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Riding Breeches: The Best Full Seat and High Waist Styles

Last updated: October 9, 2022

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

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My granddaughter has always been passionate about horses, but she recently discovered an interest in competitive equestrian events. She currently wants to train in dressage and naturally needs riding breeches that look great and are functional.

The best full-seat riding breeches are the Horze Tara full-seat breeches; these come with a silicone seat and high waist. For the best quality riding breeches, you can’t beat Vertigo’s Tiffany silicone full seat breeches, but expect to pay for these high-end pants.

Riding breeches are the most comfortable, best-looking pants to wear when horseback riding, but choosing the right pair can be challenging with so many styles on the market.

Picture of a girl wearing horse riding breeches.

We’ve got seven amazing women’s riding breeches we review in this guide, some with full seats and high-waist, others with silicone cushioning for additional comfort. All are great for dressage, jumping, or just about any equestrian event.

HORZE Women’s Tara Full Seat Breeches

Check out some of the awesome things people have to say about Horze Tara full-seat breeches:

Chemanie, a rider of over 40 years, says, “I have tried different breeches in my decades of riding experience, but HORZE is the best and most comfortable by far. Please make more of these!”

Tara from Texas describes Horze’s Tara full-seat breeches as the most comfortable and attractive breeches she has ever worn. 

Hundreds of women equestrians are raving about Horze Tara’s full-seat and high-waist design, making them super-comfortable while riding.

Here is a coupon you can apply to your first purchase of HORZE breeches. It gives you $20 off plus free shipping.

hze mt1 welcome coupon af 2019 af af 120

Check out the complete list of their features:

Features and attributes

  • Zip as well as a 4-button closure
  • Extra high-waist flatters and flattens the tummy section
  • Made with water and dirt-resisting fabric, it is soft, comfy, and stretchy too.
  • It comes with front and back pockets for optimum storage
  • Available in 6 sizes and 2 attractive colors

Pros

  • Great for schooling, especially dressage.
  • Several size choices for women of different builds
  • Zip and buttons provide secure closure and a flattering/slimming silhouette
  • High-waist design with internal support flattens and flatters shape and gives you a slimmer look
  • Adequate pockets for storage
  • Soft, comfortable, durable, stylish

Cons

  • There have been a couple of size-related issues. However, the brand has provided a reliable fitting/size chart that women can use before ordering. The brand also recommends ordering one size down when in doubt since the fabric is stretchy.

How it compares

Horze Tara’s high-waist full-seat breeches are perfect for women who avoid wearing breeches because they are conscious of their belly fat. Worry not: these breeches hide things you don’t want seen and flatter areas you want! 

Its material is soft, stretchy, quick-to-dry, cool, breathable, comfortable, and perfect for riding all year round. The pockets in the back and front are great for storing horse treats, keys, etc.

Horze Tara full-seat breeches are also attractively priced and are an absolute bargain when you consider their quality. The only knock I have about these breeches is that they don’t come in many colors, but the ones available are great too.

Vertigo Women’s Tiffany Silicone Full Seat Breeches

Want style, comfort, and function in your breeches to wear at a horse show? Then you will love these high-end breeches from B-Vertigo. They combine the classic elegance of traditional breeches with modern technological innovations to give you the ultimate riding/showing breeches that marry style with comfort.

Features and attributes

  • Made with exceptionally soft, 4-way stretchy Opti-pro fabric for all-day comfort
  • Moisture-wicking, quick-dry, perfect for summers but all-year-round comfort as well
  • Form flattering
  • High-waist design
  • Full-seat silicone grip seat control for schooling and competitive riding.
  • Available in 7 sizes and 5 attractive colors

Pros

  • Breathable and very comfortable for summers and all-day wearing
  • Long-lasting and durable
  • Versatile – perfect for pleasure riding, shows, schooling, and competitions
  • Value for money

Cons

  • High price but totally worth it.

How they compare

These gorgeous Tiffany breeches from B Vertigo promise style, comfort, and function. Without deviating from the classic style, the brand uses Opti-Pro fabric and silicone technology to give you a highly breathable pair of breeches guaranteed to keep you cool and sweat-free all day. 

These high-end breeches are ideal for various disciplines so that you won’t regret your choice. They are also durable and retain their shape after washing. Their price may be on the higher side, but they are worth the money paid because of their spectacular benefits and features.

