Drizzle that never quits. Gates that bite. Fork handles, hay bales and wheelbarrows that leave their mark. If your winter yard coat can’t take a beating and keep you dry, it’s not earning its keep.
Key takeaway: The Horseware Duratech Jacket is a waterproof winter riding coat built from 100% recycled nylon with 1000D ballistic Nylon Rambo reinforcements — tough enough for daily UK yard work and comfortable in the saddle.
What makes the Horseware Duratech Jacket different?
It combines a 100% recycled waterproof nylon shell with 1000D ballistic Nylon Rambo panels in high-wear zones, delivering reliable weather protection and serious abrasion resistance in one coat. That mix is why it holds up to UK yard life and rides in grim weather.
Horseware has essentially taken its iconic hard-wearing Rambo fabric and targeted it where coats usually fail first — shoulders, cuffs and other contact points — while keeping the rest of the jacket light, flexible and fully waterproof. The result is a properly functional winter riding coat that doesn’t baby you when you’re moving hay, fixing electric fence tape or ducking into a stable in a downpour.
Key features you’ll actually use:
- 100% recycled waterproof nylon main fabric to keep the rain out in persistent UK drizzle
- 1000D ballistic Nylon Rambo panels on high-wear areas for tear and scuff resistance
- Detachable, adjustable hood you can cinch in the wind or remove around the yard
- Two-way front zip with chin guard for easy adjustment in or out of the saddle
- Stand-up collar with cosy ribbed lining that blocks wind at the neck
- Dipped back hem for extra coverage when mounted, so rain doesn’t track into your seat
- Extended cuffs for better hand coverage and glove integration
- Reflective logo details to boost visibility during low light
Quick tip: For dusk hacks or foggy mornings, pair the reflective trims with dedicated high-visibility kit. Our curated range of rider hi-vis makes you more noticeable to drivers, aligning with long-standing UK safety guidance promoted by bodies like the BHS.
Is it really waterproof for UK weather?
Yes — the Duratech’s main fabric is 100% recycled waterproof nylon, designed to keep you dry through the UK’s frequent rain and drizzle. It’s the reliable, all-day barrier you need for livery yard life.
With 100+ rainy days a year in many UK regions, a coat that wets out by lunchtime is no use. The Duratech’s waterproof shell beads rain, and the dipped hem stops water tracking into your waistband while you ride or bend to pick feet. An adjustable hood helps you hunker down into squalls; when the rain passes, it unclips in seconds to keep bulk out of the way when you’re mucking out indoors.
For comfort management in changeable showers, use the two-way zip to vent from the hem up without drenching your top half. The stand-up, rib-lined collar closes gently against your neck to block wind chill without scratching your skin.
Pro tip: Low, flat winter light and drizzle reduce driver visibility. Add a lightweight gilet or tabard from our rider hi-vis collection over the Duratech for maximum contrast on the road or track.
How tough is it on the yard?
Very tough — 1000D ballistic Nylon Rambo panels reinforce the shoulders, cuffs and other high-wear points, resisting the snags, scuffs and tears that come with hay, forks, gates and daily handling. It’s built with yard graft in mind.
“Ballistic” refers to the dense, hard-wearing weave that shrugs off abrasion better than standard fabrics. On the Duratech, Horseware has used those panels strategically where your jacket takes the most abuse: brushing past stable doors, hoisting rugs, lifting buckets and pushing barrows. Extended cuffs help protect your wrists and glove seams from chafing against lead ropes or wheelbarrow grips. Reflective logos double as scuff indicators — dirt and scratches are easy to spot and clean.
Match your jacket to equally yard-ready footwear. Sturdy, waterproof yard or country boots with grippy soles and, ideally, a safety toe cap will complete your winter armour. Explore durable options in our horse riding boots collection to keep your footing on wet concrete and sloggy gateways.
Is it built for the saddle too?
Yes — the dipped hem, two-way zip, detachable hood and stand-up collar are designed for riding comfort and coverage in winter. It’s as capable in the arena or on a hack as it is in the yard.
The dipped hem adds weatherproof seat coverage without bunching, while the two-way zip keeps the front of the jacket clear of your pommel. Zip down from the top for airflow on uphill trots, or from the bottom to sit deep without pulling across your lap. Detach or adjust the hood to prevent flapping at canter, and rely on the cosy collar to take the edge off a cutting northerly. Reflective logos offer a visibility boost under headlights, and you can layer dedicated road-safe gear over the top when needed.
Safety first: Whatever the weather, a correctly fitted hat is non-negotiable. If your current one is due a refresh, browse our certified riding helmets to pair with the Duratech for winter schooling and hacks.
Choosing size and layering for winter
Pick your usual size with room for a base and mid-layer; the Duratech is available from XXS–XXL and is cut to layer for 0–10°C yard work and winter riding. Aim for a comfortable, not baggy, fit so the waterproof shell can do its job.
Layering plan for typical UK winter ranges:
- 5–10°C, breezy and showery: moisture-wicking long-sleeve base + Duratech. Use the two-way zip to regulate heat while schooling or lunging.
- 0–5°C, damp with wind chill: thermal base + light fleece mid-layer + Duratech. Extended cuffs over gloves seal out drafts at your wrists.
