Winter Riding Jackets for the NOT Skinny NOT Tall Body?!?

[chicamux]

All my life I have had to deal with the #&!#%$ fashion industry that makes stylish clothing for the “ideal” body type. I am short and stocky! I am a pretty typical middle-aged woman of 62, weight 155 lbs and just a bit shorter at 5’2-3".

Thank you Mother for forcing me to learn to sew as I have altered the sleeves and legs on lot’s of clothing and made quite a few clothing items for myself. And why or why did I get your family’s SHORT genes instead of the TALL genes from Dad’s side.

But come ON! Is it too much to hope that I could go out and find a functionable winter/waterproof jacket for trail riding? Does anyone who is built like me have a jacket that you could recommend that is not horribly fitted and does not have tight sleeves? I gave away the Mountain Horse jacket that I got several years ago because I couldn’t stand those tight zippered sleeves.

I want a waterproof jacket with the 2-way YKK zipper and a vented back. It doesn’t have to be tremendously insulated, I do not get cold easily, I am self-insulated. I’d like to have room under a jacket for more layers than my birthday suit! I can shorten some types of sleeves or just live with long ones but I want roomy sleeves.

Anyone? DH asked me to tell him again what I want for Christmas. Any suggestions for LOOSER jackets?

chicamuxen

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=chicamux;7880693]
All my life I have had to deal with the #&!#%$ fashion industry that makes stylish clothing for the “ideal” body type. I am short and stocky! I am a pretty typical middle-aged woman of 62, weight 155 lbs and just a bit shorter at 5’2-3".

Thank you Mother for forcing me to learn to sew as I have altered the sleeves and legs on lot’s of clothing and made quite a few clothing items for myself. And why or why did I get your family’s SHORT genes instead of the TALL genes from Dad’s side.

But come ON! Is it too much to hope that I could go out and find a functionable winter/waterproof jacket for trail riding? Does anyone who is built like me have a jacket that you could recommend that is not horribly fitted and does not have tight sleeves? I gave away the Mountain Horse jacket that I got several years ago because I couldn’t stand those tight zippered sleeves.

I want a waterproof jacket with the 2-way YKK zipper and a vented back. It doesn’t have to be tremendously insulated, I do not get cold easily, I am self-insulated. I’d like to have room under a jacket for more layers than my birthday suit! I can shorten some types of sleeves or just live with long ones but I want roomy sleeves.

Anyone? DH asked me to tell him again what I want for Christmas. Any suggestions for LOOSER jackets?

chicamuxen[/QUOTE]

Well, here you go:

http://www.equestriancoat.com/page2.php

Seriously, I’m not sure where you’re shopping but you might want to try the likes of Tractor Supply, the Co-Op, Farm and Fleet, etc. You won’t find what you want at Abercrombie (where they don’t want “fat” people) or at the Mall (where they don’t want anybody over the age of 19).

Other places you can try are Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain, etc. This is mostly “middle class” outdoor gear but usually priced fairly.

After this you end up with specialty retailers like ski shops, REI, tack shops, and the like. As with any “specialty” store you’ll pay a “specialty” price for stuff you can often find in the more “plebeian” stores like TS or Cabelas. Sometimes, however, they have things that are not sold in lower end stores.

My wife has the problem of being tall but not “willowy.”* Her riding stuff is mostly from the Co-Op or Eddie Bauer “factory store.” Fortunately she’s not a “slave to fashion” in her riding apparel and doesn’t worry about being “stylish,” just warm and able to move freely.

Best of luck as you shop.

G.

*Since she doesn’t read this forum I’ll probably not suffer any serious consequences for my comments!

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

Try Kerrits. The Tech Turnout Jacketlooks like it has all of your requirements.

I have one of their softshells from a few seasons ago and I really like it. I find that their products run a bit large, which is nice for layering. I am 5’4"/125 and wear their small, which has room to wear a fleece underneath easily.

[arapaloosa_lady]

I’d take a look at Cabela’s. They have sturdy jackets that fit your description.

[Hachoo]

Odd that is is my first post as a newbie here . . . but as a 5’2" lady who had been in the women’s size range (now I’m BMI appropriate :winkgrin:) my go to then is still my go to now and that’s Eddie Bauer because they have petite sizes, even in the larger sizes. I have one of their micro down zip front hoodies that I use as my perfect final outer layer if it’s not wet out. They have some waterproof shells in petite as well.

Good luck. A lot of their outerwear is heavily discounted right now.

[Hachoo]

Nm. I checked and while EB has the size range they don’t have a jacket that has the features you’re looking for.

But I always give a shout out for the companies that look out for us shorties :yes:

[the_phantom]

Would you wear a Carhartt jacket? Their women’s jackets are generously sized w/o usually being very long. They’re not super insulated, but rather designed to leave room for layers underneath. Something like this?

If it makes you feel any better, you’re not the only body type with clothing-fit problems. I’m a woman of average height but thin, and I have a hard time finding good functional clothing that I’m not swimming in. :no:

[PeanutButterPony]

http://www.doversaddlery.com/t/Product.aspx?p=X1-40762

Carhartts are bulky for short women. I hate mine. I wear this mountain horse and it’s warm and does not get in the way.

