If you’ve been following Reinwear for a while, you’ll know they have form when it comes to making waterproofs that actually work for riders. Their longer Reincoat has built up quite a following among equestrians who want something that looks like a proper jacket rather than a bin bag on legs. So when they launched the Reincoat Air, billing it as their lightest, most technical waterproof shell yet, I was curious. A short jacket aimed at warmer riding sessions and shows? That could be really useful. Or it could be one of those “sounds great on paper” products that doesn’t quite deliver in practice.
This is my honest Reincoat Air review after spending time with it at the yard. The short version – it’s genuinely impressive!. But whether it’s the right jacket for you depends on a few things I’ll walk you through.
Disclaimer
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Please note that all prices shown are correct at the time of publishing, and are open to change. Make sure that you check the price with the manufacturer or brand prior to purchase.
What Is the Reincoat Air?
The Reincoat Air is Reinwear’s award-winning short waterproof shell jacket, priced at £129.99. It’s designed as a lighter alternative to the full-length Reincoat – the kind of jacket you’d reach for on a spring morning that might turn drizzly, or when you want protection at a show without overheating. It’s built around ReinRepel® shell fabric and a MeshLite® lining, and comes in under 1kg.
If you’re already familiar with the Reincoat range, think of the Air as the jacket for when you don’t need full-length coverage but still want serious waterproofing. It sits in a different space from a basic shower-resistant fleece – this is a proper waterproof shell, just a shorter and lighter one.
Reincoat Air Features That Actually Matter for Riders
There are plenty of waterproof jackets on the market that are technically waterproof but were clearly designed by people who have never tried to ride a horse in one. They bunch up under your arms, restrict your shoulder movement, or create a weird draught that funnels straight down your back every time you post to the trot. So when I look at riding-specific gear, I’m less interested in the marketing bullet points and more interested in whether the design choices make sense for actually being on a horse.
The Reincoat Air has several features that stand out in that respect.
The underarm air vents are positioned exactly where you need airflow when you’re working. When your arms move forward and back in rising trot, or when you’re schooling on a warmer day, those vents release heat and moisture without letting the weather in. Anyone who has ever arrived at a show in a waterproof and then spent the next hour in the collecting ring slowly boiling will understand why this matters. A waterproof that doesn’t breathe properly just moves your sweat problem from outside the jacket to inside it.
The magnetic back vent is the detail I think is genuinely clever. Two side zips open to hip height, revealing panels that keep you fully covered while allowing more range of movement – all secured by a magnetic closure rather than a traditional zip. A zip-fastened vent is useful but fiddly to use once you’re on board. A magnetic closure opens and closes with far less faff. When you warm up, it opens. When the temperature drops, it closes. Small thing, big difference in practice.
The jacket also has an adjustable waist cinch, which lets you take in the fit when you want a more tailored look, or loosen it off if you’re layering underneath in colder conditions. And there are hi-vis reflective panels built in, which is a sensible addition for anyone riding near roads or hacking in lower light.
The fit is designed for riding – longer in the back to stay tucked in when you lean forward, and shaped through the shoulders to allow arm movement without pulling.
Reincoat Air Waterproofing and Breathability
This is the question I get asked most about any riding jacket, and the honest answer is: it depends what you’re expecting.
The Reincoat Air uses ReinRepel Pro® fabric, rated at 20,000mm waterproof and 10,000g/m² breathable, finished with a PFAS-free DWR treatment. Those are solid numbers. The 20,000mm waterproof rating means it will handle sustained, heavy rain – this isn’t a shower-resistant jacket that gives up after ten minutes in a downpour. The 10,000g breathability rating is where it earns the “Air” name – moisture escapes, heat doesn’t build up the way it does in cheaper waterproofs.
For most spring and summer riding scenarios – unexpected showers, a bit of drizzle at a show, early morning yard work – it performs well. What it isn’t designed for is standing in a field for three hours in a full winter downpour. If that’s your main use case, the full-length Reincoat Pro would be a better fit. But if you’re looking for a jacket that lives in your bag and comes out when the weather turns while you’re hacking or competing, the Air is very well suited to that.
