Please show me your best winter jackets..and are they really warm & waterproof!

SaharaS

SaharaS

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Hello...just wondered what you are all wearing this year.

I'm after a nice smarter jacket, warm waterproof for doing horses, walking dog, riding..but by waterproof I really do mean something weatherbeeta heavy weight full neck combo style...but for humans! Horsewear & Harry Hall looked nice but leak ..can't even get from the house to the car without raining inwardly let alone actually doing anything outside!

I really like the Ariat Regent Parka, tho it doesn't look that warm and sure they wouldn't let me road test!(stable test!)..(2012 one, chocolate or charcoal and looks quite fitted & smart..not tent like..so I'd love to see what you have...& hear how you really rate them..and how you rate the fit/sizing..I'm 5'6" size 8-10 so need to be weatherproofed without being swamped or restricted..and what annoys you about them...

Chocolate Yule Logs to all who help! (as in cake..I'm not throwing them at you!)
 
I never found a nice coat last year..just three really disappointing ones...bf had threatened to buy one and chickened out saying too expensive to wear at horses..pffft..men..they'll never understand the need to buy decent things, even if they are destined to be covered in poo, its still an investment!
:rolleyes:
 
I'll log back in in the morning, I bought a jacket last minute for going to millstreet pony owners show, I'll check what make it is, but it was accidental. Down from €50 to €23 in sale, but the best jacket I've ever worn, it's black, fleece lined, really warm, and the best jacket I ever bought. xx
 
I have a joules Dakota that I love... I have never got wet in it and never worn more than a thin hoodie underneath as it has a gilet and arms inside that you can take out appropriate for weather. I am a very warm person though I think, not one of these people that needs a down filled duvet of a jacket :-) It's also fun and purple with handy pockets and good design and I like the coloured poppers!
 
If you want "proper waterproof" look for something made from goretex and follow the care instructions to the letter.

Goretex coats are cheaper from berghaus, northface, mountain equipment etc than horsey brands.

Alternatively look at the paramo website, their waterproof coats are brilliant and don't feel waterproof. Again you need to follow the care instructions. OH wears his cascada jacket to the stables daily and has never been wet in it. I wear mine less (purely because I have lots of coats) but can't fault it. They have a lifetime guarantee and can be repaired and are manufactured ethically by the makers of nikwax.
 
If you google LL Bean have a look there, not horsey jackets but made for winters in Maine. I have a 3 year old down filled coat from them, absolutely the best thing ever, so warm but not bulky at all. I wouldn't say it is waterproof in torrential rain, but pretty good in the rain & I think about $50 so not massively expensive. Be warned though you will have to pay import tax but don't remember it being that much.
 
I have a musto combination jacket which is the best waterproof I've ever had. Warm, waterproof and I think it looks pretty good too
 
Mine came from a shooting shop. No silly embriodery or seams to leak (which feature heavily in equestrian wear) It's warm, totally waterproof, with some sort of gore-tex fabric. Wasn't cheap but worth every penny. Remember most equestrian stuff is made to appeal to fashion and the high street as well and as a result doesn't stand up to proper work - shooters and beaters on the other hand require something to protect them in rough weather all day and the clothing is made for function over fashion.! Also worth a look is sailing and ski wear - In a nutshell avoid equestrian if you want to stay warm and dry!!!:rolleyes:
 
I have the joules Dakota 3 in 1 too. It's not really padded like some coats and not restrictive at all, although I did but it a size bigger but doesn't look big! Nothing worse than trying to tie a net up and your coat won't let you!!
I find it really warm, wind proof and up to now (even though been washed already!) waterproof. I have it in navy. The quilted jacket zipped in is lovely too and can't wait to wear it in the spring!
 
maisie06 said:
Mine came from a shooting shop. No silly embriodery or seams to leak (which feature heavily in equestrian wear) It's warm, totally waterproof, with some sort of gore-tex fabric. Wasn't cheap but worth every penny. Remember most equestrian stuff is made to appeal to fashion and the high street as well and as a result doesn't stand up to proper work - shooters and beaters on the other hand require something to protect them in rough weather all day and the clothing is made for function over fashion.! Also worth a look is sailing and ski wear - In a nutshell avoid equestrian if you want to stay warm and dry!!!:rolleyes:
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this could also have alot to do with companies wishing to avoid soggy drowned gun weilding people coming back looking very unimpressed! :D:D:D

I've tried the ski wear..spent £300 on a gorgeous jacket that may as well have been made out of chocolate and waterproofed with tissue paper..ultra thin tissue paper. very bad impression of all three companies as their customer service was shocking not to mention products not living up to their impressive descriptions..shame on them..thank you for the suggestion...very sensible logic!


Thank you for everyones replies so far..keep them coming..I'm gong to do a lucky dip of the answers!still no one with the ariat regent..perhaps that says something!;)
 
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This one is fantastic! Technically not a winter coat, but it's an ex police coat. Just stick a hoody on underneath and it's toasty :)

NedGood009.jpg
 
ah...but I can't do stealth sheep surprising in that!Have to remove all hint of hi-vis & reflectives if I want to check them or get anywhere near them or they think I am a possessed alien from outer-field!particularly the black ones-even if weilding buckets full of goodies -one of them also launches an attack at hi vis so can only guess they have had a bad experience in this current field as its only been in the last 6 months this has started..I'm going to have to start natural sheepmanship training i think!;-)
 
SaharaS said:
ah...but I can't do stealth sheep surprising in that!Have to remove all hint of hi-vis & reflectives if I want to check them or get anywhere near them or they think I am a possessed alien from outer-field!particularly the black ones-even if weilding buckets full of goodies -one of them also launches an attack at hi vis so can only guess they have had a bad experience in this current field as its only been in the last 6 months this has started..I'm going to have to start natural sheepmanship training i think!;-)
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Ah, I must have missed the first line of your OP! Woops XD

And 'natural sheepmanship' haha, I like that!
 