- Sub-zero early starts: thermal base + warm mid-layer + neck buff + Duratech. Detach the hood if working indoors to avoid overheating, then clip it back on for turnout runs in sleet.
For lower-body comfort that keeps mud at bay and dries fast between chores, choose technical legwear. Our performance-led range of women’s jodhpurs and breeches offers stretch, grip and quick-dry fabrics that pair well with the Duratech’s weatherproofing.
Quick tip: If you’re between sizes or run broader in the shoulders, size up to maintain full reach without the hem riding up when you mount or lift hay bales. Try the jacket over your bulkiest intended mid-layer to confirm ease through the back and cuffs.
Care and waterproofing maintenance
Spot-clean mud, avoid machine washing, and re-proof annually to maintain performance. Gentle care preserves both the waterproof recycled nylon and the integrity of the ballistic panels.
Simple routine to keep your coat working hard:
- Daily: Let dried mud brush off; wipe fresh splashes with a damp cloth.
- When heavily soiled: Hand clean with mild soap and lukewarm water, focusing on high-contact areas. Rinse gently.
- Drying: Hang to air dry away from direct heat, radiators or sunlight.
- Re-proofing: Apply a quality water-repellent treatment annually, or when rain stops beading on the surface.
- Storage: Hang in a cool, dry place; don’t compress for long periods to protect the fabric’s finish.
Pro tip: Keep cuff velcro and zip teeth free of hay chaff and grit so they continue to seal smoothly in the wet.
What to pair it with for a complete winter set-up
Combine the Duratech with waterproof boots, technical legwear, hi-vis and the right rugs to keep you and your horse comfortable from field to saddle. Build a simple system that stands up to UK winter grind.
- Footing you can trust: Choose supportive, waterproof yard or country boots from our horse riding boots selection for grip on wet concrete and greasy gateways.
- Lower-body performance: Opt for quick-dry, brushed-back or thermal breeches from our women’s jodhpurs & breeches for warmth without bulk under waterproof layers.
- Visibility in low light: Add a gilet, arm bands or exercise sheet from our rider hi-vis collection for hacks at dawn or dusk.
- Head protection: Pair with a correctly fitted hat from our riding helmets range for safe winter schooling.
- Match your horse’s protection: On wet, windy days, keep your horse comfortable in suitable winter turnout rugs; swap to breathable stable rugs when drying off inside.
- Mud management: Stock up on robust brushes, hoof picks and stain removers in our grooming collection to handle winter filth fast.
- Cold-season support: Many owners add joint, hoof and immune support through winter. Explore targeted options in our horse supplements.
At Just Horse Riders, we recommend building your kit on durable, repairable pieces. The Duratech’s reinforced panels align with that approach — fewer rips, fewer replacements, more seasons of use.
How the Duratech fits UK yard life
It’s a work-first winter riding coat with the resilience for muddy, windy, always-on yard routines. The recycled waterproof nylon keeps you dry through drizzle and downpours, while Rambo ballistic reinforcements fend off the knocks and scrapes that end lesser jackets.
The design details are unapologetically practical for British conditions: a hood that actually stays put when the wind gusts; a dipped hem that stops saddle soak-through; extended cuffs that partner with gloves on frosty leads; and reflective logos that help you be seen during short daylight hours. It’s the sort of coat you put on before first feeds, wear through turnout, lessons and rug changes, and hang up after late checks — ready to do it again tomorrow.
If your winter is wet, windy and hands-on, this is the jacket that matches your pace.
FAQs
Yes — you’ll find clear answers to the most common UK rider questions about the Duratech Jacket below.
Is the Horseware Duratech Jacket truly waterproof for UK rain?
Yes. The main fabric is 100% recycled waterproof nylon, specified by multiple specialist retailers, making it suitable for persistent drizzle and heavier showers typical of UK winters.
How tough is it for daily yard work like handling hay or skips?
Very tough. 1000D ballistic Nylon Rambo panels reinforce high-wear areas such as shoulders and cuffs, providing abrasion and tear resistance against hay, gates, fence wire and tool handles.
Is it comfortable and practical for riding in winter?
Yes. The dipped hem protects your seat from spray, the two-way zip prevents bunching at the pommel, and the detachable, adjustable hood and stand-up collar keep wind and rain off without restricting movement.
What makes it suitable for cold, windy UK conditions?
The stand-up collar with cosy ribbed lining shields your neck from wind chill, and extended cuffs help seal warmth alongside gloves during turnout, lunging and evening checks.
Is the Duratech eco-friendly?
Yes. Its main waterproof fabric is made from 100% recycled nylon, reducing virgin material use while still delivering robust weather protection.
How should I care for and maintain the jacket’s waterproofing?
Brush off mud, spot-clean with mild soap, avoid machine washing, and re-proof annually (or when water stops beading on the surface). Hang to air dry away from direct heat.
What size should I choose if I plan to layer underneath?
Choose your usual size with enough room for a thermal base and a light to mid-weight fleece. If you’re between sizes or have broad shoulders, size up to maintain full reach and coverage without the hem lifting when mounted.
