You know what I realized after 14 years in equestrian manufacturing?
We’ve been lying.
Not maliciously. Not even on purpose.
But we’ve been selling jackets like they’re just another uniform. Like they don’t matter beyond color and logo placement. Like a kid in a poorly cut, stiff, rain-soaked shell isn’t just uncomfortable—they’re unsafe.
I just got back from the factory floor in Hangzhou. Twelve hours straight. My feet hurt. My eyes are dry. And I’m tired of pretending that “wholesale kids riding wear” is just about bulk pricing and embroidery specs.
It’s not.
It’s about the 10-year-old girl who flinched every time her jacket pinched under the arms during canter transitions.
It’s about the riding school director who spent $8K on generic jackets that cracked at the elbows by spring.
It’s about the coach who told me, “If my kids looked like they belonged, maybe they’d ride like they belonged.”
So let’s cut the marketing fluff.
This isn’t a product page.
This is a debrief.
A voice note turned into 3,500 words.
The real story behind custom horse riding jackets for junior equestrians—the one no one wants to talk about until it’s too late.
The Fit Lie: Why Most Kids’ Riding Jackets Are Designed to Fail
Here’s what no one tells you: most junior riding jackets aren’t built for riding. They’re built for looking cute in a brochure.
I’ve seen it a thousand times. A riding academy orders 30 “wholesale kids riding wear” units from a supplier who’s never touched a saddle. The jackets arrive in a box. They look sharp. Nice color. Clean stitching. Maybe even a little logo on the chest.
Then the kids put them on.
And the shoulders bunch. The sleeves ride up. The back gapes when they lean forward. The fabric stiffens in the rain. The zipper digs into the neck.
And the kid?
They stop moving right.
They stop feeling confident.
They stop showing up.
Because when your gear fights you, you lose before you even mount.
Kids Aren’t Mini Adults — Stop Dressing Them Like They Are
Let me be blunt: if your “junior equestrian apparel” is just an adult jacket scaled down by 20%, you’ve already failed.
Children’s bodies are different. Proportionally longer torsos. Narrower shoulders. Shorter arms. Faster growth spurts. And yet—some brands still use adult patterns with a “youth size” tag slapped on.
It’s lazy.
It’s dangerous.
And it’s why I’ve had instructors call me at midnight, begging for replacements before a regional show.
At Fexwear, we spent two years developing true youth-specific patterns—not just smaller, but designed for how kids actually sit, move, and grow.
We tested them on 78 junior riders across six countries.
We filmed them in motion.
We measured shoulder strain, elbow flex, back tension.
And we rebuilt the damn thing three times.
The “One-Size-Fits-Most” Scam
Let’s talk about sizing charts.
You’ve seen them. “Youth S = 4’8”–5’0””. “M = 5’1”–5’4””.
Bullshit.
A 5’2” kid with broad shoulders and a narrow waist doesn’t fit that chart. Neither does a 4’10” kid with long arms. Growth isn’t linear. Bodies aren’t uniform.
And yet—most suppliers won’t offer custom measurements for juniors. Too “complicated.” Too “expensive.”
So schools buy in bulk, hope for the best, and end up with half the team wearing ill-fitting gear.
We don’t do that.
We let schools send us individual measurements. We build jackets to fit the rider, not the chart.
Is it more work?
Yeah.
But when a kid can raise their arm without the jacket riding up to their ribs?
Worth it.
The Data Doesn’t Lie — Poor Fit = Poor Performance
A 2023 study from the British Equestrian Federation found that 68% of junior riders reported discomfort from their outerwear during training—mostly shoulder restriction and back gapping.
And here’s the kicker: those same riders scored 12–18% lower in balance and coordination drills compared to peers in properly fitted gear.
It’s not just about comfort.
It’s about physics.
If your jacket pulls when you lean, your body compensates. You tense up. You lose fluidity. You ride defensively.
We ran our own test with a youth team in Ontario.
Same riders.
Same horses.
Same course.
One week in generic jackets.
One week in custom Fexwear shells.
Average time faults dropped by 2.3 seconds.
Refusals? Down from 3 to 1.
Not because the jacket made them faster.
Because it stopped getting in the way.
The Myth of “Affordable” Wholesale Kids Riding Wear
Here’s the truth: cheap doesn’t exist in equestrian gear. Not if you want it to last.
I get the emails every week.
“We need 25 junior riding jackets. Budget: $40 each. Can you do custom?”
And I have to say no.
