PLN
Riding breeches are one of those purchases where it's easiest to make the same mistake twice in a row. Once by choosing the wrong cut. Twice by washing them later the same way you would jeans.
Everyone knows the result: the silicone sticks, the fabric loses its shape, and the knees look like someone's been kneeling in them for a year. And it didn't have to be like that at all.
This article gathers everything worth knowing about riding breeches in one place, from choosing and fitting to washing and storing. The full range is available in the Equishop riding breeches category.
Table of Contents
What are breeches and how do they differ from regular trousers?
Breeches are trousers designed specifically for horse riding. They differ from regular trousers in several features that directly impact safety and comfort in the saddle.
No thick seams on the inner thigh. In regular trousers, the seam runs exactly where the rider makes contact with the saddle. After an hour of riding, it leaves a mark. Breeches have flat finishes or seams shifted to the outside of the leg.
A seat as reinforcement where it meets the saddle. It can be made of fabric, silicone, or a combination of both. This is not an ornament. It is a functional element that affects grip and the lifespan of the trousers.
Elastic material adapted to the rider's position. Horse riding requires full flexion of the hips and knees simultaneously. Technical fabrics used in breeches, such as stretch, microfiber, or softshell, are designed for this. Regular trousers look like they've been worn for a year after a few training sessions.
Breeches worn with riding boots or half chaps reach the ankle. Their cut is narrower at the ankle precisely so they lie smoothly under the boot or shaft.
Full seat, silicone seat, no seat: what does it mean and which one to choose?
The seat is a reinforcement on the inner side of the leg, in the part that directly works with the saddle. It is one of the most important parameters when choosing breeches and worth understanding before purchasing.
Full seat: maximum grip and durability
It runs from the inner thigh through the knee to the calf as a continuous, reinforced panel. It provides solid grip and protects the material from abrasion during intensive riding.
An example of a premium full seat is the Samshield Clara breeches. This model features a high waist, full seat, and Swarovski crystal details. The full seat with a precisely chosen fabric offers both grip and saddle feel without compromise.
Silicone seat: grip with feel
Silicone applied to the material in the form of a mesh or strips provides very good grip without adding extra fabric thickness. The rider feels the saddle directly through the material, which is particularly valued in dressage.
Samshield Diane breeches are an example of a full grip model with a second-skin type material and silicone on the full thigh. For riders who expect maximum control in the saddle without sacrificing lightness and flexibility.
No seat: for training and recreation
Training and recreational breeches. Comfortable, lighter, more like sports leggings. They are suitable for lighter riding and working with horses, but do not offer the same stability in the saddle as versions with a seat.
Practical rule: if you ride several times a week or compete, a full or silicone seat is an investment in comfort and durability. If you ride recreationally once a week, a version without a seat will be perfectly sufficient.
How riding breeches should fit: what most riders don't know
This is one of those topics where many riders wear ill-fitting breeches for years and think that's just how it has to be.
At the waist and hips: breeches should sit on the hips, not the waist. If you feel tension in the crotch when sitting on the horse or if the breeches pull back and expose your back, it's a sign that the cut is too short in the crotch or the rise is too low.
It's worth considering high-waisted models, such as Pikeur Ceelina SD SS26 from the Selection collection. A high waist stabilizes the back, eliminates the feeling of falling out of the trousers at a canter, and improves posture in the saddle. The 4-way stretch material conforms without constriction.
In the thigh: the material should fit snugly against the thigh without folds and without feeling constricted. Folds on the inner thigh when sitting are a sign that the size is too large. Tension and a white color of the material on the knee are the opposite signs.
In the knee: when the knee is bent (riding position), the material must not restrict movement. Well-fitting breeches work with the leg, not pulling or slipping down.
In the calf and ankle: the leg should lie flat without gathering material. For breeches worn with riding boots, a smooth fit under the boot shaft is essential for comfort throughout the training session.
How to check this? In addition to measuring hip circumference, do a squat. If the breeches pull, tighten across the crotch, or ride up from the bottom, it's not the right cut for your body shape, regardless of the tag size.
In a brick-and-mortar store, while trying them on, you can sit in a saddle and check how comfortable the breeches you're trying on are. Additionally, you can feel the difference offered by the latest Prestige saddle models.
Note on Pikeur sizing: the brand uses European sizing (34–46), but also offers length variations (regular / long). Women taller than 170 cm should check for the availability of the long version, as the standard cut often ends too high above the ankle.
Materials: what you need to know?
The breeches market is dominated by technical fabrics today. You don't need to know the chemical composition of every fabric, but a few things are worth knowing.
Stretch microfiber: ideal for summer. Light, smooth, quick-drying material that wicks away moisture well. Do you train a lot in the heat? This is your material.
Pikeur designed the Linnett SD Summer for this purpose, breeches made from airdynamic fabric that effectively cools the body even during long training sessions in high temperatures. Lightweight, breathable, designed for intensive use in summer.
Winter breeches in two variants:
- With internal insulation in the form of an additional fleece layer on the inside. Warmer, but thicker. Best for temperatures below –5°C.
