Equetech Stratus Padded Waterproof Jacket *H&H Approved*

Equetech Stratus Padded Waterproof Jacket

My first impressions of the Equetech Stratus were that is looked gorgeous but I wondered how long this might last. I particularly loved the faux fur hood edge.

How well does the Equetech Stratus fit?

I am a 5ft3in curvy UK10, so I ordered (on advice of the size guide) a size S. Unfortunately, I received an XS – however, after a few minutes of panic that my beautiful new coat might not fit, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it did. Yes, the S would probably look slightly better on me, but I am comfortable wearing it and love the design so much that I can’t bear to part with it. Moral of the story is – you definitely don’t need to size up even if you prefer a looser fit as this coat is true to size with room for a layer.

The actual cut of the coat is very flattering – while you can see that it is stretched over me in some places due to it being a size too small, the overall shape still looks great. The rear vents help with this too.

Performance in winter weather

This coat is waterproof to 16,000mm, which is one of the highest of all waterproof riding jackets on the markets – it will keep you warm and dry if you get caught in one of the worst downpours.

You can remove the fur trim on the hood if desired – which might be wise if you know bad weather is coming – and it simply zips off. The hood does fit over a riding hat if you need it to, and it can also be tightened at the front for really windy weather. Suddenly this coat is looking much more practical!

The storm flap is popper-free thanks to hidden magnets

Features

Like all good riding coats, the Stratus has a two-way zip, which is covered by a storm flap with hidden magnets. I love this detail because it’s always closed, keeping water out and looking tidy, but it also eliminates any fiddling when doing up or undoing your coat. It also has zipped rear vents, which make it sit beautifully (and comfortably) over the saddle.

The coat has zipped pockets on the front, with the lovely snaffle detailing you see on many Equetech products. The storm cuffs have thumbholes to help keep your wrists covered.

Is the Equetech Stratus worth the money?

Yes, in short. Coats are expensive, but I believe this one will last – and it has the bonus of looking great on, too. I’ve also worn it to non-horsey outdoor social activities and it’s been perfect. There are, of course, cheaper coats out there, but I haven’t seen any in this style that are quite so practical, too.

Verdict

*H&H Approved* – This super-stylish riding coat isn’t just nice to look at, but it’s highly technical, too. Of all the coats I’ve tested, this is my favourite to look at so if you’re looking for a short coat that makes you feel great while also keeping you dry, this could be the one. I really don’t have anything negative to say about this coat other than if you’re likely to get covered in head-to-toe in mud doing yard chores, I would opt for a long coat for yard wear and save this one for riding.

Who tested the Equetech Stratus?

Georgia Guerin is H&H’s head of ecommerce and editor of PetsRadar. She has a 17-year-old Fjord, Utah, who is on DIY livery, so she’s at the yard twice a day doing all the jobs horse owners do and riding up to five times a week.

Find out more about how Horse & Hound tests products

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