dancing horses

dancing horses

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

The Best Winter Barn Coat

 Living in Canada means that winter is a solid 4 months with the shoulder seasons being pretty chilly as well. It has always been important to have gear that can keep me dry and warm when the temps really start to dip. I've had quite a few coats and vests over the years. My biggest peeve with warm winter coats is that they are very heavy and awkward for riding and doing barn chores. 

Last fall I was out shopping with some friends and we went into the Columbia Outlet store (sidenote-I love this store for its quality and prices).  I was looking through the racks of winter coats and found this little gem:

I bought black. Because, horses. 

It's a 3-in-1 jacket. The outer shell was waterproof and the inner one had the 'omni-heat thermal reflective lining'. And it was on sale.  I think I paid about $150 for it, which is awesome for a good winter coat. I've had this coat now for about 3 months and I LOVE IT. 

Here I am riding in the inner jacket

It is the warmest winter coat I've ever owned. Most of the time I only wear the inner jacket and I am sweating. The inner coat weighs as much as a light rain jacket. It is ridiculous how warm it is given how little it weighs. I bought a large size and it is quite roomy for riding. My arms do not get pinched and the length is perfect. Most of time when I ride in it I am only wearing a single layer underneath. 

Until recently  I have just used the outer shell as a rain coat. I didn't think it would be waterproof if you were out in a long time in a downpour but today we're having torrential rain and it has kept me dry. 

The few times I have worn both layers have been when it's below -10 (Celsius) and I usually end up having to unzip a bit because I get warm. 

So if you are looking for a coat that is good for riding and for barn chores I would recommend this one. 

it is chicken approved, what more do you want? 




27 comments:

  1. I like Columbia's stuff generally, seems to hold up well. I'll have to go look at this model! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Columbia makes good stuff and it's usually at a reasonable price point.

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  2. I totally need a coat, but I'm afraid I cannot find that in Germany. Do you have a link for it?

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    1. This is their Canadian site: https://www.columbiasportswear.ca/ I don't know if they ship or have an EU site.

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  3. There's no substitute for a good winter jacket!!

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  4. I have a raincoat/shell version with the omni heat lining and it's almost too warm all on it's own (but it's not like it gets super cold here!) and it's going on 5 years old and yet to leak. I recommend their jackets to everyone.

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    1. I don't know that I will buy anything else now!

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  5. Winter riding wear is a science! 🤣 Many of our boarders swear by the long greenhawk coat as it covers the thighs, which can be important at the deep freeze temperatures. Im still wearing my 12 year old short puffy ariat jacket but Im always on the lookout for better options. Thanks for the suggestion!

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    1. My problem with coats made for riders is that they often have scrawny arm holes and it irritates me. If I rode on the trails like you in the winter I probably would wear this coat and a riding skirt. : )

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  6. My daughter just bought a Columbia jacket and she loves it too. Says it’s warm and sometimes too warm when she’s doing the barn. But it does it’s job and looks nice too.

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  7. I'm looking for a new winter barn coat but 1) I'm cheap and 2) I have a list of requirements (must cover my butt, lots of pockets, not be a puffer jacket) so I haven't found one yet that I'm willing to pay for. I've steered away from the layered styles, maybe I'll have to take a look at them!

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    1. If there’s an outlet store, that’s the way to go. I don’t care if it’s last year’s fashion.

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  8. Back in 2016 I bought a 3-in-1 Columbia, it was the most I'd ever spent on outdoor gear since I was brought up on the idea that you saved old, worn-out clothes to layer as outdoor wear. Columbia is worth every penny!

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    1. I’m glad you like them. As I get older I don’t mind paying more for something that is good quality and will last.

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  9. I have a Columbia Omni Heat jacket as well, and I love it! This is my second winter with it now and I love how warm it is for being so lightweight.

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  10. I've honestly had the best luck with non specific to equestrian clothes. I do full seat breeches/tights and boots/helmet but almost everything else is higher end outdoor wear. My favorite winter riding gloves right now are Columbia ski gloves.

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    1. I tend to do a mix. For summer I love to buy t-shirts from the golf stores. they have really nice ones that fit properly.

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  11. Nice. Is it the Whirlbird? I’m always in the market for a versatile equestrian coat.

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    1. I actually am not sure. the tag just says 'interchange'. It's the one with the reflective lining and waterproof outer layer (no fur).

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  12. So glad to see it's held up well for you - I'm that person who gets new jackets and is ADAMANT they will not become a barn jacket and then... well... they make their way out there hahha. I think it's because I don't have an all in one jacket so need something different for different weather/ temperatures. Thank you for this!

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    1. I am like you. But I bought this specifically for the barn. :) Now that I have horses home it made sense.

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  13. You inspired me to poke around and look for a jacket like this (since our highs for the forseeable future are barely into the double digits), and I managed to come across a TEAL PLAID one my size for a screaming deal -- so thanks for posting about this, I cannot wait to leave my house later and try it out! :-D

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    1. I am so happy to enable. I also want to see photos!

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