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.
With the arrival of cold temperatures, staying warm is definitely a bit of a challenge. Especially for someone like me…because I’m what you would call ‘perpetually cold’. Unfortunate? Sure. But that just means that I have to make sure to pick out my outdoor attire carefully so that I don’t freeze.
It’s been a bit of a learning curve to reach the point of being able to pick out barn wear that is really well suited for winter weather. There’s been some trial and error. I still shake my head at the thought of wearing jeans to get my barn chores done. Because that was just cold. Or fleece pants–while they may have been warmer, hay. Stuck. Everywhere. And then was impossible to brush off.
In addition to making a not-super-great choice for wearing while getting my barn chores done, jeans and fleece pants are also less then stellar to ride in. And unfortunately for me, I speak from experience. Jeans, I can ride in–they simply aren’t very warm when there’s cold and blustery winds. But fleece pants? Yeah…como si dici, slip ‘n slide?
Through many (cold) experiences, I’ve found that winter breeches are a great go-to for cold weather temperatures. Not only for riding, but also for spending time around the barn, or for getting chores done. Because not only can breeches help provide me with more warmth – they are also comfortable to wear as well.
Some additional styling details include a small Ovation logo medallion that rests above the front zip pocket, an Ovation logo front button, as well as subtle Ovation stamps on the knee patches – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey
This season, I’ve been very happy to be riding (and working in) the Winter Breech from Ovation. At a glance, the Winter Breeches look like others that I’ve tried…but when I took a closer look, I really started to notice features that stand out to me. When I tried on the breeches for the first time, one of the first things that I noticed was how smooth and stretchy the Teflon-coated fabric is.
And I do mean they are stretchy – both the fabric of the breeches, as well as the elastic waistband. Which makes them quite comfortable once I pull them on. I also was very happy that the breeches have a zip-front and fasten with a hook and loop closure. This makes the breeches unique, as a number of other cold weather riding breeches and tights that I’ve worn are pull-up. So the fact that the Ovation Winter Breech has a zip-front styling is definitely refreshing.
I also took notice to the soft fleece lining of the interior of the Winter Breeches, which certainly helps provide additional warmth. And considering the fact that I’m perpetually cold, is a very welcome feature. The breeches also feature a Euroseat styling, which I feel helps them to fit me well in the seat area.
There is also a front storage pocket (on the right side) that zips open/shut for convenience. The breeches do feature belt loops as well, so that you can wear your favorite belt with them – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
The Winter Breeches also do feature Syn-Tec suede knee patches, which are soft to the touch. And I do find that I like that the bottoms of the legs have a traditional styling that allows for adjustability of the opening for the foot and ankle by using Velcro. This allows me to adjust the bottom of the legs so that they have a snug fit (don’t want to let any cold air in!).
There is also a front storage pocket (on the right side) that zips open/shut for convenience. The breeches do feature belt loops as well, so that you can wear your favorite belt with them. Some additional styling details include a small Ovation logo medallion that rests above the front zip pocket, an Ovation logo front button, as well as subtle Ovation stamps on the knee patches.
The Ovation Winter Breeches have really served me well so far this season. I’m pleased that they are black colored–which I am a big fan of, because it tends to hide dirt and horse slobber better. But they are also both WARM and COMFORTABLE for me to wear while spending time around the barn.
I do find that I like that the bottoms of the legs have a traditional styling that allows for adjustability of the opening for the foot and ankle by using Velcro – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey
The stretchy properties of the breeches make them exceedingly comfortable to ride in – which I don’t say lightly. I also find that the fleece lining on the interior of the breeches really helps to provide me with additional warmth than my regular breeches do. Even on colder, windy days, the breeches keep me comfortable – because I have a nice range of movement in the saddle and have a buffer against the cold.
Not only are the Winter Breeches nice to ride in, but I’ve also found that I frequently pull them on in the mornings when I head out for my barn chores. Since it still looks like night when I head out to feed and muck in the morning…well, it’s a just a smidgen cold. But I’m found that the Winter Breeches help to keep me warm during chores. AND the other great thing is that hay easily brushes off of the Teflon coated fabric.
The Ovation Winter Breeches area available in sizes S through XL – and I’m simply amazed that they have a retail price of $64.95. Which I feel is a really great value, considering the nice quality of the breeches, and how well they work for me in the cold temperatures.
Go Always Amazing Cold Weather Breeches. Go Ovation. Go Eventing.
