Compare · Shires turnouts
Shires Tempest vs Highlander Turnouts
Two Shires turnout lines, two cuts. Riders tell us the shoulder decides it.
Shires Highlander is the roomier cut, with deep shoulder gussets and a 1200-denier outer on Highlander Plus, so riders with big-shouldered horses lean Highlander. Shires Tempest Original is the simpler 600-denier turnout in pony sizes from 48 inches, a fit riders like for cobs and ponies.
Side by side
Shires Tempest vs Highlander turnouts side by side
Both lines are Shires turnouts with ShireTex waterproof, breathable outers, full linings and the same fill weights. They differ in the outer, the cut through the shoulder and the fittings.
| What matters | Shires Tempest Original | Shires Highlander Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Outer fabric | 600 denier ripstop, ShireTex, PFC-free water-repellent finish | 1200 denier ripstop, ShireTex, PFC-free water-repellent finish |
| Waterproof and breathable | Yes, taped seams; Shires lists 3,000 mm waterproofing and 3,000 g/m² breathability on the Lite, 50 g and 100 g | Yes, taped seams; Shires lists 3,000 mm waterproofing and 3,000 g/m² breathability |
| Fill weights made | Lite (no fill), 50 g, 100 g, 200 g, 300 g | Lite (no fill), 50 g, 100 g, 200 g, 300 g |
| Shoulder | Cut deep; no shoulder gussets listed | Deep shoulder gussets for freedom of movement |
| Chest | Adjustable buckle chest straps | Adjustable clip chest straps |
| Belly and legs | Adjustable cross surcingles; leg straps not listed | Adjustable cross surcingles; integrated leg strap loops |
| Tail | Tail flap and fillet strap | Large pleated tail flap and removable fillet strap |
| Neck options | Standard neck (neck cover sold separately), combo with attached neck, or turnout and neck set | Standard neck with D-rings for a neck cover, combo, or turnout and neck set |
| Lining and liners | Fully lined; takes Shires WarmaRug liners in 100 g or 200 g | Fully lined; takes Shires WarmaRug liners in 100 g or 200 g |
| Size run | 48 to 87 in, pony sizes from 4'0" (48 in) | 48 to 87 in on the Lite and 100 g in our product data; 60 to 87 in on the 200 g and 300 g |
| Warranty Shires publishes | Three years against defects in materials and workmanship, waterproofing and breathability included | Three years against defects in materials and workmanship, waterproofing and breathability included |
Shires product and warranty pages, checked October 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of this page.
Fit
Shires Tempest or Highlander: which fits your horse
Riders who have used both lines say Shires Highlander is the bigger, roomier cut through the shoulder, and Shires Tempest runs narrower. That matches the build: Highlander has deep shoulder gussets, Tempest Original has none listed. Tempest still suits plenty of horses, from cobs to young horses still filling out.
Big shoulders and high withers: Shires Highlander
Riders with broad-shouldered horses most often choose Shires Highlander, and one rider with a narrow, high-withered Thoroughbred says the Highlander Plus range doesn't slip or rub either.
Shires Highlander turnouts and fly rugs - they are more accommodating of big shoulders than the tempest ones which don't fit.
Shires Highlander Plus turnouts
★★★★★The highlander plus range fits my narrow, high withered TB perfectly. They don't slip or move and he gets 0 rub marks. He's got one in every thickness and they're all brilliant.
Cobs, ponies and young horses: Shires Tempest
Shires Tempest Original comes in pony sizes from 48 inches, and riders report a good fit on cobs and on young horses that haven't filled out yet.
Shires Tempest Original turnouts
★★★★★Great item! Lovely fit! Have been struggling to find a good fit for my cob but this is perfect!
Shires Tempest Original Lite Turnout
My youngster wears Shires Tempest Lite in autumn and fits very well. She's 16.2 Oldenburg yet to fill out. And it never moves!
Look elsewhere if: a Shires Tempest rubs at the shoulder on a broad horse; try the Shires Highlander cut before you go up a size. And if your horse is narrow and a Highlander feels roomy through the chest, Tempest is the closer cut.
Weights and weather
Shires Tempest and Highlander fill weights by season
Shires Tempest Original and Shires Highlander Plus both come in five fill weights, from no-fill Lite to 300 g, so the choice between the lines is about cut and outer, not warmth. Here is what Shires says each weight is for.
| Fill weight | What Shires says it is for | Made in |
|---|---|---|
| Lite (no fill) | Mild, wet weather when it isn't overly cold | Tempest Original and Highlander Plus |
| 50 g | Mild, wet spring and fall days; the thin fill buffers condensation between the outer and the lining | Tempest Original and Highlander Plus |
| 100 g | Cool nights, days when a heavier weight is too warm, and hardy horses in colder weather | Tempest Original and Highlander Plus |
| 200 g | Medium warmth for colder seasons | Tempest Original and Highlander Plus |
| 300 g | The heaviest weight in both lines, for cold winter turnout | Tempest Original and Highlander Plus |
For wet, mild climates riders reach for Lite and 50 g; the 1200 denier Highlander Plus outer is the one to look at for a horse that is hard on its turnouts. For cold winters, go 200 g or 300 g, or layer a Shires WarmaRug liner (100 g or 200 g) under a lighter turnout so one outer covers more of the year.
