As the weather turns cold, I am looking for suggestions on cold weather gear.  I hate riding in coveralls, all the bulk is just annoying.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks and Warm, Happy Trails!

JacciB

I also hate to ride in coveralls.  I have a thin pair of long underwear that I put on under my jeans that really seem to help.  Then on top, I layer a t-shirt, turtleneck and sweatshirt.  The layers are in graduated sizes (smaller t-shirt, larger sweatshirt) to give greater freedom of movement. 

I don't like to wear a toboggin, so I wear a headband over my ears.  If it's really cold or windy, I add an extra large hoodie.

Mostly, I am a weather wimp.  If it gets much below 50*, I just don't go!

depending on how much you want to spend, Dover's Saddlery catalog has a LOT of cold weather riding clothes and boots.. Right now they're having a closeout sale of winter breeches and some boots as well... I know many or probably most of you ride western, but you can't beat a good pair of stretch breeches for comfort and durability..

check it out : doversaddlery.com

Thin, non-cotton long underwear is good, such as poly-propylene or Under Armour-type material. Chinks or chaps are good for your legs, too, without adding bulk.

Toboggan?! Isn't a toboggan a wooden snow sled made for multiple people?

LOL  about the Toboggin!  I am originally from Northern WI and a toboggin up there is a sled.  It wasn't until I moved to TN that I heard it used to refer to a stocking cap!

Flannel lined jeans with silky long underwear underneath keeps me warm. I use a headband over my ears so I can still wear my helmet and if it's a bit breezy I'll put a large hoodie on and cover my helmet, ears and all.

I like polartec fleece lined gloves. Wal-mart had them last year, not sure about this year. They are great for riding since the fingers and palm have rubber grippers. They were only $5... cheap for riding gloves!!

Although, I must admit that if it gets around 45 I'll put the carhartt insulated bib coveralls on and just wear sweat pants underneath. I've used battery powered socks too to keep my feet warm and dry. The hunting section of any store has a good selection of winter items that can be used for riding too.

Panty hose or stretch tights under your jeans.  They allow maximum flexibilityand reduce chafing.  They don't grab your jeans like longjohns do.  When I was riding endurance races even the men wore panty hose to minimize the chafing.

Marla

Toboggan to FUNNY!

Sorry gang all western trail riding response below ;-)

Thermal undies tops and bottoms, t-shirt and jeans, wool socks and a sweatshirt under a warm jacket.  Warm Hat and neck band, I also wear full chaps 75% of the season, helps keep the branches and cold winds off no less sticks me to the seat for those stuck throttles in the winter and spring that tend to occur.  Why do those lil buggers love the cool air?  Man they get some awesome energy!

I must say foot wear and gloves are some of my most important cold weather items.  Boots with 400 plus grams of thinsulate are very important. 

I just invested in a pair of Chippewa lace up work boots.  Very nice and very warm.  I also tend to by the Elk skin gloves that are lined, they sell these at a both at the Equine Affaire every year. 

Elk is more durable and holds up better than dear skin.

My wife thinks we could save ourselves this whole winter disaster by just moving South......  Go figure.

Shotgun Chaps or Chinks depending on how cold it is.  Flannel lined jeans and if it's really cold I'll put on some thermal bottoms.

A couple of layers on the top depending on the temps. Usually a thermal top, a nice shirt and a polar fleece jacket. If it's really cold I have a barn coat with goose down liner.  A silk kerchief around the neck and usually a felt hat. If it's really cold, I may forgo the cowboy hat and put on a beanie. 

Wool socks and a little heavier packers than I use in the summer.  I need to look into those battery operated socks.  My heavier boots just don't slid in and out of the stirrups very well.

I've rode a lot of miles in single digit temps, as long as the wind is not blowing or driving snow pellets into my face. But if it hits Zero or lower, I'll just wait a few days for it to warm up.

My horses seem to really enjoy and outing on a brisk winter day. Especially with new snow

And the wildlife is much easier to spot and usually less prone to run off in the winter.

Lands End and LL Bean carry them.  You can always do a google search to find other places.

Thanks to everyone for the tips.  I am definitely going with the silk long johns, the idea of them not "sticking" to my jeans is wonderful.

Warm and Happy Trails to all!

I've had the flannel lined jeans from Land's End before,and they are really NICE.Be sure to get a size with enough room because they are a little thick when on.

There is a brand of ladies undergarments called Cuddleduds that is really nice and warm,also,I find silk longjohns to be very warm without bulk.

Mountain Horse makes the BEST waterproof gloves I've ever worn,and,if you're like me and your feet or hands get wet,forget it,it's all over for the day.

I second the Cuddle Duds...they keep you warm but let you breath as well. Also, I second the Mountain Horse gloves....For those not afraid of breeches, the power stretch ones with the full grippy seat from Kerrits are great. Especially if your horse is feeling a little frisky. There is plenty of room in them for layering if you need to. I also like this pair of tights that I got from Sahalie. They look like pantyhose but were designed to wear under ski clothes. They are light and really helped keep my feet warm. They also sell some great microfleece socks that aren't bulky and actually fit into your shoes.

I love riding in cold weather, bummer I live in Florida sometimes...Just sometimes...

Wow, those pictures from Utah are awesome!!  I was right with ya till I saw that "cat" in the tree, wow that's a sight! 

The flannel lined jeans are really neat (I'm gonna get a pair).  Farm & Fleet has them on sale right now (27.99 I think).  I ditto the cuddle duds, I LOVE them!!

I admit though, I don't ride much in the winter, we store our truck and trailer in our barn, so we take some time off. 

Eddie Bauer also has great flannel-lined jeans.

http://www.schnees.com/product_categories/344/products/2253-schnee-s-10-inch-western-adv

These boots with merino wool socks have worked very well riding elk hunting in MT at 22 below.  Silk long underwear topped by underarmour and then regular clothes, wool vest, and chinks, then Thinsulate with Gore-tex top coat with hood.  Silk wild rag for neck and Wool and gore-tex Stoney Cromer hat and you are very well fixed.  My hunting is done mule-back so the hunting gear has to accomodate riding. 

That mountain is the back side of the Wasatch mountains.  Ogden Utah is just on the other side.  Snow Basin Skui Resort is in the Upper right corner.

This picture is taken from the mountain in the 1st picture looking back over the otehr way.  And it's a fall photo.

Now I am going to change the whole post because of this question.

I followed your fall link and saw all your other photos.  Very nice.

I noticed that you are not using any fancy pads just a few Navajo blankets. 

Do you ever have any issues with just the simple blanket? 

I have  worn the fur off of my qtr horse two years in a row right under the rear area of the saddle on each side of his spine.  This year it grew in white.  Very disapointing.

 I have changed saddles and pads.  I wanted to try the simple blanket but was concerned that the pad was better. 

What do you think?

I use a Dixie Midnight type of under pad under wool blankets. It's a 1/4" thick spun polimer material  ( kinda like a real course brillo pad mad out of plastic.)

This type of underpad allows the sweat to run out from underneath, and lets some air move under the blanket to help keep the horses back cool.

When it gets dirty, I just hose down the dixie midnight pad or dunk it in the water tank and shake it out.  My wool blankets stay cleaner longer. No matted hair, no crusty dried sweat.

Country Supply sells a knock off version that is cheaper than the Dixie Midnight,  It's black vs being Blue.  But they are the same thing.  They come a little big and square and you just cut them to size with some sissors.  They work for me on my horses. I hate wet saddle blankets that don't dry in the winter. I hate wet saddle blankets that add pounds of weight when they fill with sweat during the summer. My wife hates me washing dirty blankets in her washing machine. This solves those problems.