The cold is coming—— fave barn boots and coats?

[keysfins]

We have had a magnificent autumn here in Colorado, brilliant blue skies and bright turning leaves. However, we got about 3" of snow Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. Yeah, the sun has already taken it away, at least where I am. But it was 19*F taking the dog out this morning!! Brrrr!!

Looking for suggestions for warm, waterproof barn boots that can work in the (English) stirrup. Lace up or zip up is probably more secure than step-ins/pull-ons, especially for walking. I’ve always had Ariat Terrains or Ariat’s insulated paddock boots, but am willing to try something else, if it is supportive enough to spend the day walking in.

Barn coat: looking for something hip length/mid-thigh that could still work in the saddle, with a two way zip in front. Lightweight but warm, if that even exists, since I usually do layers. Lots of nice coats don’t have room to put layers under. I’d like something a bit longer for running horses in/out from turnout on those cold days. Stash-able or removable hood would be ideal. I’ve never tried anything Mountain Horse, for coats OR boots, so if you have feedback, please share!

What is your winter wardrobe that works for northern climes? (I don’t need gear for -40*F!!) Any accessories or tips that you like? I don’t mind spending money on good quality that will last for several years, as an investment. But I also don’t need a full kit for polar exploration!

Suggestions??

[BatCoach]

the one coat I find myself reaching for again and again is my Kerrits barn jacket. https://kerrits.com/collections/equestrian-jackets/products/element-barn-jacket

I live in a much warmer climate than you, but I actually like how it is not lined since it is great for layering. I bought it one size larger than what I normally wear so there is room for a fleece jacket or puffy vest if I need it. Its water resistant with a hood designed to go over a helmet but breathes better than my waterproof windbreaker. I ride in it, do chores in it and it washes up great.

I bought it a few years ago on a whim when It was a steal on clearance and its honestly become one of my favorite pieces. Kerrits makes lined and longer versions as well that might be better suited to your snowy environment.

[sophie]

I live in Maine and my favorite cold weather barn jacket is the original Mountain Horse winter jacket. https://www.doversaddlery.com/the-original-mountain-horse-winter-jacket/p/X1-40198/
It’s WARM, has plenty of pockets, and covers my butt. IMO though it’s actually too warm to ride in (unless you are just hacking) but to do barn chores etc. in 20F weather, it’s perfect. I got mine on sale a few summers ago - was so pleased to only pay about $50 for it
I see that they have a longer, unlined waterproof jacket that looks really good for layering…

I also have a very light and warm quilted shorter jacket that I can ride in. But I usually have to shed jacket when riding in the indoor in the winter. Layering is key, indeed.

If it’s really, really cold I have a long down coat that is great. It’s totally warm enough for frigid temps and is made for riders. https://www.kramer.co.uk/Rider/Womens-Riding-Wear/Riding-Jackets-Coats-Gilets/Riding-Coats-Parkas/Hooded-Riding-Coat-Milla?depvar_index=<652250><652250..M...NV>

In any case, I think a 2-way zipper is mandatory in riding jackets and vests.

I also “recycle” my regular rain and ski jackets for use at the barn once they are showing some wear. Right now a Helly Hansen rain jacket and a Löle ski jacket. Both allow for layering and have 2-way zippers and velcros that make them wearable when riding.

Boots - I am usually warm enough when riding in my Ariat Terrains with wool socks, but for barn chores I usually wear Bogs boots with an insole and warm socks. I can ride in those boots if I have to.

[soloudinhere]

I lived in Vermont for a long while. Now not quite so northern, but:

Uniqlo heattech extra warm is your bestie. Cheap, washes and wears well, and is actually warm.

I have a down parka from Eddie Bauer that does have the 2-way zip. I can’t ride in a full jacket like that, though, and usually ride in a down vest over extra warm base layers, because I just get hot moving around. Keeping your legs warm is also key. I get these down vests from Uniqlo and a lightweight down jacket from Eddie Bauer on Black Friday. Replace as needed as they get trashed at the barn.

[TWH_Girl]

Ariat H2O Extreme tall boots. Mountain Horse Gracie jacket. Both very comfy and warm.

[keysfins]

Great suggestions, thanks for giving me specific things to check out.

TWH Girl, how long is the Gracie jacket? Does it cover the butt?

Soloudinhere, I have never heard of the uniqglo, so will def look that up.

Wondering if I should upsize some insulated waterproof Ariat Terrains, so I have room for more substantial socks, or a thermal liner.

We have a Dover sale coming up nearby, so I might have a chance to try on some things.

