Winter Wardrobe Ideas and Help

cat100

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Heading into my 50th winter and I have NEVER cracked the whole winter wardrobe thing for myself. So this year I am determined to get it right! Wellies... I have my trusty Aigles and so am very happy there. But coats, gloves etc. In context I am a larger lady, and very claustrophobic in coats and clothes. If my zip gets stuck I have a huge panic attack. I hate being in anything tight or restrictive, but at the same time cant bear oversized or anything that drowns me. Saying that being cold doesn't suit me either. I am looking for coat suggestions to help me through. Lightweight, flexible but super warm. NO HOODS!! Gloves.... My hands seem to get colder with gloves on! I always have a pair of latex gloves under normal gloves to keep hands dry if my actual gloves get wet. But any suggestions for really warm, but not cumbersome gloves? I need to be able to use my fingers. So lets hear your best recommendations!
 
My current winter coat is the Wetherbeeta Kyla long line jacket, it has poppers up the front too if the zip is an issue for you, the neck/hood may not suit you as it has a very high/tall collar though. My lovely Toggi coat gave up last year and i couldn't afford to replace it with the newer style of Toggi coat but they maybe worth a look for you, I found the Toggi one less bulky than the Kyla. I struggle with gloves as i think i have poor circulation, I use a pair of the knitted 'magic' style gloves (usually pick them up in primark or a farm shop) with another pair of fingerless gloves over the top of them so i can still move my fingers and actually feel through them. Sometimes the top layer gloves are the thermo fleece fingerless ones and sometimes they are another knitted pair but fingerless, depending on what needs stitching up or is in the wash. I do have to consciously 'warm up' my hands on really cold days by pumping them to get some blood and heat in to them though.
 
I’ve have had my fair share of welly and coat fails. I also have an issue with zips. I always think it’s me but I do get stuck in things.
I’m with you on the Aigle’s . Tried loads and have stuck with these.
Coat wise, I’m a fan of Percussion . I think they are French, not expensive. They are made for shooting so designed for you to be able to move your arms and be out all day plus they have a dazzling array of pockets.
They are warm and waterproof for all yard and field jobs. I ride in it too and am on my second one now.Not sure if they still do the one that I have but they are fit for purpose unlike most of the fashionable horsey brands.

I also have a longish mark todd for riding in an attempt to keep my thighs warm but might upgrade to a Lemieux one as that looks even longer. Horse might need to get used to it though.
 
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I just use a builders style bomber hi-vis jacket. Because they are designed for men the sleeves are long enough to tuck my hands in. Plenty of room but not swampy

I like long sleeves as gloves always seem to make my hands colder but having long sleeves seem to help.
 
I still have my Barbour fleece and Musto riding jacket bought at some expense more than 20 years ago when it was clear I was going to continue to ride. I have fingerless ancient woof wear gloves but also wear OH's (cast off) warm roekl. My winter breeches are warm lined Derby House but the NHS issued so many health warnings for old people last winter, that I didnt ride at all.
 
I've just go the Weatherbeeta Protect Jacket With High Neck after my very old Mark Todd coat gave up the ghost.
I was worried the high neck wouldn't be comfy but am pleased with it and the hood is removeable. It is a bit rustley but nothing as bad as a plastic raincoat.
Very snuggly and comfy my only thing is the sleeve cuffs are very generous so loose on me.
I also got the Woof Wear heated gilet as I could buy the odd sized one in the sale and it works with the battery packs I already have.
I feel the cold like no other and am worried I will still need more as the temp drops below 10 degrees, I think the cuddler trousers and fleece leggings will have to come out as a combo.
Gloves are a challenge something that keeps my hands warm but that I can groom, tack up and ride in and don' get damp/cold and wet. I haven't found an answer yet.
 
UHIP do a range of lightweight warm and waterproof coats - but check the waterproof rating first.

Stierna are slightly fitted and also waterproof to a decent level.

If you can cope with slightly oversized the Equidry Parka has a press stud fastening as well as a zip so easy enough to manage without the zip and the hood is also detachable.
 
I've tried Toggi, Mark Todd, Roekl, egloves with and without the 3m thermo linings etc etc but none are really warm enough for me and all get damp/wet when dealing with door latches etc. It's a me thing I do get reynauds and suffered when driving the car until I got a heated steering wheel.
 
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If you want gloves for riding AND yard work, go for Uvex Unilite Thermo Plus. They're fantastic. I actually find them so much more effective than Sealskinz as they're much less bulky, just as warm and they're perfect for lifting ice out of troughs, washing out buckets in freezing weather, gripping reins. I have some used for chicken chores, too and they're on their third year! I also have Raynauds, so need extra warm gloves and clothing and these are the best I've found.

Jacket wise, I used to LOVE my Sherwood Forest hunting coat. It lasted for years and years, wasn't too bulky and didn't have a hood! Mine was very like this one (the hood detaches).

Unilite Thermo Plus
 
Fingerless gloves, hat rather than a hood (hoods are awful- the noise! The flapping against one's face and neck!) and layers under a lightweight coat. I like a wax jacket, as although they get heavy after prolonged rain, they're less droopy than a waterlogged synthetic coat and so don't stick to you as much.
 
If you want gloves for riding AND yard work, go for Uvex Unilite Thermo Plus. They're fantastic. I actually find them so much more effective than Sealskinz as they're much less bulky, just as warm and they're perfect for lifting ice out of troughs, washing out buckets in freezing weather, gripping reins. I have some used for chicken chores, too and they're on their third year! I also have Raynauds, so need extra warm gloves and clothing and these are the best I've found.

Jacket wise, I used to LOVE my Sherwood Forest hunting coat. It lasted for years and years, wasn't too bulky and didn't have a hood! Mine was very like this one (the hood detaches).

Unilite Thermo Plus
Thanks for that link. I have purchased. Looking forward to trying them out xx
 
I use socks for wrist warmers. Cut the toe off and pull right up over the sleeve of lowest layer. The ankle cuff at the hand. This can be pulled over knuckles with or without gloves.
 
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