The best competition breeches are lightweight and breathable, enabling you to stay cool while working hard in warm temperatures. Competition breeches are typically either white, cream or fawn in colour to fit with the rules of the major disciplines – so finding a pair that uses stain-repelling technology is a real bonus. If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, check out our pick of the best everyday breeches, riding tights and leggings. And if you’re after the best men’s breeches, we’ve got that covered, too.
Technical fabrics also offer wicking properties as well as compression and the best competition breeches will have sufficient stretch to allow you freedom of movement in the saddle, combined with good support and grip.
Some riders – usually dressage riders – prefer a full seat, while others – particularly showjumpers – favour the knee grip design as they spend more time out of the saddle. Really it’s down to personal preference but luckily there are plenty of design options to suit. Obviously you want look and feel your best when out competing, so style and fit are also key to finding the best pair of competition breeches for you.
Best competition breeches
Mark Todd Marceline Breeches
Colours: White, beige, grey, navy, navy/rose gold or white/rose gold | Sizes: 24–34in | RRP: £79.99 |
These breeches are designed to have a close, comfortable fit that allows freedom of movement. They feature silicone grip knee patches and a slimline, elasticated sock ankle.
View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Ariat Tri Factor X Bellatrix Breeches
Colours: White or blue nights | Sizes: 22–36in, in regular or long | RRP: £150 |
These breeches wick moisture away from the skin to help regulate your body temperature. The shaped calf alleviates pressure points and friction, while the core control technology provides slimming support. The silicone grip full seat offers security in the saddle and the V-shaped waistband accommodates different shapes.
View now at ariat.com, amazon.co.uk or rideawaystore.com
Hy Equestrian Regatta Ladies Breeches
Colours: White or black | Sizes: 24–34in | RRP: £79.99 |
The back pockets on these breeches feature embroidered roses and a silver zip. The breeches have moisture-wicking properties and feature stretch hem ankle cuffs.
View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Pikeur Candela Competition Breeches
Colours: White, beige, black or navy | Sizes: 20–34in, in regular or long | RRP: £178.95 |
These high-waisted breeches feature a mock suede or silicone grip full seat – the choice is yours – as well as two slanting pockets (not in white) and elasticated ankle finish.
View now at amazon.co.uk or elandlodge.com
Toggi Contour Full-Seat Breeches
Colours: White, beige, stone, black or navy | Sizes: 24–34in | RRP: £77 |
These high-waisted breeches are made from a water-resistant woven fabric with four-way stretch that is described as lightweight yet supportive. They have a full silicone seat, mesh ankle panels and a zipped pocket.
View now at elandlodge.com
Whitaker Miami Ladies Full-Seat Breeches
Colours: White, cream, blue or black | Sizes: 26–34in | RRP: £71.50 |
These breeches are crafted from a soft-touch, opaque fabric with four-way stretch that is quick drying and breathable. Designed to flatter, they have a contoured subtle silicone seat that aids security in the saddle, while also offering a smart look.
View now at amazon.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or ebay.co.uk
Equetech Ultimo Grip Breeches
Colours: White or grey | Sizes: 24–36in | RRP: £89.50 |
These stretchy high-waisted breeches have a subtle phone pocket on the thigh. They are designed with careful seam positioning for ultimate comfort.
View now at equus.co.uk
Harry Hall Farnell Full-Seat Breeches
Colours: Beige | Sizes: 26–34in | RRP: £55 |
With an updated fit and design, the Farnell breeches are have a full silicone seat and stretch ankle panels.
View now at amazon.co.uk
Shires Aubrion Thompson breeches
Colours: White, beige, black, navy, olive or grey | Sizes: 24–34in | RRP: £59.99 |
These lightweight breeches are made from performance fabric and feature matte silicone knee grips and a contour seat. As one of the cheaper pairs of breeches in this guide, they show you can still feel the part on a budget.
View now at amazon.co.uk, naylors.com, rideawaystore.com, elandlodge.com or ebay.co.uk
Coldstream Kilham Competition Breeches
Colours: White, taupe or navy | Sizes: 24–34in | RRP: £119.99 |
These breeches are designed to contour your figure for the perfect fit. They are made from a hair- and water-repellent fabric with Lycra, have a full silicone seat and have inner ankles made from a stretch elastic to ensure a close and smooth fit under long socks.
View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or ebay.co.uk
LeMieux Dynamique Breeches
Colours: White, navy, dark navy, graphite or ice grey | Sizes: UK 6–18 | RRP: £109.95 |
These durable breeches are have a tapered lower leg design and a mesh stretch seamless cuff. They have a seamless design with a supportive, elasticated high waist and a full silicone seat. The two fake zip back pockets are finished with a shimmer of gems for added sparkle. Available in full seat or knee grip styles.
View now at amazon.co.uk or equus.co.uk
Premier Equine Aradina Full-Seat Breeches
Colours: White or vanilla | Sizes: 22–34in | RRP: £94 |
These breeches are designed to support and sculpt the femine form. They have a full-seat of mid weight gel that provides moderate grip, plus ergonomically placed pleats at the knee for a comfortable fit. The pockets are all fake and purely for aesthetics.
View now at ebay.co.uk
Dublin Edge Gel Full-Seat Breeches
Colours: White or sand | Sizes: UK 8–18 | RRP: £121.99 | Review: 7/10 |
These breeches feature an Ezi-Grip gel full seat, dust-resistant fabric coating and an air-panel cuff for a close fit without adding bulk.
Read H&H’s independent Dublin Edge breeches review.
View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or naylors.com
Ego7 EJ jumping breeches
Colours: White, beige, black, navy, Bordeaux, green grey or hunter green | Sizes: EU 32–46 | RRP: £168 |
These jersey breeches feature knee grip patches, flattering front pockets and zip detail on the back. The fabric has a four-way stretch that provides unrestricted movement, support and shape retention.
View now at amazon.co.uk
Holland Cooper Hickstead breeches
Colours: White or stone | Sizes: UK 6–16 | RRP: £125 |
These breeches from Holland Cooper are designed to follow your figure and help you feel stylish in the saddle. They have a full grip seat and are cut in a flexible fabric to allow you freedom of movement.
View now at elandlodge.com
Mountain Horse Diana Breeches
Colours: White, navy, taupe or burgundy | Sizes: EU 34–46 | RRP: £85 |
These high-waisted breeches have a silicone grip, wide waistband and double-stretch ankle cuff. They are made from a four-way stretch nylon/spandex mix that wicks away moisture and repels dirt.
View now at amazon.co.uk
Aztec Diamond Performance Breeches
Colours: White, stone, taupe, maroon or black | Sizes: UK 4–16 | RRP: £120
These breeches are breathable and wicking, and have dual seamless side pockets. They have curved side panels for maximum movement while in saddle, plus a discreet silicone grip on the inside of the leg.
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What’s the difference between full-seat and knee-patch breeches?
Full-seat breeches tend to be favoured by riders who hack or do dressage as they are great for helping you stay secure in the saddle by promoting stillness from your seat down. For this reason, they can be a little more restrictive and can make it harder to adjust your position. Knee-patch breeches only have grip at the knee – this offers less security, but makes it easier to come out of the saddle and adopt the two-point position if you’re jumping. Traditionally the seat or patches were suede, but more recently variations of silicone grip have become most popular.
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