I like layers rather than one big jacket - I have a lovely Kyra K ED jacket from a few years back which I end up wearing for smart rather than riding.

For schooling I have 1-2 layers of thick WindPro fleece, 2 jackets and a gilet so one jacket can be in the wash and the gilet is good for warmer weather on its own. I then have a Musto Suffolk for wet weather hacking, only for schooling if its REALLY hooning down. I also have a cheap down jacket (Landsend) which I will use when really cold and dry. I also have really warm breeches, some that are pretty warm and shower/windproof, and MHriding overtrousers. I see wind, rain and cold as all needing different solutions, and schooling and hacking are different, as I get very hot schooling. Hence the layers :)

For work I now use a Jack Wolfskin 3 in 1 jacket which I love - it's not quite right for riding because it's not tailored that way, but it's what I'd use for dogwalking :)
 
SaharaS said:
this could also have alot to do with companies wishing to avoid soggy drowned gun weilding people coming back looking very unimpressed! :D:D:D
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Wax jacket... mine isn't a Barbour, it's just from a feed merchants but it is toasty warm and has survived three hard years - including beating duty, and only needed rewaxing once in that time.
 
I agree that layers can be best. One of my best buy ever coats is a goretex paclite jacket from berghaus it was £80 in a sale, and is incredibly lightweight, it packs down to the size of a grapefruit and is 100% waterproof, breathable and windproof. It isn't warm, but I layer it with fleeces or a down gilet or jacket depending upon the weather.

I have never been wet in it. The first proper test it got was Blenheim Horse Trials in 2005 when it lashed it down all day. I was dry underneath, bar a bit of damp on my collar where rain had run down my chin. OH was soaked in his horesy coat, my handbag had a puddle in it, my mobile phone filled with water and I had to dry my money on the radiator when I got home, but my jacket remained waterproof.

Last summer I went on a hack with a group and we got caught in a storm. When we got back I was the only one whose t-shirt wasn't wet. The others has been wearing a variety of horsey coats including one of those long ones with the cape on the shoulders.

My paramo coat is a bit warmer, and I now wear that if it is chilly and wet as it is longer and thicker. I don't use it if I have to carry it though as it is more bulky.

I have a down coat from montane that is warm but not waterproof in a downpour and an insulted gilet from paramo that is warm and showerproof. I will layer either of these with a waterproof if it is very cold and wet or wear them alone if it is dry or just light showers.

Paramo stuff is here: http://www.paramo.co.uk/en-gb/index.php you can often get it on sale in ladies small sizes at reduced prices.

They don't do any equestrian stuff yet, but that doesn't bother me. They also do lots of their stuff in subtle colours for birdwatchers and photographers as well as the more colourful stuff that cyclists and climbers like. Have a read of their site, I can vouch for the fact that the blurb is true, my OH and I have 7 items in total between us and I'm coveting a pair of waterproof trousers too........
 
I've got 2 musto combination jackets, one is an older longer one so tend to keep that one for when its really rainy, definately worth the money my oldest combination jacket is around 7 years old now, I wash it in nikwax and it doesn't leak and can take the gilet out when need to which is also fleecy lined! I've also had a mountain horse jacket in the past which was great, really warm but not super waterproof
 
Abacus said:
Sorry to hijack - Persephone, on the Musto ZP, is it tue to size and are the arms long enough? Thanks![/QUOT

I would say they come up a little big, partly I think because it is so stretchy, arms are a little long for me, but I'm 5' and not an orang utan :)

I am used to having sleeves too long!
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I bought a eurostar bente jacket this year and so far its wonderful! I had the brown/mocca colour which helps hide dirt to keep it looking smart :). Im really impressed with it, its lovely and warm, definitely wind proof, and though it hasn't been tested in torrential rain its shown no signs of leaking at all in 'normal rain'. It has loads of useful secure pockets including a pocket for mp3 player with hole for headphone cable, neck does up snugly and nice & high, hood is also warm does up and stays up. And it looks nice on as it has a waist adjuster so you can cinch it in, but it adjusts either side of zip so no belt tied across the front which I find gets in the way and is a pain. All in all I'm a big fan! A flattering jacket that does the job :).
 
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even more brilliant ideas thanks..

Can't wear wax jackets sadly, as have very sensitive skin & end up with blotchey face at the mearest contact..and pointless wearing it wide open & collar turned down!Spend too many hours out with the animals to be able to cope with that & around my wrists too:p

SBloom - shall inspect Jack Wolfskin as I have been thinking of those, came highly recommended here before but yet to find one I can investigate -too fussy with coats to risk buying online unless i've tried a brand

Natural Sheepmanship Classes will be taking bookings shortly..setting up the website now.. I will also be running Sheep Jumping , team chasing & would like to announce the sheep-sheep trials along side my sheep-goat trials..dogs, you have ALOT to learn!!:D

Becca1305 - who had the brown/mocca colour which helps hide dirt to keep it looking smart ....did you read my mind?:D
 
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