Product Review: Noble Outfitters Amy Short Sleeve Quarter Zip

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.

Reflective Noble logo behind the shoulders on the Amy Quarter Zip Short Sleeve  - Photo by Lorraine Peachey Reflective Noble logo behind the shoulders on the Amy Quarter Zip Short Sleeve - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I’m in a bit of a fall wardrobe funk at the moment – the time for shorts and tank shirts is pretty much gone for the year, and I’m ready to welcome the season for chunky knit sweaters and boots. Boot season holds it’s very own special place near and dear to my heart.

Yet, we’ve still been having some days here in Pennsylvania that are absolutely gorgeous – Sunny & 75 (not to be confused with one of my favorite Joe Nichols songs…for the mobs of country music fans out there for any country music fans that might be reading this).

While this is my idea of a perfect day, meteorologically speaking, it can be a little challenging picking out an appropriate outfit, when the day starts out at 50 degrees or so.

If I pull on a typical fall outfit for me, I’m usually a little warm around the edges if the day turns out to be a lovely one in the mid-70s. So lately, I’ve been trying to stick with light layers that I can easily pull on or take off. But I’ve already busted out my boots to wear around, and they are so not returning to the back of the closet until next spring.

I’ve been going through a similar transitional period with my riding attire as well. While sleeveless tanks are out, I’ve still found myself wearing a number of my ‘stay cool’ or UV protective type long sleeve riding tops. But I’m always on the lookout for new riding shirts that fit whichever season of the year we happen to be in.

I like that the side seams of the Amy Quarter Zip have a ‘princess cut’—which just means that it hugs the curves of your waistline for a more flattering look - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I like that the side seams of the Amy Quarter Zip have a ‘princess cut’—which just means that it hugs the curves of your waistline for a more flattering look – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Just this year, I’ve found that I enjoy wearing the Josie Quarter Zip Mock and the Riley Polo from Noble Outfitters, because the shirts were comfortable, and the fabric felt nice & stretchy. And who can’t use another riding top in their wardrobe? More recently, I’ve found that I have also enjoyed wearing Noble’s Amy Short Sleeve Quarter Zip.

Now I can probably maybe guess what you are thinking – short sleeves on cool fall days in Pennsylvania? Well, one of the first things that I found that I liked about the Amy Quarter Zip is that when I pulled it out of the packaging, I noticed that the ‘short sleeves’ are actually about ‘half sleeves’ on me – which I feel makes it a great top for transitional seasons for me.

The fabric of the Amy Quarter Zip felt very much like that of the Riley Polo to me – it is smooth to the touch, and has a good amount of stretch to it. It also does contain the same Opti-Dry Technology as the Riley, which in my experience, does a really nice job at helping to pull moisture away from the skin. And it also tends to dry pretty quickly for me as well.

Noble Outfitters logo on near bottom hem on front of Amy Quarter Zip -  I find the detailing to be stylish, but I also like the concept of having  reflective areas on my clothing, since I often ride at dusk during the Fall - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Noble Outfitters logo on near bottom hem on front of Amy Quarter Zip – I find the detailing to be stylish, but I also like the concept of having reflective areas on my clothing, since I often ride at dusk during the Fall – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I am also quite fond of the reflective detailing that Noble Outfitters has included on the Amy Quarter Zip – there is an attractive Noble ‘N’ logo (that is larger in size) on the back, between the shoulder blades.

Also, near the bottom hem on the front side of the shirt, there is also a smaller ‘Noble Outfitters’ spelled-out logo in the same reflective detailing. I find the detailing to be stylish, but I also like the concept of having some reflective areas on my clothing, in case I’m out riding at dusk (as is often the case in fall).

The fit of the Amy Quarter Zip worked well for me – this shirt is fairly fitted. I like that the side seams have a ‘princess cut’—which just means that it hugs the curves of your waistline for a more flattering look. I’ve also found it very nice that the seams themselves are flat. Which makes them feel both smooth and comfortable.

The dropped back hem of the Amy Quarter Zip helps it stay in place better with ‘riding up’ when I choose to ride without tucking in my top - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The dropped back hem of the Amy Quarter Zip helps it stay in place better with ‘riding up’ when I choose to ride without tucking in my top – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

And, I’ve found that the quarter zip on the front of the shirt is a feature that is both stylish, as well as functional. For a more polished look, I zip the whole way up. But for my more laid back style, I mostly keep the Amy shirt about halfway zipped up. The position of the zipper has also been helpful in regulating my body temperature. On cooler days, zipping all the way up helps provide a little insulation against the elements (and on warmer days, the reverse is true as well).

Time spent in the saddle donning the Amy Quarter Zip top is definitely a comfortable experience. The stretchy fabric feels great, and is not constricting while riding. Plus, I especially like that the dropped back hem of the shirt helps it stay in place better with ‘riding up’ when I choose to ride without tucking in my top.

On warmer days, the Opti-Dry technology works it ‘magic’, and helps to wick away moisture from my skin to keep me comfortable as I ride. But on the flip-side, I find that I really like having the half sleeves of the Amy shirt on cooler-but-not-cold days.

The Amy Short Sleeve Quarter Zip available from Noble Outfitters, and it comes in your choice of  three colors—a more conservative ‘White’, a colorfully bright ‘Blue Ribbon’, and fun & funky ‘Blackberry Snakeskin’. All colors come with a retail price of $39.99.

Go Comfortable Gear for Changing Seasons.  Go Noble Outfitters.  Go Eventing.

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