| What are the benefits to a full seat riding breech? | | | | this material will be the largest factor in |
| To provide fuller protection from rubbing than a | | | | determining the price of your riding breech. |
| knee patch breech, full seat breeches feature an | | | | Self-Fabric seats use the same fabric as the |
| insert that runs from below the waist at the back | | | | breech itself. This method usually provide extra |
| of the breech, across the seat and down the | | | | protection but little in the way of extra grip. This |
| inside of both legs. Many riders find the added grip | | | | breech is usually the least expensive option. With |
| factor and contrasting material more comfortable | | | | the look and feel of sueded leather, Clarino or |
| and long-lasting than other forms of riding | | | | other synthetic suedes, increase the level of |
| breeches. There are five main considerations that | | | | protection for the rider. There are many different |
| must go into buying the right full seat breech to | | | | branded synthetic suedes and all give a good |
| meet your needs: Breech fabrics, full seat | | | | degree of extra protection against rubbing as well |
| materials, style, fashion trends and brands. | | | | as increase the grip of the breech in the saddle. It |
| Riding Breech Fabrics | | | | is important to keep in mind that most synthetic |
| There is a range of breech fabrics being used for | | | | suede full seats have no ability to stretch in any |
| full seat breeches. These choices cover a | | | | direction. That means that you have a |
| spectrum of fabrics as well as prices. The fabric | | | | non-stretch fabric built onto a garment that |
| used in the manufacturing of the riding breech will | | | | usually has two or even four-way stretch which |
| be a large factor in determining the final price tag. | | | | can lead to a slight difference in fit between a |
| You will want to consider the comfort, fit and | | | | knee patch and a full seat version of the same |
| weight of each of the fabrics so that you find the | | | | brand of breech. As for pricing, the Clarino-type |
| most useful breech for your price range. | | | | full seat is washable and can be dried at low heat |
| The older style nylon breeches are still in favor | | | | in your dryer which will keep these full seat |
| with some riders- particularly as they hold their | | | | breeches on the more affordable end of the |
| color and don't fade, absorb moisture, provide a | | | | spectrum. Leather full seats have the advantage |
| maximum stretch factor and are easy to wash | | | | of providing the best grip and can, with proper |
| and wear. However, the 100% nylon breech has | | | | care, last for many years. A full seat leather |
| fallen out favor in most cases since the advent of | | | | breech will be one of the most expensive, given |
| the Cotton/Lycra breech. You will find nylon | | | | the quality of materials used, but will age well. |
| combined with cotton and other fabrics in an | | | | Many of these breeches combine the full leather |
| effort to combine the benefits of nylon but | | | | seat and the more expensive breech fabrics |
| improve on the "nylon" style that has diminished in | | | | favored in Europe. Most leather full seat breeches |
| popularity. Riding breeches that use the cotton / | | | | are washable as long as you follow the |
| lycra / spandex combination capitalize on the | | | | manufacturer's care instructions. There are new |
| exceptional elasticity (stretchability) of spandex / | | | | technologies in fabric emerging all the time. These |
| lycra. This fabric comes in a variety of weights, | | | | new fabrics, combined with the leather full seat |
| the lightest being pull-on tights, to the more | | | | combine functionality and design. |
| substantial thicker looking breech that is less | | | | Riding Breeches Style |
| see-through and provides more support for the | | | | Riders use full seat breeches for schooling, show |
| rider. The popular cotton / lycra riding breeches | | | | or pleasure which means that you can find the |
| have become a classic and a staple for most | | | | style that suits you best. The high-waist riding |
| riders. These full seat breeches are comfortable, | | | | breech is the most formal style offered. This |
| with minimal shrinkage but with some fading and | | | | breech is most often worn in the U.S. in |
| dulling of color and occasionally a pilling of the | | | | competition situations and most often under a |
