Wearing a riding jacket in hot weather can protect against heat-related issues by reflecting solar radiation and preserving body warmth. It is crucial for the jacket to be breathable to allow for evaporative cooling. The effectiveness of the jacket is influenced by both its material and the surrounding weather conditions.
Wearing a riding jacket in hot weather can actually help protect against heat exhaustion and dehydration. The principle behind this is similar to why loose-fitting white clothing is ideal for desert dwellers. During the day, such clothing reflects more solar radiation, helping to keep the body cooler and preventing the sun's heat from raising body temperature too high. At night, the clothing provides insulation to retain body warmth in the colder desert temperatures.
In the context of riding, a jacket may provide additional benefits by protecting the rider's skin from the sun, potentially preventing sunburn and heat-related problems. However, the jacket should be made of breathable materials to facilitate the evaporative cooling effect of sweating. In extremely hot and humid conditions, where evaporation is less efficient, riders might need to balance the need for protection with the risk of overheating.
So, wearing a riding jacket in hot weather can be protective, but the jacket's material and the weather conditions will determine its overall effectiveness.