(Wondering what an ROOTD is? It’s a Riding Outfit of the Day!)

Spring has officially sprung! Especially down here in Texas, we had our 4 days of spring and now summer heat is approaching much too quickly. But before the heat really sets in, I wanted to share my typical spring wardrobe. I am all about staying cool and comfortable for my rides. As a Western rider, I feel like some pieces are little more difficult to find, but nonetheless, I have made it all work! I also love sun protection and breathability. Hopefully these products will be helpful for you as well!

First piece in my outfit for the day is the Piper SmartCore™ Short Sleeve Crew Neck Sun Shirt (Item #31291).  This shirt is amazing especially for sunny days! It has UPF 50 and incredible moisture-wicking properties that help me stay cool. It also has revolutionary SmartCore fabric to help make sure I stay dry even on those extra humid days I tend to sweat a lot or give an extra soapy bath. I especially love the arm vents for extra air flow, I love catching any breeze I can! This shirt fits really well and is not clingy at all. I tend to be picky about my shirts because in the Texas sun, the last thing I want is my shirt to be sticking in the wrong places. Overall, it is one of my go-to shirts for sure!

Next in the line up is the bottom half! Now as a Western rider, this is where it gets tricky. Jeans are my go-to year-round, because, well, it’s western riding. That is just what we do. But I do have some favorites specifically for warmer days. I love the Ariat Women’s R.E.A.L. Riding Jeans Boot Cut- Spitfire (Item #21384) the most. I can’t say these are super breathable because let’s face it, no jeans are. But they do have incredible stretch! I love jeans that move with me and when it gets warm can bend with me in the places that tend to get sticky in regular jeans. As I mentioned with my shirts, I feel the same way about my pants. I want as much room as possible to move and the least amount of clingy clothes, the happier I am.

So now that we have the top and bottom covered, lets go under and talk socks! This is definitely one piece I can control in winter vs summer months in terms of warmth. For this season I really like the Piper 3-Pack Bamboo Boot Sock (Item #31738). The bamboo, cotton, nylon and spandex blend is so soft and comfortable! They are also fairly thin, so I don’t overheat with them, but still has enough fabric to hold up and last a long time. They are also tall enough the go up over my calf so there isn’t any slipping or falling down while I ride. Honestly, I think socks may just be the most important piece! If your feet are not comfortable, you’re not going to have a good time.

Next in line would be my boots. Now there aren’t any western boots built specifically for summer heat, but in the spring and summer I usually switch to a lighter weight and shorter shaft boot. My personal favorite is the Ariat® Women’s Fatbaby Saddle Boot (Item #20923). The shaft on these is only 8” so they come up about mid/lower calf. For me, less leather means my legs are cooler. So having less keeps me more comfortable on the warmer days. But boots are boots, and this is another area Western riders don’t have much room for wiggle during this season!

And to top it all off (no pun intended… or maybe I did intend!) I always, always, always wear a hat. Obviously, there are tons of hat options out there, but I personally love our SmartPak Mesh Back Cap (Item #25724). I love all kinds of mesh back hats simply because they offer more breathability. Even though springtime here when it isn’t too terribly hot, it is still quite sunny, so I always love some good sun protection.

And that folks, is what I am riding in today! I hope these suggestions will help you stay comfortable and cool this Spring and maybe even summer! Happy trails!