Which Bucas turnout rug should you choose? Freedom, Irish, Greenline, Atlantic or Smartex

At first glance, Bucas turnout rugs look much alike: all waterproof, breathable, with cross surcingles and a tail flap. This guide explains how to choose the right fill, what sets the Freedom, Irish, Greenline, Atlantic and Smartex lines apart, when a neck cover makes sense, how to measure your horse and how to look after the rug.

Two questions decide your choice

Every Bucas turnout rug in this guide is waterproof to more than 5000 mm hydrostatic head and has a breathability of more than 3000 g/24h/m². The choice comes down to two other questions: how much thermobonded polyester fill does your horse need, and which line suits your horse?

Question 1: how much fill?

• 0 g: a rain sheet with no fill. It keeps out rain and wind without adding an insulating layer of its own. At Maddelin this is the Freedom Turnout Light.
• 50 g: a thin layer of insulation for the in-between seasons, when a rain sheet is just too thin and a winter rug too warm.
• 100 g: the middle ground between a light in-between rug and a winter rug.
• 300 g: the winter rug, with the heaviest fill in the Bucas range at Maddelin.

Bucas attaches a Rug Selector label to every rug, showing the recommended temperature range for that model. Take that as your starting point and then look at your own horse: breed, clipped or unclipped, humidity and wind all play a part.

Question 2: which line?

The line determines how tough the outer fabric is, how the rug fastens, how it sits around the shoulder and whether you can attach a neck cover or an extra layer later on.

The five Bucas lines side by side

Bucas Freedom Turnout: the entry-level model with a slim fit

The Freedom Turnout is the entry-level model from Bucas. The outer is 600 denier Ripstop, a weave that makes tears less likely to start and stops them from running further. The lining is the silky, moisture-wicking Dermo-care. The front fastens with an overlapping T-bar and a hook-and-loop strap.

The main difference: the Freedom has no shoulder darts. Bucas calls this a slim fit, and it is the only Bucas rug made without them. Narrow horses and thoroughbred types simply take their normal size. Cob types, or horses with a long distance from the withers to the front of the chest, may find the fit a little snug; for them, a line with shoulder darts is the better choice. Bucas does not list attachment points for a separate neck cover or for liners on the Freedom.

At Maddelin the Freedom comes as the Light with no fill, as the Freedom Turnout 50 and as the Freedom Turnout 300.

Bucas Irish Turnout: the versatile all-rounder

The Irish Turnout has a 1200 denier Ripstop outer and the same Dermo-care lining. Its T-bar fastens with the magnetic Snap-lock, which replaces hook-and-loop on the chest. Shoulder darts give more room and a better fit around the chest and shoulder.

It has attachment points for a neck cover (sold separately, on request) and connection points for Bucas Liners, Quilts and Coolers, so you can fasten layers underneath the rug. It suits owners looking for one sturdy rug that can adapt as the season moves on. Available as the Irish Turnout 50, Irish Turnout 100 and Irish Turnout 300.

Bucas Greenline Turnout: made entirely from recycled yarn

The Greenline is built like the Irish, with the same T-bar and Snap-lock, shoulder darts and attachment points for a neck cover (on request) and layers. The difference is the material. Outer fabric (600 denier Ripstop), insulation, lining, straps and binding are made from recycled yarn, spun from shredded plastic bottles. According to Bucas, producing this yarn takes considerably less energy and water.

At Maddelin as the Greenline Turnout 100 and Greenline Turnout 300.

Bucas Atlantic Turnout: ballistic nylon for horses that are hard on their rugs

The Atlantic Turnout 50 has a 1680 denier ballistic nylon outer: very densely woven and tear-resistant in every direction. Here the Dermo-care lining has moisture-wicking Stay-dry properties. The front fastens with Click'n Go, the patented Bucas closure with magnetic Snap-lock. It has shoulder darts, Deluxe leg straps are included, and a Combi Neck (on request) as well as Liners, Quilts and Coolers can be attached.

