1st world shopping dilemma

[Roxylola]

Dont get excited, it's only competition stuff. So, I'm a paid up winter BD member and if I want to make the most of it there will be some getting wet involved.
I've wanted for a while now a black "plastic" hat that's comp legal, can wear with my black jacket, black waistcoat, or tweed. And unlike my lovely suede blue hat it wont get wrecked in the rain. Would mean also that I'm no longer riding daily in a j3 that I bought when they first came out ? which only really fits because theres padding at the back of the harness which stops it rattling round my head these days.
I also would like some cheaper breeches or tights that I can sacrifice to get a bit trashed in bad weather.
I've known this for a while - lived in the north west my whole life, weather is not a surprise really. But somehow I find I've entered a dressage tomorrow, outdoors, and its forecast to be foul. And I've not yet got my wet uniform!
So, theres a tack shop about an hour away that sells uvex plastic hats and has some ok breeches. Do I dash over there tomorrow morning, checked on line they have my size in stock, or do I just hang on a bit and sacrifice my good breeches and wear my competition skull with a black silk for tomorrow?
Its unaffiliated so a bit less strict anyway. I could do without spending, but equally I could do with the stuff. As this will be my third hat in 12 months - all fine just all have different uses - I want to limit costs which is why I'm looking at uvex not scharf etc.
Wwyd hho collective?

 

[SpotsandBays]

Are you near a decathlon? Keep seeing people recommend their waterproof breeches. (They also stock hats too I believe!)

 

[Roxylola]

Are you near a decathlon? Keep seeing people recommend their waterproof breeches. (They also stock hats too I believe!)

Near ish - I dont love their black waterproof ones at all, I dont have time to go there, not be in stock or not like them and go on to the other shop. It has crossed my mind though. I might have a look at the hats on the website.
I am finding hat search v frustrating though, got to be comp legal obviously and that is an important criteria for many people surely and yet there is no way to filter my search i have to look at the details of anything that i like to check!
Edit to add, decathlon is out, it's all champion hats and they dont fit me

 

[eggs]

I have a Uvex for every day riding and really like it but it was the cheapest one (about £90 from memory a couple of years ago) and I know it isn't competition legal so if you go down the Uvex route check which one you are buying.

It looks as though the white Decathlon breeches are back in stock.

 

[zandp]

Decathlon do white jods and you can check stock on their website.

 

[Roxylola]

Decathlon do white jods and you can check stock on their website.

But not hats - all champion on the website which dont fit me ?

 

[ester]

I wouldn't be rushing for kit for an unaff, I'd hang on and get stuff I definitely knew I wanted to keep and put a shower cap to amuse everyone over my suede one lol.

There's no way I'd manage a morning shop pre competition. I'd flap and make poor choices.

 

[Muddywellies]

I wouldn't be rushing for kit for an unaff, I'd hang on and get stuff I definitely knew I wanted to keep and put a shower cap to amuse everyone over my suede one lol.

There's no way I'd manage a morning shop pre competition. I'd flap and make poor choices.

I wouldnt either. Many people compete an an anorak when it's rainy (even at BD). If I were you I would wear skullcap with dark silk, black or navy plain anorak (with permission from judge) and just get wet legs. Then you can shop around for what you really want/need.

 

[Roxylola]

I'm at an outdoor affil the weekend after anyway so I'm just putting off the inevitable really, but I am inclined to not be dashing about in the morning

 

[Vodkagirly]

I wouldn't be rushing for kit for an unaff, I'd hang on and get stuff I definitely knew I wanted to keep and put a shower cap to amuse everyone over my suede one lol.

There's no way I'd manage a morning shop pre competition. I'd flap and make poor choices.

While I totally agree with the principle, I'd love to see some one warming up with a shower cap on there hat ???

 

[Roxylola]

Sorry, pretty sure I dont own a shower cap lol.
And re shopping the morning before etc - I'm not on til 3 and have a hogged cob to get ready. He does live out and will need a bit of mud removal, I may even rake his tail but we are pretty low maintenance.

 

[Annagain]

I wouldn't rush and buy something that might be unsuitable just for one unaffiliated competition. I get what you say about the following week but at least you have time to order online and get what you want for that one. My honest reaction was "if the forecast is that bad, I probably wouldn't go." but I realise that's not the right reaction!

 

[FinnishLapphund]

When it has started to rain unexpectedly out on forest dog walks, it has happened that I've pulled out a new, unused dog poo bag, tried to stretch it a bit first, and then pulled it over my hair as best as possible. Which usually means not very good at all, but at least it has kept my head a little bit less wet.

What I mean is, you don't necessarily need a shower cap to keep your helmet dryish. It all depends on how desperate you are.

 

[Squeak]

Agree with the others who say to investigate what you want online rather than rush to buy for tomorrow. Hat wise I've got one of these for everyday riding and it's not got ruined by the rain:

https://www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk/gatehouse-chelsea-matt-air-flow-pro-riding-hat.html

I think they might have newer models out now though.

 

[Roxylola]

I wouldn't rush and buy something that might be unsuitable just for one unaffiliated competition. I get what you say about the following week but at least you have time to order online and get what you want for that one. My honest reaction was "if the forecast is that bad, I probably wouldn't go." but I realise that's not the right reaction!

I know the brands they stock and I know I like them. The uvex hat is one I've been looking at anyway - theres not much to choose from that meets my spec and is in budget. So even ordering online is probably the same products. I do like to have a feel of leg wear, and at the moment nobody seems to be stocking winter stuff.
I could get the hat and wait for the breeches I suppose

 

[Annagain]

I know the brands they stock and I know I like them. The uvex hat is one I've been looking at anyway - theres not much to choose from that meets my spec and is in budget. So even ordering online is probably the same products. I do like to have a feel of leg wear, and at the moment nobody seems to be stocking winter stuff.
I could get the hat and wait for the breeches I suppose

That sounds like a good compromise. You could always wear chaps / waterproof over trousers and whip them off at the last minute. It would only be 4 or 5 minutes of getting wet then.

 

[rextherobber]

I love my Uvex, but agree it isn't competition legal, also, the ventilation, which is excellent in the summer, means it's like wearing a colander on your head in the rain...
ETA just read that they are competition legal apparently