Riding breeches

Riding breeches: full seat or knee patches?

It all comes down to grip. A full seat, often called “full grip” or “full seat”, has silicone on the seat and the inner thighs: your position is more stable, which is what dressage riders and beginners look for. Knee patches, in silicone or suede-effect fabric, leave the pelvis free. They suit show jumping, when you go into a forward seat and then sit back down.

Riding tights, such as the Brookie by Harcour or the Louna, take comfort a step further: high waist, very stretchy fabric, no belt loops. They are popular for everyday wear, much less so at competitions.

Choosing the right size

Riding breeches should be close-fitting. If they form a wrinkle on the inside of the knee, that wrinkle rubs against the saddle and eventually causes soreness. Measure your waist and hips, then compare them with the brand's size chart: sizing varies from one manufacturer to another.

The bottom of the leg should reach the ankle and stay slim, so that it fits comfortably into jodhpur boots with half chaps or into tall riding boots.

Men's riding breeches

Men's cuts have a higher rise at the back and narrower hips. The X-Design by Horse Pilot, the Costaso by Harcour, the Tenevo by Privilège and the Ego7 models all come in white, so you can wear the same breeches for training and competition.

For winter

Thermal breeches, such as the X-Balance Winter by Horse Pilot, have a brushed inner face that retains warmth. They are a better option than tights worn under summer breeches, which create wrinkles.

For competitions

In competition, riders wear white or light-coloured breeches. Around ten models on this page come in white, from Horse Pilot, Harcour, HKM, Privilège, Ego7 and Rider. To complete the outfit, see our selection of competition wear, with jackets and show shirts.