[Corky]

I bought myself a Carhart/Dickie’s type bomber cut jacket for farm/barn work and teaching. I bought it much too big, so I can fit anything underneath it and It still has lots of air pocket space which makes it super warm. It has a great hood that is big enough I can even fit it over a helmet or my messy-bun hat without restricting how I turn my head, so thats a big plus also. The bomber cut means I can ride in it if I want, but if I’m actually working vs just hacking, its too warm and I take it off. Practically, its warm and I love it. Aesthetically, I look like a sasquatch heading to a work site, but sometimes thats the price you pay. I live on a working farm (cash crop, livestock) and I board out my horses and teach a few lessons, so practical wins over pretty.

As for boots, I’ve yet to find anything that keeps me warm if I’m standing around. I walk and move to stay warm. I always look for waterproof and breathable, then I buy big enough I can put in wool footbeds (look for alpaca, seriously the warmest I’ve found) and wear big wool socks. I usually do not ride in my warm boots - I swap off to a pair of zip field boots that I bought a size big on purpose to fit the socks and winter breeches. I take off said boots as soon as I’m done riding, and put the warm clunky ones back on. So far I’m wearing a pair of Dubarry knock offs that I get about 2 years per pair out of, so I can’t complain since they are pretty cheap.

[kaya842]

I am looking for new winter-y boots as well. I currently have the Dublin version of the Dubarrys which works well, but I don’t like to ride in them so I change into my tall boots (which I don’t like having to change boots in super cold weather!). I’m looking at the Ariat Coniston Pro but worry it might catch the flap of my saddle (which my Dublins do) since it does not go all the way up the leg. They are insulated and waterproof (which is a MUST for winter boots because like I said I don’t want to change back and forth between muck and riding boots) and very pretty. The other boot I was looking at was the Tredstep Legacy Winter boot: https://www.tredstepireland.com/product/legacy/ Again very pretty and the fur lining looks SO warm and soft, but they are only waterproof up to 6 inches I believe and can only be bought from the UK right now (as far as I can tell). I also have no experience with tredstep and don’t want to drop that much money on a product I am unfamiliar with. They are legitimate tall boots, so unlike the Ariats I don’t have to worry about them catching on my saddle.

[HereComesZach]

I’ve been working on my winter wardrobe for a few years now, here are my favorites:

• Boots: Anything with gore tex, and insulated is a bonus. I splurged on a pair of Ariat Conistons when they went on sale and I luff them so much. Ariat has a few insulated boots that have gore tex, I imagine they’re all comparable.

• Socks: Smartwool. Nothing else has compared, they’re great.

• Breeches: I really like the Stickyseat winter breeches. They’re nice and warm, but I never feel overheated. They’re great to ride in. They don’t collect hair and hay.

• Jacket: down feathers. I have a Gessemi down jacket I’ve had for 6+ years now and it’s just been awesome.

For REALLY cold and wet weather, my Arctic Horse tongass rain skirt has been a game changer. I think Riding Warehouse sells them now.

[keysfins]

@HereComesZach

I’ve been working on my winter wardrobe for a few years now, here are my favorites:

• Boots: Anything with gore tex, and insulated is a bonus. I splurged on a pair of Ariat Conistons when they went on sale and I luff them so much. Ariat has a few insulated boots that have gore tex, I imagine they’re all comparable.

• Socks: Smartwool. Nothing else has compared, they’re great.

• Breeches: I really like the Stickyseat winter breeches. They’re nice and warm, but I never feel overheated. They’re great to ride in. They don’t collect hair and hay.

• Jacket: down feathers. I have a Gessemi down jacket I’ve had for 6+ years now and it’s just been awesome.

For REALLY cold and wet weather, my Arctic Horse tongass rain skirt has been a game changer. I think Riding Warehouse sells them now.

I was looking at those riding skirts yesterday when I was hunting around on Riding Warehouse. I do not know anyone who has used them. Will look at the Sticky Seats, too, I don’t know anything about them, either.

I’m finding that many of the items that would seem to be perfect are no longer made. Like the longer Mountain Horse parka, and some boots I was looking at. Boooo.

[mswillie]

I have found that compression socks go a long way toward keeping my feet warm in the winter. It’s probably the increased blood flow but I put on a pair of compression socks under my fuzzy socks and my feet stay toasty warm.

[Amber_M]

@Corky

I bought myself a Carhart/Dickie’s type bomber cut jacket for farm/barn work and teaching. I bought it much too big, so I can fit anything underneath it and It still has lots of air pocket space which makes it super warm. It has a great hood that is big enough I can even fit it over a helmet or my messy-bun hat without restricting how I turn my head, so thats a big plus also. The bomber cut means I can ride in it if I want, but if I’m actually working vs just hacking, its too warm and I take it off. Practically, its warm and I love it. Aesthetically, I look like a sasquatch heading to a work site, but sometimes thats the price you pay. I live on a working farm (cash crop, livestock) and I board out my horses and teach a few lessons, so practical wins over pretty.

