0g vs 50g vs 70g vs 100g Turnout Rugs: Which is Best for Your Horse?

If you've ever taken your horse's turnout rug off after a cold, wet day and found the inside feels slightly damp, your first thought is probably:

 

"They've been too warm or the rug has leaked."

 

But that's often not what's happened at all.

 

In many cases, what you're feeling isn't sweat or rain — it’s condensation.

 

It's one of the most misunderstood aspects of horse rugging and one of the reasons horse owners often ask us whether they should choose a 0g turnout rug or a 50g-100g lightweight turnout rug.

 

The answer isn't simply about temperature.  It's about understanding how turnout rugs work, how horses regulate their body temperature, and how weather conditions affect what's happening inside the rug.

 

In this guide, we'll explain the differences between 0g, 50g, 70g and 100g turnout rugs, why condensation can occur under waterproof rugs, and how to choose the right rug for your horse or donkey.

 

 

0g vs 50g vs 70g vs 100g Turnout Rugs at a Glance

Rug Weight	Best For	Things to Consider
0g	Warm/mild, wet and windy weather where waterproof protection is needed without added insulation.	Condensation can sometimes occur during cool/cold, damp conditions even on unclipped horses.
50g	Horses needing just a little extra warmth during autumn or spring.	A gentle step up from a 0g rug without adding much insulation but allowing air to circulate.
70g	Horses that need a little more warmth than 50g provides but don't quite need 100g.	A versatile "in-between" weight that's ideal for changeable weather.
100g	Clipped horses, older horses or colder weather when a little more warmth is beneficial.	Still classed as a lightweight turnout rug but offers noticeably more insulation.

 

 

What Is A 0g Turnout Rug?

 

A 0g turnout rug has no insulating filling between the waterproof outer fabric and the inner lining.

 

The job of this rug is to:

• Keep your horse dry.
• Protect against wind.
• Reduce wind chill.
• Keep the coat clean.

The Ruggles 0g turnout rug in standard or combo designs is ideal for mild/wet weather when waterproof protection is needed without added insulation.

Many owners assume that because there is no filling, a 0g turnout rug is always the coolest option.

 

In many situations, that's true.

 

However, there's another factor that often catches people out.

 

Why Can A 0g Turnout Rug Sometimes Feel Damp Inside?

 

This is where condensation comes in.

 

Your horse is constantly producing body heat and releasing moisture, even when standing quietly in the field.

When it's cold outside, the waterproof outer fabric of a 0g turnout rug becomes chilled by the weather.

 

As warm, moisture-laden air rises from your horse and meets that colder outer layer, it cools rapidly.

 

Exactly the same thing happens when warm air hits a cold window in your house. The moisture changes from water vapour back into tiny droplets of water.  So comparing a double glazed window and single glazed is a good example.   Neither window leaks and both are usually fine in warmer weather but in colder weather the single glaze will have moisture on the inside.

 

That's condensation.

 

So when you remove the rug and the lining and your horse feel damp/wet, your horse may not have been sweating at all and it is unlikely that the turnout fabric would have leaked (accepting of course if the rug is old, in need of reproofing or very rarely if there has been a manufacturing issue).

 

The moisture has simply formed inside the rug through normal temperature changes.

 

 

A 50g turnout rug may be suitable when:

• Temperatures are beginning to fall.
• Your horse needs just a touch more warmth than a 0g rug provides.
• They're partially clipped.
• You're heading into autumn or spring weather.

Our 50g standard and combo rugs, since being on the range, have grown in popularity and are now the go to option for many of our customers rather than a 0g.  They are more versatile and with our very changeable weather, particularly windier conditions generally, they offer greater protection and therefore peace of mind.

 

 

A 70g turnout rug may be suitable when:

• A 50g rug feels just a little too light.
• Your horse doesn't quite need a 100g rug.
• Temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.
• Your horse sits somewhere in the middle—not especially hardy but not particularly cold-sensitive either.
• You prefer to increase rug weight gradually.

Our 70g turnout rugs were developed for those in-between days or for horses that need a little more fill.

A 100g turnout rug may be suitable when:

• · Your horse is fully clipped.
• · They're older or struggle to maintain weight.
• · Temperatures are consistently lower.
• · They generally appreciate a little more warmth.
• · Live out 24/7 or for long period.

Remember, these are guidelines rather than fixed rules.

Every horse is an individual, and observing how your horse responds to different weather conditions is always the best guide.

Fixed Neck Or Standard Neck?

This is another question we at Ruggles are asked regularly and there is no right or wrong choice.

Some owners prefer the simplicity of a fixed-neck (combo) turnout rug and knowing that their horses have got ear to tail protection. Others prefer the flexibility of a standard neck turnout rug where there is the option to choose to put the neck on or not.

At Ruggles, we believe horse owners should have that choice.

That's why our standard neck turnout rugs have matching neck covers available separately as we are also aware that some owners choose never to cover the mane.

Some horses genuinely benefit from wearing a neck cover. And others simply don't need one.

Rather than automatically including a neck cover with every rug and increasing the cost for everyone, we'd rather let you decide what works best for your horse.

It means you're only paying for the features you actually want.