| fabric. Because these breeches are made primarily | | | | Shadbelly. These high waist styles do come in |
| of cotton, moisture is absorbed and retained by | | | | schooling colors and are popular in Europe for |
| the fabric. Once it gets damp the cotton / lycra | | | | non-competitive riding as well. The regular waist |
| can feel heavy and lose its shape, especially at | | | | full seat breech is a classic staple of the show |
| the knees as it has poor "memory" when damp. | | | | ring. This breech, with a front zipper is commonly |
| The nature of the fabric to absorb and hold onto | | | | used for schooling breeches, pleasure riding and |
| moisture means that it is not a good insulator | | | | where a bit more protection and grip is needed. |
| against cold. However, the price combined with | | | | The recent trend toward a lower rise in breeches |
| the style and feel of this fabric has won legions of | | | | has gained popularity across the age groups. |
| fans. The combination fabric of cotton / lycra / | | | | These breeches have a lower rise, varying from |
| spandex combines the best of both words with | | | | extremely low to just below the navel to create |
| stretchability, wash and wear and comfort. This | | | | a modern fit and look. Many of these breeches |
| 2-way or 4-way stretch fabric will keep its shape | | | | have a lower front with a higher back to avoid |
| better under damp conditions and through many | | | | any hint of underwear showing and also to help |
| wears, however the higher price must be | | | | keep rider's shirts tucked in. In many cases these |
| considered. | | | | low rise breeches have become the best selling |
| The advent of microfiber has once again | | | | style for most manufacturers. For schooling and |
| revolutionized the industry, providing new | | | | pleasure riding there are also full seat pull-on |
| technologies geared towards increasing the | | | | breeches available. These are an excellent choice |
| comfort of the rider. There are a number of | | | | for comfort and ease for most riders. |
| microfiber breeches available, made out of | | | | Riding Apparel Fashion Trends |
| polyester and sometimes mixed with other | | | | The world of riding clothing continues to become |
| materials, they are generally a 4-way stretch | | | | bolder, brighter and much more individual as more |
| fabric. These microfibers wick away moisture | | | | and more manufacturers bring out new design |
| from the skin, leaving the rider cooler, drier and | | | | lines for riders. The formal style and colors of the |
| more comfortable during and after riding. Some | | | | traditional full seat breech have been a staple of |
| full seat breeches now come with an extra layer | | | | the dressage and event rider, but the door has |
| bonded to the inside of the breech that increased | | | | opened to a full range of colors, fun patterns and |
| the ability of the material to wick moisture away | | | | prints. Many of the full seat manufacturers are |
| from the skin. A rider can finish a lengthy ride and | | | | also expanding their lines to include coordinating |
| be dry and comfortable and in cooler conditions | | | | socks, tops, belts and even horse gear to suit |
| this means that the rider will also be warmer. For | | | | any occasion and mood. These new fashions have |
| those who face winter or inclement conditions the | | | | been particularly appealing for the lady riders! |
| spandex blend fleece might be the best option | | | | Equestrian Brands |
| available. These breeches feature many of the | | | | Do you already have a favorite brand for |
| same properties of the microfiber fleece with the | | | | breeches? Most manufacturers will have a line of |
| added warmth of fleece. Many of these breeches | | | | full seat breeches available, so you might not |
| are coated with wind and rain resistant material | | | | have to change brands to get the look and fit |
| that allows moisture to wick away from the | | | | that you need. There is a wide variety of full seat |
| rider's body but prevents moisture and wind from | | | | breeches to choose from for each rider. Some of |
| penetrating through to the rider. | | | | the brands that might be considered are; Eurofit, |
| Full Seat Breech Materials | | | | Ariat, Ovation, TuffRider, Irideon, Arista, Tropical |
| The material used for the full seat of the breech | | | | Rider, Kerrits, Fun in the Saddle, Goode Rider, |
| can be of a number of different materials, each | | | | Isabell Werth, and Royal Highness. |
| giving a different level of protection. Additionally, | | | | |