We’ve all been there—we have a fun activity planned, we’ve checked the weather a thousand times, and then Mother Nature decides to switch gears and give us some rain. Perhaps we can change the day, order a tent, or go indoors. But, if you’re an equestrian, you’re likely used to dealing with such unpredictable circumstances, which makes this new rain gear from Redingote Equestrian just what you need in your life. Whether rain creeps up when you have a long day of teaching lessons at the barn, you find yourself riding multiple horses, or you’re spending all day at a horse show, Redingote’s technical outerwear has you covered, literally.
Spending lots of time in inclement weather is a fact of life as an equestrian. Horse shows usually run rain or shine, and there are no “days off” in barn life. So, having a suit that can keep you dry on horseback and while tackling chores around the stable is a much-appreciated asset for the avid rider. If you’re now two paragraphs into this post and still wondering what I’m talking about and what Redingote exactly is, here’s a little recap. I met Connie and Allison, the co-founders of Redingote, at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, in Bridgehampton, NY in 2018. I stopped at their exhibitor booth and immediately thought this was a great product that every equestrian would want and wear. It’s sleek and stylish while still being practical and protective. I also loved that the company was founded by two women who were active equestrians themselves. They sent me their winter suit (which I ended up shooting in on one of the coldest days), and I was impressed by the quality material and attention to detail. These ladies thought of everything—multiple layers inside the suit, many zippered compartments that are great for holding car keys, cell phones, and, yes, treats, and best of all, a well-fitting suit that looks tailored and is comfortable enough to ride in. If you need a refresher, here’s the post featuring their winter insulated jumpsuit.
Now that I’m back to riding after many years out of the saddle, being in the elements and contending with inclement weather has been on my mind. So, when Connie and Allison contacted me about testing out their new Redingote rain gear, I knew brighter days were ahead. One of the main things I love about Redingote is how their one-piece suit fits on a petite frame. If you’re on the shorter side like I am, you know how hard it can be to find pieces even in real life that aren’t too long and dragging on the floor, so to be able to accomplish this for a riding suit is just amazing. I wear an XX-Small (short) suit, and it fits like it was made just for me. But, don’t worry, the brand is very size-inclusive and the suits come in a variety of sizes in both the regular and short length.
My Waterproof Rain Gear in Pure Black happened to arrive during a stretch of rainy days here in New York, which turned out to be the best way to put the suit to the test. Just like their insulated winter suit, the rain suit has multiple breathable layers to keep you dry inside and a waterproof outside layer to keep you clean while helping to wick moisture away. The interior fabric feels a little lighter in terms of warmth than the winter suit but still protected me from the elements. One difference from the winter suit is that the rain gear has an attached hood, which is perfect for wearing over a helmet and helping to keep it dry, too. Like the winter suit, the rain gear also has lots of zippered compartments and attachments for spurs or anything else an equestrian might need to carry with them.
Naturally, on the day I rode in my Redingote, it was a beautiful sunny day, which made it perfect weather for photos, but not so great to see how riding in the rain would go (although the day my Redingote arrived, I tested it out on a long hike, and that made me 100 percent confident in its protective abilities). You might think that putting a suit over your boots and breeches (or jeans) might be a little cumbersome or restrictive. But that’s not the case with Redingote. For as warm and protective as the suits are, they’re easy to ride in and are so cozy that you may never want to take it off—especially in bad weather.
If you’re still reading and thinking, “This all sounds great, but I’m not an equestrian, so what would I do with this?” let me tell you. I’ve worn my Redingote rain gear out on hikes and have used my winter suit as outerwear over my yoga clothes on cold mornings or when I’ve needed to be outside for long periods in the winter (snow shoveling, anyone?). With the holidays coming, this Redingote suit would make a perfect gift. I mean, who doesn’t love staying dry? If you have an equestrian in the family, this should be a staple in their tack trunk. And the best part is that each purchase supports a woman-owned small business based in New Jersey. So, whether you’re looking for the perfect present for the equestrian who has everything or need something for the outdoors enthusiast who is hard to shop for, this Redingote rain gear could be on everyone’s wish list.
*Jumpsuit courtesy of Redingote Equestrian
Photography by Betty Olt
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