If you want to know more about how the Reincoat range compares generally, I’ve covered the full Reincoat in detail in my Reincoat review, which is worth reading alongside this one.
Who Is the Reincoat Air Actually For?
This is worth being honest about, because not every jacket suits every rider.
The Reincoat Air is a good fit if you want a packable, lightweight jacket that offers real waterproofing rather than just water resistance, you ride in warmer months and need something that won’t overheat you, you compete or attend shows and want something that looks smart but functions well, or you already own a full-length waterproof for winter and want something lighter for spring and summer.
It’s less suited to you if you need full-length coverage of the thigh and leg, you’re mainly yard-based in all weathers and need something more robust, or you ride in particularly exposed or windy conditions where a longer jacket would serve you better. The Reinpants Lite pair well with it if you want more leg coverage – I’ve reviewed those separately here.
The Price: Is £129.99 Worth It?
The Reincoat Air is £129.99, which is competitive for a short technical waterproof of this specification. For context, the full-length Reincoat Pro sits at £179.99 – so the Air gives you the same 20K/10K rated ReinRepel Pro® fabric in a lighter, packable format for £50 less.
Cheap waterproofs for riding tend to fail in one of two ways: they stop being waterproof fairly quickly, or they’re so restrictive that you can’t actually ride in them comfortably. The Reincoat Air avoids both of those problems. It’s a well-constructed jacket made for riders, and it’s machine washable too – which matters when you spend your weekends at a yard.
You can use my discount code ALISON10 at Reincoat for 10% off, which brings the price down to around £117 (worth knowing before you buy!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Reincoat Air worth the money?
At £129.99, the Reincoat Air offers a 20,000mm waterproof and 10,000g breathable rating in a sub-1kg jacket built specifically for riding. For riders who want a lightweight, packable waterproof that works on horseback without overheating, it represents good value for the specification. Use code ALISON10 at Reincoat for 10% off.
How does the Reincoat Air compare to the Reincoat Lite?
The Reincoat Air is Reinwear’s short jacket option, designed with underarm air vents and a magnetic back vent for active, warmer-weather riding. The Reincoat Lite is a longer jacket. If you’re weighing up coverage versus packability, the key question is whether you need leg coverage or prefer the lighter, shorter profile for competing and hacking.
What is the best short waterproof jacket for horse riding?
For riders who want a fitted, breathable, and genuinely waterproof short jacket, the Reincoat Air is one of the strongest options in the UK equestrian market. Its 20K waterproof rating, riding-specific cut, and ventilation features put it ahead of most general outdoor alternatives adapted for equestrian use.
Can I wear the Reincoat Air for yard work as well as riding?
Yes. The shorter length and fitted cut make it comfortable to move around in at the yard, not just in the saddle. The adjustable waist cinch means you can adapt the fit depending on whether you’re layering underneath or wearing it on its own on a warmer day.
Does the Reincoat Air come in different colours?
The Reincoat Air is available in six colours: Black, Midnight, Olive, Hi-Vis Pink, Silver, and Teal (limited edition, currently on sale). Silver is priced at £149.99; all other colourways are £129.99. Check Reincoat for current availability, and use code ALISON10 for 10% off your order.
My Verdict on the Reincoat Air
The Reincoat Air does what it sets out to do, and it does it well. It’s lightweight and packable enough to live in your yard bag, genuinely waterproof enough to handle British spring weather, and fitted and ventilated well enough to wear comfortably on horseback. The magnetic back vent, underarm air vents, and hi-vis reflective panels are all useful features rather than marketing fluff – and at £129.99, it’s priced sensibly for what you’re getting.
If you’re in the market for a spring and summer riding jacket that you can trust to keep you dry without leaving you overheated, this is a strong option. Head to Reincoat to see the full range, and use ALISON10 at checkout for 10% off.
