Competing in bad weather - what do you wear?

V

Vodkagirly

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 August 2010
Messages
3,895
Visit site
A question to all disciplines, what do you wear to make it as comfortable as possible?
I did a xc clinic today with a ski jacket over my body protector but my legs were freezing. Any tips that you can share. Unfortunatley having the groom warm up while I sit in my Oakley is a while off for me.....
 
Sounds like you're in the same boat as PS!

I get really hot when riding - these past few chilly weeks I've been riding in a polo shirt and a long sleeved top. If I need a jacket, I just wear one layer underneath!!

PS however....wears thermals, long sleeve top, fleece/zip up, and a double layer jacket!!!

Softshell breeches really cosy btw :) (Failing that, a pair of tights!! Much prefer them to thermals)
 
Erm what are rainlegs? please expand.
Are softshell breeches any good? I haven't seen any in "real life" and imagine something really thick and rubbery.
If I spend a load of money on wet weather gear do you think the rain will nick off so I don't need use it?
 
Rainlegs are like waterproof chaps, except they only go on the top part of your legs, at the front. They are windproof and waterproof, super quick to put on and take off and they don't ride up your legs like waterproof trousers or full chaps do.
You can buy them here...
http://www.rainlegs.com/en/home

I found a pair in the bargain bin at my Local Tack Shop for £2, bought them and forgot about them. Then in desperation put them on, but they are bloody fab! :D
There isn't any weight to them, so they aren't going to make your legs snuggly warm, however it means you can wear them when it's wet and warm, and if you need to add a bit of warmth to them, you can put thermals on. However the windproof-ness of them does help keep the cold out.
 
When I last did a XC event in a monsoon - a while ago I add, I wore my ordinary riding clothes, BP, colours ect... and just had my mum on help after to peel my layers off me...there was no humanly way possible I'd have managed to undress myself!!!! And yep, EVERY item was soaked through... I remembered to take a towel and lots of warm spare clothes!!

If just hacking about at home, then a coat, with seconds as spare, and over trousers...

On the other hand, I don't go out of my way to ride in monsoon conditions any more!
 
British Showjumping are definitely getting a bit more relaxed, I was competing in a normal waterproof jacket yesterday and so was everybody else, have seen people (including some of our Olympic hopefuls!) go in the ring in full water proofs in the last few weeks... :D It may not look gorgeous but I reckon show organisers are grateful enough that people drag themselves to their shows in hideous weather, that they aren't going to be sticklers about competition wear (and quite rightly, IMO)
 
D1 has a transparent Kingsland jacket, which apparently she's allowed to wear to do BS.

I hear good things about the waterproof breeches, at least for cold weather riding.

For warm-ups and general riding in yuck weather, D1 has some posh waterproof full chaps, but I can't remember the make. Got them for Christmas and practically lives in them when cold/wet.

Tops - lots of thin technical layers. They trap heat, dry quickly, and don't hold water :)
 
Odlo long johns are amazing and so worth the ridiculous amounts of money :D

This might be too much information, but they're great for someone like me who is absolutely freezing when I start, then sweaty once I get going and then freezing when I cool down, as they wick sweat away really, really well.
 
MM are they ProChaps? I was given a pair when they started to promote them here and while they aren't the most stylish they are warm and waterproof. I find waterproof trousers impossible to ride in but grew up wearing full chaps so find them a much better option! Not suitable for competing though as obviously can't just be put on over comp gear.

They apparently knew what they were up to giving me a pair though, as a few people have bought them on the strength of seeing mine and they all seem to love them.
 
Out of interest do people think you would get away with wearing white rainlegs for BE dressage and SJ on a particularly vile day?

Otherwise I have 'waterproof' cream jodhpurs and a smart navy blue soft shell jacket, with collar and back vent, which I would hope to be able to compete in (BE) if necessary, but not tested that theory yet!
 
TS no idea! Useless mother that I am...

They're full length, padded, full length 'waterproof' side zips, and she rides in them just fine :D

Will find out.

