What I Actually Wear to Ride in 90+ Degree Heat
If you’ve ever finished a summer ride looking like you just stepped out of a sauna — sweat dripping, shirt plastered to your back, contemplating whether riding in a sports bra is socially acceptable — you’re not alone.
I train 43 sessions a week in Aiken, South Carolina. That’s not a typo. And from May through September, most of those rides happen in 85-95 degree heat with humidity that makes the air feel like soup.
So when I tell you I’ve tested basically every “cooling” riding shirt and “breathable” breech on the market, I mean it. Here’s what actually works — and what’s just marketing.
The Quick List
| Product | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Free Ride Perforated Sunshirt | Daily riding in extreme heat | $68-78 |
| Free Ride Lux Breeches | All-day comfort without swamp feeling | $168-188 |
| Asmar Wellington Sunshirt | Shows + hotter days | $98 |
| Any UPF 50+ sun sleeves | Budget arm protection | $15-25 |
My Daily Summer Uniform: Free Ride Perforated Sunshirt
Here’s the thing about most “cooling” sunshirts: they’re just thin fabric. Which means they stick to you the second you start sweating, and then you spend your whole ride feeling like you’re wrapped in wet tissue paper.
The Free Ride Perforated Sunshirts are different. The perforations aren’t just for looks — they create actual airflow. When there’s even a slight breeze (or when you’re posting), air moves through the fabric instead of trapping against your skin.
What I love:
- UPF 50+ protection (non-negotiable for me)
- Actually dries while you’re still riding
- Structured enough for lessons without looking sloppy
- The collar stays up for neck sun protection
The honest truth: They’re not the cheapest option. But I’ve stopped buying $40 Amazon sunshirts that I replace every season because they pill, stretch out, or lose their UPF protection. These last.
Use code ELEVATED10 for 10% off your first order.
The Breeches That Changed Everything: Free Ride Lux
I’ll be honest — I resisted expensive breeches for years. “They’re all the same once you’re sweating” was my logic.
Wrong.
The Free Ride Lux Zip-Up Breeches have become my daily wear, and here’s why: the fabric actually breathes. Most breeches trap heat in your inner thighs (you know the feeling), but whatever witchcraft Free Ride uses in their fabric blend actually wicks moisture away from your skin.
The real test: I wore these for a 6-horse day in August — mounting, dismounting, teaching from the ground, riding multiple horses. By horse four in my old breeches, I’d be miserably sticky. In these? Still comfortable.
Sizing note: They run slightly small. If you’re between sizes, go up.
For Shows: Asmar Wellington Collection
When I need to look polished but it’s 90 degrees and I’m showing at 2pm (why do they schedule these things), I reach for Asmar Equestrian’s Wellington collection.
The quality is genuinely impressive — you can feel the difference when you put it on. The fabric has weight without being hot, and everything about the construction says “show ring” without screaming “trying too hard.”
Best for:
- Rated shows where you need to look professional
- Clinics with trainers you want to impress
- Any situation where you need to look put-together despite the heat
The trade-off: Asmar is an investment. But if you’re showing regularly, having one or two quality pieces beats owning a closet of mediocre shirts that never look quite right.
Budget Option: Sun Sleeves
If you’re not ready to invest in a full wardrobe overhaul, start here.
UPF sun sleeves are the best $20 you’ll spend on summer riding. Wear any breathable tank top, add sleeves when you’re in the sun, remove them when you’re not. Simple.
I keep a pair in my truck, my tack trunk, and my house. They’re light enough that I forget I’m wearing them.
What I’ve Stopped Buying
Cotton anything. I don’t care how cute that H&M tank top is. Cotton holds sweat, gets heavy, and stays wet for your entire ride. Hard pass.
“Technical” shirts from non-equestrian brands. Running shirts and gym tops aren’t designed for the movement of riding. They ride up, bunch at the waist, and the seams are usually in all the wrong places for sitting in a saddle.
Cheap mesh breeches. They seem like a good idea until you realize the mesh pattern is now sunburned onto your legs. Ask me how I know.
The Real Key to Riding in Heat
Gear matters, but it’s not everything. Here’s what actually keeps me functional in extreme heat:
-
Ride early. I’m on my first horse by 6am in peak summer. By 11am, I’m done with anything strenuous.
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Water constantly. I keep a water bottle at the arena and drink between every horse. Dehydration sneaks up on you.
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Cool down properly. Both you and your horse. I stand in front of a fan between rides, and every horse gets hosed.
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Know your limits. Some days are just too hot. Give yourself permission to call it.
The Bottom Line
You can absolutely ride through brutal summer heat, but you need gear that works with you, not against you. My honest recommendation:
- Start with: Free Ride Perforated Sunshirt — it’ll make the biggest immediate difference
- Add next: Lux Breeches if your current ones are holding you back
- For shows: Asmar if you want quality that lasts
And remember: no piece of clothing replaces common sense. If it’s too hot for your horse, it’s too hot to ride.
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Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use and believe in.