Sizing
Shires Tempest and Highlander sizes in inches and feet
Shires sizes its turnouts in inches, and labels each size in feet and inches as well. Measure from the center of your horse's chest, straight back along the side to the point of the buttock, where the blanket should end. Shires's own size guide warns that a 66 in blanket is not a 6'6" blanket: 6'6" is 78 in.
| Size (in) | Shires label | Tempest Original Lite | Tempest Original 200 g | Highlander Plus Lite and 100 g | Highlander Plus 200 g and 300 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 in | 4'0" | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| 51 in | 4'3" | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| 54 in | 4'6" | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| 57 in | 4'9" | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| 60 in | 5'0" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 63 in | 5'3" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 66 in | 5'6" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 69 in | 5'9" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 72 in | 6'0" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 75 in | 6'3" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 78 in | 6'6" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 81 in | 6'9" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 84 in | 7'0" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 87 in | 7'3" | Yes | – | Yes | Yes |
Size runs from our product data for each style; measuring method from Shires's horse size guide, checked October 2026.
Shires neck covers for both lines come in S, M, L and XL. Check that a separate neck cover matches its turnout line and weight: each is cut to fit its own line.
Rider to rider
What riders say about Shires Tempest and Highlander
Riders who stick with Shires Tempest talk about years of service and sizes they can count on; Shires Highlander fans talk about room at the shoulder and turnouts that last through wet winters.
Shires Tempest: years of turnout and consistent sizing
Shires Tempest Original turnouts
★★★★★Oh my god, how many years have we been using these rugs, I can't even remember. I keep purchasing because they're doing the job I bought them to do.
Shires Tempest Original Combo turnouts
★★★★★I only buy rugs from Shires Equestrian these days as the sizes are consistent, and so is the quality. I have absolutely no complaints and would confidently recommend.
Shires Highlander: room at the shoulder, winter after winter
Absolutely love the Shires Highlander rugs. They are the perfect fit for my mare with her big shoulders. And I find they don't rub her mane as bad as other rugs.
Absolutely fantastic rug as always. I have four Shires rugs, three have been through three winters, without being washed or reproofed. And still have held up to this crazy wet winter. …
Rider reviews are quoted word for word from public rider discussions; verified-buyer quotes come from Shires product reviews collected through its review platform. Obvious misspellings are fixed and long quotes trimmed (…).
The lines we carry
Shires Tempest and Highlander turnouts and neck covers
Shires was one of our first brands, and Shires Tempest and Highlander turnouts have been a go-to for so many of our customers since. Every turnout and neck cover below links to its product page, where you'll see the current colors and sizes.
Shires Tempest Original
600 denier, pony sizes, buckle chest
Shires Highlander Plus
1200 denier, deep shoulder gussets
Questions riders ask
Shires Tempest vs Highlander FAQ
What is the difference between Shires Tempest and Highlander turnouts?
Shires Highlander has deep shoulder gussets, clip chest straps and integrated leg strap loops, and Highlander Plus uses a 1200 denier outer. Shires Tempest Original has a 600 denier outer, buckle chest straps and pony sizes from 48 inches. Both come from Lite to 300 g.
Which Shires turnout is best for a horse with big shoulders?
Riders with big-shouldered horses most often choose Shires Highlander, which has deep shoulder gussets. Riders who have used both say Highlander is the bigger, roomier fit and Tempest runs narrower.
Is Shires Highlander Plus tougher than Shires Tempest?
Shires Highlander Plus has a 1200 denier ripstop outer, twice the 600 denier of Tempest Original. A higher denier means a heavier, more tear-resistant weave, which riders look for on horses that are hard on their turnouts.
What is the difference between Shires Highlander Original and Highlander Plus?
Shires lists both with deep shoulder gussets and the same fittings. Highlander Original uses a 600 denier outer; Highlander Plus uses a 1200 denier outer.
Do Shires Tempest and Highlander turnouts include a neck cover?
It depends on the style. Standard-neck turnouts take a separate neck cover in S, M, L or XL, combo turnouts have the neck attached, and turnout and neck sets include both. Product names say which one you are looking at.
How do Shires turnout sizes work?
Shires sizes turnouts in inches and labels them in feet and inches too, so a 72 in turnout is a 6'0". Measure from the center of the chest to the point of the buttock. A 66 in blanket is not a 6'6" blanket: 6'6" is 78 in.
Do Shires turnouts come in pony sizes?
Yes. Shires Tempest Original runs from 48 inches (4'0"), and some Shires Highlander Plus styles start at 48 inches too. Check each style's size list on its product page.
What warranty does Shires give on Tempest and Highlander turnouts?
Shires publishes a three-year warranty on Highlander and Tempest turnouts against defects in materials and workmanship, including waterproofing and breathability. Normal wear and tear and damage from accidents are not covered. Check Shires's current terms before you buy.