[chicamux]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I do own a Carhartt coat which I use for doing barn chores. I also have a very long down parka that I put on once the temps get really low. I think this one was designed with snowboarding in mind?

What I want to spend DH’s money on is a longer coat designed for riding horses. You know, vents on the back so the jacket will open and drape over the riders thighs, YKK (2-way) zipper so you can open the zipper upward from the lower end. I was hoping someone would suggest a brand and model of equestrian jacket that has a looser fit to it, especially in the sleeves. I’m willing to spend the money for a good riding jacket if I can find one with the right fit.

I may have to resort to an LLBean parka in petite sizing, but was really hoping to find one designed for trail riders. I did get a kick out of the calvary style coat! A bit more extreme then I am looking for but it reminds me of taking Russian language classes way back in high school.

Still looking!

chicamuxen

[cowboymom]

I’m built like you and I don’t wear one big coat; they’re too inflexible. Carhartt especially, that canvas is just TOO SOLID. Can’t bend my arms, ect.

It’s -30ish here today with the wind chill and I worked outside. I wore a Minus33 wool shirt, a tshirt over that, a Carhartt work vest, a heavy duty Carhartt sweatshirt, and over the top of all that a wind proof water proof lightweight jacket that zips top and bottom. Toasty warm, except for my hands.

I get what you’re saying but I’ve never been able to find a heavy coat that didn’t feel really restrictive.

[PeanutButterPony]

[QUOTE=chicamux;7882040]
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I do own a Carhartt coat which I use for doing barn chores. I also have a very long down parka that I put on once the temps get really low. I think this one was designed with snowboarding in mind?

What I want to spend DH’s money on is a longer coat designed for riding horses. You know, vents on the back so the jacket will open and drape over the riders thighs, YKK (2-way) zipper so you can open the zipper upward from the lower end. I was hoping someone would suggest a brand and model of equestrian jacket that has a looser fit to it, especially in the sleeves. I’m willing to spend the money for a good riding jacket if I can find one with the right fit.

I may have to resort to an LLBean parka in petite sizing, but was really hoping to find one designed for trail riders. I did get a kick out of the calvary style coat! A bit more extreme then I am looking for but it reminds me of taking Russian language classes way back in high school.

Still looking!

chicamuxen[/QUOTE]
The MH I posted is vented in the back, Velcro arm holes with a gusset sort of thing under that so it’s not breezy, and the zipper that you want.

[AKB]

Try LLBean. My daughters have coats that they got there several years ago that have zippered back flaps that you can unzip for riding. I have no idea if they still make them. LLBean is great for people who don’t fit conventional sizes. They have tall, short, wide, and skinny clothes, because a lot of us don’t fit the usual sizes.

[Bank_of_Dad]

Yup I agree with Peanut Butter Pony, that jacket works for me and I’m built like the OP. On one hand, its great for barn chores. On the other, it gets too bulkly and too warm for riding fairly quickly. I do better with lots of layers, silk, fleece, wool, then a light 2 way zip up windbreaker on top… North Face had a great short jacket with zip in /out fleece and two way zipper, we got a few of them a while back, you might still be able to find it.

[Doctracy]

I really love my Mountain Horse old classic. I also just found a nice work coat at TSC. It was in with the Carharts for women but a different brand. Schmidt’s,maybe? The medium fits me perfect and I’m 5’2". It’s an attractive reddish pink with flannel,quilted lining. However, it’s not quite as warm or attractive as the MH and the MH has a lot more nice features for riding.
I didn’t want to wear my Mountain Horse for chores all the time because it’s my only nice winter coat. I do wear it to ride,though, when it’s cold. Also, it washes easily and comes out looking new again without doing anything special to it.
I’ve never had anything from MH that wasn’t made well.

[Flash44]

I’m 5’0 and 102, and love my Mountain Horse winter coat with detachable lining. It’s a bit bulky when putting it on because of the fleece lining, but it’s very comfy and warm, and the back snapped vents make sure I am not sitting on it when riding! Being petite, it’s hard to make the hip length coats and jackets work because they want to bunch up at the back of the saddle. If I was looking for another coat for riding, I would check this one out
http://www.doversaddlery.com/t/tuff-rider-weston/p/X1-40985/

[Bisoux]

If you are looking for something a bit on the longer side, try this:

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Muddy_Creek_Long_Raincoat_Waterproof_Duster_Jacket/descpage-MCLRC.html

They are VERY roomy, waterproof, layerable, etc.

This one is a bit shorter:
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Outback_Trading_Co_Pak-A-Roo_Waterproof_Parka_Jacket/descpage-OTCPARP.html

but also has those roomy sleeves you are looking for. Be careful on the sizing b/c they are mens/unisex so you’ll probably need a small. Best part is, this place has free return shipping, so you can get both and just return one!

[TWH_Girl]

I would try the original Montain Horse jacket-
http://www.doversaddlery.com/t/the-original-mountain-horse®-winter-jacket/p/X1-40198/