What do I have to consider when buying breeches?
The right fit decides whether you feel completely comfortable in the saddle with riding breeches and are satisfied with your choice in the long run. How do you determine the size of your breeches and what do you have to pay attention to when trying them on? In addition to the fit, practical details, the look and individual preferences should not be ignored when purchasing. We explain the best way to proceed here.
The right fit for your breeches
As a rule, you should go back to the conventional clothing size that you wear in everyday life. If you are unsure, it is best to take your measurements again and use our size charts to find the right size.
The following measurements are important:
| Women | Men | Children | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waist circumference (narrow point) |  | | |
| Hip circumference (widest part) | | | |
| Waist size (widest part) | | ||
| Side length (from waist to the ground) | | | |
Based on the measurements taken, you can use the size charts shown in our catalogue and in our online shop to determine the right size. While you usually know your clothing size, there is often uncertainty as to whether you need a short, normal or long size. A look at the size chart with a focus on the indicated side length helps here. Experience shows that short sizes can easily be covered by normal sizes. Thanks to the new waistband without fasteners, the length of the trouser legs can easily be adjusted by folding them over.
You should pay attention to the following details:
- Comfortable fit on the abdomen without cutting in – No or only a few small wrinkles form on the seat surface.
- It should still be possible to pull the fabric away from the body to a minimal extent
- The knee should be wrinkle-free
The breeches are too tight if they stretch at the seams and the zip.
The breeches are too wide if the material is too loose on the body and wrinkles in many places.
Tips for the correct fit of breeches
The comfort of riding breeches
When riding, the fit must be right – in addition to the ideal fit of the riding clothes, the details that define the comfort should also be checked before buying.
Therefore, for maximum comfort, the following things should be considered:
Material
The fabric should feel comfortable against the skin and not be bothersome or scratchy in any way. Firmer materials such as jeans or soft shell provide stability, but can also restrict movement or reduce the feeling in the saddle. Nylon or polyester are lightweight materials used in riding leggings. These usually fit like a second skin, are sufficiently durable, functional and easy to care for.
Body height
Everyone’s preferred waist height is different. Some like the classic high waistband of breeches, others prefer low cut hip breeches. The advantage of higher cut trousers is that they don’t slip as easily, so you can bend over when working in the stable or grooming the horse. On the other hand, many people feel restricted in their movements when wearing breeches with a high waistband and prefer a lower body cut.
Leg cuffs
Most breeches these days are fitted with a flexible leg cuff, as it offers the most comfort. The elastic material automatically hugs the leg, so there are no uncomfortable pressure points caused by too much fabric. The classic hook-and-loop fastening has therefore served its time – also because the hook-and-loop material often suffers from wear and tear due to washing and dirt gets caught in the hook-and-loop fasteners.
Practical details
If too many details are used in breeches, they can quickly become counterproductive, as the feeling in the saddle can quickly be lost. However, practical pockets – ideally with zips – are always a useful feature for riders. In addition to the classic slide-in pockets in the seat and hip area, which are often relatively small, many contemporary designed breeches offer new possibilities. In addition to small zipped pockets on the waistband, the trend is towards flexible pockets on the leg for smartphones. The elastic material prevents the mobile phone from slipping out.
Appearance and design of the breeches
For most riders, the design of a pair of breeches plays an important role when considering the purchase of a new pair of breeches. While many years ago there were only breeches in muted (earthy) tones or in classic white for competition use, the variety of designs and colours today is enormous. Besides trendy colours, the breeches of today are adorned with lettering, logos, patterns, piping and fashionable grip variations. Here, it is definitely the individual’s own taste that decides what is pleasing. You can find out which tips you can use to show off your figure in a particularly positive way in our FAQs.