As for boots, I’ve yet to find anything that keeps me warm if I’m standing around. I walk and move to stay warm. I always look for waterproof and breathable, then I buy big enough I can put in wool footbeds (look for alpaca, seriously the warmest I’ve found) and wear big wool socks. I usually do not ride in my warm boots - I swap off to a pair of zip field boots that I bought a size big on purpose to fit the socks and winter breeches. I take off said boots as soon as I’m done riding, and put the warm clunky ones back on. So far I’m wearing a pair of Dubarry knock offs that I get about 2 years per pair out of, so I can’t complain since they are pretty cheap.

Lol I was wondering if I was the only bumpkin weathering the cold in a Carhartt. You’ll pry mine out of my still warm, dead hands when I go. I’m in CA now but boarded in N AZ for a spell and got very familiar with shoveling frozen turds.

My boyfriend works for REI, so we have a lot of outdoor gear that is cool and techy, but the classic heavy canvas is the best in my book. No hay sticks to it, and it’s dirt colored

[hunt_jumpfl]

I’m on my second Mountain Horse coat and love both of them. My original one is probably 25 years old so needed an upgrade last year, but is still functional. I love that they have removable linings so I can change the weight based on the weather. I always size up my coats to allow for layering.

I’m on the hunt for tall winter riding boots this year. I love my Ariat H2O from a few years ago for everything around the barn, but I’m not a fan of riding in them.

[wsmoak]

@keysfins

I’m finding that many of the items that would seem to be perfect are no longer made. Like the longer Mountain Horse parka, and some boots I was looking at. Boooo.

For the parka, I also could not find a Mountain Horse one like a friend has, but I went with one from Duluth Trading Company:

https://www.duluthtrading.com/womens-black-hills-hooded-parka-76761.html

It does have the two-way front zipper but it does not have a split in the rear, so I’m not sure you could ride in it.

I couldn’t ride in something that bulky/flappy anyway. I think this is a shorter jacket model of the same type construction:

https://www.duluthtrading.com/womens-shoreline-shield-hooded-jacket-45808.html

[TWH_Girl]

@keysfins

Great suggestions, thanks for giving me specific things to check out.

TWH Girl, how long is the Gracie jacket? Does it cover the butt?

Soloudinhere, I have never heard of the uniqglo, so will def look that up.

Wondering if I should upsize some insulated waterproof Ariat Terrains, so I have room for more substantial socks, or a thermal liner.

We have a Dover sale coming up nearby, so I might have a chance to try on some things.

Ugh, no- Gracie jacket does not cover the butt. I have been wearing a down mini skirt over breeches in the winter and discarding when I ride and that has helped. I do like jackets made for riding because of the back flaps though. Otherwise they bunch up.

I think if you get the H2O insulated terrains, they would be similar to the insulation in the ones I have. You can always try battery operated socks too!

[ddashaq]

I have worn the same Carhartt for almost 15 years now and it is by far the warmest coat I have ever owned. It is ugly but I get neither wet nor cold in that thing and I find it comfortable to ride in. For boots, I have spent the last two winters in Shires Broadway boot-- a cheaper knockoff of the Dubarry’s that are so popular. Kentucky has a serious mud problem for a good bit of the cold season and I just could not drop $500 on boots that would be ankle deep for several months of the year.

[stb]

@Amber_M

Lol I was wondering if I was the only bumpkin weathering the cold in a Carhartt. You’ll pry mine out of my still warm, dead hands when I go. I’m in CA now but boarded in N AZ for a spell and got very familiar with shoveling frozen turds.

My boyfriend works for REI, so we have a lot of outdoor gear that is cool and techy, but the classic heavy canvas is the best in my book. No hay sticks to it, and it’s dirt colored

I love my dirt colored Carhartt jacket too. I also have a Carhartt fleece lined vest that is indispensable. I have multiple Patagonia jackets and vests but I don’t get near the barn in them. I don’t wear anything to the barn that I have to worry about.

[Bluey]

Carhart is too heavy and stiff cotton canvas for me.

I like light and softer than they have.

I think they are starting to come out with lighter clothes.

[Amber_M]

@Bluey

Carhart is too heavy and stiff cotton canvas for me.

I like light and softer than they have.

I think they are starting to come out with lighter clothes.

Bluey for sure it’s counterintuitive that it gets less comfortable to wear the colder it is, but mine must be so old that I’ve worn it in? It was stiff as hell at first, no doubt.

They’re definitely coming out with lighter stuff. I used to live down the street from a CAL Ranch and they carried a lot of their ladies stuff. I have several hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts that I love.

[Displaced_Yankee]

I will also vouch for Carhartt coats. Warm, plenty of room to layer and they wear like iron. I don’t mind the duck fabric nor do I find it uncomfortable. Once you wear it for a week it becomes just right…They are coming out with more technical and lightweight stuff. My SO got a raincoat of theirs for Christmas and it is fantastic. Kept him dry doing chores in 2 hurricanes this fall!