Bucas Smartex Extra: the winter rug that can go on a wet horse

The Smartex Extra pairs the same 1680 denier ballistic nylon and Click'n Go closure with 300 g of fill and a Stay-dry fleece lining, with smooth Silk-feel lining at the shoulders. According to Bucas, the Smartex can be put on a wet horse after work or washing: the lining wicks the moisture away and itself stays dry against the skin. It also has reflective strips front and rear, elasticated leg straps, shoulder darts, attachment points for a Smartex Neck (on request) and connection points for layers. The two-year warranty can be extended to three years by registering the rug within thirty days of purchase.

Bucas turnout rug comparison table

Line	Outer fabric	Lining	Front closure	Shoulder darts	Layering system	Fills at Maddelin
Freedom Turnout	600 denier Ripstop	Dermo-care	Overlapping T-bar with hook-and-loop	No (slim fit)	Not listed by Bucas	0 g, 50 g, 300 g, 100 g with neck
Irish Turnout	1200 denier Ripstop	Dermo-care	T-bar with magnetic Snap-lock	Yes	Yes	50 g, 100 g, 300 g, 50 g and 300 g with neck
Greenline Turnout	Recycled 600 denier Ripstop	Recycled Silk-feel/Dermo-care	T-bar with magnetic Snap-lock	Yes	Yes	100 g, 300 g
Atlantic Turnout	1680 denier ballistic nylon	Dermo-care with Stay-dry properties	Click'n Go with Snap-lock	Yes	Yes	50 g
Smartex Extra	1680 denier ballistic nylon	Stay-dry fleece, Silk-feel at the shoulders	Click'n Go with Snap-lock	Yes	Yes	300 g

With or without a neck cover?

A neck cover protects the neck from rain and wind as well. Bucas is candid about it: in heavy rain, water can run down the neck and under a rug.

Maddelin stocks three sets in which the rug is supplied with a matching neck cover:

• the Irish Turnout 50 + Neck, with 50 g of fill in the rug;
• the Irish Turnout 300 + Neck Set, with 300 g in the rug and 100 g in the neck;
• the Freedom Turnout + Neck 100, with 100 g of fill and the same slim fit as the other Freedom rugs.

Measuring for the right size

Bucas measures from the centre of the chest, over the highest point of the shoulder, to the back of the hind leg. Your horse's measurement determines the rug size; if you fall between two sizes, choose the nearest one. Do not go a size up to be safe: a rug that is too big slips to one side, presses on the withers and can cause rubs.

Maddelin keeps sizes 145/195/6.6 and 155/205/6.9 in stock. If your horse needs a different size, we order it on request.

Care: keeping the rug waterproof

Droppings, dirt, urine and skin grease attack the coating, so regular washing is better than waiting until the end of the season. Wash by hand or in the machine at no more than 30 degrees on a gentle cycle, and use only Bucas Rug Wash. Ordinary household detergent can damage the waterproof coating. No fabric softener, no spin cycle, no tumble dryer and no dry cleaning. Dry the rug flat or hanging at room temperature.

The outer fabric also carries a water-repellent finish that wears off through weather, use and washing. Restore it after washing with Bucas Rug Conditioner, on the clean outer side only and in a well-ventilated space. And to keep expectations realistic: even with a well-kept rug, water can get in along edges and seams, and down the neck in heavy rain.

In short

• Choose the fill first: 0 g, 50 g, 100 g or 300 g, with the Bucas Rug Selector label as your guide.
• The Bucas Freedom Turnout is the entry-level model in 600 denier Ripstop, with a slim fit without shoulder darts that mainly suits narrow horses.
• The Bucas Irish Turnout (1200 denier) and the Greenline Turnout (600 denier, recycled yarn) have shoulder darts, a magnetic Snap-lock and room for a neck cover and layers.
• The Bucas Atlantic Turnout 50 and the Smartex Extra are made of 1680 denier ballistic nylon with a Click'n Go closure; according to Bucas, the Smartex can go on a wet horse.
• Do not size up; Maddelin stocks 145/195/6.6 and 155/205/6.9 and orders other sizes on request.