Breeches Ariat

What Are Breeches: Types, Sizing, and How to Choose the Right Pair for Your Riding Discipline

Michelle Drum

Breeches are an important part of your horse-riding ensemble as they are designed to provide an optimal horse-riding experience. Choosing the right breeches will improve your horse-riding experience. In this article, we’ll share what you need to know about riding breeches and how to select your own pair.

What are breeches?

Breeches are athletic, close-fitting riding pants designed to move with you in the saddle and enhance communication with your horse. Made from lightweight, stretchy materials, breeches eliminate inner seams to prevent chafing and feature grip panels for stability. The result: a comfortable, secure feel that supports precise leg aids and confidence at every gait.

Well-fitted breeches should feel like a second skin—snug, never restrictive—offering full freedom of movement whether you’re schooling, showing, or hacking out.

How do riding jodhpurs differ from breeches?

Both are essentials in English riding, but they’re built for different purposes—and have very different design details.

Breeches end just above the ankle so they can slip neatly into tall riding boots. They come in knee-patch and full-seat styles and are the standard choice for most adult riders in hunter, jumper, and dressage disciplines.

Jodhpurs, on the other hand, are designed specifically for young riders who ride in paddock boots. They feature a longer, extended knee patch, plus a cuffed bottom hem with an interior button and elastic strap. That strap wraps under the foot, sitting just in front of the heel of the paddock boot, to keep the pant leg from riding up in the saddle. When competing, jods are paired with a garter strap that sits just below the knee for a polished, traditional look.

While adults can wear jodhpurs, it’s almost exclusively in gaited-breed disciplines like Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers, and occasionally Paso Finos. In those rings, jods are part of a formal day-suit turnout that includes tailored jods, a vest, shirt, and long coat. Since that style is highly discipline-specific, most adult English riders stick with breeches instead.

Different types of riding breeches

Different disciplines require different levels of grip, flexibility, and polish. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different types of breeches you can find.

Full seat riding breeches

Full-seat breeches offer gripping fabrics from the inner thigh to the knee and provide a stickier seat, enabling the rider to stay more firmly in the saddle. These are typically used with event and dressage riding styles. Though any color can be worn for everyday use, eventing and dressage riders typically wear white or light-colored breeches during competition.

Knee patch riding breeches

Knee-patch breeches feature grip panels only at the knees, giving riders freedom to adjust leg position without sticking to the saddle. Ideal for hunter and jumper riders, as well as everyday schooling.

Riding tights

Riding tights are the most lightweight and flexible option available. They combine the comfort of athletic leggings with the function of traditional breeches, often featuring silicone knee or full-seat grip for added stability. While tights aren’t typically worn in the show ring, they’re perfect for everyday training or long summer rides when comfort and mobility matter most.

How to Choose Breeches for Your Discipline

When selecting breeches, think about how and where you ride.

Riding discipline Best type Features to look for
Hunter/equitation Knee patch Smooth front, traditional rise, subtle styling
Jumper Knee patch Technical stretch fabric, silicone knee grip
Dressage Full seat High rise, strong silicone or leather seat
Eventing Full seat for dressage/schooling; knee patch for jumping Durable stretch material, water-resistant finish
Schooling/trail Either Pull-on styles, breathable technical fabrics

Pro tip: For competition whites, always wear seamless nude undergarments underneath—never dark layers, and definitely not bare.

How to measure yourself for breeches

Getting accurate measurements is the key to finding breeches that fit comfortably in and out of the saddle. All you need is a flexible measuring tape, a mirror, and ideally a friend to help ensure accuracy. Wear lightweight riding tights or leggings as bulky clothing can throw off your numbers.

1. Measure your waist

Measure around your natural waistline, which sits just above your hip bones and below your ribcage. Keep the tape level and snug, but not tight—you should be able to slip one finger underneath.

  • For regular-rise breeches, this is your primary measurement.
  • For high-rise breeches, measure slightly higher at the narrowest part of your torso.
  • If you’re between sizes, round down; most breeches have stretch to accommodate movement.

Pro tip: If your breeches tend to gap at the back or slide down, you may need a higher rise or a contoured waistband rather than a smaller size.

2. Measure your hip

For low- or mid-rise breeches, measure the fullest part of your hips and seat, which is usually 7–9 inches below your natural waist. Keep your feet together and ensure the tape stays parallel to the ground.

This measurement determines how snug your breeches will feel across the seat and upper thigh. Too tight, and the fabric may pull or wrinkle when you bend your knee; too loose, and you’ll lose contact in the saddle.

3. Measure your inseam

Measure from the top of your inner thigh down to the ankle bone (or to where you want the cuff to end). Many breeches are designed to hit just above the ankle so they fit smoothly inside tall boots or half chaps.

  • If you’re taller or have longer legs, look for Long or Tall lengths.
  • Riders with shorter legs may prefer Regular or Short cuts to avoid excess fabric under boots.
  • Breeches with sock bottoms (stretchy elastic cuffs) offer flexibility across different inseam lengths.

4. Choose your rise preference

The rise determines where the waistband sits on your torso, and it can drastically change comfort and performance.

  • Low-Rise (1–2” below the belly button): Offers a sporty, modern look and greater flexibility. Favored by jumpers and schooling riders who want more mobility.
  • Mid-Rise (just below the waist): The most balanced option for comfort and coverage. Great for long days in the saddle and riders of all body types.
  • High-Rise (at or above the waist): Provides maximum core support and a smooth, secure silhouette; ideal for dressage, eventing, or anyone who prefers extra coverage.

Fit tip: The waistband should stay flat against your midsection whether you’re standing or riding. If it gaps or shifts when you bend, the rise may not match your body type.

Breeches sizing and fit guide

Finding the right fit can make or break your ride. Breeches should feel like a second skin, snug through the seat and thigh, but never restrictive. If they bunch, wrinkle, or sag behind the knee, they’re too big. If they pinch or restrict your range of motion, they’re too small.

  • Women’s breeches are sized by waist measurement in inches (typically 24–40). If you usually wear a US pant size 6-8, you’ll likely need a 28 in breeches.
  • Men’s breeches follow traditional waist/inseam measurements (e.g., 32×32).
  • Children’s breeches are labeled numerically (e.g., 8, 10, 12) and generally align with age sizing.
Ladies pant size Suggested breeches size
2-4 24
4-6 26
6-8 28
8-10 30
10-12 32
12-14 34
14-16 36
16-18 38
18-20 40

How should breeches fit?

Breeches should feel like a comfortable second skin: snug through the seat and leg, but never restrictive. When you move, the fabric should stretch with you without pulling, sagging, or bunching behind the knees. The waistband should stay flat and secure when you bend or ride, with no gapping at the back. In the saddle, you shouldn’t feel excess fabric under your thigh or pressure from seams. The right pair supports freedom of movement, maintains smooth contact with your horse, and keeps you confident and comfortable through every stride.

Riding breeches size guides by brand

Each manufacturer’s breeches fit a little differently. Find your favorite brand below and explore our in-depth sizing guides to discover your perfect fit.

Our favorite riding breeches

Need some help finding the right riding breeches for your needs? At the Farm House, we’ve helped countless equestrians find the best breeches no matter their discipline. Here are some of our favorites and best sellers.

Best knee patch breeches

Best full seat breeches

For our full review on the best riding breeches, check out our Best Breeches guide →

Find breeches that fit your ride

The right pair of breeches can completely change how you feel in the saddle—boosting comfort, confidence, and connection with your horse. Whether you prefer the grip of full-seats for dressage, the flexibility of knee-patch styles for hunters and jumpers, or the everyday comfort of schooling breeches, fit and function always come first.

At the Farm House, our team of lifelong riders knows how every detail affects performance. If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to help you find breeches that look good, feel great, and perform beautifully every ride. Give us a call at 864-457-3557 or come visit us in-store!

Shop all women’s breeches →

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1 comment

Thank you for all the useful information on breeches, different styles and colors. I found it so interesting and useful as I am a new rider! Thank you!

Gay Reeves

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