the front, especially around the zippered pockets. If it looks that bad on the model what will it look like on regular people?

[hunterrider23]

I have the rj xtreme in navy and I love mine.

[kboned]

Woah, I never knew TS made a coat like that. If it had 4 buttons I’d be completely in love, but alas only 3

I tried on both the Grand Prix and RJ Classic, and preferred the Grand Prix. Felt much lighter and fit my chest (32DDD here) much better, RJ Classic almost had the buttons pop off :no:

[Kimjanson]

rj in navy

[pacific_jumper]

[QUOTE=kboned;7895690]
Woah, I never knew TS made a coat like that. If it had 4 buttons I’d be completely in love, but alas only 3

I tried on both the Grand Prix and RJ Classic, and preferred the Grand Prix. Felt much lighter and fit my chest (32DDD here) much better, RJ Classic almost had the buttons pop off :no:[/QUOTE]

I have the opposite problem!! That must explain why the Grand Prix didn’t look too good…

[222orchids]

I do not think anyone is counting your buttons or cares how many there are.

[kboned]

[QUOTE=222orchids;7896347]
I do not think anyone is counting your buttons or cares how many there are.[/QUOTE]

Actually, they do. Tradition calls for 3 buttons in the hunter ring and low level jumpers, 4 for dressage and/or upper level jumpers.

This is like saying no one cares if you wear tans or whites. Well, actually, yes they do!

[sassy]

I love my Quinn jacket…hoping to get another one for Christmas. It’s so lightweight and breathable also love that you can throw it in the wash!!! I have the special edition one and I wear it in the AO hunters… It has never seemed to have a negative effect on how we do http://www.beval.com/GRAND-PRIX-LDS-SPECIAL-EDITION-QUINN-JACKET#.VITfuzHF-So

And in action
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205346721173296&l=aaa38e689d

[luckeys71]

I have the RJ Classic Xtreme Monterey in navy. I LOVE it! I cannot bear to even put my old wool coat on anymore, even when it is cold. It is very light weight and cool and super stretchy. I like the navy stripe one better, but couldn’t get it in my size at the time.

[Blinky]

Just see what fits best. I also have the RJ Classic Xtreme in Navy. Very comfortable. Yes, it has 4 buttons and gasp, I ride at the A shows!

[Mayaty02]

Agreed, chose was fits the best. I personally don’t like the RJ soft shells, quality seems missing. My daughter has the GP techlite, and loves it.

[staceymc]

I find with Soft Shells the FIT is extremely important. Too many don’t hang correctly, or are too short, or too small (the stuffed sausage look is flattering on no one!).

I did a lot of searching, but found the Grand Prix Techlite works very well for me. I will say I did go UP a size from my usual GP, AND got a tall instead of a regular. The result was a coat that looks like any of my regular wool ones from a distance. Even the super conservative trainer I ride with some was like, huh I actually don’t mind that one.

[ToTheNines]

Agree with above poster. I chose the GP Tech Lite in black, which has a subtle vertical stripe, in very very dark dark red. When I first saw it, my first thought was a bit gangsterish :), but I love it.

It fits me quite loosely, but is SOOO comfortable. Wanted black for my already sort of loud horse!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10492090_10203533242726115_7414183031081234745_n.jpg?oh=fca0cbe091ade1471465193266c5fa91&oe=5519782C&gda=1425999945_c7bdc0791f33285274c2a79be0969aba

[Zoey101]

I have two RJ’s the Xtreme (orange label) in black and the Xtreme (grey label) in navy. I like the movement and thinness of the black one. The navy has a lining and is thicker fabric. I think that one is a bit more flattering. I love them both though, and think they fit really well.

[jhg140]

I have two soft shells - one with 3 buttons and one with 4, and while I love them both, I find the 4 button one to be much more flattering. It really elongates my torso more, even though it’s an Animo and is shorter than my Grand Prix (the GP one is cut like a classic wool hunt coat). And seriously, no one cares anymore. I really recommend trying them on, though!

[HunterMolly]

[QUOTE=staceymc;7897454]
I find with Soft Shells the FIT is extremely important. Too many don’t hang correctly, or are too short, or too small (the stuffed sausage look is flattering on no one!).

I did a lot of searching, but found the Grand Prix Techlite works very well for me. I will say I did go UP a size from my usual GP, AND got a tall instead of a regular. The result was a coat that looks like any of my regular wool ones from a distance. Even the super conservative trainer I ride with some was like, huh I actually don’t mind that one. :)[/QUOTE]

This. I love my Grand Prix Techlite! I also got a tall instead of a regular in this jacket.