Suggestions for Sensible Winter Trail Riding Jacket/Coat

[chicamux]

I really need to get a new winter jacket that is waterproof and insulated. I am NOT concerned with style. I and a short stocky senior living in Michigan and PRACTICAL is of the essence. Seems the vast majority of women’s clothing is made for the tall and skinny. I often do resort to shortening the sleeves, good thing I can sew!

Anyway, I want one that is longer and has rear vents. Looser fit is preferred. It doesn’t have to have really heavy insulation and I can always layer but I am not looking for just a raincoat. It must be waterproof. Need to shop on-line.

Any specific suggestions?

Bonnie S.

[paintedtrails]

I love my Carhart knockoff, but it is a short jacket. I’m also interested in finding something longer to cover the hips a bit so following!

[Christa_P]

Mountain Horse brand. Comfortable, warm, and sturdy. I have a couple that have been used and abused for several years and are still going strong. They have just needed the zipper replaced after a few years.

http://mountainhorseusa.com/outerwear/jackets/mountain-horse-snowy-parka-unisex-302171

[chicamux]

Christa P, have you bought/worn that specific Mountain Horse parka? I had noticed this unisex parka and it looked like a possibility. I have bought boy’s, men’s and unisex clothing before and found it often fit me fine except for length. I have dusted off my sewing machine recently and have the skills to do simpler alterations.

Painted Trails, the Carhardt and Berne type jackets are great for dry weather but not waterproof. I have a short Berne jacket that I have worn for years but it sure isn’t cut for riding. I hate the feel of the bulky hem under my fanny.

[Christa_P]

I think it’s the same model I have, but mine are all at least 8 or 9 years old so probably not exactly the same. I know mine were bought through Dover so you could check their site.
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[Christa_P]

Also, I’m 5’3" and fluffy ( )and use both a medium and a large. When I do ride in them they’re just the right length to cover my butt and the top of the saddle.

[paintedtrails]

@chicamux

Painted Trails, the Carhardt and Berne type jackets are great for dry weather but not waterproof. I have a short Berne jacket that I have worn for years but it sure isn’t cut for riding. I hate the feel of the bulky hem under my fanny.

Oh yeah, I hear ya! I have an endurance jacket (the one you can order thru AERC) that I use if I am going to get wet and layer up under it as it is a “3-season” type…again, too short tho!
I do love the other for cooler weather, but I find my zipper catches on the pommel if closed and drives me nuts feeling it “jab” per say… If the jacket is open it works out fine in the colder days here.

[chicamux]

I used to be 5’ 3"! I have shrunk a little with age. Have been Fluffy for the last 20 years so I totally understand your description. I was a horrible tom boy as a kid and didn’t want to have anything to do with “girlie” hobbies. My mother supported me in all my horse and outdoor sort of hobbies. I was a 4-H kid, loved forestry. Finally our 4-H club leader got our club members interested in sewing. YUCK! My mother who was a talented seamstress and tailor insisted that I learn to sew. I wish I could thank her again. Just recently finished a blaze orange rump rug for my horse!

Bonnie S

[Christa_P]

This is the model I have. Not sure if it’s the same as what I linked above.

https://www.doversaddlery.com/the-original-mountain-horse-winter-jacket/p/X1-40198/

[walkinthewalk]

Buy a goose down ski coat ---- a GOOD one, not something from Warmart and buy one that can be machine washed.

i STILL wear my son’s ski jacket that I bought for him to ski in the early 90’s. I paid $300 for it back then; probably could have found it cheaper but I was at a mall in Ontario, Canada and it was my big splurge for his Christmas that year.

It is plenty big enough that I can layer up underneath if I have to, yet it is so lightweight I barely know I’m wearing it:)

[RoyalRain42]

Honestly i am in a frozen waist land and i ride in my Duck Hunting coat… its thick, water proof, easy to move in and plus, has a million pockets. I am 5ft, and it is a cabelas brand. Has a life time warranty too!! I want to say it is going on year… 5? I honestly can not remember. In all honesty it was not badly priced for the quality i got.

