Gilets are the perfect addition to a winter wardrobe. They act as an effective layer either underneath a coat or as an additional layer to keep your core warm when you get warm riding. So I was keen to try out the unisex Mountain Horse Star Vest, which is windproof and water-repellent vest perfect for wearing all-year round.
First impressions
When I took it out of the packaging, the first thing I noticed was how lightweight the Mountain Horse Star Vest Unisex is. Some gilets can be bulky but this is thin enough to be very light and the material is soft and silky. I like the padded element, but again, the design didn’t make it at all bulky. I like the Mountain Horse writing down the spine on the back.
Fit
This vest fits me very well. It is long enough in the body to give good coverage without being too long that it gets in the way when I sit down. It is nicely shaped at the waist for an elegant fit and the neck collar is just high enough to offer protection without feeling too high and restrictive.
I find that the arm holes can sometimes be narrow on gilets, but this vest from Mountain Horse offered plenty of room for a full range of motion and I never felt restricted. Even when doing jobs like hanging up horse rugs on the higher rug racks, for example.
The bottom edge of the Mountain Horse Star Vest Unisex has an adjustable draw string for extra adaptability in terms of fit and shape, but I never needed to use it. I found that the fit was spot on without it.
Performance
I wore this gilet on the yard a lot in all weathers. Being winter, I mostly wore it under a coat, and it offers a lovely additional layer without making it too bulky to move around under my coat. When I warmed up and took my coat off, it kept my trunk warm and I could definitely feel the windproof element on windy days.
Its water repellent feature was very practical when I got caught out on a hack without a coat on and it started to drizzle. My trunk stayed perfectly dry. The zip-up pockets are super handy for storing phones and car keys, and the two-way main zipper gives you the option to zip it up from the bottom if it catches on the pommel of your saddle whilst riding.
The Mountain Horse Star Vest Unisex is very smart and looks great over a long-sleeved base layer for lessons and when warming up at competitions over a show jacket. It washes well and dries surprisingly quickly.
Value for money
At £70, this is a good value item that looks smart and is practical.
Key information about the Mountain Horse Star Vest
Colour: navy or black
Sizes: XXS-XXL
RRP £70
Find out more about the Mountain Horse range
