Hat/boots advice for beginner

[eaudenil]

Hello,
I’m v new to riding as an adult, however grew up in the countryside and was always on my friends’ horses, so I’m comfortable on/around horses and know some stuff! But I have never had a proper lesson. Anyway, I’ve recently been on a few hacks and just love it, so am thinking of investing in some proper boots and my own hat.
What I’m confused about is for someone just doing a hack here and there and maybe a lesson or two, do I need knee length riding boots? Or just the ankle boots (are they called paddock boots?). I don’t want to look silly in all the gear when I’m a novice!
I guess for a hat I’ll need to get fitted, but again are there any particular types that are better? I’m planning to go out once or twice a month so this is not high usage.
Also - leggings? Is it as advisable to invest in equestrian ones?
Thank in advance for all the advice!

Jodhpurs will stop chaffing from the inner leg seam as they don't have one i would advise a pair. You should be able to get some for around £20

Boots wise I prefer long boots. They stop the inside of your calf getting nipped by the stirrup leathers against the saddle flap. The other option is short boots and chaps but i personally find them fiddly and not as supportive of my ankles as long boots. If you had lace up short boots the opposite may be true though.

The best hat is the one that fits. There are 2/3 general shapes. Round, oval and somewhere between the two. Jockey skulls are generally round, the ones that need a silk, velvets are usually oval. Dont discount the kids hats like the Charles Owen young rider ones. They are of the same standards as 'adult' ones and go up to a size 5 or 6 which is massive! Kids ones are usually a bit cheaper.

Your local equestrian Facebook group might be a good place to start for jods/riding tights and boots. Not for a hat though. Find a local tack shop that sells several brands and get a brand new one fitted properly. Hats should be replaced if dropped as can have unseen damage which means they won’t protect you properly if you fall/ catch your head on overhead branches etc.

Decathlon do basic jodhpurs for about £10, I think. Mine lasted a couple of years of 2/3 times a week use. Sports Direct can also be good.

My hat is a Charles Owen kids one - the woman who fitted it said they rebranded a lot of their hats as ‘children’s’ to avoid people having to pay VAT on them.

Thank you! Very helpful advice. I’ll check decathlon for jodhpurs and will look at getting some long boots. I think the stables I’ve been using has a shop so I’ll start there for the hat. Thank you.

I prefer short boots and half chaps to long boots but it is personal preference .

We all use short boots and half chaps. Long boots can impede movement around the ankles. Shires saddlehuggers (jodhpurs) are good. Available in most good equestrian stores and also on Ebay and Amazon. Wash well, keep their shape and don't shrink.

Decathlon also do good half chaps for £15. I bought mine a year ago as I was getting too hot in long boots in last years lovely summer. Still going strong to my surprise. Ebay can be good for jods but breeches can be a better bet especially if, like me, you are short. For a hat go to a proper shop. It's the thing that is really worth spending a bit extra if you need to to get the right fit. I usually start with the cheapest and work up.