If you want one rug that can live on your horse through proper UK winter weather, the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Turnout Combo 360g is a very strong contender. It’s a warmer-weight combo turnout with an integrated neck, designed to keep the rain out, hold its shape in the field, and stay comfortable enough for longer wear.

Quick facts (manufacturer)

• 1200 denier ripstop outer with PFC-free Guard-Tec waterproof/breathable coating
• Waterproof rating: hydrostatic pressure tested to 2,000mm+
• Breathability rating: moisture vapour tested to 3,000g/m2+
• 210T smooth lining
• 360g polyfill
• Traditional side gusset, twin low cross surcingles, adjustable/removable leg straps
• Twin adjustable quick-clip front closure with touch tape
• Large tail flap, reflective binding/branding
• Liner system compatible
• Comes in a handy blue breathable bag
• RRP £119.00
• Sizes  5’9, 6’0, 6’3, 6’6, 6’9, 7’0

Our test: fit, comfort and real-world use

We tested the 6’3 WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Turnout Combo 360g on Havana, our 15.2hh Warmblood x Thoroughbred mare (rising 11 years old). She’s a small build, short-coupled, with a bigger barrel and smaller hindquarters.

Havana was not clipped this year, the first time in around five winters, so we were cautious with the selection of the rug for the weather conditions outside. With her breeding, she tends to get a thoroughbred type coat in the winter when not clipped, therefore, a heavier weight is normally our go to even with a full coat.

The overall fit and feel

The rug was a touch long for Havana, but not trailing – however, we expected this. We tend to opt for a slightly larger rug, so it offers good coverage – and incase they come up small. On conclusion, The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Turnout Combo 360g offers a true to fit size fit.

With it’s all over reach, It offers the sort of coverage you want when the weather is relentless! The fit across the chest was more than adequate, and wasn’t in any way tight. It’s not an overly bulky rug, or restrictive for a 360g fill.

Each evening, it was still in place, with no obvious twisting, and the outer didn’t seem to hold onto mud in heavy patches. It also dried quickly after rain and, in our experience, it has been properly waterproof with no leaks and no “soaked and dragging” feel. The rain just runs off the surface, which helps with drying time.

Wither and neck comfort

Because this is a combo design, neck fit matters as much as body fit. In our test, it sat comfortably with no pressure at the wither, including when Havana had her head right down grazing or eating. We feed hay both on the floor and in a haynet, and we didn’t see the rug pulling tight through the wither/neck area when her neck was extended.

The practical details

The hardware feels substantial, and the front quick clips are easy to adjust, which is handy if you’re fitting a narrower (like Havana) or a broader chest.

We also liked the two D-ring/clip positions on each side for the leg straps (and for attaching a fillet string if you use one). It’s a simple detail, but it gives you a bit more control over how the rug sits behind.

The shoulder gussets are a cut high with a reinforced panel, allowing for her usual ‘frolacs’ in the field – especially when she sees the geldings or having a good roll! The surcingles are standard, fitting lower around the tummy.

The tail flap is large and covers her tail well, which is nice as it helps keep it clean, with branding in reflective material featured.

The neck cover comes to around her ears and is secured with two velcro straps that double back on themselves. The end of each strap is reinforced with rubber, which features Weatherbeeta branding – a nice touch!

There’s also a write-on name label panel, which is genuinely useful if you’ve got multiple rugs in rotation or you’re on a busy yard.

Lining, coat condition and warmth

The 210T lining is one of those features you only really appreciate once you’ve seen the difference on the horse. After 24 hours of wear, Havana’s coat was smooth and noticeably shiny, with the hair lying flat. We take the rug off for around 20–25 minutes each day to groom and let her coat air, and to check there’s no rubbing across the shoulders, withers or neck.

After almost a month’s wear (while swapping with a lighter rug when needed), Havana’s coat is noticeably smoother, softer and silkier. We also found it helped keep her mane lying flatter and reduced tangling, which is a small win in muddy conditions.

Despite it being a 360g, it didn’t feel too hot in use. We regularly checked around the ears and under the rug and she felt warm, but not sweaty.

Verdict

At £119.99, this feels like excellent value for a heavyweight combo turnout. If you want a warm, waterproof rug with an integrated neck that stays put, looks after the coat, and feels comfortable for longer wear, the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Turnout Combo 360g is well worth a look.

It’s likely to suit clipped horses, older horses, horses that don’t have a thick winter coat and any horse that benefits from extra neck coverage in wind and rain. If you prefer a detachable neck for flexibility, or your horse is very fussy about fixed necks, you may want to look at a standard turnout with a separate neck option instead.

For more information, visit Weatherbeeta.co.uk – Weatherbeeta Comfitec Essential Turnout Combo 360g