I need to replace my MH winter pants and looking to see what other options there are. So far I’ve only seen the MH Polar breeches. What’s the comparison between the older MH winter pant compared to the Polar version, newer ones less bulky? I’ll be riding out at night at a walk so it gets kinda cold.
I have a 30+yo pair of Patagonia riding pants.
Fleece interior, smooth outer fabric that passes for breeches. Sadly, no longer made by Patagonia.
If you can find something similar, worn over thermal underwear, they are hands down the warmest things to ride in.
ETA:
found this, but $76 for used? 
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Yeh I’ve been looking, so far the only thing I’ve seen is Mountain Horse. I thought maybe Smartpak had something similar but the over pant they show In not so sure about.
I have a pair of the Smartpak pants. They are EXTREMELY warm and I can only wear them for chores when it’s in the teens and below. They are very bulky, but would be suitable for riding when you’re desperate.
Yep. They are very warm but bulky.
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My go to are the Mountain Horse. No probs doing barn chores or riding. Depending what I’m doing depends on what’s underneath; if I’m riding, I’ll wear a pair of my winter breeches under and if I’m just puttering around maybe something cozier.
I have an older pair but the fake suede is crumbling and it gets everywhere! I was thinking I’d have to get the newer ones, Dover Saddlery doesn’t carry them anymore and I don’t think Smartpak does either.
My warmest riding pants are Kerrits Windpro. I have regular fleece-lined Kerrits breeches but they’re not as warm / tough as the windpro.
I’m seriously debating a wool riding skirt/split skirt for myself. That way I can wear sweats or fleece-lined leggins under but still be warm and have room to move
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It won’t be a surprise, but I’m getting a winter riding skirt for Christmas from my parents. I’d been wanting one for a couple years now so that was on the list. I know a couple people who have them and really like them!
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I’ve been toying with the idea of the skirt for a long time. I think I’m going to bite the bullet and make one
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My mule skinner buddy (takes pack mules on hunting trips for clients in WYO) swears by her riding skirt --oilskin over wool, heavy duty snaps and hooks (like the kind on horse blankets --but be ware that sucker is heavy! She drapes it over her mare’s (she rides a horse to lead her pack mules) butt then mounts and puts the skirt on. As a mule skinner, she only rides in it at the walk. I put it on one time to see if I liked it, and wore it around a campsite. I’m a bit on the thin side, but I could feel it rubbing on my hip bones (as I said, it’s heavy). But I had the same problem wearing heavy chaps over light breeches --she said there is a pattern on -line --I think it is a Folk Ware Pattern.
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Thank you! I’m fluffy so it should be fine. I’ll go check out that pattern
Another vote for a riding skirt. A barn friend made mine for me and I love it. It has a softshell (water resistant) outer and polar fleece inside. She also did include a zipper on the inside to zip in a wool liner but I have not asked her to make one for me because the skirt as-is is plenty warm enough, not too heavy, and very cozy. If it’s too cold to ride with the skirt, it’s too cold to ride, period. I live in the Canadian prairies so gets VERY cold.
I’ve shared it before but here’s a photo of us showing off the skirt when it was new!
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I HAVE THAT SAME FABRIC!!! Sorry, I got excited lol
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It’s a sign!! Go forth and skirt-make! 
Mine has a wide band of velcro so I can adjust the tightness - if I am just wearing riding tights and a tucked in quarter-zip underneath versus fleece lined carhartts and a down jacket my total waist-size changes dramatically. Highly recommend!
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I am in Florida so the likelihood of me ever needing something like this is small. BUT that riding skirt is so cool!!! Have never seen one before, not sure I’ve ever heard of one. If you are out just on a walk about, does it blow around at all in the wind? Did it take your horse some time to get used to it? Can you trot and/or canter without too much trouble?
The one I use is for cold weather but I’ve seen thinner, unlined ones for rainy weather!
Mine does not blow in the wind at all and it took me more time to confidently and gracefully mount in one (not because it’s hard but because I’m inherently uncoordinated). My mare doesn’t notice it while we are riding other than I hope it keeps her more comfortable. She does notice when I take it off while riding in that she is slightly disconcerted with me flopping it around above her head and neck while preparing to toss it on the half wall or jump standard.
I wear it to tack up, hand walk, and warm up at walk/trot. I have not worn it to canter because that would make both of us very warm! It does not flap around at all while riding and it’s easier for me to ride in than it is for me to mount in (again, even that’s not hard, but it’s the “hardest” part for me in that I have to pay more attention to my movements ).
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Yeh but a riding skirt won’t hide my jammies quite like the over pants do. Not sure the skirt would keep me warm enough either. I will be out riding around the barn at a walk (and will be stuck at walk for quite some time) in the dark. Earliest I could probably get in the saddle is closer to 9pm, character building/discipline testing hours 
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