A Complete Buyer’s Guide to Women’s Waterproof Jackets

Rain is simply part of equestrian life. Whether you’re riding out before work, spending a full day on the yard, warming up at a competition, or heading up the gallops, a reliable waterproof jacket can make a huge difference to how comfortable you feel.

However, not every waterproof riding jacket is designed for the same job. Some prioritise lightweight everyday protection, while others are built around technical performance, warmth, or the very specific demands of horse racing.

In this guide, we look at what makes a good women’s waterproof riding jacket, the features worth considering, and how to choose the right style for the type of riding you do.

Why Choose an Equestrian Waterproof Jacket?

You can, of course, ride in an ordinary outdoor waterproof. However, the advantage of choosing an equestrian jacket designed specifically for riding is that the cut and features have been considered with riding in mind.

A good riding jacket needs to protect you from the weather without restricting your position in the saddle. Features such as stretch fabrics, shaped hems, riding vents, and adjustable cuffs can all make a noticeable difference when you’re moving around the yard or riding.

Breathability is equally important. Riding can quickly become warm work, even on a cold or wet day, so a jacket needs to manage moisture as well as keeping rain out.

At Treehouse Sporting Colours, our range of women’s waterproof riding jackets and coats includes everything from lightweight shells through to longer and insulated coats, allowing riders to choose their protection according to the weather, discipline, and level of activity.

What Should You Look for in a Waterproof Riding Jacket?

 

Waterproof Protection

The first consideration is how much protection you actually need.

There’s an important difference between clothing described as water-resistant, showerproof, and fully waterproof. A water-resistant jacket can be perfectly suitable for light showers or short periods outdoors, whereas riders who are regularly exposed to persistent rain should look for a genuinely waterproof outer layer.

Some technical jackets provide a waterproof rating measured in millimetres. As a general rule, a higher figure indicates greater resistance to water penetration.

For example, selected Reinwear jackets stocked here at Treehouse have waterproof ratings of 20,000mm alongside breathable construction, which demonstrates the level of weather protection available from modern equestrian outerwear.

Breathability

Keeping rain on the outside is only half the job.

If heat and moisture can’t escape from inside your jacket, you can quickly become damp and uncomfortable even though no rain has penetrated the outer fabric.

This is particularly important when riding at higher intensity, exercising racehorses, or completing demanding yard work. Look for breathable fabrics, ventilation, and moisture-management technology where possible.

Sealed Seams

Waterproof fabric alone doesn’t necessarily make an entire garment waterproof.

Stitching creates tiny openings through which moisture can penetrate, so taped or sealed seams provide an additional level of protection. Our waterproof collection includes jackets incorporating features such as taped seams and storm protection for riders spending extended periods outside.

Freedom of Movement

Your jacket should move with you.

Stretch fabrics and an equestrian-specific cut allow greater freedom through the shoulders, arms, and body while riding. This becomes particularly important when jumping, riding racehorses, or completing jobs around the yard.

Jomiluti, for example, uses flexible four-way stretch fabric in its waterproof riding wear to provide freedom of movement while remaining quiet around horses.

The Length and Cut

Think carefully about where and how you will wear your jacket.

A shorter jacket can offer excellent freedom of movement and is easy to wear around the yard, while a longer coat provides additional protection across the thighs and upper legs.

Riders should also look at how the back of the jacket sits when they’re in the saddle. Riding vents, shaped hems, and longer backs can provide additional coverage without leaving excess fabric underneath you.

Pockets and Practical Features

It’s often the smaller details that make a jacket much easier to live with.

Useful features can include:

• Secure zipped pockets

• Two-way front zips

• Adjustable or elasticated cuffs

• Storm flaps

• Detachable or adjustable hoods

• Riding vents

• Reflective detailing

• Drawcord or adjustable waists

Consider what you regularly carry and where you ride rather than choosing a coat based purely on appearance.

Which Women’s Waterproof Jacket Is Best for You?

There is no single jacket that’s best for every rider. Your ideal choice depends on how often you ride, the conditions you encounter, and the activities you need your jacket for.

For Everyday Riding or Yard Work

For riders looking for dependable waterproof protection without moving into the premium end of the market, Reinwear is an excellent option.

Reinwear coats combine strong waterproof protection with practical, wearable designs, making them particularly well suited to everyday riders and competitors who need reliable protection throughout the week.

Lightweight options are useful for layering throughout the year, while longer designs provide additional coverage during wet days at the yard, when walking courses, or standing around at competitions.

Our collection of Reinwear waterproof coats here at Treehouse combine waterproof outer fabrics with breathable construction, with some designs also incorporating mesh linings, layering-friendly fits, and side vents.

For riders who want something practical, waterproof, and affordable enough to be used regularly, Reinwear is a strong place to start.

For Technical Performance

At the other end of the spectrum, riders looking for highly technical outerwear should consider Stierna.

Designed in Sweden and developed with professional riders in mind, Stierna takes a Scandinavian approach to performance clothing. Its outerwear combines waterproof and windproof protection with breathable technical fabrics designed to help regulate body temperature and manage moisture.

The benefit is particularly noticeable for riders who spend long periods outside or train across changing weather conditions. Rather than focusing purely on keeping rain out, Stierna clothing is built around maintaining a comfortable environment for the rider.

