Last Updated on September 1, 2020
Are you searching for the best riding breeches?
If you ride English a high quality pair of riding breeches are worth the investment. My family and I have showed our horses for years and between the four of us, we have tried dozens of brands and styles for women, men, and children.
We have reviewed the most popular riding breeches on the market today for comfort, fit, and durability and after reading this article you will know our recommendations.
Check the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for our best riding breeches picks, or read on for the full review:
- Ovation Women’s Euro Melange Zip Front Knee Patch Cotton Breeches
- Griptek II Fullseat Women’s Riding Breeches
- Elation Show Breeches for Women
- Elation EuroSeat Platinum Brooklyn Riding Breeches for Women
- HR Farm Horse Riding Women’s Knee Patched Silicone Grip Breeches
- Ovation Mens Euroweave Knee Patch Breech
- TuffRider Men’s Regular Cotton Full Seat Breech
- George H Morris GHM Mens Rider Knee Patch Breech
- TuffRider Girl’s Lowrise Pull On Jodhpur Breeches
- Elation Jodhpurs Girls Riding Pants
- Ovation Boys Euroweave Four Pocket Breeches
- TuffRider Boys Patrol Light Riding Breeches
Table of Contents
Selecting the Best Riding Breeches
Riding breeches come in a number of styles and colors and there are a few things you should keep in mid to ensure you get the best pair for your individual needs.
Fit: For men, women, and boy and girls horse riding breeches should fit and give the appearance of being tailored, even if they are not.
When standing or sitting in the saddle, your breeches should fit snugly without being baggy or showing any wrinkles. Baggy or wrinkled breeches give an undesirable look and should be avoided, especially when in the show ring. Aside from aesthetics, snug and properly fitting riding breeches avoid the rubbing and discomfort you experience in loose and baggy breeches. Keep in mind, that if your breeches are too tight, they will be uncomfortable and constrict your movement in the saddle.
Length: The legs of your riding breeches should come to end just above your ankles. It is not uncommon for some riders to prefer shorter or longer legs, and this is not issue with wearing long english riding boots but care should be taken if you wear short boots, such as jodhpurs.
If you are a tall man like me (also true for tall women), be sure to go for the long legged breeches as they will ride up on you when in the saddle. Making sure that the bottom of legs of breeches fits tightly will help minimize them riding up on you as well.
Another feature to look for are a hook and loop closure that allows you to adjust the tightness of your breeches at the calf. Then there are also fitted styles out there that help with specific leg contours.
Another riding breeches option are jodhpurs. This style of riding breeches is ideal for children, but also popular with adults. The hem of jodhpurs are cuffed with buttons that secure your breeches with an elastic stretch band. The elastic band can be secured over the riding boot resting against the heel. This will keep the breeches in place while riding.
Waist: The rise of the waist on your riding breeches is measured from the waistband to the crotch. When selecting breeches for competition, a regular or high rise waist should be selected. This gives a more sophisticated look and is most desirable in the show ring. Many find low rise waists to be more comfortable though, and are quite popular for training and even trail riding.
Top Riding Breeches
My family and I have reviewed the most popular riding breeches available for comfort, durability, style, and value. Below you will find the top picks for women, men, boys, and girls.
Riding Breeches for Women
Ovation Women’s Euro Melange Zip Front Knee Patch Cotton Breeches
These incredibly comfortable women’s riding breeches are a cotton, polyester, spandex blend. They provide stretch and shape retention. They feature moisture wicking in order to keep you cool even while riding all day. Ideal for showing and schooling. They come in multiple colors as well.
- Comfortable fit
- Cotton, polyester, spandex blend
- Mid rise waste
- Shaped knee
- Suede euro seat
- UV ray protection
Griptek II Fullseat Women’s Riding Breeches
These premium riding breeches are ideal for the show ring. Exceptional style and quality. GripTek features a non slip grip excellent for jumping and eventing. They are very breathable and cool even on hot days. They are regular rise and prevent your shirt coming un-tucked. Come’s in multiple truly eye catching colors.
- High quality
- Comfortable
- 90% nylon, 10% spandex and patch is 100% polyurethane
- Non slip grip
- Cool and breathable
- Ideal for jumping, eventing, and showing
Elation Show Breeches for Women
This is a great pair of classic style riding breeches perfect for huntseat riding. They are comfort stretch with a blend of cotton and polyester. This style of riding breeches are professional quality popular both in the show ring and for schooling. The contrasted knee patches are a nice touch too. Comes in multiple color options.
- Professional quality
- Comfortable fit
- Ideal for huntseat and schooling
- Durable
- Excellent value
Elation EuroSeat Platinum Brooklyn Riding Breeches for Women
Another high quality pair of women’s breeches from Elation. The Brooklyn model is made from premium quality cotton blended with spandex for a very comfortable feel. They feature a professional look that is ideal for showing while being versatile enough to handle schooling as well. They provide a excellent fit that prevents the leg rising while in the saddle.
