Experience with Tough-1 Blankets (1680 and 2100D)

[EventingDreams]

The giant one currently has his large rear end hanging out of his Rambo Supreme, and I'm looking to get him another heavy weight. I love the Supreme, but don't really want to shell out $360 for a new one. I read the Horse Journal review of the 1680D Tough-1 blankets, and they seemed to rave about them, especially for the price. I currently found them on sale for 100-110 for the 1680 and even higher 2100D and think that's pretty darn good. That's even cheaper than Schneiders for a high denier blanket that received good ratings!
To read the review go here:
http://www.chicksaddlery.com/HJBlanketReview2008.pdf

Has anyone used these? Just curious on if they run small/true/large, and what everyone's experience has been. Thanks.

[equineartworks]

We have a tough 1 1600n that was Dumplin's and it held up beautifully. For an older horse he was tough on a blanket...did LOTS of rolling. It was super light too which was nice, it didn't flatten out his hair a bit it was cut generously through the shoulder which is what I find lacking in most blankets.

ETA: I *think* the heavyweight that RAR sent to Firefly is a Tough1 too.

[EventingDreams]

How was the waterproofing? That's the other fault so many blankets have, either they don't fit well, rip, or they don't stay waterproof!

Glad to know you've had a good experience, thanks for sharing!

[equineartworks]

The waterproofing was PERFECT. Last winter all we got was sleet and slop and he was always toasty dry!

[jn4jenny]

I think Laura had one for Annie, right? I have looked at them construction-wise and while they won't hold up for years and years, I expect they'd last a solid season or two. I did not like how the neck opening was cut--it was so small IMO--and that's why I went with Schneider's instead.

Unless you are trying to get a weight-lifting workout, get the 1680 denier instead of 2100. I know Keyster is a spazz but as denier is a measure of thread weight, the 2100 denier is going to be HEAVY. I know my 1680 denier blankets are already plenty heavy enough compared to my 1050 denier blankets. And since denier is a measure of thread weight and not thread strength, the 2100 is probably not an improvement on the 1680.

[justonemore]

I bought one of these a year or so ago. The waterproofing has been good and I like the fit. However, both legs straps were ripped off the blanket within the first week. And my mare is not hard on her blankets. I think the stitching and hardware isn't the greatest...but for an inexpensive turnout they aren't bad.

[EventingDreams]

Thanks Jen, forgot the denier is the weight. They also have an extra gusset on that model though, so I guess I'll have to debate. Not sure about the neck hole... that's actually the problem I've had with the Schneiders for him, they are WAY too big, even when fully adjusted on the sides and in front. Plus all the seams fell apart (they did eventually replace it, but that's a whole nother story).

To the last poster who had issues- I've heard that Tough-1 has been really good about replacing if the straps come off/don't hold up. Someone else said had said they had that experience and the company sent them a new one no problem. Might be worth contacting them.

I guess I can just consider it a $100 experiment:)