In which I'm still concerned about my buttcheeks, and I do some shopping
Well, I haven't selected the Next Ultimate Raincoat yet. I've got several candidates in mind, however. The photos all have links embedded to go to the seller's websites.
If readers have first-hand experience with any of these products (good or bad, I want to know!) please leave notes in the comments.
I already have the full-length "big sister" to this jacket:
 |
Outback Trading Oilskin Swagman, from State Line Tack. $149.99, free shipping |
* Breathable: no, but it doesn't "sweat" either
* Pit zips: no
* Pockets: yes
* Hood: yes
* Cover my butt while mounted: yes
* Room under the jacket for extra layers: yes
* Purple?: no
Notes: this coat weighs a ton! Also, you don't machine wash it, rather, just hose it off. I suppose if it gets stinky, I should just wrap it around a wet dog so it smells comforting?
 |
| Muddy Creek Short Coat, $99 plus shipping |
* Waterproof: yes
* Breathable: yes
* Pit zips: no (but the manufacturer says that the fit is so loose that pit zips are not needed)
* Pockets: yes
* Hood: yes
* Cover my butt while mounted: yes
* Room under the jacket for extra layers: yes
* Purple?: no, although I have petitioned Muddy Creek to explore colors!
Notes: I haven't actually touched it and don't know firsthand about the quality of the GoreTex. As has been stated elsewhere, there's GoreTex and Cheap GoreTex, and it's hard to tell which is which from an online photo.
 |
| Grunden's Weather Boss Hooded Parka, $101.95 + shipping |
* Waterproof: yes
* Breathable: yes
* Pit zips: not sure, probably no
* Pockets: yes
* Hood: yes
* Cover my butt while mounted: yes
* Room under the jacket for extra layers: yes
* Purple?: no
Notes: This coat is sold at a local fishery supply house...and raingear on a fishing boat is not intended to keep out a little drizzle between the boat and the bus-stop; rather, it's designed to keep the freakin' ocean out, for hours at a time, for days on end. Grunden's claims that this jacket is also breathable. It's not fashionable, that's for sure, and it certainly doesn't come in a sissy color like purple, but I might be able to give that up in order to stay warm and dry. It's also not much more flattering than a garbage sack, which is what my friend who crews fishing boats recommended I use instead of a fancy coat.
 |
| Carhartt Women's Waterproof Jacket, $119 plus shipping |
* Breathable: yes
* Pit zips: no
* Pockets: yes
* Hood: yes
* Cover my butt while mounted: not quite
* Room under the jacket for extra layers: yes
* Purple?: no
Notes: I actually already own this Carhartt jacket, and use it for non-horsey activities in the Swamp. It does keep me very dry, however, the lack of pit-zips is sometimes a problem. This jacket is just exactly the wrong length for riding. There's a snap in front that bangs on my right leg every time my horse strides forward with her right front leg. In a 15-mile training ride, that results in a lovely grape-sized bruise, which isn't ideal. Also, it doesn't quite cover my bum.
 |
| Carhartt Men's Waterproof Breathable Coat $124.99 + shipping |
* Breathable: yes
* Pit zips: no
* Pockets: yes
* Hood: yes
* Cover my butt while mounted: yes
* Room under the jacket for extra layers: yes
* Purple?: no
Notes: Here's the big-brother to the Carhartt jacket...and it's a men's design. I'm going to try this one on (the local hardware store carries it), but I fear that it will either be huge in the belly-region in order to fit over my girl-butt, or get hung up on my hippy-hip-hips. I am very much shaped like a girl.
 |
| blurry picture! LL Bean 3-in-1 Weather Challenger $179, free shipping |
* Breathable: yes * Pit zips: yes? not sure
* Pockets: yes
* Hood: yes
* Cover my butt while mounted: yes
* Room under the jacket for extra layers: yes
* Purple?: yes!
Notes: This one turned up in my search just this evening. It's more money that I
Intrigued by the grundens coat because people who work on boats don't screw around with their waterproofedness. And the price is right. Not sure the bottom wouldnt bunch up around said girl hippy hips if the back is not vented. But if they have a wicked good REI-esque return policy, I would take it for a test drive. Black goes with everything. Even purple. Even your PNER Convention ball gown if you like.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about the Grunden too, that is certainly a good price! I would be a little concerned about the back, I assume it is solid, w/o a vent? I just hate posting and sitting on the back of my jacket- after a few strides it starts to strangle me or grind the zipper into my throat as the coat pulls down under my butt.
ReplyDeleteIf its "postable" that Grunden's might be a nice one.
Also, I do like the jackets with the extra flap of fabric over the shoulders to shed rain away from me and my saddle.
Friends of mine swear by oilskin and say it gets better and better with age.
ReplyDeleteHave you checked out Cabelas? They have a lot of great outerwear and rainwear (and in purple, too!), and I found their service to be great when I needed help with some stuff for fishing. Their website is www.cabelas.com .
Dover Saddlery has a Mountain Horse winter coat that looks pretty tuff but it is pricey. I haven't ever had one so I'm not sure of the quality but Mountain Horse has alot of winter riding gear.
ReplyDeleteI say definitely go with the LLBean one! The color is awesome first of all, but I also happen to know that it is great quality! And as I said in the previous post LLBean will warranty the jacket completely. I believe they will even take it back in exchange for credit if you wear it and don't like it after severat rides. But I'm a new englander and LOVE LLBean stuff. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love the purple, I mean, LLBean one. I suspect the Ocean Keeper Outer is the best water proof, though looks the least horse friendly. What about taking it to a seamstress and getting it vented?
ReplyDeleteI rec'd the spectacular Mountain horse coat for Xmas a couple of years ago: pit zips, breathable back, wrist zips (great when riding with gloves) but snaps and vent with gusset, so bum doesn't get cold. Place to sharpie your name, number, meds inside...it has all the bells and whistles. It's a pocket addicts dream jacket.
You can probably tell I love it. I don't even bother with other coats for camping, the ocean, hiking, walking the dog. It's comfy, toasty, and has that snuggle into it collar for super cold days.
Horse snot, slobber and mud come right off. Wash it, it looks like you bought a new one.
Not sure it's a swampland winter coat? Hood will eventually soak thru. I've never had it soak thru in a rainstorm, but also am riding in covered arena.
One thing I can tell you about the Mountain Horse Coat: you will never miss your purse, because your coat will become your purse: and also your container for spare syringes of Bute and other random medical supplies, phone holder, hand sanitizer, gloves...I might have stuck my mother in there once? Or was it the dog? Can't remember. But never felt like I had anything in the pockets while riding....