Technical details such as articulated construction, stretch fabrics, and intelligent layering systems also make Stierna a strong choice for serious equestrian competitors who don’t want weather protection to interfere with movement in the saddle.

If performance, breathability, and technical construction are your main priorities, Stierna is well worth considering.

For Practical Equestrian Style

LeMieux is another popular choice for riders who want waterproof outerwear that combines practical performance with a smart, modern equestrian look.

The LeMieux waterproof range, available here at Treehouse, includes both shorter and longer riding coats, with features such as waterproof fabrics, taped seams, breathable construction, two-way zips, and riding vents designed to improve comfort in the saddle.

Longer styles can provide additional protection through the colder months, while shorter jackets are particularly useful for riders who want greater freedom of movement around the yard or during more active riding.

LeMieux is therefore a strong all-round option for riders who want weather protection that can work across everyday riding, training, competitions, and general yard wear.

For Jockeys and Riding Out

Horse racing places very different demands on waterproof clothing.

Jockeys and work riders can spend long periods outside in exposed conditions while travelling at speed, so racing jackets therefore need to provide weather protection while remaining lightweight, flexible, and comfortable in a racing position.

The rear of the jacket is particularly important. Riding-out coats from brands such as Jomiluti, PC Racewear, and Breeze Up can feature longer or shaped rear hems, helping to provide additional coverage around the lower back while going up the gallops.

Jomiluti waterproof outwear has been designed around performance riding, combining fully sealed waterproof construction with breathable, moisture-wicking lining, and four-way stretch.

PC Racewear is another brand developed specifically with riders in mind, while Breeze Up has a strong connection with horse racing and training yards. Their clothing is designed around durability, freedom of movement, and protection from changing weather conditions.

For jockeys, racing professionals, and anyone regularly riding out on the gallops, choosing specialist racing outerwear rather than a conventional walking coat can make a significant difference in comfort.

Should You Choose a Long or Short Waterproof Riding Jacket?

Both have their advantages. 

A short waterproof riding jacket is often the easiest option for active riding, jumping, yard work, and warmer conditions. There is less fabric around the saddle and riders often find them particularly easy to layer.

A long waterproof riding coat offers much more coverage. This can be useful when hacking, teaching, walking courses, watching competitions, or spending a long day outside in poor weather.

If you intend to ride in a long coat, look for a design created specifically for equestrian use. Riding vents or openings allow the coat to sit around the saddle rather than bunching underneath you.

For many riders, owning both eventually makes sense: a lighter short jacket for active riding and a longer waterproof coat for the very wet days.

Do You Need an Insulated Waterproof Jacket?

Not necessarily.

A waterproof shell gives you more control over your layering because you can adjust what you wear underneath according to the temperature. This is particularly useful during spring and autumn when conditions can change dramatically throughout the day.

An insulated waterproof coat is useful during winter or for riders who spend significant periods standing still, but it may become too warm during intensive riding.

Think about whether you tend to feel the cold, how active you are, and whether you already own suitable base layers and mid layers.

Need Help Choosing the Right Waterproof Riding Jacket?

The best waterproof jacket is ultimately the one that matches your riding.

Whether you’re doing everyday equestrian work, looking for premium technical performance, or you’re a racing professional looking for a specialist riding-out jacket, be sure to look beyond colour and style and think about waterproofing, breathability, fit, length, mobility, and how you will genuinely use the coat.

At Treehouse Sporting Colours, we have a huge selection of women’s waterproof jackets and coats for a wide range of riders, equestrian disciplines, and weather conditions. Be sure to explore our collection today or get in touch with our expert team to help find the right outer layer for keeping you comfortable in the saddle, around the yard, and wherever the British weather takes you.

Women’s Waterproof Jackets FAQs

 

What is the difference between a waterproof and water-resistant riding jacket?

A waterproof riding jacket is designed to provide a higher level of protection against sustained rain, often using waterproof fabrics, taped seams, and protective zips. A water-resistant or showerproof jacket can cope with lighter rain but may not keep you dry during prolonged or heavy downpours.

How waterproof should a riding jacket be?

The level of waterproofing you need depends on how often and how long you ride in wet conditions. Riders who spend long periods outside, work on yards, or regularly ride in poor weather may benefit from a higher waterproof rating, while lighter protection may be enough for occasional showers and shorter rides.

Are waterproof riding jackets breathable?

Many modern waterproof riding jackets are designed to be breathable as well as waterproof. This helps heat and moisture escape from inside the jacket, which can make a big difference when riding, working around the yard, or exercising horses. This is particularly useful during more active equestrian disciplines and racing, where riders can quickly become warm despite wet or cold weather.

Can you wear a waterproof jacket over a body protector?

Yes, provided the jacket allows enough room for the body protector without becoming tight or restrictive. If you regularly ride in a body protector, it’s worth trying your waterproof jacket over it to make sure you still have comfortable movement through your shoulders, arms, and body.

How do you look after a waterproof riding jacket?

Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, as technical waterproof fabrics can require different treatment from ordinary clothing. Brush off dried mud before washing and avoid using fabric conditioner unless the manufacturer specifically recommends it, as this can affect the garment’s performance. Some jackets may also benefit from having their water-repellent finish refreshed over time to help maintain waterproofing and breathability. Correct care is especially important for technical equestrian jackets, as it can help preserve the performance of both waterproof and breathable fabrics over time.