Product Review: Asmar Equestrian Classic All Weather Rider

Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.

I find the AWR functions oh-so-well in the saddle. The front skirt drapes quite nicely over the front of my saddle, while the rear skirt covers the cantle very well - Photo by Lorraine Peachey I find the AWR functions oh-so-well in the saddle. The front skirt drapes quite nicely over the front of my saddle, while the rear skirt covers the cantle very well - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Many days I just feel like I’m always on the go – from the time that I wake up in the morning, until the time my head hits the pillow at night. I’m glad to see each and every day arrive, and am ready to get up and get moving pretty early in the morning. Well, except for Sundays–I might sleep in until 8am or so. Gotta have a break at some point, right?

While I’m not totally in love the wee morning hours, I like to feel like I am living every day to the fullest. And while staying in bed and lounging the day away on a weekend can be absolutely fabulous (on occasion, that is), I try not to let the days slip past. Because there are always things to do, people to see and places to go!

I do love weekends. Aside from the obvious joy of having two days off from work, It is also nice to not have to rush through my morning barn work. I can take time to hang out with the horses for a few extra minutes, and give them a pat. And after I get all of my chores done, I head back inside to get ready for the day.

Efficient but leisurely – that’s my pace for the day. I clean up and then pick out a cute, casual outfit for the day. Said outfit must also be comfortable enough to trek around the town and countryside during the upcoming day…because who knows where I might end up. This time of years, that would equate to something along the lines of glam pullover, layered over a thermal long sleeve tee. Pair it with a pair of skinny jeans and boots, and I’m ready for pretty much anything.

The feature that first brought the All Weather Rider to my notice is that it is made to easily transition from the street to the saddle - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The feature that first brought the All Weather Rider to my notice is that it is made to easily transition from the street to the saddle – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

It’s a good thing that I’m a bit of an organization freak planner. Seriously. Before I head out the door in the morning, I try to have a rough plan of what the day could potentially look like. I ask myself questions like ‘where will I be venturing?’ and ‘what conditions might I face?’. And then I try to quickly think of anything that I might need to grab before running out the door.

Considering the amount of time that I spend outside, something that makes my life easier is having a small collection of really awesome pieces of outerwear. The watch words of the day are functional and versatile. I like to stay comfortable and protected from the elements, but it is also very important to me to be choose pieces that I feel represent my personal style.

When I can find a piece that is stylish enough to wear when I’m out on the town, but is still functional enough to wear around the barn, I feel like I’ve really found something. You might recall that I shared my experience with the lightweight version of the All Weather Rider earlier this year – and it quickly became one of my favorite jackets for the milder weather.

I was so much a fan of the style and functionality of the lightweight AWR, that I made the decision to invest in the classic fleece-lined version. And so I outfitted myself to face the cold season in style. The AWR is crafted out of a lovely softshell material that is water resistant and features a 2-way stretch.

I simply unsnap and then zip up the front skirt, and also unzip the back skirt...and just that fast, I'm ready to jump in the saddle - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I simply unsnap and then zip up the front skirt, and also unzip the back skirt…and just that fast, I’m ready to jump in the saddle – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The softshell material of the All Weather Rider also features a Dintex membrane. The Dintex functions by helping to repel both wind and water – which means that it is working to help block the wind and keep it’s wearer dry. And it does so while helping the fabric to maintain a high level of breathability, so no worries about the potential for overheating.

The AWR does feature some terrific styling details – starting with the Asmar Equestrian logo badge on the left sleeve, as it just lends an elegant look to the jacket. I also find that many of the styling details also serve a function – take the reflective 3M piping detail that spans across the back of the waistline. Stylish?…absolutely. But also a great safety feature.

There are also three outer zip pockets included in the design of the AWR – one is located on either side, and the third is located on the left chest. And while I find that the hood is functional, it also adds to the appearance of the AWR; though it is also nice to be able to remove the hood if I wish.

But I’m digressing into the details – the feature that first brought the All Weather Rider to my notice is that it is made to easily transition from the street to the saddle. While it looks perfectly posh when worn into the office or out to lunch, it is just at home at the barn. I simply unsnap and then zip up the front skirt, and also unzip the back skirt…and just that fast, I’m ready to jump in the saddle.

Once I'm riding, I do find that the front and back skirts of the AWR stay in place really nicely - whether I'm just going for a nice hack, or if I'm cantering along - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Once I’m riding, I do find that the front and back skirts of the AWR stay in place really nicely – whether I’m just going for a nice hack, or if I’m cantering along – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I find the AWR functions oh-so-well in the saddle. The front skirt drapes quite nicely over the front of my saddle, while the rear skirt covers the cantle very well. Once the skirts are unzipped, I have a great deal of freedom of movement as I swing up into the saddle. And this time of the year, it is easy to find myself riding in the elements…snow flurries, rain, sleet, you name it.

Once I’m riding, I do find that the front and back skirts of the AWR stay in place really nicely – whether I’m just going for a nice hack, or if I’m cantering along. And when I’m riding in the elements, I am very happy to not have to worry about my saddle. It’s covered (literally), because the front and back skirts of the AWR are helping to protect my saddle. I am also really thankful for the extra warmth that the soft fleece lining of the classic AWR.

Even in the time before and after my ride, the All Weather Rider holds it’s own around the barn as well. Not only does the softshell fabric do a nice job at being easy to brush horse hair and hay off of – I also find that the fitted cuff inside of the sleeve does an equally great job at keeping the hay from going up said sleeve.

The moral of this story? Finding the right piece of outerwear to invest in is a very important undertaking. For me, the All Weather Rider is simply ideal – the mid-thigh length is very flattering, and it lends a simply chic look as I’m dashing around town. And the fact that it holds it own around the barn and functions so well in the saddle makes it work well for me.

The Asmar Equestrian fleece lined All Weather Rider has a retail price of $320, and it comes in a variety of colors–ranging from conservative and classic looking neutrals to bold hues to match your personality. And you can check it out here.

Go Fab, Saddle-Protecting Outerwear.  Go Asmar Equestrian.  Go Eventing.