Breech Recommendation

[lantairvlea]

Back in the beginning of 2015 I was down to my last pair of pants and had to make a decision: buy more jeans or buy breeches. I loved my jeans, Carharts that were tough and practical and each lasted two to three years of tough use, including riding. I went with the breeches because they were the more practical choice since I don't actually like

Comments

[trigger_happy01]

Go to zulily on a sale day, but Kerrits, be happy!

[lantairvlea]

One of the pair was Kerrits, and maybe it was just the style I got. They were pull-ons and I apparently have wide hips. They are tight in the crotch and I've completely popped the waistband elastic at this point, plus the stitching on two of the beltloops have come off. I'd consider the next size up, but with my nubby legs I already have bunching around my ankles with the Medium (I tried a small and sent it back, WAY too tight!). So maybe try something by them with a zipper? I did like the fabric and that at least seems to be holding up well, but my body shaoe may not be condusive to a pull on breech or tight.

Do you have a specific style of theirs you prefer?

[trigger_happy01]

I have several pair, although with the pull ons, I had to go up a size for them to be comfortable. I'm short, and all breeches bunch on my lower legs, so I honestly don't even think about that when considering breeches because it's a given! Ha! I think the ones I find with the comfy stretch are ribbed zip up ones. I have some of the cooler variety that are pull ons but full seats, I love them in the summer but have the issues mentioned above. I haven't worn out any of my breeches to be honest, even when I rode six days a week, I guess I'm just gentler on them, or its cause I ride one horse per day and not several.

[lantairvlea]

I may have to give Kerrits another shot and just try the next size up.

I don't ride daily consistently at the moment, though I do have the occasional spurt of riding multiple horses, but I am often in my breeches for eight to ten hours or so because I don't want to change in and out of them between morning and evening lessons so that can translate into a lot of wear compared to throwing them on for a single ride and then out again.

[clevortrevor]

If you're open to tights instead of breeches, my new favorites are Kerrits Ice Fil Tech Tights. They are so comfortable, I don't want to take them off when I get back from the barn. I've tried just about every other full seat Kerrits makes, and while I loved the fit, they were falling apart way too soon (like, within a year or two). I think it's because the full seat was torquing weirdly when I'd climb in and out of my car, because they'd always wear out in the same spot. I was worried the Ice Fil would be too thin, but they really don't seem to be. I've been wearing them through most of our weird, warm winter. As an aside, when I bought them, I also ordered a pair of FITs because I wanted to know how much better a super expensive breech would be. Did not like them at all! They felt bulky and fragile, and they didn't fit right. Back they went!

[quietann]

I'm also very fond of these, in warmer weather. They've held up well.

[lantairvlea]

I do like the fullseats, but might be convinced to return to kneepatch or tights, but I am a little shy of pull-ons now. As noted above one pair are a Kerrits pull-on and with my wide hips and narrow waist (I'll blame the boys for the hips...) I fear I'd destroy the elastic on something that fit my waist or it'd be falling off my waist with something that fit my hip.

I wish we had more store options here. The closest one is 20 minutes away with minimal inventory and the other one with good inventory is an hour away and good luck finding the time to get over there and try them on so I'm shooting a little blind with the catalogs.

[clevortrevor]

Oh how funny! I'm skinny in the waist and wide in the hips too, and that's exactly why I like the pull-ons - seems like the zip styles don't have enough elastic to stay snug, or they're too wide and need a belt and I just hate belts. I've found that pretty much any medium pull-on Kerrits comes out with is a perfect fit, so that's really why I love them. I also like the fit of Iridion, but again, for me, they didn't last. (I really do blame my car - they stick to the leather!)

I don't have stores anywhere near me either, so I've been relying on SmartPak - free shipping both ways, and lots of variety. I hope you find something that works, and if you do, let me know! I love these Ice Fil's for warm weather, but it's not a year-round solution for me either.

[serennig]

For less-expensive breeches that last, I second Kerrits.

[lantairvlea]

Is there a particular style in their line you prefer? One of the pairs was Kerrits and maybe I would have done better with the next size up (hate arbitrary female sizing, give me a waist measurement!) and am willing to give them a second shot since they come so well-recommended and I did like the fabric of the breech itself even if I wasn't overly impressed with the underlying elastic for the waistband or beltloops.

[serennig]

TBH all mine appear to be winter ones, and no idea what particular ones those are. I've had them for a few years at least.

[chiquita522]

I've been pretty happy with my Pipers from SmarkPak. I'm in between sizes right now (yay, though!), so finding the right size wasn't easy. I have experienced the "Piper Slide," as the women at the Congress SmartPak booth call it, so if you do go with Pipers, you'll want a belt. They are comfortable and SmartPak will do quite a few sale codes.

[lantairvlea]

I usually wear a belt anyway so that shouldn't be a big deal so long as I don't have extra fabric bunching at the waist.

Sounds like SmartPak is the company to order from!

[rolypolypony]

Tuffriders, but go down a size if you get the ribbed material. I have pairs that are I don't even remember how old and are still going strong.

Kerrits, but go up a size. The FlowRise tights are my favorite.

If the SmartPak Pipers fit you (they don't fit every body type - sadly, they don't fit me), they're really nice.

DevonAire has some nice ones, but I can't speak to the wear or fit as I haven't owned a pair since I was 12!

Good luck! I second whoever mentioned using SmartPak, as they do have free returns on sized items.

[coleoptera]

I second Tuffrider. I hate low rise, so I just get the regular rise and I watch for sales. I've been able to get them for under 30 in the best cases (knee patch, not full seat).

[rolypolypony]

Yes!! On sale Tuffriders are one of the best things in life! ;)

[lantairvlea]

I also loathe low-rise pants. One, I don't know how people keep them on and two, even on skinny people they make the obliques look like blobs of fat instead of muscle. I do not understand how that is attractive.