HORZE Women’s Nordic Performance Full Seat Silicone Breeches

Our next entry is also from HORZE! 

We equestrians love the HORZE brand because it delivers style, comfort, and function. So, the Horze Nordic riding sporty breeches certainly won’t disappoint! They are the go-to choice if you’re looking for breeches for competing.

HORZE Nordic full-seat breeches feature super-comfortable, lightweight, and stretchy Spandex mixed with sturdy nylon. This means that you get long-lasting durability, stretchy comfort, and a quick-drying, moisture-wicking light pair of breeches that will keep you cool, dry, and comfortable during shows/schooling. Did we mention: that they also have UV protection properties?

Features and attributes

  • Made with Spandex + nylon and silicone full-grip seat. Elastene imparts stretchability.
  • UV protection up to SPF 50+
  • Figure-hugging, form-flattering, mid-waist rise
  • Elastic legs to fit inside riding boots/cowboy boots
  • Features equestrian phrases on the back and the HORZE logo
  • Available in 6 sizes and 4 color choices.

Pros

  • Cool and comfortable
  • Stylish
  • Great for sports
  • UV protection
  • True to size
  • Affordable riding breeches

Cons

  • The color could be slightly different than the one depicted on the screen.

How they compare

HORZE Nordic women’s riding breeches are stretchy, comfortable, and cool. They are ideal for sports since they have UV protection. Their cool fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable. Horze Nordic breeches are also stylish, feature a mid-waist, and stretch in all the right places. Their price is also attractive. 

HORZE EVA Full-Seat High-Waist Women’s Breeches

Trust HORZE to come up with products for every budget. If you are looking for high-quality yet affordable breeches for schooling, then go for HORZE EVA. This stunning pair of breeches feature many great attributes that will give you a sophisticated and stylish look.

Features

  • The EVA comes with a zipper and button closure for security and a flattering effect. It contains 68% rayon, 5% elastane, and 27% polyamide for stretchability, moisture-wicking, and breathability.
  • HORZE EVA high-waisted breeches have silicone seats for firm gripping and elastic legs for tucking inside boots and flattering your legs
  • Available in 6 sizes and 3 gorgeous colors
  • Pockets for storage.
  • Cute little pendant under the belt loops for extra style.

Pros

  • High-waist, great fit, figure-flattering silhouette
  • Attractive price

Cons

  • The silicone tends to sag after washing. Hand-wash/dry clean for durability.

How they compare

HORZE EVA riding breeches for women are the best for those on a budget. The material is excellent, and the high-rise style is super comfortable. You also get three gorgeous colors, not to mention that you can trust HORZE products blindly. All-in-all, this is a great pair of riding breeches for all-day comfort.

Horze Women’s Angelina Silicone Full Seat Breeches – White

Some disciplines, like formal dressage, require white or light-colored breeches. If you are looking for full-seat breeches in white, then you’ll love Horze’s Angelina Silicone full-seat white breeches.

Features

  • Horze Angeline women’s full-seat breeches are made with dust-resistant fabric.
  • They are also machine-washable – so you can retain that crips white color with ease.
  • These breeches feature an extra-high, shaped waist that flattens the tummy region. Also, they have inner seams to give you a slim look. 
  • Front zipper pockets are great for storing keys, etc.
  • Available in eight sizes

Pros

  • Stylish and functional
  • Easy to wash, quick to dry
  • Grip the saddle perfectly
  • Ideal for warm-weather riding.
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Run bigger than most breeches. Order one size down.

How they compare

A few users reported that the silicone used in Horze Angeline breeches wasn’t adequate. However, most women loved it. The white breeches are perfect for dressage. The fact that they wash and dry well is a great feature as well. The price is attractive too!

Horze Active Women’s Winter Silicone Knee Patch Tights

You can have a horrid winter or a happy one – all based on your riding breeches! Why sacrifice comfort and style when you can get both? Horze Active Women’s breeches will keep you warm and dry in the saddle, and they also feature knee patches for extra grip, durability, stretchiness, and comfort. Horze also has a full-seat version in these breeches – check them out here.

Features

  • Soft fleece lining
  • Mid-rise waist
  • 4-way stretchy fabric for extra comfort in the saddle and on the ground.
  • Available in 6 sizes and 2 colors.

