Types of Riding Breeches & How to Choose the Best Pair for Your Discipline

Breeches bring together everything equestrians look for in their apparel: freedom of movement, lasting comfort, and a timeless silhouette. From everyday training sessions to the formality of the show ring, they remain the essential piece that carries you through every stride. From grip placement to fabric type, each pair of breeches offers distinct advantages. This guide explores those styles in detail, helping you choose the breeches that will serve your performance, style, and body type.

What are Breeches?

Riding breeches are full-length, close-fitting pants made from breathable materials such as cotton, spandex, or a synthetic blend that allows for a greater range of motion and flexibility while riding. Breeches are designed to maximize performance in the saddle, with specialized features for each horseback riding discipline. Moisture-wicking fabrics keep you cool and dry, reinforced patches at the knee or seat provide extra durability and grip while you ride, and mesh, compression, or Velcro ankle closures ensure a secure, comfortable fit under your boots. 

Why Wear Riding Breeches?

Breeches are built specifically for the saddle, which makes them much more effective and comfortable than everyday pants. Jeans, leggings, and other types of pants have restrictions that can hinder your performance and comfort in the saddle.

Breeches:

• Offer a secure fit that prevents shifting,bunching or sliding in the saddle
• Deliver durability with reinforced seams and grip patches
• Wick away moisture to keep you cool and comfortable
• Fit effortlessly under footwear, including tall boots or paddock boots and half chaps 
• Come in multiple rises and cuts to flatter different body types
• Feature design details like silicone grip, euro seat seamlines, and stretch ankle panels for all-day comfort
• Adapt to the demands of each discipline, from freedom of movement in jumping to stability in dressage

These rider-focused details make breeches far more effective than everyday pants. Jeans may be durable, but for English riding, they’re bulky and restrict your movement in the saddle. Leggings offer stretch, but they lack the durability and grip riders need. Other pants tend to slide, bunch, or ride up as soon as you start moving. Breeches combine flexibility, durability, and a secure fit, giving you consistent comfort and polish as you train and perform.

Learn more: What to Wear When Riding Horses? An Equestrian Clothing Guide     

Types of Riding Breeches

Full-seat and knee patch breeches with strategic grip placement are the primary types of breeches, but you will also see riding tights for casual riding or jodhpurs at lessons and youth competitions. Each type of breeches is best suited for specific disciplines, including dressage, jumping, and eventing.

Full-Seat Breeches

Full-seat breeches feature a suede, synthetic suede, or silicone grip patch that starts at the seat of the pants and extends down the inner thighs, helping you feel anchored through tight turns and collected movements. 

Full-seat breeches are a must for dressage events and cross-country eventing, because they provide a strong connection from seat to saddle, keeping you secure in your saddle while riding, no matter the movement. 

Knee Patch Breeches

Knee patch breeches are designed with a patch of suede, synthetic suede, or silicone on the inside of the leg by the knee that allows you to move freely in the saddle while maintaining a secure grip. 

Knee patch breeches are commonly worn by hunter-jumper athletes, who enjoy the freedom to move their upper body as needed while maintaining a strong grip on their horse with their legs. The knee patches also prevent wear and tear on your breeches and protect against painful chafing caused by the stirrup leather. 

Riding Tights

Riding tights are similar to riding breeches, but are made from a lightweight, stretchy material like spandex or a synthetic blend. Riding tights are often styled to look like leggings or yoga pants with a smooth, form-fitting silhouette, but are designed for a comfortable fit in the saddle and usually sport well-placed silicone grips for security while riding. They are a popular choice for casual riding, but are too informal for competitions.

Hybrid Breeches

A more recent addition to equestrian wardrobes, hybrid breeches combine the structure of traditional breeches with the lightweight feel of riding tights, offering riders the best of both worlds. They are typically made with performance fabrics that stretch and breathe like tights but include reinforced knee or seat patches for added durability and grip. Many designs feature wide waistbands for comfort, streamlined closures for a flattering fit, and subtle styling details that make them polished enough for lessons or schooling shows. Hybrids are ideal for riders who want the athletic comfort of tights, without giving up the tailored finish of classic breeches.

Jodhpurs

Jodhpurs are stretchy, tight-fitting riding pants that extend down to the ankle and end in cuffs, rather than with tight closures or elastic panels. Jodhpurs are most commonly worn by younger equestrians before advancing to breeches as they age or advance in competition level. Because of the loose cuff, jodhpurs are worn with paddock boots.

Learn more: How to Buy Jodhpurs: Size, Fit, Style Guide

What Color Breeches Should You Wear for Competitions?

When it comes to competition, breech color isn’t just about style—it’s about meeting discipline-specific rules and expectations. While you can train in almost any color breeches (depending on your trainer’s preferences), most equestrian events have traditional standards:

Dressage Show Breeches

Presentation is everything during a dressage event. During dressage events, equestrians are expected to wear white, light, or dark-colored breeches, though most adults stick with white breeches. Breeches with bright colors and patterns are not permitted.

Learn more: Dressage Show Attire, Dress Code, and Style Tips for Riders

Fox Hunting Breeches

Fox hunting is a formal yet active equestrian event with a specific dress code. Riders typically wear white, tan or rust breeches during fox hunting events. Bright colors and patterns are not permitted.

Learn more: Fox Hunting Attire & Etiquette – Beginner’s Guide

Show Jumping Breeches

White, light, and dark-colored breeches are required during show-jumping competitions. Bright colors and patterns are not permitted.

Eventing Breeches

At eventing competitions, equestrians typically wear white or tan breeches for the dressage and jumping portions but may switch to more flashy colors during the cross-country portion of the competition.

