Appropriate clothes for the weather!

O

oldie48

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 April 2013
Messages
7,056
Location
South Worcestershire
Visit site
Yesterday I hacked out in pouring rain suitably dressed in a waterproof jacket but I was so hot despite my breeches being soaked through. Today it was dry but very cold. I wrapped up in a long sleeved thermal top + a fleece but within 10 minutes of schooling the sun came out and I was cooked. I got off, stripped down to my bra and just wore the thin fleece for the rest of the session. I just don't know what to wear ATM, I am too cold, wringing wet or boiling hot. What's everyone else wearing?
 
I am resplendent in Fortress Flex waterproof jacket and trousers - v cheap on Amazon, extremely waterproof, and no fill, so I'm reasonably cool (for a 50yr old perimenopausal sweatbox!) Soft stretchy material too, so I don't rustle when I move, which drives me insane!
I look dreadful in this ensemble, but I could not care less!
 
I feel the cold so I'm not much use, but today I rode in long sleeve cotton top under a thin hoodie and a padded waterproof coat plus denim breeches. I was just about perfect temperature wise but we are very exposed up here.

If I'd have been hacking I might have ditched the hoodie or gone for a lighter coat.
 
I just wear my normal riding stuff I can't stand waterproofs and although I don't very often venture out in rain I have been caught out especially lately!, I just then go indoors and take off all the wet stuff and put some pyjamas on and sit with the heater on.

I do find that a few thin layers and a gillet or bodywarmer is better than a soping wet coat and I can just ditch the outer layer easily if schooling.
 
I was probably a bit late to the party, but once I discovered technical outdoor clothing, I wondered why I ever put up with being too hot, cold or wearing wet clothes that didn't dry while I was still wearing them. I really like Rohan and Musto, amongst other brands. They're pricey, so I mostly buy in the sales. Also quick to wash and dry, and last for years.
 
I wear icebreaker layers, which works well for schooling indoors. If outdoors I add a long padded waterproof jacket - scary price tag, but it works so well. Keeps my knees nice and toasty. If schooling outdoors sometimes need to take off a layer under the jacket, but hacking im wrapped up toasty. I don’t do cold or wet.
 
dogatemysalad said:
I was probably a bit late to the party, but once I discovered technical outdoor clothing, I wondered why I ever put up with being too hot, cold or wearing wet clothes that didn't dry while I was still wearing them. I really like Rohan and Musto, amongst other brands. They're pricey, so I mostly buy in the sales. Also quick to wash and dry, and last for years.
Click to expand...

I only ever buy when stuff is on sale. I've just recently replaced my goretex paclite jacket with a new one, from Sports Pursuit, that had 70% off. I'm keeping the old one for riding at the moment. The only thing wrong with it is the seam sealing has gone between the hood and the body, but it's fine for short rides.
 
I've resigned myself to always being a sweaty mess, regardless of the weather.

Because I always wear my body protector riding, it gets hot under there. Add a waterproof and I'm soaked come the end of my ride - even if it's freezing out!
 
dogatemysalad said:
I was probably a bit late to the party, but once I discovered technical outdoor clothing, I wondered why I ever put up with being too hot, cold or wearing wet clothes that didn't dry while I was still wearing them. I really like Rohan and Musto, amongst other brands. They're pricey, so I mostly buy in the sales. Also quick to wash and dry, and last for years.
Click to expand...
Could you please list a few examples of the types of clothing you find works well? Because I invested into quite a bit of technical sportswear (not quite on the same price level) last year thinking that would solve my problems and it absolutely didn't - i still end up far too hot and cooking under them.
I also sometimes take the 'go outside without waterproofs' approach but I live in Scotland where it has essentially been raining non stop since the start of October, I have to work on the yard 2-3 times a day and I started running out of room to hang wet clothes.
 
atropa said:
Could you please list a few examples of the types of clothing you find works well? Because I invested into quite a bit of technical sportswear (not quite on the same price level) last year thinking that would solve my problems and it absolutely didn't - i still end up far too hot and cooking under them.
I also sometimes take the 'go outside without waterproofs' approach but I live in Scotland where it has essentially been raining non stop since the start of October, I have to work on the yard 2-3 times a day and I started running out of room to hang wet clothes.
Click to expand...

Base layers from Rohan or Musto are very good. I live in walking trousers either by Craghoppers or Rohan, who make both light and warm versions, plus their waterproof trousers for heavy rain.
Have had a few bargains from Sportspursuit, mostly by Scandinavian companies. In particular, a fleece by Haglof is my favourite on days where the weather is changeable. Cheap fleeces seem to make me end up a soggy mess on warm days, whereas the Haglof allows my skin to breathe.
 
I only wear merino base layers (just got brilliant new ones, Isobaa from Sport Pursuit), much less clammy than wicking layers, and can be worn several times in a row so they might take a little longer to dry, but I use maybe 1/3 as many. I make sure my coats are as breathable as possible, with pit zips too ideally, as a bonus. When I was riding Polartec Windpro was my friend, dense but not fully windproof fleece, though I made my own and know that it's not the easiest thing to find garments made of it. Closed cuffs like Uhip wrist thingies are a nightmare as I'm just discovering with my new coat from them, have to decide whether to cut them out and then how to close the sleeve ends when it's freezing!
 
Highly recommended the Flexothane jackets and over-trousers, they are totally waterproof but very breathable as they're designed for people doing manual jobs outside. I'm barely noticing the weather clad in these and I usually find it challenging in Winter.

Also cheap as chips compared to riding or outdoor branded clothing, I find workwear is the best as it has to be performant, and resilient, but still affordable.
 