Pros

  • Warm, soft, quick-dry
  • Stylish
  • Great grip
  • Super-affordable

Cons

  • Run small. Some women found the leg length short.

How they compare

Horze Active women’s winter breeches are well-made, soft, and comfortable. They are perfect for wet-and-cold-weather riding and ideal for working in the barn too. The material used is soft, stretchy, quick-drying, and breathable. It comes in attractive color as well. The price is super affordable.

Horze Grand Prix Thermo Softshell

You will soon make these Grand Prix Thermo riding breeches from Horze your go-to winter attire for working in the barn or sitting in the saddle.

They feature a soft, dry, and warm thermo softshell, which prevents the biting cold wind from hurting your skin. The full seat with silicone material also provides a superior grip and makes it easy to get on and off the horse.

Features

  • Available in 7 sizes
  • Suitable for winter riding, thanks to the ultra-soft fleece lining.
  • Full-seat with silicone grip
  • Pockets for storage
  • Ideal for dressage or trail riding
  • Medium-rise waist with a wide waistband
  • Dirt and water-repelling softshell fabric

Pros

  • True to size, well-made, very warm
  • Easy to clean
  • Classy-looking

Cons

  • Calves/ankles are loose so tucking into chaps or riding boots is tedious.

How they compare

Most riders loved these super warm dressage tights from HORZE – they are incredibly well-made, super-comfy, and designed to keep you warm. The lack of color choices is a downside, but we can work with it. Their price is reasonable as the high-quality materials give you complete value for money.

Picture of a girl riding in horse riding breeches

What you need to know about riding breeches.

You might have heard of the term “breeches and cream.” It is a traditional English phrase used by equestrians to describe riding breeches because English Breeches had to be cream-colored.

Today, you can find plenty of variety in riding breeches, and they come in different styles, colors, and materials. You can even get beautiful patterns like leopard, sport, or flowers. But there is a lot more to riding breeches than their color.

Riding breeches are specially designed pants that hug your legs. Horse riders usually wear these tight-fitting trousers because they’re comfortable and help prevent sliding in the saddle. The specially designed fit is comfortable and works well with riding boots.

Those who enjoy the best possible experience when it comes to horseback riding know that it starts by wearing the proper clothing, and breeches are instrumental. There are many variations out there, some with built-in silicone or cushioning around both knees, as well as full seat and waist heights for all types.

Riding breeches should be comfortable, durable, and breathable while also providing a good grip. There are many different brands and styles of riding breeches on the market, so it can be difficult to know which ones to choose.

When do you need full-seat riding breeches?

Full-seat riding breeches are made with unique materials and reinforcements, typically silicone, which enable the rider to get a more stable seat and provide them with a firmer grip in the saddle.

They also have a slight ‘sticky’ texture that extends from the inner thigh to the back of the knees providing a more secure and firm grip while riding.

Many events like dressage require riders to wear full-seat breeches. However, traditional riding jeans are the popular choice for western-style equestrian events.

Why high waist breeches are good for riding?

High-waist breeches provide stability and back support to riders. They also offer greater comfort mixed with style. The high waist helps balance the core and hides tummy fat or belly bulges.

Also, they sit up higher, making it easier to keep your shirt tucked in so you can focus on riding without worrying about your shirt coming untucked.

High waist breeches elongate the torso and flatter every body shape. This is especially beneficial to female equestrians who do not like wearing form-fitting or figure-hugging riding clothing if they are conscious of their body shape.

Key Takeaways

Riding breeches are specially designed with horse riding in mind. They bring very little fabric between you and your horse so that you can communicate better with your animal.

Whether you need riding breeches for events, dressage, clinic, or trail riding, we are sure you will find an excellent pair for it. 

We recommend Horze and B-Vertigo breeches – both these brands make excellent full-seat, high or mid-waist breeches that combine style, comfort, and function. Both brands also have great breeches for summer and winter riding.

They use high-quality materials and have fantastic features like extra pockets, zip and button closures, breathability, moisture-wicking, etc. I expect you will find a pair that fits your needs, but if you don’t, you may want to check out some riding tights or leggings.

Below is a helpful video that provides instructions on how to order the correct size Horze Breeches: