Can riding breeches improve your riding?
Your riding clothes are an important part of the gear you need for riding, and especially the breeches deserve some focus. A good pair of quality breeches can provide you with better conditions for a successful training - thereby strengthening your riding.
Finding the right pair of breeches for your specific need is somewhat a gift - the supply is enormous, and what are you even looking for in regard to functionality, materials and fit?
Why it is necessary to have a pair of breeches.
A pair of good breeches is one of those items, that can actively make a difference in your riding performance. These should have a tight fit and a high waist and be long enough to reach you ankles. The fit is designed to provide you with comfort and freedom while riding.
At pair of breeches offers you support both in regard to the fit, but also because of the anti-slip coverage that characterizes a pair of breeches. The grip stabilizes your seat and improves your balance on the horse - no matter if you are a dressage rider, a showjumper or any other option. A pair of good breeches can, in other words, strengthen your performance with your horse.
Breeches for the Icelandic rider
Most breeches have a tight fit all the way down to the ankles. That does not apply to the ones designed for riding the Icelandic horses, though. These have a straight fit and are thereby looser from the knees down. Of course, it is a matter of preferences, but it you are competing in e.g. dressage, you need to wear a pair of breeches, that meets the requirement for a tight fit.
What types of breeches are usable for competitions?
There are several regulations, that applies to the rider’s competition dress. Mostly, it is important, that the clothes are slim fit. This is to give the judge the best conditions to evaluate your movement on the horse in the ring. Other than that, there are some differences to the regulations depending on the discipline - showjumping, dressage and hunting do not have the same outfit requirements.
If you have any doubt as to what applies to your next show, you can find what you need to know on the website of the national riding association (Dansk Rideforbund)
The difference between breeches and regular trousers
Regular trouser can easily be of a tight fit and they can just as well come in a high-waist design, be flexibly and breathable. However, there is the significant difference to your everyday trousers, that traditional riding breeches have an anti-slip coverage on the inside of the knees, the thighs and the seat. This grip secures your seat in the saddle and provides you with a better support and balance - something a pair of regular trousers can’t offer you.
How to choose the right pair of riding breeches
There is a great supply and lots to choose from. There are many equestrians in the country, and most have already found out, that it is a lot nicer to wear a pair of riding breeches than a pair of normal trousers when riding. Furthermore, there is a constant flow of new products, new designs and functions, and the temptation to buy new items is everywhere.
Which type of breeches you should choose depends on a variety of things - the season, the riding discipline, the functionality and specific preferences and needs.
Seamless details
One of the many advantages to riding breeches of a high quality is, that they are characterized by not having any stiff or annoying seams in areas where the rider has contact to the horse. Some breeches are completely seamless and are therefore the better choice when you want to avoid abrasions, blisters and gnawing wounds. Other than that, labels and markings are places where they will not be a bother or a disturbance during the ride.
What kind of breeches to which discipline?
There will be a difference in what kind of breeches you need, whether you are a dressage rider or a showjumper - or maybe are doing a combination of the two. The anti-slip coverage that characterizes riding breeches and help the rider’s seat and position, is different for breeches meant for dressage riders than it is for breeches designed for the showjumpers.
Full grip
The full grip models are designed for the beginner or the dressage rider, who has to sit very still on the horse. Full grip covers the inside of the legs, knees and thighs and all the way to the seat. Full grip breeches are the best choice, if you want a close contact to the saddle. And they are also a good choice, when you are competing - as a dressage rider you need to have a steady seat and subtle movements, which this type of breeches can help you with.
Half grip
The half or the partial grip breeches only have the anti-slip coverage on the inside of the knees. This is an advantage for the showjumper, as they grant you the full freedom of movement from the knees and up, but at the same time help you keep your lower legs close to the saddle while jumping.
This type of breeches is not suitable for beginners - no matter if you on day wish to become a showjumper.
The 4-way stretch
A pair of good breeches needs to be flexible and grant you with the feeling of freedom of movement. Both the material and the construction in the design is of significands in regard to how stretchable the fabric of the breeches becomes. You probably already know of the 2 way-stretch, but are you familiar with the new 4-way stretch? This is the most comfortable fabric construction in the market, and it provides you with the ultimate freedom in movement.
Breeches for any season
The weather matters, when you dress for riding, and there is a huge different season to season. Luckily, breeches come in a variety of models with different qualities and specifications - some that are best suitable for summer and warmer weather, and some you will prefer during the cold winter.
Summer
In the summer, you want a pair of breeches, that are not to warm. They also need to be breathable and ventilating in the heat. A pair of summer breeches are often designed with panels that secures that ventilation. Furthermore, they are made from a quick-dry material, which keeps you dry and comfortable also if you are sweating.
Winter
Breeches for wintertime is made from an insulating material, that is thicker and warmer than the one used for the summer breeches. These will protect you against the wind and the cold. Sometimes, when it is very cold, it can be nice to wear a pair of breeches that has a base layer of insulating fleece. Other than that, it is necessary to look for breeches that are wind- and waterproof, when you are shopping for your winter wear - and as a bonus, these are dirt repellent too.
Impact on breathability
Depending on whether you are looking at a pair of summer breeches or a winter model, there will be a difference in the two’s ability to lead moist and sweat away from your body. The same goes for the flexibility and the breathability.
Thinner, well-ventilating and flexible summer breeches is better suited for heated weather or work, and in general they provide a better freedom of movement. Winter breeches are thicker in the fabric and have therefore less breathable qualities and are slightly movement restricting - compared to summer breeches, that is, not compared to regular trousers.
Preferred functionality
Riding breeches need to be functional and practical - when you choose them for a specific purpose, they are not just any pieces of clothing. A good pair of breeches is designed with a pocket - preferably places on the lower back to not be a bother - with room for keys, phone etc. The vast majority of riding breeches also come with belt straps to secure a good adjustability. The junior breeches often come with an elastic adjustment, that will allow the kids to grow with them.
You know best, which specific functionalities you need in your breeches, and it is for sure something you should consider before deciding on a pair.
Your riding breeches need to match your current wardrobe
There is not much worse that paying a lot of money for a pair of quality breeches just to find out that they do not go with any of your other riding wear. This will often mean, that you won’t be using them as much as you wanted to.
Whether the clothes are for show riding or for stable work, most of us prefer to look good wearing it. Therefore, the colors and the design are of some significands, when you are shopping for new breeches - they need to match our other items. You should always choose a pair of breeches, that matches your style. The likelihood of you wearing them often and a lot is far greater.
What size do you need?
For the vast majority of breeches, you can find a size guide to help you figure out the right size for your specific measures - and also to make sure that this exact model is a good fit for your shape and proportions.
First and foremost, you need figure out whether the length of the legs need to be short, medium or tall. Next, it is the specific measures of the individual product, you need to compare to your own. Your breeches should be of a tight fit, but not too tight - they need to be comfortable first of all.
Should you consider wearing a pair of riding tights instead?
There are more than just breeches in the market for clothes that will improve you riding experience. The newest addition is the popular riding tights. These will grant you with the ultimate comfort, as they are similar to a pair of running- or sports tights. The riding tights have the same anti-slips coverage as your breeches, and they will therefor secure your seat and provide you with a better balance and a steadier hand.
Compared to the traditional riding breeches, the riding tights are more flexible and stretchable in the fabric. In general, they have a better breathability as well as a better quick-dry functionality.