Aubrion Halcyon Mid Length Coat review
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Warm
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Waterproof
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Inside pocket for phone
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Functional
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A bit bulky
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Not very stylish
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Plastic zips
Aubrion Halcyon Mid Length Coat
This coat is very warm, so I’ve had to wait until colder UK winter temperatures arrived in order to test it properly, as I quickly overheated when wearing it on milder days, despite its high breathability rating of 5000g/m2. It has an official waterproof rating of 5000mm and has kept me warm and dry in both heavy rain and early winter snow.
I am a UK size 8/10 and the small is a good fit.
The bottom half of the coat is lined with a non-plush material and the whole coat is lightly quilted for warmth. The robust outer material is more bulky than some other winter coats I’ve tried, which makes it less practical for wearing during doing active yard tasks like mucking out and grooming. But it has kept me warm and dry while poo picking fields, checking field horses, turning horses out, etc.
I have hacked out in rain and snow while wearing it and I stayed warm and dry on my body with the soft plush material on the collar making it comfortable to wear when the zip is fully fastened at the top. I was concerned that the two-way plastic zip, which has no external protection in the form of a storm flap, might leak, but I’m pleased to say that hasn’t been the case so far.
While it is designed to wear both in and out of the saddle, thanks to the single rear riding vent that is easy to open and a two-way zip in front, the length of the coat means it only covers the top of thighs in the saddle so my knees did get wet, but it did a good job protecting the rear of the saddle.
There is a longer version of this coat available, which may be a better choice for riding out in inclement winter weather if you want to keep your legs and the front of the saddle dry. Although I have done some very quiet schooling in the arena while wearing this coat, I’ve found it too warm for doing anything more active than this in the saddle.
The hood is lined with the same plush material as the collar and body of the coat and attached via a zip, which makes it easy to remove. While it is adjustable via an elasticated drawstring, it isn’t big enough to put over your riding hat so I would recommend separating it from the coat when you are riding to remove any risk of it getting caught on something.
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The wrist cuffs are quite large and thick and aren’t very close fitting around my narrow wrists, plus there is no additional adjustment option here, unlike the Mountain Horse Flash Deluxe Parka I’ve also been testing. The cuffs also poke out beyond the sleeve. I was concerned that the cuffs might allow drafts in or get wet, but when it is cold enough to wear this coat, I am also wearing a pair of winter gloves over the cuffs, so that hasn’t been an issue.
This coat has an inside chest pocket on the left, which is ideal for keep a mobile phone secure and dry, and is particularly convenient if you are right-handed. There are also two outer pockets with zip fastenings, that are of a good size and easy to use one-handed. The external branding is just a subtle rubberised logo on the left sleeve.
With a RRP of £129.99, this is one of the more economically priced winter riding coats on the market and I’ve found it to be a very functional item for doing essential horse care tasks during the winter.
I personally prefer the Ariat Tempest Waterproof Insulated Parka that I tested two years ago, which has a more stylish appearance and still going strong after two winters of regular wear, but it is in a very different price category at +£300. Now that I have options, I’m tending to wear the Ariat Insulated Parka when attending shows or training, walking dogs with friends and other similar public outings, and wearing the Aubrion Halcyon coat to do daily jobs around the stables.
I haven’t yet washed the Aubrion Halcyon coat, but it is described as machine washable at 30 degrees. I’ll report back once I’ve done that, but as yet, I haven’t had the need as any dirt has been easy to sponge off.
Verdict
A practical coat at a very reasonable price for doing outside tasks around the yard as well as hacking in cold and wet winter weather.
Who tested the Aubrion Halcyon Mid Length Coat?
Carol Phillips is Horse & Hound’s website editor, who has ridden since childhood. While her own horse is currently having some time turned away after an injury, she typically rides friends’ horses three or four times a week, alongside doing regular yard tasks.
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.