Waterproor just Shower proof?

[Orangehorse]

I am going riding in Wales soon so need to have all weather protection. (Last time it was boiling hot).

I have a Joules coat with a detachable fleece lining which seems quite sturdy. But I no longer have the labels and I can't see anywhere in the coat if it is waterproof or just shower proof. I guess that if it doesn't say waterproof, it isn't.

Would shower proof with a light Regatta coat be enough?

Then there is the dilemma of either buying a coat and riding over trousers OR getting a long waterproof coat and just a cheap pair of pull on waterproof trousers, like from a farm supply shop. I saw some nice coats this morning but they are also quite bulky (as well as a lot of money).

I could do with a full length waterproof, which is something I haven't got for everyday, but I don't want to end up with too many coats to carry when I go on the ride.

Just thinking aloud.

I think I am going to wait until I know a bit more about the weather forecast.

 

[sbloom]

Waterproof is seldom marked on garments/labels, that stuff is usually just on the swing tag. I don't find Regatta clothing to be very waterproof, and it wouldn't have the breathability I'd want (I overheat and get clammy way too fast). A long coat means keeping the saddle drier, though rain can sneak underneath especially if the skirt part blows back over your legs. I think this, perhaps with riding trousers as "belt and braces" would be the best bet.

Riding in waterproof trousers with a short jacket is okay if you're not trying to protect the saddle but eventually sitting directly on the fabric onto a soaked saddle will push the water through, it's not designed for that job, though there may be some out there that come with a completely waterproof seat area, it would need to be completely impermeable.

Others may have specific coats that have done a really good job for them, when I was riding I had a Musto long coat, the big baggy one, it was pretty waterproof but it's biggest downside was that they'd insulated the arms, as they assumed most people would want to use them in the winter and buy the attachable gilet. It meant it was way too hot for most of the summer!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I did a ride with Trans-Wales a couple of years ago in October and wore Musto waterproof trousers and a thin North Face jacket which wasn’t really designed for riding and the zip wasn’t two way and has since broken. I stayed dry though even when it rained. My sister and the ride leader both wore long Baleno riding coats. If it was hot they took them off and rolled them up behind the saddle.

 

[Widgeon]

I have a waterproof skirt from DoPo Coats; mine is fleece lined so it's a bit bulky, but she does Aertex lined too, which would pack up a lot smaller. It is properly waterproof. Then in really bad weather I wear my Mountain Equipment two-way-zip walking jacket. That way I don't need a special long coat. Works really well for me and the skirts are not expensive.

ETA - I hate riding over trousers. I hate them all. All of them (that I have tried so far). They slip around, don't keep the saddle dry, bunch up in nasty places....yuck. Hence the game changing revelation of my skirt!

 

[splashgirl45]

i got a really good riding mac from www.targetdry.com it was in the lighthouse range. if you are a smaller size there is a sale on of the shorter jackets ..one of them is the evolve £19.95 instead of £61 for size 8 or 10/ my mac is really waterproof and lightweight, and i also have a shorter jacket from them, waterproof and breathable ..no i dont work for them, just stumbled on their website a while ago when i was fed up with getting soaked through..

 

[ThreeFurs]

Proper waterproof garments like those for hiking and skiiing, [and riding] have a waterproof and a breathability rating. I've got a Mountain Horse adventure parka that is waterproof to 5000mm - whatever that means!

Third La Niña winter here in the Mt Lofty Ranges in a row, basically the shittest winter ever, and we South Aussies are not built for it. But the Parka of Doom is a lifesaver, though its far too hot to ride in as its thickly insulated.

For riding I have an inexpensive Horze Jadine riding raincoat, thigh length, with a zip at the back that lets out a skirt that covers the saddle. But if your riding in Wales, you will need more than this!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

ETA - I hate riding over trousers. I hate them all. All of them (that I have tried so far). They slip around, don't keep the saddle dry, bunch up in nasty places....yuck. Hence the game changing revelation of my skirt!

The Musto ones I have the lower leg is not waterproof and goes under your chaps/ inside boot so doesn’t ride up. The only thing I found is that I didn’t feel as secure in the saddle especially as I use gel seats normally.

 

[AntiPuck]

I don't think I've ever found horsey-branded clothes to be genuinely waterproof, so I don't bother buying horsey jackets anymore, unless it's purely for looks.

I've been doing some research for truly waterproof coats/jackets for this winter and have settled on a Flexothane - they're work jackets, supposedly highly breathable, waterproof, and flexible. They do long coats and short jackets with no lining, or one jacket with a removable fleece lining. Get rave reviews.

I plan to get the short, lined jacket and then use a DoPo waterproof riding skirt to keep my legs dry ridden (I have a fleece-lined one which is super cosy!), and the Flexothane over-trousers for on the ground.

 

[Orangehorse]

Gosh, lots of research to do now. Thank you for your input.
I don't mind buying a long coat which I could use for everyday ................. well not EVERYDAY only when it is rain!

 

[Fieldlife]

Waterproof is seldom marked on garments/labels, that stuff is usually just on the swing tag. I don't find Regatta clothing to be very waterproof, and it wouldn't have the breathability I'd want (I overheat and get clammy way too fast). A long coat means keeping the saddle drier, though rain can sneak underneath especially if the skirt part blows back over your legs. I think this, perhaps with riding trousers as "belt and braces" would be the best bet.

Riding in waterproof trousers with a short jacket is okay if you're not trying to protect the saddle but eventually sitting directly on the fabric onto a soaked saddle will push the water through, it's not designed for that job, though there may be some out there that come with a completely waterproof seat area, it would need to be completely impermeable.

Others may have specific coats that have done a really good job for them, when I was riding I had a Musto long coat, the big baggy one, it was pretty waterproof but it's biggest downside was that they'd insulated the arms, as they assumed most people would want to use them in the winter and buy the attachable gilet. It meant it was way too hot for most of the summer!

I have a lightweight kerrit tifing

I don't think I've ever found horsey-branded clothes to be genuinely waterproof, so I don't bother buying horsey jackets anymore, unless it's purely for looks.

I've been doing some research for truly waterproof coats/jackets for this winter and have settled on a Flexothane - they're work jackets, supposedly highly breathable, waterproof, and flexible. They do long coats and short jackets with no lining, or one jacket with a removable fleece lining. Get rave reviews.

I plan to get the short, lined jacket and then use a DoPo waterproof riding skirt to keep my legs dry ridden (I have a fleece-lined one which is super cosy!), and the Flexothane over-trousers for on the ground.

They do exist, with high specifications but are rare.

Kerrits
Equetech
And others.

Problem with non riding costs is aren’t cut for riding / saddle. So don’t cover legs / saddle. Rarely have split at back either so sit on back of coat. Or it’s a super short coat.

 

[Orangehorse]

That Kerrits coat looks ideal. Unfortunately it wouldn't arrive in time.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I definitely recommend decathlon waterproof jods.i find them much better than long jackets

 

[gryff]

Equidry?