AntiPuck said:
Highly recommended the Flexothane jackets and over-trousers, they are totally waterproof but very breathable as they're designed for people doing manual jobs outside. I'm barely noticing the weather clad in these and I usually find it challenging in Winter.

Also cheap as chips compared to riding or outdoor branded clothing, I find workwear is the best as it has to be performant, and resilient, but still affordable.
Click to expand...


Auslander said:
I am resplendent in Fortress Flex waterproof jacket and trousers - v cheap on Amazon, extremely waterproof, and no fill, so I'm reasonably cool (for a 50yr old perimenopausal sweatbox!) Soft stretchy material too, so I don't rustle when I move, which drives me insane!
I look dreadful in this ensemble, but I could not care less!
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to go for some of these - 'equestrian' gear isn't coping at all in this weather! How do you find the sizing? I'm thinking even small might be quite big and am hovering on ordering XS. I vary between size 8-12 in clothing although I'm not petite, and am a "cold tattie" so need layers, but I do find it extra tiring having clothing too big.

Also thinking of trying some Dunlop Protomaster "farm" wellies as spares/for the REALLY bad days/for 'night-shift'!
Am currently in a welly crisis as my Grubbs Frostline are worn out, am getting by with a Tescos pair till Christmas; have been saving up for Le Chameau Vierzonords but not seen any even slightly discounted yet, don't think I will!
 
Chappie said:
I think I'm going to go for some of these - 'equestrian' gear isn't coping at all in this weather! How do you find the sizing? I'm thinking even small might be quite big and am hovering on ordering XS. I vary between size 8-12 in clothing although I'm not petite, and am a "cold tattie" so need layers, but I do find it extra tiring having clothing too big.

Also thinking of trying some Dunlop Protomaster "farm" wellies as spares/for the REALLY bad days/for 'night-shift'!
Am currently in a welly crisis as my Grubbs Frostline are worn out, am getting by with a Tescos pair till Christmas; have been saving up for Le Chameau Vierzonords but not seen any even slightly discounted yet, don't think I will!
Click to expand...

They are pretty generous - definitely geared towards large men!
 
I went into winter clothes for hacking yesterday. Jersey, old fleece lined Musto jacket and modern Derby house breeches. But I rode in my short summer boots and half chaps.

I havent worn my really thick winter riding clothes and boots since I moved to the current yard 3 years ago. We have had no real frost or snow in London for ages now.
 
Reading replies with interest! I was just saying to my horsey friend I dont know how Im going to cope come 'proper winter' - I was already layered/wrapped up and I was freezing this weekend grooming for her at a dressage comp. Im a very cold person generally and nearly always have one or two more layers than everyone else but to truly be warm I find Im wearing so much clothing i can barely move! As an aside - every other person at said competition was wearing an Equidry coat - can anyone tell me why they are any different to any other longer length, warm, waterproof riding coat (apart from how tent-like they look!?)
 
Auslander said:
I am resplendent in Fortress Flex waterproof jacket and trousers - v cheap on Amazon, extremely waterproof, and no fill, so I'm reasonably cool (for a 50yr old perimenopausal sweatbox!) Soft stretchy material too, so I don't rustle when I move, which drives me insane!
I look dreadful in this ensemble, but I could not care less!
Click to expand...

This has solved my " what to buy OH and son for xmas " dilemma ! They are both often out in all weathers so I have just ordered them each a set of the all-in-one overalls . Brilliant ? Ta !
 
Aldi ski ing and cycling clothes. I find that even with a back protector on I don’t get that sweaty with cycling clothes. I don’t have winter breeches just out my Aldi ski trousers on top.
 
Chappie said:
I think I'm going to go for some of these - 'equestrian' gear isn't coping at all in this weather! How do you find the sizing? I'm thinking even small might be quite big and am hovering on ordering XS. I vary between size 8-12 in clothing although I'm not petite, and am a "cold tattie" so need layers, but I do find it extra tiring having clothing too big.

Also thinking of trying some Dunlop Protomaster "farm" wellies as spares/for the REALLY bad days/for 'night-shift'!
Am currently in a welly crisis as my Grubbs Frostline are worn out, am getting by with a Tescos pair till Christmas; have been saving up for Le Chameau Vierzonords but not seen any even slightly discounted yet, don't think I will!
Click to expand...

Flexothane only come in 'male' sizes, so they are large, but the smallest size of Dover jacket doesn't swamp me too much as a size 8-10 with layers on underneath it, it's workable.

The over trousers are big, but again, workable.
 
Thanks, this is helpful to know! I've not ordered yet but really need to get something better than what I have, and soon!
I do think as soon as they arrive, we will get a cold dry spell - this happens when I even open the drawer my shorts are kept in, in the summer - the sun promptly disappears!:D

https://hollandscountryclothing.co....terproof-jacket-air-flex-blue-castle-code-221
https://hollandscountryclothing.co.uk/products/airflex-waterproof-breathable-trousers-by-castle-1
https://hollandscountryclothing.co.uk/products/dunlop-protomastor-safety-wellington

Was thinking of these!
 
Last edited:
Mrs G said:
Reading replies with interest! I was just saying to my horsey friend I dont know how Im going to cope come 'proper winter' - I was already layered/wrapped up and I was freezing this weekend grooming for her at a dressage comp. Im a very cold person generally and nearly always have one or two more layers than everyone else but to truly be warm I find Im wearing so much clothing i can barely move! As an aside - every other person at said competition was wearing an Equidry coat - can anyone tell me why they are any different to any other longer length, warm, waterproof riding coat (apart from how tent-like they look!?)
Click to expand...
Yes, because its like wearing a duvet, you can work in it, ride in it, walk in it. I have tried a lot of jackets over the years and equidry is by far the best and well worth the money
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top