Some time ago, I asked for advice on purchasing a new barn winter coat. Thank you to everyone who responded! I had a lot to think about, did a ton of research, and purchased a coat.

I went with L.L. Bean’s Winter Warmer Jacket.

It had a lot of the things I wanted, but was missing some others. The only thing I really wish it had was a two-way zipper. I often zip up the bottom a bit when I’m in the saddle so it doesn’t bump the pommel. Not possible with this jacket. The zipper is well-protected, though, so it’s not scraping.

Ultimately, I’m really happy with it. I paid $74.99 on a 25% off sale around Black Friday. I’ve ridden in it maybe two dozen times since then, and worn it out and about to other places as well.

It’s a terrific winter exercise jacket: by which I mean once I get moving a little bit, it’s perfectly warm down to single digits. It breathes pretty darn well, so even when I’m sweating a bit it doesn’t feel gross, especially if I’ve layered appropriately underneath. It’s roomy enough that I can comfortably wear a base layer and a vest underneath and not feel too snug – but also just wear the jacket and not feel too floppy.

It’s not a good hanging around in winter jacket. It’s only good down to mid-20s for that. It would not be a good ski jacket, which is a lot of waiting punctuated by short exercise. It’s not a good jacket to wear when you’re just hanging out outside. It just doesn’t have any insulation for that, and once you get cold from standing around, you’re going to stay cold.

It’s nicely waterproof and looks sharp. It’s also quite windproof, which was a good benefit.

Here’s a blurry picture of me wearing it on New Year’s Day, which was a VERY cold and windy day. I was comfortable under the coat, it was just my face and hands that were not.

Last year, my winter riding coat finally kicked the bucket. The zipper irrevocably broke – not just broke, flat out informed me that it had been zipped about eight million times too many, and would split as soon as it was zipped up. The tines were worn down too thin.

Considering it was a gift from my parents when I was 18 and started skiing, it more than performed adequate service over the years and I do not begrudge it retirement to a farm upstate.

However, that leaves me without a good barn winter coat option, so I am seeking advice.

Keep in mind that by winter I mean WINTER. We’ll have at least one week, if not two or three, of well-below-zero temperatures. I ride down to single digits. (And have been known to sit on him for a walk around in single digits out of desperation.) I need something that breathes and keeps me warm when the weather is actively trying to kill me. The ideal jacket will be so warm I have to unzip it once it gets back up to the 20s.

I’ve been thinking about one of the down jackets – like LL Bean’s Ultralight Down Jacket – but I’m a bit worried about the surface. Will it hold up to the barn? Those always struck me as finer/lighter/more delicate fabric.

I’ve looked a little bit at horse-specific winter jackets but I think the equestrian fashion world’s version of winter (when it comes to jackets, anyway) is “lolol idk sometimes it gets cold after dark at Wellington?” This Mountain Horse jacket has a review from a Vermonter at Smartpak who says it’s good “to 10 or 20” over a base layer which is…not the kind of warm I’m looking for.

Looking at Patagonia ski jackets quickly skyrockets out of my price range. But I don’t know enough about ski fashion to pick out a good off-brand.

So: any fellow winter sufferers out there have a recommendation? What do you do for really cold weather outerwear? I’ve got the breeches, boots, gloves, and helmet cover figured out, but it is proving more complicated than I thought to decide on jacket.

I’ve done some fairly exhaustive winter gear reviews in the past, so that’s not what this one will be. Instead, it’ll be a short list of things that I continue to absolutely love and a few new things that are part of my routine.

just how cold has it been?

We’ve had a viciously cold year so far this year, and all of my winter riding gear has gotten a thorough re-test. Many days, it’s been too cold to ride (I’m looking at you, two straight weeks below zero). But on the good days, I have been pretty darn happy with what I’m wearing.

2018 has so far been the year of Back on Track.

For Tristan, a saddle pad and hock boots.

For me, glove liners (which I’ve had for a little while, but only this year have I successfully integrated them into my glove rotation, underneath these knit gloves) and leggings (which I really just wear 24/7 sometimes. no shame).

I’m happiest with the saddle pad, by far. It has made an (anecdotally) huge difference in his warmup. He stretches down faster, loosens his back faster, and is overall more pleasant. I’ll do  more detailed review in the future, but I think adding it in during winter especially has helped a lot.

2018 has also been the year of vests.

Two from the rotation; I have two more now.

I know it’s not exactly original to be an equestrian who is obsessed with wearing vests, but it never really hit me until this year. Now it’s like some kind of Biblical revelation. They’re kind of fashionable? They keep my core warm? I can embroider them with the barn logo? YES PLEASE.

Last but not least, the newest gloves to the lineup. I have a gloves thing. For years, I just did not love any gloves on the market. Now, as you can see, I have a Noble Outfitters Perfect Fit glove thing. From left to right up there are summer/mesh gloves, regular gloves, and the newest additions on the far right, the 3 Season Gloves.

These really are 3 seasons: they’re not good below 25F or so. BUT, they fill an essential ecological niche in that 25-40 range, and damn if they don’t fit me just as well as the regular ones! I can sometimes get them down to 20F, too, if I keep my hands really warm before putting them on, and I’m riding inside. (The trick to gloves in the winter is not to expect them to warm your hands up. Your hands have to be at least not-numb before going into the gloves; there are no gloves in the world that can help you once your hands are icey and numb.)

Finally, two standbys that I’m using obsessively. First, my custom quarter sheet.

I use it every day. Still love it. Yes, it gets staticky sometimes, but I am blessed with a horse who could not care less. He makes a grumpy face at me, sighs, and gets over it.

Finally, the true MVPs of the winter gear lineup.

Ariat Bromonts, the old style. Riding in the winter would not be physically possible without these wonderful things, which are going 9 years strong. The suede has rubbed down to leather on the inside, the velcro needs to be stitched back down, but they are still waterproof, windproof, and when paired with some decent insulating socks, I can wear them in any weather. I have comfortably hacked out in single digits in these. When (if?) they finally go, I’m going to give them a Viking funeral and probably cry. Okay, definitely cry. A lot.

Do you have any new gear this winter that’s really working for you?