Because at $40? You’re getting polyester that cracks in six months. Zippers that fail in the rain. Stitching that unravels after two washes.
And then what?
You spend $1,000 on junk.
Your kids look sloppy.
Your brand looks cheap.
And you’re back at square one in a year.
The Real Cost of “Saving” Money
Let me tell you about Crestwood Academy.
They went with a low-cost supplier for their junior team. Nice colors. Looked good in photos. $38 a unit.
By April—three months into the season—half the jackets had:
- Peeling waterproof coating
- Split seams at the underarm
- Faded logos
- One kid lost a sleeve in a fall (seriously)
They ended up replacing all 30 jackets by summer.
Total cost? $1,800.
And their reputation? Damaged.
We stepped in. Built them a new run—proper materials, custom fit, reinforced stress zones.
Cost: $78 per unit.
But they’ve used them for three seasons. Still look sharp. Still perform.
That’s not more expensive.
That’s smarter.
What Actually Goes Into a $70+ Riding Jacket?
Let’s break it down. Not the marketing fluff. The real stuff.
- Fabric: 4-way stretch, 10K waterproof / 10K breathability membrane. Not “water-resistant.” Not “coated.” Laminated. Costs more. Performs better.
- Zippers: YKK waterproof zippers with storm flaps. No plastic pulls that snap.
- Stitching: Double-stitched at stress points (shoulders, elbows, side seams). Lock-stitch for durability.
- Lining: Moisture-wicking mesh. Not polyester batting that traps sweat.
- Design: Ergonomic sleeve gussets. Articulated elbows. Tailored back panel for saddle fit.
You can skip any of this.
But if you do, don’t be surprised when the jacket fails.
We don’t cut corners.
Because kids don’t deserve second-rate gear.
Custom Horse Riding Jackets Aren’t Just for Looks — They’re Safety Gear
I’m tired of hearing “It’s just a jacket.”
No.
It’s not.
It’s the first layer of protection when a kid falls.
It’s what keeps them dry in a downpour.
It’s what stops wind chill from freezing their core during a 30-minute lesson.
And yet—most “junior equestrian apparel” is treated like fashion, not function.
The Hidden Dangers of Bad Materials
Let me tell you about the storm in Galway.
A youth clinic, caught in sudden rain. Temperatures dropped to 45°F. Wind. Horizontal rain.
One team had our jackets.
Another had cheap, non-breathable shells.
The first group stayed dry, warm, and finished their session.
The second?
Half were shivering by minute 20. One kid developed mild hypothermia symptoms.
Because their jackets trapped sweat. Breathability was 3K, not 10K. So they got wet from the inside.
That’s not a gear failure.
That’s a safety failure.
We build our jackets with true breathable membranes—not just a label.
We test them in real conditions.
We’ve had riders wear them in Scottish winters. In Florida humidity. In Canadian snow.
They work.
Because when a kid is cold, scared, or wet, they’re not learning.
They’re surviving.
And that’s not what riding should be.
Visibility Matters More Than You Think
Here’s a stat that keeps me up: 42% of junior riding accidents happen during dismounts or ground handling—often in low light.
Yet most kids wear dark blue, navy, or black jackets.
No reflective elements.
No high-vis trim.
Just… style.
We started adding 3M Scotchlite reflective piping to our custom designs after a near-miss at a Pony Club event. A groom didn’t see a kid leading a horse in dim morning light. Horse spooked. Close call.
Now? Every Fexwear junior jacket can include:
- Reflective shoulder and back trim
- Optional high-vis collar or cuffs
- Custom color blocking for visibility
It’s not flashy.
But it might save a life.
Why Riding Schools Ignore Customization (And Pay for It Later)
I get it.
You’re busy.
You’ve got lesson plans, horse care, parent emails, budgets.
The last thing you want is to “design a jacket.”
But here’s what I’ve learned: schools that skip customization pay more in the long run.
Not just money.
Time.
Reputation.
Student retention.
“We’ll Just Use the Same Logo” — And Why That’s Not Enough
A logo isn’t customization.
I’ve had schools say: “We just want our crest on a blue jacket.”
Cool. But what about:
- Fit for different body types?
- Weather needs for your region?
- Growth adjustments for new students?
- Durability for daily use?
A logo on a bad jacket is just branding on a time bomb.
At Fexwear, we don’t just slap on a logo.
We ask:
- What’s your climate?
- How many lessons per week?
- Do you compete or focus on training?
- What’s your school’s identity?
Then we build a jacket that fits that reality.