I wanted some, but they don't do walrus size :(
 
For warming up and at home on the awful wet and windy pennines you can't beat Mountain Horse waterproof and everything else proof trousers with leggings underneath. Would be interested in thoughts on actually competing in the white rainlegs as they do still look quite smart?
 
Got me interested so did some research. Has anyone used Kerritt Knickers? More expensive than rain legs but reckon you could wear these for sj and xc.
 
Keep MANY spares in the truck but whilst competing we usually just take a coat along for in between chukkas (not for wearing, for chucking over your saddle to stop it getting even wetter!).

Any ideas if somebody has invented a waterproof base layer yet? Something thin and waterproof to go under my playing shirt when it's peeing it down would be amazing!
Also - a link to these waterproof breeches please!
 
Last edited:
You can impregnate any and all of your layers with wash in waterproofing if you wish. I have certainly done base layers in the past, although I do find it can irritate my skin, and I regularly do fleece layers. They aren't waterproof, waterproof, if you really get soaked but it is a big help.
 
When it's cold and/or wet I wear Icebreak merino thermal long johns, then breeches, then my waterproof Musto full chaps. I have jumped in them and would certainly XC school in them. And also a musto jacket that comes to mid thigh.Not sure about neater competition wear though - but like others have said, in weather that bad you are most likely to find me in front of the fire, with the horse in her stable ;).

Seriously though, Icebreaker is my go-to all the time. In all seasons and you never ever need to wash it. :p
 
The beauty of showing - you wear the same whether it is 30 degrees standing for 2 hours in the sunshine or horrizontal rain hammering down on to you. There some waterproof type show jackets but haven't seen one I like. Just always make sure taken plenty of spare clothes. I do actually like it that no concession to the bad or good weather is made though think that perhaps it is a little different for children.
 
humblepie said:
The beauty of showing - you wear the same whether it is 30 degrees standing for 2 hours in the sunshine or horrizontal rain hammering down on to you. There some waterproof type show jackets but haven't seen one I like. Just always make sure taken plenty of spare clothes. I do actually like it that no concession to the bad or good weather is made though think that perhaps it is a little different for children.
Click to expand...

Lol, yeah - I am still smiling at the thought of my lovely mare's confused little face when I kept turning her back to stand in line the first time we were in a ring in hideous wind and rain. I was explaining to her that she had to stand still and wait for the judge neatly lined up. She was clearly thinking "mum has gone mental here, WHY doesn't she understand I am showing her the best way to minimise the nasty wind chill" :rolleyes:

I only ride my own horses these days so thankfully I get to choose when enough is enough without having to consider the poor owners who have turned up to see their pride and joy in the ring despite the weather, but if i could find waterproof undergarments which were thin enough to go under my jacket and breeches it would be a.maze.ing.
 
So anyone tried the Townend breeches? I'm not getting very far with the Kerrit Knickers - maybe it's the ridiculous name? Would love to know whether anyone has ever tried either and/or if anyone as ever competed in rainlegs or Kerrit Knickers?
 
Vanha12 said:
So anyone tried the Townend breeches? I'm not getting very far with the Kerrit Knickers - maybe it's the ridiculous name? Would love to know whether anyone has ever tried either and/or if anyone as ever competed in rainlegs or Kerrit Knickers?
Click to expand...

I tried the townend breeches, couldn't get them to fit.
I also have some kerrit knickers, haven't worn them to compete but i certainly could, no one would know. Havent tested their waterproofness but if they are anywhere near as good as my other waterproof kerrits then they'll be great. They are comfy too, nice stretchy seat.
 
brilliant - thank you mil1212 - as with many others I will use some of the various refunds I have coming in at the moment and invest in the kerrit knickers!
 
When I rode in the rain last time, I put on as few layers as possible, a canterbury base layer with a polo shirt on top and some gloves with some leggins and jods on the bottom. Gotta say I was pretty warm! Found some heat-keeping leggins from the winter and although when i peeled them off, they were wet, they kept warm throughout. Gone back to thinking basic!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top