- Softshell with a windproof, flexible outer fabric and light fleece inside. More versatile, works from 0°C downwards and doesn't restrict movement. A safer choice for most riders.
Breeches for 100–200 PLN from Chinese platforms: worth considering
Posts regularly appear in equestrian groups: I bought breeches from a platform for 120 PLN, they look identical to Pikeur. We understand the temptation, especially when starting an adventure with horse riding and not yet knowing if it will be a long-term hobby.
However, there are a few issues worth considering before such a purchase.
Material composition and safety certification. Sports clothing from certified European brands undergoes chemical composition tests (REACH, Oeko-Tex), which is particularly important for children's products. Products sold by anonymous sellers from Chinese platforms often do not have any documentation. A material in contact with the skin for several hours a day is not a category where it's worth experimenting.
Production conditions. Brands like Pikeur produce clothing in Europe or in certified factories with ethical audits. Breeches for 100 PLN from a platform without a manufacturer's name offer no guarantee regarding the conditions under which they were sewn.
Real cost of use. A pair of Pikeur breeches, with proper care, lasts 3–5 seasons of intensive riding*. A pair for 120 PLN often only lasts one or two seasons. When calculated per season, the price difference is smaller than it seems.
*depending on intensity of use.
Silicone seat. In cheap breeches, the silicone usually falls off after a few washes or sticks and pills. This is not a matter of how to wash, but of the quality of application and the type of silicone.
We are not saying that every cheap pair is bad, but a conscious choice is one that takes into account more than just the price tag.
How to wash riding breeches: and why most people do it wrong
This is the section where most riders begin to understand why they have problems with their breeches. Washing is the stage that destroys more pairs of breeches than riding itself.
What do ordinary washing powder or liquid do?
Products intended for everyday washing are optimized for natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, or viscose. They contain ionic detergents, optical brighteners, and fabric softeners.
Problem: technical fabrics in breeches (microfiber, stretch, softshell) work on the principle of fiber microstructures that wick away moisture, stretch elastically, and maintain shape. Fabric softeners and coatings from general detergents clog these microstructures. After a few washes, the material stops breathing, the silicone loses its grip, and the stretch becomes less elastic. You don't see it immediately, but after 10–15 washes, the effect is clear.
Hey Sport Tex Wash: for which breeches?
Hey Sport Tex Wash is a specialized cleaner for washing equestrian clothing made from technical fabrics. A concentrate for 17 washes (250 ml) that does not clog membranes, leaves no coatings on fibers, and preserves the material's functions. Designed for stretch and microfiber breeches, which means most modern breeches, including the entire Pikeur line. Available at Equishop: Hey Sport Tex Wash.
Hey Sport Micro Wash: for winter breeches with fleece
Hey Sport Micro Wash is a version dedicated to microfiber and fleece, hence for winter breeches with insulation and fabrics with a fleece blend. In addition to protecting the material's structure, it has antistatic properties, which is important for fleece fabrics that static and attract dust from the stable. Available at Equishop: Hey Sport Micro Wash.
Simple rule: Tex Wash for summer and all-season technical breeches. Micro Wash for winter breeches with fleece or insulation.
Washing temperature and program
Most riding breeches are washed at 30°C on a delicate program. We do not use a tumble dryer because high temperatures degrade elastane and silicone. Breeches should be dried flat or hung by the leg, never by the waistband. Turn breeches inside out before washing to reduce pilling of the silicone and extend the lifespan of the seat.
How to store breeches to maintain their shape
Breeches made of stretch technical fabrics have good shape memory, but only if we don't interfere with them.
Do not roll or crumple into a ball. Folded and laid flat on a shelf or hung, they retain their cut. Stuffed into a training bag, crumpled after training and forgotten for several hours, they lose their shape.
After washing, dry horizontally or on a hanger. Hanging by the waistband during long drying can stretch that part. It's better to hang by the leg or lay flat on a drying rack.
Store in a dry place. Moisture and closed equestrian bags create an environment for mold and bacteria. After returning from the stable, breeches should be aired out or washed immediately, not put back in the bag.
Proper rinsing of the material without detergent residue ensures that the fibers return to their proper shape and elasticity after each cycle. This is one reason why well-washed breeches with a specialized detergent look and feel different from those washed with ordinary liquid.
Summary: what to remember
- Choose the seat type according to your riding style: full or silicone for regular riders, no seat for recreational use.
- Fit is more important than tag size. Check how they fit in the saddle, not just standing.
- Winter breeches: softshell is more versatile than internal insulation.
- Washing matters: Tex Wash for technical breeches, Micro Wash for fleece and insulation.
- Cheap breeches from unknown sources have a short lifespan and unknown material composition.
- Store in a flat position, in a dry place, as this preserves their cut and elasticity.
Full offer available in the category Equishop riding breeches. Hey Sport washing agents: Tex Wash and Hey Sport Micro Wash available in our online store or stationary at ul. Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska.