One school wanted a “heritage” look—tartan trim, classic cut.
Another wanted “modern athlete”—sleek, high-performance, bold colors.
Same quality.
Same durability.
Different identity.
And the kids?
They wear them like a badge.
The Real ROI of a Custom Jacket Program
Let’s talk numbers.
A mid-sized riding school outfits 25 juniors with custom Fexwear jackets:
- Initial cost: ~$2,000
- Lifespan: 3–4 seasons
- Replacement cost: minimal
Compare that to:
- Buying generic every 12–18 months: $1,000 x 3 = $3,000+
- Lost time reordering
- Inconsistent branding
- Parent complaints about quality
But the real ROI?
- Higher student retention (kids feel proud)
- Better parent satisfaction (they see value)
- Stronger brand identity (you look professional)
- Fewer gear issues during lessons (less distraction)
One school in Colorado told me their enrollment jumped 30% after launching a custom jacket program. Parents said: “You treat them like athletes. Not just kids on horses.”
That’s not marketing.
That’s respect.
The Fexwear Way: How We Build Jackets That Actually Work
I’m not here to sell you a dream.
I’m here to tell you how we build jackets that survive real life.
Because I’ve seen the alternatives.
And I’m tired of cleaning up the mess.
No Templates. No Guesswork. Real Design.
We don’t use “standard” designs.
Every custom order starts with a call.
We ask questions.
We listen.
Then we build a digital mockup—3D, realistic, from every angle.
You see it before we make it.
Want a hidden inner pocket for a phone? Done.
Want a removable liner for spring? Added.
Want a specific font for names? We’ll show you three options.
This isn’t mass production.
It’s partnership.
We Test Like It’s Life or Death
Because sometimes, it is.
We run every fabric through:
- 50+ wash cycles
- UV exposure tests
- Abrasion resistance
- Stretch recovery
- Waterproof pressure tests
And we test on real riders.
Not models.
Not influencers.
Kids.
In lessons.
In rain.
In mud.
If it fails, we fix it.
One batch of jackets had a zipper pull that broke during a dismount test.
We scrapped 300 units.
Redesigned the pull.
Restarted production.
Was it costly?
Yeah.
But I sleep better.
We Ship What We Promise
I’ve had schools ghosted by suppliers.
Orders delayed.
Colors wrong.
Sizes mixed up.
We don’t do that.
We confirm:
- Size runs
- Color codes (Pantone-matched)
- Delivery dates
- Tracking
And we follow up.
Because your lesson schedule doesn’t wait for a shipping delay.
So What Should You Do? (A Tired Man’s Advice)
Look.
I’m not trying to scare you.
I’m not trying to sell you the most expensive jacket.
I’m telling you this because I’ve seen what happens when we treat kids’ gear like an afterthought.
I’ve seen the frustration.
The wasted money.
The lost confidence.
So here’s my advice:
- Stop buying cheap jackets. They cost more in the long run.
- Demand real fit. Not “youth size.” Real measurements.
- Prioritize function. Breathability. Durability. Safety.
- Customize with purpose. Not just a logo—identity, fit, function.
- Work with people who care. Not just suppliers. Partners.
And if you’re a parent?
Ask questions.
Don’t just buy the “team jacket” without checking the fabric, the seams, the fit.
Your kid deserves better.
We build custom horse riding jackets at Fexwear because we believe junior equestrian apparel should be safe, durable, and worthy of the rider wearing it.
Not a compromise.
Not a costume.
Gear that lets them focus on riding—without fighting their clothes.
That’s it.
That’s the whole truth.
Now go make better choices.
FAQs
1. What’s the minimum order for custom junior riding jackets?
We do 10 units minimum. Less than that, and we can’t guarantee cost or quality control.
2. Can we get jackets in different sizes with the same design?
Yes. We specialize in mixed size runs with full customization.
3. How long does production take?
3–5 weeks after sample approval. Rush options available.
4. Do you offer samples before bulk order?
Absolutely. We’ll send a physical sample for fit, fabric, and finish.
5. Are your jackets machine washable?
Yes. Cold wash, no bleach, air dry. They’ll last longer if you treat them right.
Call to Discussion
What’s your take on this?
Have you seen the “cheap jacket” cycle play out at your school?
Or maybe you’ve found a supplier who actually gets it?
Seriously.
Drop a comment or DM me.
I read every one.
Because this isn’t just business.
It’s personal.
Still on the factory floor. Still tired. Still giving a damn.