Wet Weather Gear

[Joane Pappas White <Lyoness@Castlenet.com>]

Hi Ridecampers,

Since we have had a very dry year in Utah, I had not had a chance to
test my new raincoat from Lovell of Mack--until last Friday and
Saturday!

I am not related to Lovell nor do I have any business involvement with
her other than to buy her wonderful products.  Many of you use her
saddlebag systems and rump rugs, but how many of you have seen her
Aussie Style dusters?  They are patterned just like the oilskin coats
but are made of the wonderful lightweight, breathable fabric that she
uses for her bags.  

I first saw the coats at the Rabbit Valley ride in western Colorado
where all the riders have them.  It poured at that ride but the riders
in the Lovell dusters we perfectly happy.  I got a chance to talk to
Lovell about the dusters at Pan Am and ordered one to match the colors
of my saddlebags.  She even designed one for me as a gift for my
Canadian friend Christy to wear in France--Maple Leaf and all.  They are
totally custom and every detail has been adjusted for distance riding:

1.  The hem snaps up for walking but will let down and cover your boots
when you are on your horse--NO WATER IN YOUR BOOTS.  They are big enough
to spread to protect your horse's rear as well as your own.

2.  Sleeves can be snapped at the wrist or they unsnap and drop to the
middle of your hand to protect your gloves.

3.  Hood is made to fit over your riding helmet but can be put in a
pocket if you wish.

4.  It is totally waterproof but is light enough that you can layer as
much or as little as you like under it without getting hot.  I want
something to keep me dry not warm. I'll add layers if I'm cold but if it
is wet and humid, I don't want a heavy coat. 

5.  Unlike the oilskins, these do not get heavy when wet. They repel all
water.  The duster weights only a few ounces and the entire long coat
packs into a small bag.  


For those of you who need rain gear, this is a great product.  Lovell is
a distance rider and is listed at Endurance Net.

Joane and the Herd
Price, Utah