Disappointing winter yard/ everyday riding jackets

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Flame_

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I am getting a bit cheesed off with going round tack shops and plugging through websites looking at the current winter coats on offer. They're so thin and flimsy. Where are the proper coats with thickish, tough fabric and decent padding? The full length coats are no good for me because the waist always sits on my hips - apparently someone as fat as me is supposed to be a foot taller. I'd like a hip length jacket that goes in where I do and out again round my bum and finding one has never been a massive challenge in the past. I don't like those down filled, bubbly things that, to me, look like variations of 80s body warmers, and I can't see them being at all waterproof. Budget ideally round about £100 but could stretch to £200 for something decent quality if I actually liked it and thought it was worth it.

So, any ideas?
 
I have a Musto combination jacket which I highly recommend, I used to have a Puffa Kendall jacket which was similar but thicker and last week bought a Pikeur Parker (birthday pressie). Lots of lovely Musto coats to chose from and a couple of nice Ariat ones but these were very noisy and rustled lots.
 
Being 5' and a stock size 16 I bought an HKM jacket last year, nothing fancy but perfect for the yard and on occasion (having been washed) worn it on casual occasions. Goes in the washing machine and tumbledryer, loads of pockets for me the almost perfect jacket - the only downside for some is no hood, but I prefer a jacket without one.
 
The best winter coat I have ever bought came from Halfords for £20! It's a fluorescent yellow, waterproof, windproof, thick padded bomber style jacket! It's done 2 seasons out on 5 lots a day 6 days a week and the elbows have just started to leak! Best value for money you can get! None of this silly "Equestrian" stuff for 5x the price!
 
I bought a Jack something or other, very comfortable to ride in, the zip bust within weeks.

EKW is right, don't bother with the equine brands.
 
I'm struggling with exactly the same thing!! I bought a mountain horse 1 2 years ago & it wasn't waterproof after about 4 months, fair enough it was worn every day for 8 hours at work but for £135 i was a little disappointed!!
 
Thanks for the replies! I've tried none-riding type coats and I can't do without the two way zip and rear vents, but yeah you can get so much more for your money that way. I tried on one of the Pikeur Parkas, which looked the business and has an impressive array of pockets but I couldn't justify almost £200 on a coat that I wasn't even warm in inside a shop.

And my last winter coat was a Mountain Horse which I did like a lot, but it was falling to bits by the end of its second winter. Dublin used to do some good, functional, warm winter coats for a great price but that seems to have come to an end. :(
 
Flame_ said:
Thanks for the replies! I've tried none-riding type coats and I can't do without the two way zip and rear vents, but yeah you can get so much more for your money that way. I tried on one of the Pikeur Parkas, which looked the business and has an impressive array of pockets but I couldn't justify almost £200 on a coat that I wasn't even warm in inside a shop.

And my last winter coat was a Mountain Horse which I did like a lot, but it was falling to bits by the end of its second winter. Dublin used to do some good, functional, warm winter coats for a great price but that seems to have come to an end. :(
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I bought a blazewear jacket several years ago from Olympia - it's still going strong, although it does get used more for the football touch lines than the riding - having a portable wrap around radiator is sooo useful for standing for 2 hours in the freezing cold!!
 
Me too - in 2002 I bought a great down Puffa jacket, the old style they used to do - with detachable sleeves so it also became a gilet. Has done me proud every winter, warm though not as waterproof as it once was but I've found nothing that's come close to being so reliable. I had to have the zip replaced but that's been it. I got a supposed winter waterproof jacket from a well know big horsey superstore last winter in the sale - £100 down to £50 - first time in the wash and the zipper bits came off and before that wasn't overall impressed. To me it seems now most brands are going for trendy at the expense of what a winter jacket should be. I don't care what it looks like - just want it to keep me warm and dry!
 
EKW said:
The best winter coat I have ever bought came from Halfords for £20! It's a fluorescent yellow, waterproof, windproof, thick padded bomber style jacket! It's done 2 seasons out on 5 lots a day 6 days a week and the elbows have just started to leak! Best value for money you can get! None of this silly "Equestrian" stuff for 5x the price!
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this, didn't come from halfords but very similar. We ride daily so even if I only got one winter out of it then at around 20 quid it is cheap and can still go on to be used on dry days when it loses the waterproofing. Plus it is hi viz so nothing else needed.
 
I second HKM - I bought mine at a trade stand last year and wasn't expecting much but I'd been caught out that day without a coat! It's been waterproof, windproof and although not the warmest on a bitterly cold day (I've got other coats for dry but cold), you can add layers and stay warm. It looks quite trendy and more expensive than it is - which is a bonus :)
 
My brother got me 2 hi viz builder's coats, I won't win any fashion shows but I am warm dry (even in heavy rain!) and seen!
 
I'm another one that loves Puffa jackets!!! I also have a down jacket from Horze, that didn't break the bank and has served me well for years.
 
I've just received my new jacket from premier equine. I ordered a 14, it's huge but body protector should fit under it

Was only 40quid t
In the sale. It's blimmin warm but not massively thick. Will test out its waterproofness tomorrow
 
My best yard coat is a Horseware one I bought 4 or 5 years ago for £30. Its completely waterproof and its warm yet still feels light to work in. The only sign of wear is a bit of scuffing on the cuffs. Its slightly too long for me to ride in although I do when its really cold and the back bit gets caught under the saddle lol. The last couple of years I have looked for new ones and nothing has come up anywhere near as good. I agree with above post that Regatta coats are good quality and value. I have had some of the very expensive brands in the past and they haven't lasted as long, plus they have been a nightmare to wash.
 
I would go for waterproof over warmth every time. I find thick jackets hard going, the sleeves don't bend well, you sweat up under them if it isn't as cold and they are impossible to work in because of their bulk. I always wore something a bit thinner with a thermal cyclists undershirt underneath. Two thin layers and nice and toasty and dry. I had a traditional beige rubberised long coat for riding out in heavy rain and that was brilliant. Kept the saddle and some of the horses quarters dry too if I wasn't using a rain sheet. The suspicious side of me thinks that most riding coats are made in the same Chinese factories and just have different badges on!
 
Regatta, Craghoppers, Mountain Warehouse and Karrimor all do good outdoorsy jackets and coats. For something more expensive (and good) I'd recommend The North Face (but wait until the sales) and good old trusty Barbour (IMO can't go wrong - I have 4 and none are 'Equestrian' style ones - I ride in 1 of the old ones).
 
Fast tack direct are doing a HKM jacket for £35 instead of £71 today as their daily deal.
Even if it only lasts this winter it's a bargain!
 
Just another thought - if you have a Go Outdoors - camping shop -anywhere near you have a look in there, they sell loads of stuff for hiking and outdoor activities - not too expensive either - they also stock some riding gear (although tends to be the pricier stuff) and some trailer accessories. Might be worth a look
 
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