Choose the Right Breeches for Your Discipline

Use the chart below to find the right type and color of breeches for your next competition.

How to Measure for a Pair of Breeches

When shopping for a pair of breeches, you should take specific measurements to ensure you find a pair that finds you perfectly. Grab a measuring tape and take the following measurements:

1. Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button. Make sure the tape is snug but not tight.
2. Hips: Measure around the widest part of your hips. This is usually about 7-9 inches below your waist, depending on your body shape.
3. Inseam: Measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of your ankle bone. Make sure you stand up straight, and your feet are shoulder-width apart.
4. Rise: Measure from the top front of your waistband to the crotch seam. This measurement is especially important for high-waisted breeches.

Riding Breeches Size Chart

Need help deciding on a size for riding breeches? Consult the charts below for help. All measurements are in inches.

Sizing Chart for Women’s Breeches

Sizing Chart for Girls’ Breeches

Needing help with plus sizing? Check out our Plus Size Equestrian Apparel Guide →

How to Pick the Perfect Pair of Breeches

The fabric, fit, reinforcement, closures, and design details all play a role in how your breeches feel in the saddle and how they hold up over time. The best breeches balance comfort, performance, and style, but every rider’s needs are different. By focusing on these features, you can choose a pair that not only suits your discipline but also supports you through every ride.

Choose Material for Your Riding Conditions

Breeches are made from a variety of materials, including cotton, spandex, synthetic blends, and even technical fabrics like moisture-wicking and UV-resistant materials. Quality breeches are made with fabrics designed for the conditions you’ll face when you ride:

• Lightweight cotton feels cool and breathable against the skin, perfect for warm afternoons at the barn. 
• Spandex provides a light, flexible grip that feels almost invisible yet keeps you secure,  stretching without losing shape. 
• Moisture-wicking fibers pull away sweat before it clings, keeping you dry through long rides.
• UV-resistant fabric creates a protective shield under the sun throughout the summer season.
• Fleece-lined breeches keep your legs warm and limber on winter rides.
• Mesh panels around the ankles increase airflow and prevent bunching under the riding boot.

The right material shapes the way your breeches feel from the first mount to the last stride, so choose a material blend that is comfortable and appropriate for the climate you will be riding in.

As you experiment, you may also develop a favorite material used for reinforcement and grip patches. Reinforcement is what gives breeches their staying power in the saddle. You may prefer the look and grip of silicone patches over suede patches, or you might opt for a thicker, tougher patch that offers more grip. The right reinforcement is as much about confidence as it is about comfort, because it’s what lets you focus fully on your ride.

Find the Right Fit and Cut

Look for a pair of breeches that have a flexible, athletic fit. They should be comfortable, allow for a full range of motion, and provide support. The cut of the breeches can affect your comfort, so consider the rise of the waistband when determining the best fit for your body. 

• High-rise breeches offer complete coverage and tend to look flattering on almost every body shape. 
• Mid-rise breeches may feel a bit more comfortable and ride up less while you’re in the saddle.
• Low-rise breeches are sometimes preferred for ease of movement when showjumping, but can risk exposing your lower back as you ride.

Decide on the Best Closure

Closures may seem like a small detail, but they play a big role in both comfort and appearance. 

Waist closures typically come as a front-zip closure, which offers a classic, traditional look, or a side-zip closure, which creates a smooth, minimalist silhouette in the show ring. 

Ankle closures help breeches stay secure and streamlined under boots by preventing the breeches from riding up while riding. Options include Velcro tabs for easy adjustment, elastic panels that stretch for a snug fit, or mesh compression cuffs that feel lightweight and breathable. 

The right closure keeps your breeches in place while complementing your riding style and overall turnout.

Consider Pocket Placement

Thoughtfully placed pockets can make breeches more practical without sacrificing polish. Some styles feature deep front or side pockets that keep essentials like keys, a phone, or even a sugar cube for your horse within easy reach. Others opt for a sleeker design with minimal or hidden pockets to maintain a clean silhouette. 

Deciding whether pockets matter comes down to your routine: if you like to ride hands-free or keep small items close, look for breeches with secure, well-constructed storage that blends seamlessly into the design.

Match the Style to Your Ride

Breeches come in a range of styles, such as traditional, modern, and Euro styles. Euro-seat breeches, for example, have full-seat seamlines designed for maximum comfort in the saddle. Modern breeches often feature wider waistbands, streamlined closures, and stretch panels for a more athletic fit. 

Depending on the discipline or the barn where you train, you might need to choose a specific style of riding breeches. Always check your specific dress codes to determine what style is suitable for your discipline or riding club.

Choose Breeches with Proven Quality

Quality determines how well your breeches perform and how long they last. Premium fabrics, reinforced construction, and rider-focused design all add up to greater comfort and confidence in the saddle. That’s why the brand matters too—trusted equestrian brands have earned their reputation by consistently delivering this level of quality.

Breeches Built for Every Rider

From schooling sessions to competition arenas, breeches should perform as well as they look. Crafted with a premium quick-dry, stretch fabric, R.J. Classics breeches are designed to provide the perfect balance of comfort, structure, and a tailored fit. With a variety of breech types and styles to choose from, R.J. Classics offers a sophisticated look and feel for riders of all disciplines. Shop our collections of women’s, girls’, and men’s breeches to find your perfect pair today.

You might also like:

• How to Wash and Care for Equestrian Apparel
• How to Buy Men's Breeches: Get the Perfect Style and Fit
• How to Buy Equestrian Show Shirts: Size, Fit, Style Guide
• How to Buy Equestrian Show Coats: Size, Fit, Style Guide