Like your favourite pair of jeans, a good pair of breeches will fit like a glove and you will look forward to pulling them on in the morning and getting to work, both in and out of the saddle.
When you spend a lot of time wearing something it needs to be comfortable, so it is well worth doing some research and investing in a pair of breeches that suits you and your needs. If they don’t fit well and are uncomfortable they can be distracting and take the enjoyment out of riding.
Our panel of testers – three horse owners who keep their equines at DIY livery — has put seven pairs of breeches to the test. They have worn them both to ride in and for yard work, and have assessed them our of five for fit, performance and value for money. Keep reading to find out which ones came out on top.
Equetech Ultimo Grip Breeches
RRP £89.50
Colours: Grey, navy, white
Sizes: 24 – 36 inches
Fit: These breeches are a great fit — I really like the high waistband that feels comfortable and supportive. The length of leg is good and they are well shaped at the bottom, meaning that there is no bulky material inside riding boots. 5 stars
Performance: Super smart and comfortable to wear all day long, the Ultimo Grip Breeches are made of a soft, stretchy material that feels a little thicker and more robust than others I have tested. However, they aren’t restrictive and look really stylish. The silicone full seat gives a nice amount of grip in the saddle. 4.5 stars
Value for money: Great value for an excellent pair of breeches. 4.5 stars
Total score: 14
FX Performance Breeches
RRP £79.99
Colours: Black, white
Sizes: 6-16
Fit: These fit really well and they look smart and flattering. The waistband is a good depth and comfortable. Leg length can sometimes be a problem for me, but these are a good length and nicely shaped so that they are close fitting, eliminating any bulk inside boots. 4.5 stars
Performance: These breeches are lovely to wear. They have just the right amount of stretch so that you don’t feel restricted either in the saddle or while doing yard work. The material is a recycled nylon – a plus point for me – and is lightweight and soft. The silicone knee grips give a feeling of security in the saddle and there are several useful pockets. 4.5 stars
Value for money: Great value – you won’t go far wrong with these. 4.5 stars
Total score: 13.5
Harry Hall Grip Full Seat Breeches
RRP £69.95
Colours: Burgundy, mocha, grey
Sizes: 22-34 inches
Fit: These breeches are true to size and really flattering. The leg length is good and the ankle cuffs are snug. The waistband is deep but soft and flexible so it is comfortable and not at all restrictive. 5 stars
Performance: The Grip Full Seat Breeches are lightweight and super comfortable, even when I’ve worn them all day. The stretchy material feels like it offers support while still allowing the wearer to move freely. The full silicone seat is a little too sticky for me – I like to feel as though I can move in the saddle. Overall, though, these are smart breeches with some nice additional detailing. 4 stars
Value for money: A great price for a practical and smart pair of everyday breeches. 4.5 stars
Total score: 13.5
Le Mieux Freya Breeches
RRP £89.95
Colours: Navy, black, grey, plus seasonal colours
Sizes: 6-18
Fit: These breeches fit well and are true to size, but the leg length isn’t generous. They are easy to put on and the material feels quite thick compared to other breeches. The thick waistband is quite rigid at the back. 4.5 stars
Performance: These breeches are smart, flattering and very comfortable to ride in – they don’t restrict my movement. I have found, though, that they slip down a little when I’m doing yard work, which is a bit annoying as I have to keep pulling them up. The silicone grip seat gives a good amount of ‘stick’, but not as much as some other pairs I’ve worn. The material is soft, but it also feels durable. The two deep pockets are a nice feature, and my phone fits in one, but I wouldn’t say that it is perfectly placed. 4.5 stars
other pairs I’ve worn. The material is soft, but it also feels durable. The two deep pockets are a nice feature, and my phone fits in one, but I wouldn’t say that it is perfectly placed.
Value for money: Good value for smart breeches. 4.5 stars
Total score: 13.5
HY Equestrian Highbury Collection Breeches
RRP £94.99
Colour: Navy/ taupe
Sizes: 24-34 inches
Fit: These breeches are true to size and fit well. They have a nice deep waistband that is soft and flexible and yet has a bit of stretch. They are well cut in the lower leg and they tapered nicely at the ankle, fitting inside my riding boots comfortably. 4.5 stars
Performance: I really like the overall look of these breeches – they are smart and the rose gold touches are nice additions. The material is soft and comfortable to wear for riding and yard work. The contrasting colour and silicone full seat provides a good amount of grip in the saddle without feeling restrictive. I also like the addition of a couple of zip pockets. 4.5 stars
Value for money: A fair price for a smart pair of breeches. 4 stars
Total score: 13
Coldstream Kilham Competition Breeches
£119.99
Colours: Charcoal grey, white, navy, taupe
Sizes: 24-34 inches
Fit: True to size, these breeches are a close fit but not too tight. Lightweight, they feel like a second skin, and the material follows the contours of your body shape. The leg length is good. 5 stars
Performance: These feel rather special. They are comfortable, don’t restrict movement and aren’t too tight on the leg. The two zip pockets are a nice feature, although they aren’t in great places for a phone. The embroidered logo down the side of the thigh is a nice detail, but it started to bobble after minimal use and the stitching in the crotch area did the same. The silicone full seat is a nice addition, but it isn’t as grippy as others I have worn. 4 stars
Value for money: These aren’t cheap, and the bobbling of the stitching lets them down a little. 4 stars
Total score: 13
Equilibre High Waist Full-Seat Breeches Lana
RRP £74.90
Colours: Black, navy, carbon, white
Sizes: 27/32 inch (6R) – 33/32 inch (18 R)
Fit: These smart looking breeches are true to size and a good fit. The high waistband is comfortable and the fastenings are quick and easy to use. The length of leg is good, but the cuff at the bottom could be a little better designed as I found it rather bulky inside my riding boots. 4 stars
Performance: I’ve found these breeches to be comfortable in and out of the saddle. The material is lovely and soft, with a nice amount of stretch so that they move with you and aren’t restrictive. The only downside is that the full seat is made from a different material (synthetic leather) which doesn’t have quite so much stretch to it, although it does give a secure feel in the saddle. 4 stars
Value for money: Very good value for an everyday pair of breeches. 4 stars
Total score: 12
All prices are correct at time of publishing
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