Whats nice, is it is two coats in one. It has the thinner really water proof outer lair, then the fluffy not so waterproof inner layer. You can split them up and have two coats. I normally ride in just the inner fluffy one, as i dont worry much about rain so much as wind and general cold! But the outter lair is nice simply for a rain and wind breaker. Both fall just past my butt, and cover my upper legs nicely when in the saddle. .
The only down side is if you dont like camo you are out of luck:lol: but heck, just the pockets that i can hold everything in make the coat worth it I can ride and hunt with it and that is all that matters to me.

[Scribbler]

I have a waterproof giant down parka by Columbia but it doesn’t have vents and doesn’t cover the upper thigh.

I also have an outback outfitters waterproof goretex knockoff long rider rain coat that is roomy enough to fit over a parka and will cover legs and saddle.

But I am just PNW not deep freeze country!

[paintedtrails]

ok, it is flippin cold here today and I know it is going to stay for a while! I know i need to get something I can ride more comfortably in…

For trying not to spend a ton, I found these:

https://www.doversaddlery.com/dover-crown-deluxe-jacket/p/X1-400385/

http://www.cabelas.com/product/clothing/womens-clothing/womens-hunting-clothing/womens-hunting-outerwear/pc/104797080/c/104789880/sc/104815980/i/468324180/dsg-kylie-jacket/2589292.uts?slotId=5#

http://www.cabelas.com/product/clothing/womens-clothing/womens-hunting-clothing/womens-hunting-outerwear/pc/104797080/c/104789880/sc/104815980/i/468324180/cabelas-outfither-dry-plus-insulated-jacket/2549156.uts?slotId=1

Thoughts?

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[Salty]

I have a Tingley insulated high vis jacket. It’s what they wear on flagging crews. Does the trick, it’s tough as iron & if I get catapulted off the pony & down the mountain I can’t be missed! The model I have is called Job Sight.

[RedHorses]

I have an Equisafety coat with side zips and double ended front zip. It is fluorescent orange with reflective stripes. Warm and waterproof - though most of the time I’m wearing it in below freezing temperatures.

[TWH_Girl]

I have this coat and it’s very nice and cozy. Seems to be well made: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/piper-insulated-parka-by-smartpak-13812

Otherwise I’d go for the Mountain Horse Original jacket - the one on Dover for $139. They make nice coats and are worth paying a bit more.
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[Mouse_amp_Bay]

Mountain horse are too cold for me - I need real down and real insulation to stay warm. I love the ll bean Baxter parka: warm, relatively waterproof and comes in petite sizes. The length is perfect for me - long enough to hit the hip but short enough that I can ride in it without sitting on it.

I layer that over baselayers, fleece and down vest - once I start riding I find I can lose the parka and or vest without getting too cold. New innovation this year (-25C here currently and we don’t have heated arenas) are those toasti toes toe warmers. Worth every penny and simply heavenly!

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/61708?page=baxter-state-parka

[paintedtrails]

@TWH Girl

I have this coat and it’s very nice and cozy. Seems to be well made: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/pi…smartpak-13812

Otherwise I’d go for the Mountain Horse Original jacket - the one on Dover for $139. They make nice coats and are worth paying a bit more.
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I ended up going into our local Dover this weekend and glad I did! The sizing online wasn’t really “right” so though I should have needed to order a small for 36" I ended up with a medium of the Crown Deluxe.

I was also looking at the smartpak one, but I was warned the zippers are kind of awkward on the longer parkas (any brand) so I stuck with a shorter style that still covers the bum.

[TWH_Girl]

@paintedtrails

I ended up going into our local Dover this weekend and glad I did! The sizing online wasn’t really “right” so though I should have needed to order a small for 36" I ended up with a medium of the Crown Deluxe.

I was also looking at the smartpak one, but I was warned the zippers are kind of awkward on the longer parkas (any brand) so I stuck with a shorter style that still covers the bum.

You know, that is true about the SP coats and zippers. I had an older SP coat from only 2-3 yrs ago and the zipper completely came off in the laundry the last time I washed it. I haven’t had the Piper parka long enough to say. For the prices I get the coats for (around $50) I guess I am okay with getting a few years out of them before the die. I did just order a Mountain Horse coat as well because I like a shorter jacket for most of the winter; I wear the parka only when it’s been frigid as it has been. I love Mountain Horse though. Glad you found one that you like as well.

[Equibrit]

BARGAIN…https://www.horseloverz.com/english-riding-apparel-clothes/outerwear-coats-jackets/horseware-ardan-long-winter-jacket-unisex