- Professional quality
- Stretch comfort
- Prevents leg from riding up
- Ideal for the show ring
- Excellent value
HR Farm Horse Riding Women’s Knee Patched Silicone Grip Breeches
These are a great value pair of women’s riding breeches that work equally well in the show ring as they do while schooling your horse. They are very comfortable while allowing breathability while riding. The legs are lycra at the bottom for a snug low ride fit. Comes in black and beige.
- Excellent value
- Comfortable and breathable
- Silicone grip
- Lycra leg bottoms
- Machine washable
Riding Breeches for Men
Ovation Mens Euroweave Knee Patch Breech
These are professional quality men’s riding breeches, featuring mid weight woven fabric for a comfortable fit. They are constructed with RepelTech, making them resistant to dirt and hair sticking to the breeches for a clean and professional look making them ideal for the show ring.
- Comfortable fit
- Professional quality
- RepelTech resists dirt and hair from sticking
- Hook and loop ankle closures
- UV protection
- Good grip synthetic knee pads
TuffRider Men’s Regular Cotton Full Seat Breech
Comfortable men’s riding breeches that work well in the show arena and while schooling. They are comprised of 92% cotton and 8% spandex for a professional fit. They featyre contoured sock bottoms and an UltraGripp seat. Comes with front zipper pockets that come in very handy. Come in multiple colors.
- 92% cotton and 8% spandex
- Contoured sock bottoms
- Comfortable
- Multiple color options
- Zippered pockets
- Excellent value
George H Morris GHM Mens Rider Knee Patch Breech
These professional quality men’s riding breeches have a classic style with exceptional comfort and durability. The silicone knee patches proved excellent grip making them ideal for jumping and dressage. The cool comfort material is designed for all day riding even in hot temps. Comes in multiple colors.
- Professional quality
- Excellent grip knee pads
- Hook and loop closures
- Front and back zipper pockets
- Comfortable fit
- 82% nylon, 12% Coolmax, 6% spandex
Riding Breeches for Girls
TuffRider Girl’s Lowrise Pull On Jodhpur Breeches
These comfortable girls breeches are jodhpur style with straps for boots. They have Ultragripp patches for safety and are quite durable for extended rides. These riding breeches are ideal for the show ring but are equally suited for schooling.
- 96% cotton and 4% spandex
- Comfort fit
- UltraGripp knee patches for safety
- Durable
- Excellent value
- Come in multiple color options
Elation Jodhpurs Girls Riding Pants
These high quality classic style riding breeches are jodhpur style. The button jodhpur straps will prevent the legs from riding up while providing excellent comfort. The classic cut looks great in the show ring without wrinkling. Designed for girls but the classic style will work for boys as well.
- Classic style
- Jodhpur straps
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Excellent value
Riding Breeches for Boys
Ovation Boys Euroweave Four Pocket Breeches
These high quality boys riding breeches are perfect for the show ring. The classic and sophisticated style is particularly popular with boys not looking for the spandex stretch fit breeches.
- Classic style
- Comfortable fit
- Ideal for the show arena
- Exceptional value
TuffRider Boys Patrol Light Riding Breeches
This high quality pair of boys riding breeches are very comfortable. Featuring UltraGripp knee patches for added safety, these breeches are ideal for the show arena. Cotton and spandex for comfort and durability, these are an excellent value horseback riding breech.
- 92% cotton 8% spandex
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Ideal for showing
- Safe, UltraGripp knee patches
For more horse riding guides and tips read these articles:
- Safety First: Horse Riding Helmets Picks
- Great High Leather English Boots
- Top Jodhpur Boots For Comfort and Style
- Riding In denim: Horse Riding Jeans Reviews
- Fun Gifts for Horse Lovers
When selecting your riding breeches make sure to take into consideration the style of riding you will be doing. While low rise breeches are often rated as the most comfortable, regular and mid rise are required for competitions. Getting the best riding breeches for each member of the family is possible and with our recommendations for women, men, girls, and boys, everyone is covered.
Here is the quick list with my picks for the best riding breeches one more time. To see prices and customer reviews view the links below.
- Ovation Women’s Euro Melange Zip Front Knee Patch Cotton Breeches
- Griptek II Fullseat Women’s Riding Breeches
- Elation Show Breeches for Women
- Elation EuroSeat Platinum Brooklyn Riding Breeches for Women
- HR Farm Horse Riding Women’s Knee Patched Silicone Grip Breeches
- Ovation Mens Euroweave Knee Patch Breech
- TuffRider Men’s Regular Cotton Full Seat Breech
- George H Morris GHM Mens Rider Knee Patch Breech
- TuffRider Girl’s Lowrise Pull On Jodhpur Breeches
- Elation Jodhpurs Girls Riding Pants
- Ovation Boys Euroweave Four Pocket Breeches
- TuffRider Boys Patrol Light Riding Breeches
Fred is the editor of Equine Ridge. He grew up raising horses and has been riding, training, and competing for almost four decades. Fred started out performing on the AQHA and PHBA circuits. Fred trained other competitors in English and Western riding disciplines and today offers free riding lessons to youth who would otherwise not be able to afford lessons. When not working with horses he can be found backpacking or trying to brew the perfect cup of coffee. Email Fred at fred@equineridge.com